BULGARIAN BACKROADS: WINTER FESTIVITIES

During this period of time you will be involved in all activities for preparing the winter holidays. The major celebration will be focused on Christmas (called according to the Bulgarian tradition "Koleda") and New Year's Eve but will include also a reconstruct of the traditions for Nikulden (Dec. 6) and Ignazhden (Dec. 20). 

The traditional winter festivities are actually carried out from December 20 to January 6 of the following year. Winter in Melnik is always associated with the warmth of the houses, the new wine, and the graphic beauty of the sand pyramids. Actually Melnik is one of the favorite spots for artists. In case you love painting and sketching, please do not forget your sketchbook. The winter at the sea cost is very unusual and romantic. The sea is sometimes stormy and sometimes is calm and nice to walk along the beaches or sit on the cliffs. In both cases the time spent around the winter sea is charming and unforgettable. 

For the 10 full days you will be involved in:

• The preparation of the traditional Christmas Eve dinner with 7 or 9 or 11 dishes

• Making Christmas ritual breads and banitsa (a kind of pie)

• Finding budnik - the Christmas fireplace log for foretelling the well being of the family

• Arranging the Christmas table and taking part in all traditional rituals

• Visit the Christmas night and next day service in the church

• Making personal decorated cornel twig (surovachka) for wishing people a Happy New Year by tapping their backs with the twig

• Welcoming carol-singers

• Celebrating Vasiliyov den 

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 10 nights and 10 full boards with two special Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners (drinks included)

• Assistance from an ethnographer

Please call Airbound for pricing.  Itinerary subject to change without notice.