Bulgaria

Beautiful Autumn Landscapes of Bulgaria

September 27 - October 12th, 2020

Tour Leaders: William Manning and Iordan Hristov
Join William and Iordan (Dancho) on this unforgettable journey into beautiful Bulgaria. Both leaders are outstanding teachers and photographers. Iordan, or as we call him, Dancho, lives in Sofia and knows his country well. William and Dancho, spent considerable time scouting out the locations and designing this journey to make this an exceptional experience for our photographers.  

Our journey into Bulgaria will take us to some of the most spectacular regions in the country. Bulgaria is a hidden gem with endless miles of natural beauty awaiting for the photographer to explore this land of extraordinary opportunities. The diversity of the land, made up of beautiful high alpine mountains, forests, fertile farmland, mineral springs, sand pyramids, waterfalls, and a rugged coastline make Bulgaria unique and a rewarding photo journey. All of this wrapped up into a small country with lots of history and a friendly population in between it all.

Signs of occupation in contemporary Bulgaria date back 8000 years. The presence of Thracian tribes, romans, turks, have all left their mark on the contemporary culture, cuisine, architecture and traditions. We will experience this history each day throughout our journey. We will meet of people who still live traditional life styles in villages tucked away in the mountain regions.

Religion has played a major role in preserving the spirit of local populations at times of wars and occupation. Hundreds of picturesque monasteries and over a thousand Orthodox churches have played a major role in building the spirit and development of local people. 

Bulgaria might be one of the best kept secrets for travel. It is still a lesser traveled European country but the secret is starting to spill out throughout the world. Those who have traveled throughout Bulgaria are returning because it is nearly impossible to experience everything the country has to offer in a short stay. 

Bulgaria Photography Tour Itinerary

Day 1, September 27th
Depart home for your international flight to Sofia, Bulgaria.

Day 2, September 28th

Arrival. Meet with our guide and evening walk for dinner and blue hour photography in Sofia.
1 night at hotel Le Fleur, Sofia

Day 3, September 29th

Sofia – Belogradchik (180 km – 3 hours drive)

Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital. Signs of occupation suggest that Sofia dates at least 7000 years BC. Historic landmarks and architecture from roman occupation and baroque style buildings all mark the city centre. Contemporary buildings from the communist era found their way into the mix of Sofia's historic past. Sofia will be our first opportunity to photograph on our exciting Bulgarian journey. An early morning will give us the opportunity to photograph historic Sofia during the blue hour and sunrise before the crowds hit the streets.

Journey to the North

After breakfast we start our journey towards Belogradchik Rocks.

Our journey to the north is marked by Iskar river gorge where we shall be driving along. It is a spectacular area with limestone cliffs some of which are over 100m high. Fall colours here are magnificent in combination with the white cliffs. To break up the journey we shall stop along at look out points overlooking the whole valley and at Cherepish monastery. Built at the end of 14th century in between the cliffs of Iskar river gorge, it was called the “Skulls monastery” and there is a reason for this. There are still preserved skulls of soldiers died during the Ottoman yoke in a war between Ivan Shisman and the Ottoman soldiers. Being at the bottom of the valley the monastery was used by rebels to hide and plan their activities during the Ottoman yoke.  At the end of 16th century, the monastery was restored and transformed into a literature and spiritual center.

Positioned in the top North-western part of the country, Belogradchik is a small provincial town rich in nature with phenomenal landscapes. The area is known mainly for its vast area of cliffs which is over 50 km2. The formation of the Belogradchik Rocks started during the Permian period, about 230 million years ago when movements of the land raised the cliffs. Nowadays some of the cliffs are over 200m high and have fantastic red color rich in iron oxide. The rich red colors of the rocks and the fall colors of vegetation are often accompanied with mist which will give us an unforgetable photo experience.

Once at Belogradchik, we will set up for sunset and look at the rock formations with names like “The Shepherd”, “The Lion”, “The Monks”, “The School girl” and others.

Subjects to photograph during the day: natural landscapes, rock formations, river valleys, architecture (monastery),

Belogradchik

Today we will explore the area of Belogradchik and its remote villages, farmlands, people and Belogradchik fortress. It is one of the most preserved fortresses in Bulgaria and is designated as a cultural monument of national significance. The fortress was built in Roman times and fortification walls were built only at the Northern and South-Western side. For the other sides were used the natural rocks which are over 70m high. The area of the fortress is over 10 000 m2 with three different zones. The inner one is the highest and offers superb views towards the whole valley around.

The remoteness of the area makes the life of local people very challenging thus we will see mainly elderly people that have stayed in the villages. They make their living by grazing their cattle, collecting firewood or forest mushrooms and berries. We will visit a local crafts shop where people have organised themselves in a union and make their own jam with wild fruits. A well known breed of sheep is only raised here so we can visit a farm and try the locally home made cheese. 

In the evening, we will be back to Belogradchik for a short walk that will give us access to a look out point standing on the top of the rocks and overlooking the whole area.

Subjects to photograph during the day: local people, rock formations, local farms, fortress, local livelihood.

Day 5, October 1st

Belogradchik – Sofia – Melnik (350 km – 5 hours)

Today we start our way south to the very south-western corner of the country on the border with Greece and Macedonia. Driving over a mountain pass will take us to superb 200-300 years old beech forest in its fall color which is often covered in mist to create a very photogenic athmosphere.

In the afternoon we will visit Rila monastery: a monument of cultural heritage of UNESCO. It is the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria built high into Rila mountains at 3 800 ft a.s.l. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments. The whole complex occupies an area of 8,800 m² and is rectangular in form, centred on the inner yard (3,200 m²), where the tower and the main church are situated. The main church of the monastery was erected in the middle of the 19th century. Being very colorful and rich in details, the monastery is the photographers’ paradise with endless compositions and perspectives.

We will aim to arrive at Melnik early enough for an evening photo session for those note tired of the road.

2 nights at hotel Grecko, Melnik

Day 6, October 2nd

Melnik is known as the smallest town in Bulgaria and is situated at the southern foot of the Pirin mountains. The proximity of the area to the Mediterranean sea makes the climate here very mild. This in turn made the region one of the most famous wine areas in the country with a number of wineries and vineyards spread over the rolling hills. Being a wine region for many years, Melnik has well preserved houses and wine museums which we will explore to get familiar with the rich life of local people in the past. Since we are at the prime time of grapes collection, we shall visit some grape plantations to photograph local people collecting the grapes.

Other than the vines, Melnik has one more symbol: its unique sand pyramids some of which are vertical and reaching over 100m height giving dramatic features to the landscape. Being shaped by rainfall and wind, some of the pyramids have large boulders that have stayed there after the wash. 

The area also has the very peaceful Rozhen monastery which was built in 13th century on the top of a hill and surrounded by 4 mountains : Pirin, Slavynka, Belasitsa and Ograzhden. The calm and creative atmosphere at the yard of the monastery is not to be missed.

Subjects to photograph during the day: vineyards, grapes picking, sand pyramids, local people, wine museum, architecture interior and exterior

Day 7, October 3rd

Melnik – Gotse Delchev (60km – 1,30 hours)

From the rolling hills of Melnik we drive across the southern part of Pirin mountains to move over to the neighboring valley of Mesta river. In mountain villages en route we shall meet with local people and see the harsh life of mountainous communities. Their live in hostile environment has tough them to be happy with what they have and always welcome newcomers. Since this environment and setting are not perspective, there are mainly elderly people left who make their living from wood extraction and their small gardens on the mountain hillside. You will often see big piles of firewood stored in front of people’s home some of which have no cover on the floor but bare soil.

Mesta River Valley

Once in Mesta river valley, we will have a touch to people of a different religion: pomaks. These Bulgarian with Muslim religion live mainly in mountainous areas and make their living of growing tobacco, potatoes and beans. The setting of the countryside is magnificent with rugged mountains, dry land, cliffs and small plots of land.

The area of Gotse Delchev has a number of villages with well preserved architecture some of which have become architectural reserves. The cobblestone narrow streets, roofs of stone tiles, walls made of clay and rocks are all typical to local houses.

Subjects to photograph during the day: local people, traditional houses.
2 nights in Garmen Hills Stop in old and abandoned villages along the way. (Pirin village)

Day 8, October 4th

Once in the area of Gotse Delchev, we shall explore the neigbouring villages with traditional houses, rural countryside, local people and rock formations. One of the villages to be visited, called Kovachevitsa, is known for its school of house builders.

Subject to photograph during the day: old traditional houses, local people, rural landscape, cliffs, countryside with domestic animals, small glades and forested mountains

Day 9, October 5th

Gotse Delchev – Shiroka Laka (100 km – 2 hours) .

From the river valley of Mesta, we continue further east towards the Western Rhodope mountains. The climate and vegetation here change dramatically and from the dry climate of the valley we go into the temperate conifer forest with sparse glades. Another area dominated by mountainous communities of mixed Orthodox Christians and Muslims.

We drive towards Shrika laka passing through the very typical landscape features of the Western Rhodope mountains: conifer forest with glades, some of these are worked by people to plant tobacco, potatoes or beans.

We will aim to arrive at Shiroka early enough for an evening stroll and a blue hour session of old traditional houses. Just as in the previous area of Gotse Delchev, houses here also have the stone slate roofs. Shiroka laka is a small village.

Subject to photograph during the day: Old traditional villages and characteristic Rhodopean landscapes, local people.

2 nights at  Hotel Shiroka Laka

Day 10, October 6th

Today we will explore the area of Shiroka laka which has some narrow gorges with deep river valleys. Some of the cliffs here are over 100m high with pine trees growing vertical right from the surface of the cliffs.

Subjects to photograph during the day: traditional villages and characteristic Rhodopean landscapes, deep gorges with rivers, waterfalls and limestone cliffs, local people.

Day 11, October 7th

Shiroka Laka – Ardino (80 km – 2 hours)

From the forested Western Rhodopes, we make our way to the East towards the Eastern Rhodope mountains. It is a much lower mountain with stronger influence from the Mediterranean climate. Our main subjects are the “Devil’s Bridge” (who also happened to be here), and Kardzhali dam meander. Both subjects are very impressibe.

Devil’s bridge was built in 16th century to facilitate the trade on the route across the mountains. It is 12m high with 3 arches and over 50m long.

Kardzhali dam meander is a phenomenal landscape feature in the shape of a horseshoe. The stunning red color of the soil and the colored fall vegetation will give us fantastic moments.

Subjects to photograph during the day: Devil's Bridge, Kardzhali Da

​1 night at hotel near Ardino.

Day 12, October 8th

Ardino – Madzharovo ( 100 km – 2 hours )

Today we continue further east into the border area with Greece towards one of the most underpopulated regions in the country. Here is the core of the Eastern Rhodopes. 

Subjects to photograph during the day: Rural countryside with abandoned villages

2 nights at hotel Rai, Madzharovo

Day 13, October 9th

We shall spend the short day around Madzharovo. The volcanic activity from 75 mln years ago has totally shaped the landscape with over 200m vertical cliffs to river meanders, water wells and rock pinnacles. The small villages are mainly occupied by pomaks who work the land and graze animals extensively.

During the day we shall visit a local house for production of sesame tahan (a local product, produced by grinding sesame seeds).

Subjects to photograph during the day: cliffs of the volcano crater, river meandres, volcano formations, local villages and people.

Day 14, October 10th

Madzharovo – Sofia (300 km – 3.5 hours)

We will spend the day mostly traveling back to Sofia but not before we visit a Thracian Tomb and try some more of the local wine in a boutique distillery. The village of Mezek is in the middle of another wine region of the country. Again the southern influence of mild Mediterranean climate is a precondition for many sunny days in the year suitable for the grapes to get its sugar.

The symbols of Mezzek village is its Thracian tomb dating from 4-3th century BC and Mezek fortress from 11th century.

We will aim to arrive back in Sofia for an early night.

Subjects to photograph during the day: fortress

2 nights at  hotel Le Fleur in Sofia.

Day 15, October 11th

We will spend the day photographing Sofia and its surroundings. It will be a leisurely day with city walks.

Subjects to photograph during the day: churches and cathedrals, roman ruins, communist buildings and architecture

Night at  hotel Le Fleur in Sofia.

Day 16, October 12th

Departure from Sofia International Airport, Bulgaria.