Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
his journey will take you to the Eastern Serbia and Western Bulgaria with the goal to reveal the cultural and natural heritage of the Balkan Peninsula and the Danube River. You will follow the footsteps of the Roman Emperor Rulers and immerse yourself into what was there every day life and customs. Integral part of it was the grape growing and wine producing, so you will have the chance to taste some of the best wines of this region.
Arrival and sightsseeing tour in Sofia, including the Rotunda of St. George, St Sofia Basilika, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman Ruins of Serdica and other landmarks of the Bulgarian capital. Dinner and overnight in 4-Star hotel in city center.
After breakfast departure from Sofia hotel and drive direction Serbia. Stop over for touring either the Saint John the Theologian Poganovo Monastery or the Sukovo Holy Virgin Monastery. Monastic refreshment – natural honey or homemade juice. Visit to the Ponisavlje Museum with introduction of rug weaving or pottery manufacture, followed with traditional brunch within the museum complex – the best rostilj master of Serbia prepares tasty grilled food, combined with Stara planina Mt cheese. Continue to Nis along the Sicevo Gorge of the Nisava River and tour of the Mediana archaeological site. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight. Read more
After breakfast drive to Krusevac and quick tour of the Lazarica Church and the ruins of the Medieval Prince Lazar’s town. Continue to Aleksandrovac wine region and visit to the old Wine Museum which exhibits the authentic tools for grape growing and explains the long tradition of wine production. Wine tasting with traditional brunch in one of the most famous wineries of the Aleksandrovac region. Afternoon drive along highway to Jagodina and hotel accommodation. Dinner, overnight. Read more
After breakfast drive along highway to Smederevo and tour of the Medieval fortress with presentation of knights and wine tasting. Continue to Viminacium archaeological site and sightseeing. Roman meal and wines from amphora. Hotel accommodation in Pozarevac or at the Atrium of the Viminacium site. Overnight. fter breakfast drive along highway to Smederevo and tour of the Medieval fortress with presentation of knights and wine tasting. Continue to Viminacium archaeological site and sightseeing. Roman meal and wines from amphora. Hotel accommodation in Pozarevac or at the Atrium of the Viminacium site. Overnight. Read more
After breakfast drive along the Danube to the Golubac Fortress, at the very entrance of the Djerdap National Park. Photo shooting. Continue to Kladovo, with visit of the Lepenski Vir prehistorical archaeological site/Museum. Drive on and break for an easy walk /ca 1,5 km/ to one of the observation points above the Danube which provides breathtaking panorama of the river. Homemade brunch at the rustic household in Donji Milanovac. Drive on to Kladovo and hotel accommodation – Danube Aquastar hotel. Evening cruise with luxury boat Maxim along the Danube, through the most beautiful part of the river course, passing by Tabula Traiana plaque, the King Decebalus head cut in stone cliff, and the Mraconia Monastery, on Romanian side of the river. Fish dinner with wine tasting on the boat. Overnight /wellness available/ Read more
After breakfast visit to the Museum of Archaeology in Kladovo and the Diana Fortress. Drive via Negotin to Felix Romuliana archaeological site and sightseeing. Return to Negotin and visit to the Bukovo Monastery with wine tasting and “monastic” brunch. Continue to Rajac Wineries – Rajacke Pimnice wineries in the tiny Rajac village. Wine tasting of the famous Wines of Krajina region, followed with big homemade dinner and folklore performance. Accommodation and overnight at the Negotin 3 stars hotel. Read more
After breakfast tour of the Negotin Museum of Krajina which tells us the story of the famous Krajina high-dukes /hajduks/ and works of the composer Stevan Mokranjac. Visit to the Matalj Winery and wine tasting. /end of program in Serbia/. Entering Bulgaria at noon. And drive to Belogradtschik, where we visit the Belogradtschik fortress. Build on the remains of the old roman fortress and broadened in 14 century, the Belogradtschik fortress is surrounded by an unique and impressive rock formations. Short drive to the nearby Falkovets village, where we enjoy a traditional dinner with wine tasting from Boroviza winery. Their Bella Rada white wine is among the Six best eastern European wines according to Guardian. Read more
After Breakfast we head to Magura cave – one of the the most important and extended European post-Palaeolithic painted caves. Cave paintings dating from the late Neolithic, Epipaleolithic and early Bronze Age decorate some of the cave's walls, depicting the silhouettes of women, men dancing and hunting, people wearing masks, animals, stars, tools, and plants. Along the way in the cave one can admire also impressive vaults, stalactites and stalagmites." Drive to Ruse and sightsseing tour. We vistit the roman fortress Sexaginta prista, a “city of 60 ships”. The fortress was located on the main road between Singidunum (modern Belgrade) and the Danube Delta and was destroyed in the 6th century by Avar and Slavic raids. Dinner and wine tasting in Leventa Heritage Restaurant and Wine cellar. Leventa complex is housed in the erected in the 20s of the XIX century Levent Tabia Fort, once the strongest and largest unit of the Ottoman fortifications in the region of Ruse. The Rousse Wine House produces premium LEVENT branded white and red wines. Read more
After breakfast we head to Veliko Tarnovo – the medieval capital of Bulgaria, visiting on our way the medieval Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo. This is a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and noted for its beautiful and well-preserved medieval frescoes from 13-14 Century. Sightsseing tour in Veliko Tarnovo: We visit the medieval fortress, situated on the hill Tsarevets, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra riverq and the old market, Samovodskata charshiya, who shows traditions of crafts. Dinner and wine tasting in Han Hadzhi Nikoli Heritage Restaurant. The building is is part of the Bulgarian cultural and historical hetitage and a unique masterpiece from the age of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Read more
Drive to drive to Kasanlak. We visit the famous Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak. The monument dates back to the 4th century BC an the murals are memorable for the splendid horses and for a gesture of farewell, in which the seated couple grasp each other's wrists in a moment of tenderness and equality. Drive further to Plovdiv and sightseeing tour in the old city. Plovdiv's history spans 6,000 years, ranking it among the world's oldest cities. We see the ancient Roman theatre, the Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Nebet tepe, remains of the medieval walls and towers and a well-preserved old quarter from the National Revival period with beautiful houses, churches and narrow paved streets. Dinner in Hebros Restaurant . Situated in the heart of the ancient Plovdiv, in Renaissance houses built by wealthy local merchants about 200 years ago. Read more
According to the flight schedule free time in Plovdiv after breakfast and drive to Sofia. Departure
Lubomir Popiordanov, CEO of Odysseia-In, has a huge background: master of law, mountaineer, passionate traveler, photographer, painter, author of a book, producer of films, publisher and philanthropist, freelance journalist…!
Momchil is a mountain guide, who has turned his hobby – trekking and climbing in the mountains – into a profession. He prefers working in the high mountains, but also likes going to all places with beautiful and well preserved nature. He speaks French.
Denitsa leads many of our Spanish and English groups in summer. She is an active ecologist and in the front lines of the Bulgarian organizations for nature protection. She loves flowers and all little creatures on earth.
Simeon is passionate about travel and takes every opportunity to hit the road. It could be the dirt road on his bike, or the 1300steps to reach Machu Picchu, or the fresh snow up in the Mountains…He speaks English and Spanish.
Zornitsa or just "Zori" is really passionate about being in the mountains and exploring the world by hiking. She is qualified mountain guide in English and German language and works as an interpreter too.
Biliana is an experienced mountain guide. Her favorite mountain ranges are the alpine Rila and Pirin. She also has a passion for medieval art and music. Bilyana speaks German, English and Italian.
Martin is a very experienced mountain guide. Apart from that he is also a team-building instructor. Martin is a big fan of free riding and off piste skiing. Martin speaks Spanish, French and English.
Ivaylo is our wine expert - WSET® CERTIFIED Level 2 Wines & Spirits by the London Wine & Spirit School, also a certified tour guide. He speaks fluently English and German, regularly visits wine events in Bulgaria and also adores travelling.
Mihail or just Misho is a licensed mountain leader and in the summer is usually “outdoors”. He loves working in the field of responsible tourism and education of mountain guides. Mihail speaks German and English.
Mitko is a mountain guide with a lot of knowlidge about nature and wildlife. He has graduated the University of Forestry and leads summer and winter snowshoeing groups. Mitko speaks English and Spanish.
Stela is is a passionate traveler, nature enthusiast and active mother. She has graduated as Bachelor in Geology and International Travel and Tourism. Her interests are: hiking, ski-touring, folklore dances and children education.
Ivan has climbed 18 peaks in the Alps including Montblanc and Dufourspitze. Travelling a lot across the whole Balkan Peninsula, he has climbed almost each mountain in Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Romania and Montenegro.
Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
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