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  • Via Pontica and the Balkan <br />Cycling Tour
    Via Pontica and the Balkan
    Cycling Tour

Via Pontica and the Balkan
10 days

Premium Guided Cycling Tour Crossing The Balkan And Passing Along The Black Sea Coastline

Review

This guided bicycle tour goes on rich cultural routes which cover the Black Sea coast and the Balkan Range at once. The moderate cycling tour starts from the fairy mountain villages of Zheravna and Medven in the middle of Bulgaria, comes down to the Black Sea jewel Nessebar - UNESCO World Heritage Site and continues along the coast to the fascinating city of Varna. The hilly terrain and the amazing nature, garnished with a wine tasting and delicious seafood make the cycling real summer recreational vacation. You will have a rest day in the UNESCO Heritage town of Nessebur. Spend it on a bike in two different ways - easy Burgas city tour or adventurous MTB trip, where the Balkan ends with Cape Emine. Enjoy the friendly services, the cultural diversity of The Balkans and the sea breeze pedaling along the edge of South-East Europe with good quality bicycles and local ride leaders.


Map

Via Pontica and the Balkan Cycling Tour MAP
Cycling Tour: VIA PONTICA
AND THE BALKAN
TYPE: Guided
LENGTH: 465 km (289 miles)
DURATION: 10 days
NIGHTS: 10 nights + 1 bonus
LOWEST POINT: 0 m (0 feet)
HIGHEST POINT: 435 m (1427 feet)
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

Highlights

 


Itinerary


Day 1 Arrival

Arrival at the town of Kotel. The mountainous town is a center of attractive tourist region with unique Balkan architecture. Most of the villages preserve glorious 19th century outlook, reminding the Ottoman times when here flourished livestock trade and crafts. In the evening we may enjoy the live Gypsy music in most of the traditional local restaurants.

Day 2 Cycling from Kotel to Medven

Leaving Kotel we cycle through the Iron Gate Pass and stop in the most remarkable village of The Eastern Balkan - Zheravna. More than 200 historical wooden houses, cobblestone streets, old churches and folk festivals turn Zheravna into preferred cultural destination. The trip across the Kotel Mountain take us to Medven - another symbol of the Bulgarian Renaissance architecture.

Day 3 Cycling from Medven to Venets Winery

In the morning we'll take a walk into the mountain to see the famous Sini Vir Waterfall. Than we ride the bicycles on the gentle hills along Luda Kamchia River - the biggest Eastern Balkan river which forms a magnificent gorge downstream. Our route weaves among the vineyards around Sungurlare and finally we reach renowned Venets Winery where to stay for the night.

Day 4 Cycling from Venets Winery to Aytos

This will be the easiest cycling day in the Balkan region with only one hill to overcome. We'll visit interesting sites in the town of Karnobat. The region gives one of the best wines and brandies of Bulgaria. Following the Balkan foothills we are riding to the town of Aytos. It's worth to see one of the oldest mosque in Europe from 1435 and the beautiful park nearby our hotel.

Day 5 Cycling from Aytos to Nessebur

Exciting cycling passing by the Muslim villages of the Aytos and Kamchia mountains. Approaching the Black Sea will stop to taste the delicate flavor of the wines of Rubayat Winery. After a few miles we'll be at the Black Sea jewel - old town of Nessebur. The small peninsula, where is the UNESCO Heritage Site, constitute the richest architectural collection of both Bulgarian and Byzantine medieval orthodox art.

Day 6 Rest day in Nessebur – UNESCO WHS

We provide different cycling opportunities for today, which are part of the tour program. You are free to spend the day on a bike or just relaxing on the seaside. Whatever you choose it will be done for you - Burgas City bike tour or MTB ride:

Leisure Urban Cycling Day – city bike tour in Burgas, 20-25 km., flat, from Sarafovo to Burgas and back, tha gravel coastal road along Atanasovsko Lake, Burgas Seaside Park and the lively city center. You may go on a boat trip to St.Anastacia Island (30 min.) and make a walk there for 2 hours to visit the romantic medieval monastery;

Adventurous Mountain Bike Day – we can take you on MTB trip down to Cape Emine, the final headland of the Balkan Mountain and enjoy the trails of Emona Village surroundings. We go back to Nessebur by bikes. Distance 36 km., mainly downhill, 20 km dirt & gravel roads.


Day 7 Cycling from Sunny Beach to Obzor-Byala area

From here to the end of the tour will cycle close to the sea, following the ancient Roman road Via Pontica. The most difficult part is the route through the coastal mountain. We could choose from two trails, depending on the cyclists' physical condition. 55 km distance across the Dulino pass with one long uphill gaining some 400 m elevation or 40 km distance, half of them on dirt and gravel roads along the shore where we have to climb several steep uphill nearby the Cape of Emine. The traffic flow goes far from both trails, which keep these areas away from the tourist crowds and you’ll be free to enjoy the unforgettable nature and the spectacular views.

Day 8 Cycling from Obzor-Byala area to Kamchia Biosphere Reserve

Town of Byala lies between two impressive capes. The White Rocks Cape is an amazing cliff landmark and on St. Athanas Cape there is ancient fortress overlooking the sea. Before we leave Byala we'll visit Polichronoff Winery for wine tasting. Our route across the coastal hills goes through beautiful oak wood area. Close to the seaside village of Shkorpilovtsi begins the Kamchia UNESCO Biosphere reserve.

Day 9 Cycling from Kamchia Biosphere Reserve to Varna

In the morning we'll go on a boat trip from the mouth of Kamchia River into the reserve and will take a look at the fabulous riverine forest Longoza. Than pedal the long beach of Kamchia we'll catch the uphill of the Plateau of Avren to drop down to the Varna Lake. The cycling route weaves along the woody shore of the lake just to reach the Asparuchovo beach at the end. After a short climb we come to our hotel on the foothills of the historic Galata Cape.

Day 10 (Optional) Varna coastline

As a beginning we cycle the scenic road around the cape and then cross the 60 meters high Asparuch Bridge, which gives spectacular overview to Varna and its bay. The rest of the day we’ll spend in Varna, where there are a lot of things to do during the summertime. The city attracts tourists with remarkable cultural sites and the Varna Golden Necropolis is definitely the notorious one, being the world's oldest man-made golden treasure. Varna is an ancestor of ancient Odessos, one of the richest trade centers along Via Pontica route.
We suggest to do a cycling tour in the city and the vicinities, including a route to Golden Sands Nature Park, where is the rock-hewn Aladja Monastery and to Euxinograd Palace and Winery.

What’s Included

 

  • Transfer from/to Varna airport to your accommodation at the day before and the day after the tour. Transfers in two directions from/to Burgas airport will cost 35 € per person and from/to Bucharest airport 85 € per person (min 3 persons). One way transfers will cost respectively 20 € and 45 € per person
  • 24-gear lightweight trekking Bike without helmet (Helmets at your disposal by renting - 20 Euro per tour)
  • English/Russian speaking ride leader with local knowledge
  • Map
  • Accommodation during the tours at family run hotels and guest houses at the quality of 3 *** and 4 **** including breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Two (2) Picnic lunches and Two (2) Wine tasting programs at local wineries
  • Refreshing drinks (non alcoholic) during the cycling time
  • Support vehicle and luggage transfer
  • Permanent technical bike support
  • Medical insurance for Bulgaria
  • Bonus for direct booking on our site after-the-tour accommodation in the itineraries and cost-free transfers to/from Burgas Airport

Price and Dates

 

TOUR DATES: 19 June 2024

 

PRICE: 1160 € (for 9 days premium tour)