A Sensory Journey through Bulgaria with Saskia Wilson-Brown
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE INSTITUTE FOR ART & OLFACTION
TRIP LENGTH
9 Days, 8 Nights
TRIP DATES
June 22–30, 2026
GROUP SIZE
6–14 people
TRIP PRICE
$4,985
Trip Overview
Experience the world-renowned Rose Valley with the scent of Damask roses still lingering in the air.
Immerse yourself in Bulgarian perfumery and scent culture during a hands-on workshop.
Taste Bulgaria through bakery visits, market tours, mountain meals, and boutique wines.
Explore Plovdiv’s ancient ruins and creative districts, then head into the folklore‑rich Rhodope Mountains and the dramatic Devil’s Throat Cave.
Travel with Saskia Wilson‑Brown, founder of The Institute for Art and Olfaction.
Set out across Bulgaria just as the Rose Valley eases into the final days of its harvest, when the fields still hold the soft scent of late‑blooming Damask roses. From Sofia’s lively cultural scene to mountain villages, ancient cities, and rural landscapes, you’ll explore the country through its craft, cuisine, and deep‑rooted traditions.
Along the way, meet the people who shape Bulgaria’s stories: perfumers, distillers, bakers, artisans, and folklorists. Guiding the journey is Saskia Wilson‑Brown, founder of The Institute for Art and Olfaction, whose playful, cross‑disciplinary approach to scent adds a creative through‑line to the entire experience. It’s a vibrant, sensory‑forward adventure that captures Bulgaria at a beautifully transitional moment, full of character, color, and atmosphere.
Trip Itinerary
Sofia's Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome Dinner in Sofia
Welcome to Bulgaria! Touchdown in Sofia and step straight into the rhythm of Bulgaria’s vibrant capital. After settling into the sleek Sense Hotel, you’ll have time to wander, shop, or simply soak in the city’s energy. As evening falls, we’ll kick off the journey with a warm, lively welcome dinner at Izbata Tavern, where folk‑style charm and hearty Bulgarian flavours set the tone for the days ahead.
Accommodation: Sense Hotel, Sofia
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Rakia & Rose Oil Explorations
We’ll begin today with a guided walk through Sofia to Vitosha Boulevard, an elegant pedestrian avenue buzzing with life. Here we’ll visit One Bulgarian Rose and dive into the world of rose‑oil craftsmanship with a guided introduction to different oils, rose waters, teas, and more. After free time to explore and enjoy lunch, we’ll head to the Central Market, where a local expert will bring Bulgaria’s culinary culture to life. As the sun sets, wander through a neighbourhood of parks and grand buildings to dine at Raketa Raki, a restaurant known for modern interpretations of socialist‑era dishes, and a tasting of Bulgaria’s national spirit, rakia.
Accommodation: Sense Hotel, Sofia
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dried rosebuds are used to infuse oils, syrups & more.
Beklemeto Pass in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains.
Day 3: Beklemeto Pass & Chateau Copsa Winery
Today, the group will depart Sofia after breakfast and travel by bus toward the Rose Valley, stopping in Koprivshtitsa for lunch and a scenic stroll. In the afternoon, we’ll ascend the Beklemeto Pass for sweeping mountain views, followed by a wine‑tasting dinner and tour at Chateau Copsa Winery.
Accommodation: King’s Valley Spa Hotel, Kazanluk
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Bulgarian Baking & Spa Afternoon
The morning will begin with a visit to a local bakery for a behind‑the‑scenes look at Bulgarian baking traditions, followed by a pastry breakfast. We’ll then have the opportunity to explore the Rose Museum, learning about the history and craft of the region’s famed rose‑oil production. The afternoon will be free for relaxation at the hotel’s extensive spa facilities or an optional excursion to the ornate Russian Orthodox Church in Shipka, before dinner back at the hotel.
Accommodation: King’s Valley Spa Hotel, Kazanluk
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Shipka Memorial Church is still an active monastery.
Get your noses ready for Saskia's perfumery workshop.
Day 5: Perfume-Making Workshop & Distillery Tour
Today will begin with a hands‑on perfume‑making workshop led by Saskia Wilson-Brown. After an outdoor lunch in Kazanluk, we’ll visit the Damascena Ethnographic Complex where expert distillers will guide us on a tour of the site featuring gardens, a rose distillery, and a museum. The day will end in Plovdiv with dinner at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant.
Accommodation: Skyler Guest House, Plovdiv
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Plovdiv & Kapana
Explore Plovdiv at your own pace this morning, or join a guided walking tour of the city’s ancient fortress, Roman amphitheatre, and historic mosque. Lunch will be on your own with abundant options nearby. In the afternoon, we’ll come back together to enjoy a gentle guided walk through Kapana, the city’s vibrant creative district, before gathering for dinner in one of its atmospheric restaurants.
Accommodation: Skyler Guest House, Plovdiv
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Clouded valleys in the Rhodope Mountains.
Day 7: Shiroka Luka & Devil's Throat Cave
Our journey continues into the Rhodope Mountains, a region rich in folklore and natural beauty. In the preserved town of Shiroka Luka, we’ll enjoy a traditional mountain lunch and a nature walk focused on local herbs and flowers. The day will conclude in the village of Gela, the legendary birthplace of Orpheus, with a visit to the dramatic Devil’s Throat Cave to explore the sensory roots of myth.
Accommodation: Hotel Gela, Gela
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Sofia Return & Farewell Dinner
Your morning will be free to relax in the mountain surroundings before a scenic drive back toward Sofia, with a stop for lunch along the way. After some free time in the capital, the group will gather for a final, farewell dinner in the courtyard of one of Sofia’s best restaurants.
Accommodation: Sense Hotel, Sofia
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sofia's St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the Balkans. Photo by Richard Fawcus
Shipka pass at dusk. Photo by Richard Fawcus
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, depart for home or further adventures.
ACCOMPANYING YOUR GROUP
Saskia Wilson-Brown
Saskia Wilson‑Brown is the founder of The Institute for Art and Olfaction, an organization dedicated to experimental and independent perfumery. Her work spans scent research, artistic collaboration, and public education, with projects ranging from open‑source perfume initiatives to international exhibitions and residencies. Trained in fine art and filmmaking, she approaches olfaction through a cross‑disciplinary lens, exploring how fragrance intersects with culture, creativity, and sensory experience.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Trip Designer: Richard Fawcus
Saskia Wilson‑Brown is the founder of The Institute for Art and Olfaction, an organization dedicated to experimental and independent perfumery. Her work spans scent research, artistic collaboration, and public education, with projects ranging from open‑source perfume initiatives to international exhibitions and residencies. Trained in fine art and filmmaking, she approaches olfaction through a cross‑disciplinary lens, exploring how fragrance intersects with culture, creativity, and sensory experience.
ACCOMPANYING YOUR GROUP
Saskia Wilson-Brown
Saskia Wilson‑Brown is the founder of The Institute for Art and Olfaction, an organization dedicated to experimental and independent perfumery. Her work spans scent research, artistic collaboration, and public education, with projects ranging from open‑source perfume initiatives to international exhibitions and residencies. Trained in fine art and filmmaking, she approaches olfaction through a cross‑disciplinary lens, exploring how fragrance intersects with culture, creativity, and sensory experience.
What is included?
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Double-occupancy accommodations throughout the trip. Guests may upgrade to a single room for the duration of the trip, for a supplement of $750 (USD)
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Most meals (as described in the itinerary)
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Transportation (as described in the itinerary), including airport transfers
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Admission/entry to activities (as described in the itinerary)
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All materials and supplies for the hands‑on perfumery workshop, including essences, tools, and take‑home creations
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All gratuities (not including for Trip Leader)
What is not included?
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Flights to and from destination
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Pre/post-trip accommodations
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Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
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Visas and passport fees
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Meals outside of those described (including most alcoholic beverages)
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Tip for Trip Leader
Trip Details
The price listed is per person, based on double-occupancy accommodations. A $500 deposit is required to book your spot on the trip, and the remaining balance will be due 90 days prior to departure.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles a day, navigating city streets, markets, and historic sites, and spending stretches of time on their feet. Several activities include gentle nature walks on uneven terrain, and there are a few short uphill paths,. particularly in the Rhodope Mountains and around cave sites. The trip also involves getting on and off buses and walking through villages with cobblestones or dirt paths.
Accommodations feature well‑located boutique hotels chosen for comfort, character, and easy access to the cultural and natural sites visited throughout the trip.
If you’d like your own room, choose the “Single Supplement” option when you book, or email us at hello@fieldworktravel.com. Private rooms are available for a supplemental cost of $750, subject to availability. Solo travelers also have the option to share accommodations with a roommate. If you choose not to opt for a private room, we’ll match you with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Ground transportation is provided by a comfortable, private, air‑conditioned vehicle for all transfers, day trips, and travel between destinations throughout the itinerary.
By booking a trip with us, you agree to these Terms & Conditions and Binding Arbitration Agreement. They contain important information. Please read with care.