Bulgaria (instructor Stella Canfield)
most recent tour: september 14 - 27, 2008
Bulgaria, a country little known by Americans, will surprise and delight you. This is Old Europe, with twisty cobblestone streets and tile-roofed houses; a Roman amphitheater here, a Crusader’s bastion there. Bulgaria offers an incredible variety of scenes to inspire painters and photographers, including majestic mountains, lush valleys, acres of poppies and roses, sleepy villages and bustling cities, sparkling clean rivers and the golden-sand beaches of the Black Sea.
One of the most colorful countries you will ever visit, Bulgaria is a feast for the eyes. All of your senses will be stimulated as you indulge in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Bulgaria, for the Bulgarians have been creating literature, art, and music for thousands of years. These open-minded people are vivacious, fun-loving and friendly. From the 7000-year-old capital Sofia, we travel through voluptuous mountains and verdant valleys, to the beautiful Black Sea.
At each locality, we will journey a short distance to a spot for you to paint, photograph, and enjoy. The stunning natural landscapes and enchanting vistas will inspire you. Our air-conditioned bus and a knowledgeable guide will always be at your service. Plenty of free time will allow you to relax and discover charming cafes, museums, and delightful shopping; our guides know the best places to find Bulgarian arts and crafts. Throughout our tour, we will savor the delicious, piquant Bulgarian cuisine, accompanied by the country’s famous, delicate wines.
INSTRUCTION
This class will focus on “on-location” painting skills, but also is tailored to help you develop your own personal expression. You can simply paint in your style and enjoy the camaraderie of other like-minded participants. The best part of the day is the pre-dinner critique, accompanied by wine and treats when we share our successes and adventures. This daily dialogue with each other is the real heart of the experience. Stella will be available throughout the day on location for personal instruction.
MEALS
All breakfasts, lunches, and eight group dinners are provided in the cost of this trip. Breakfasts will be served in our hotel, buffet style. Our lunches each day will either be a bagged one, provided each morning before you set out, or a group lunch if we are traveling. You won’t need to take time to search out a restaurant.
Some of our group dinners will be accompanied by local entertainment, mostly notably traditional dancers in costume.
Stella will guide you in your restaurant and menu choices for your free dinners. Plan on enjoying traditional Bulgarian offerings: delicious soups, meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, Shopska salad (tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, onions, and sometimes lettuce, and dessert. Of course, wine will be on the menu, as well as Rakija, the national drink.
Dinners are an event in Bulgaria, even for Bulgarians. Our table is ours for the night.
EXTRA NIGHTS IN BULGARIA
All who want to arrive in Sofia a day or two earlier than May 20 will be able to get rooms at Radisson at our group rates, saving you the discomfort of moving from one hotel to another. Please let us know ASAP if you need extra room nights.
FOOTWEAR
Please note that most of the streets in Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Hungary are cobblestones. Bring comfortable walking shoes.
Sun Sep 14 - Day 1
Since you will be traveling on your own to Sofia our group will gather at 4:00 pm at the Radisson Hotel. (You can check into the hotel any time after 1:00 pm.) Look for an “Adventure Artist’s Tours” sign at the reception desk. We will be at the restaurant’s tables outdoors if the weather permits. We will get to know each other over a group dinner and will have lots of information for you.
Mon Sept 15 – Day 2
This is a travel day to Veliko Turnovo. You will be amazed at the beauty of this city and location of our very charming Gurko Hotel. The hotel boasts balconies and carts loaded with geraniums and hand knit wool blankets on the beds. You only have to walk out the front door to find painting inspiration.
Veliko Turnovo is the medieval capitol of the 2nd Bulgarian kingdom. It is built on several hills on the steep banks of the Yantra River. Our bus will wind through the city’s narrow streets to give us an over-view of the sites. Our guide will take us on a walking tour on Trapezitsa Hill where the foundations of 17 mediaeval churches were discovered at the turn of the last century. For the shoppers, you will be dropped off at one end of the crafts and antique shopping street and be picked up at the other end for a ride back to the hotel. We will have a group dinner tonight.
Tues Sept 16 – Day 3
Experience a full day in Veliko Turnovo. You are free to paint and explore as you choose. Dinner will be on your own.
This is our 2nd night at the Gurko Hotel
Wed Sept 17 – Day 4
We will spend a day in Etara. This is a picturesque well-maintained village, with bridges across a small stream. An artist’s paradise, Etara is an artisan village with shops and workshops in pottery, silver filigree jewelry, metal bells and bowls, wood carving (toys, chess sets, spoons, wall art, and whistles) leather, fur clothing, sugar candy shops and bakery, herbs, knives, and weaving. Diner on your own when we return to Veliko Turnovo tonight.
Thurs Sept 18 – Day 5
Today we will explore the picturesque town of Arbanassi. We will have a tour of an ancient church full of frescos, and a house that has been converted into a museum. You will find many opportunities to paint. Our group dinner will be sumptuous at the Arbanassi restaurant, followed by our 4th night at the Gurko Hotel.
Fri Sept 19 – Day 6
We board our bus after breakfast this morning with only a small back of cloths and painting “stuff”on our way to Varna. We will stop to visit the children in the orphanage in the small town of Barzitsa. This has been the highlight of the Bulgarian experience by all who have traveled with Adventure Artist’s Tours/Stellar Arts Foundation in the past. The children are looking forward to our visit. The funds from SAF help support educational opportunities for these 70 kids, ages 6 through 18. Many participants ask about taking gifts for the orphanage, and we say “Thank you, but please no.”
Lunch will be served at Stella’s Bulgarian home when we arrive in Barzitsa. We will paint in the afternoon. Plan on getting settled into the Hotel Odessos right on the pedestrian street in the heart of things before our group dinner tonight.
Sat Sept 20 – Day 7
We will make a day trip to Nessebar, entering the peninsula over a causeway. There is much evidence of the remains of Greek and Roman fortress walls here. The cobblestone streets were not designed for cars….so it’s easy to walk throughout the town. Nessebar dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. It survived the Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Turks. You will find art galleries in historic churches, and remains of ancient buildings are easily accessible. A plethora of vendors along the streets add “color and interest.” Dinner will be at hotel “Gurko” after returning to Veliko Turnovo tonight.
Sun Sep 21 – Day 8
Experience a full day in Veliko Turnovo. You are free to paint and explore as you choose. Dinner will be on your own.
Mon Sep 22 – Day 9
Experience a full day in Veliko Turnovo. You are free to paint and explore as you choose. Dinner will be on your own.
Tues Sept 23 – Day 10
We will travel today to Koprivshtitsa.
When we arrive in Koprivshtitsa we settle into the Hotel Dallia and enjoy a group dinner at Bashtina Kashta.
Wed Sept 24 – Day 11
With a full day in Koprivshtitsa you will find no shortage of artistic inspiration. Hay carts are of particular interest for our groups. Wander around the hillsides of this delightful town to find very interesting architecture, people and scenes. A lovely stream runs through the village right in front of our hotel. Dinner will be on your own tonight.
Thurs Sept 25 – Day 12
Another full day in Koprivshtitsa. We are sure you will find a plentiful of picturesque sites to paint. We will have our “Good-bye” group dinner tonight followed by an exhibit of the art that has been created during the trip.
Fri Sept 26 - Day 13
This is our final travel day as a group. After arriving in Sofia and checking into the Radisson Hotel, you will have the day to explore this beautiful capital city. Of particular interest is the St Alexander Nevski Memorial Church across the plaza, nearly parliament buildings, statues, and a very interesting array of vendors along the plaza sidewalks. Our final group dinner!
Sat Sept 27 - Day 14
After breakfast we will say our final good-byes before heading to the airport. (Unless you have made plans to stay, of course!)
“This is a unique painting sightseeing trip. Relaxed! Flexible! Fun! I felt like part of an extended Bulgarian family, not a tourist.” Carolyn Mueller
