River Cruise Collection: UNESCO site and local Bulgarian living

On this exclusive TUI River tour, you’ll get a glimpse in to the lives of Bulgarian locals. A scenic drive through sunflower plantations to the UNESCO-accredited Madara River kicks off this seven-hour tour. You’ll see how the rock face has been transformed into a work of art, with etchings telling the story of the Bulgarian state’s first few years. You’ll then hop back on the bus for a short drive to the small village of Kyulevcha. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed in to a traditional country house and the grannies will show you crafts, teach you how to make banitsa – a Bulgarian pastry – and prepare you an authentic Bulgarian lunch. You can look forward to meat and vegetables, soup, and Bulgarian brandy. After your meal, local ladies will sing, dance and perform genuine Bulgarian folklore rites, which you’re invited to take part in. When all the singing and dancing’s over, you’ll be taken back to the ship.