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Experience the vibrant traditions of Ribnovo's weddings. Witness the Gelina ritual, savor local dishes, and explore the fairytale villages of Leshten and Kovachevitsa.

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of Ribnovo's unique weddings
• Witness the Gelina ritual, where the bride is adorned with stones
• Savor local dishes like banitsa and baklava in Skrebatno village
• Explore the fairytale villages of Leshten and Kovachevitsa
• Discover the rich history of Kovachevitsa and its St. Nicholas Church

Description

Day 1: Gelina and Traditional Wedding in Ribnovo Depart from Plovdiv and Sofia and head to the village of Skrebatno. Try traditional local dishes, including sarmi and the so-called gypsy pie stuffed with vine leaves. Attend the gelina ritual, where older women prepare the bride for the wedding by painting her face with white cream, makeup, and checkers. Watch as the bride walks to her new home with her eyes closed, wearing a mirror to protect herself from evil eyes. In the afternoon, go to a wedding in Ribnovo and join the wedding guests at the local community center, where the bride’s gifts are shown on the stage in front of the whole village. Join in the fun on the square with music and lots of dancing. Look at the authentic local textiles, including hand-woven aprons called sofra, vests, and anthers worn by young girls, black velvet coats called veils worn by married women, and patterned embroidered socks. Meet local women dressed in red and cyclamen trousers, belted with hand-decorated aprons, with hair covered with towels called tulbe. They will wear a knitted kondak, the mantle will be made of black velvet, and everything will be strewn with sequins, pearls, and glittering stones. Day 2: In the Fairytale World of Leshten and Kovachevitsa After breakfast, continue with a walk to Leshten and Kovachevitsa, two villages that seem to come from the tales of the XVIII century. Learn about the first Bulgarians who settled in Kovachevitsa since the liquidation of the Tarnovo Kingdom (1393). See the first cell school in Nevrokopsko, completed in 1820. Visit the church “St. Nicholas,” the most valuable monument of spirituality in the whole region.

Includes

Visit to Ribnovo for traditional wedding ceremony Participation in Gelina ritual Transport One overnight - DBL room One breakfast One lunch - local food tasting Visit to Leshten and Kovachevitsa villages Guided tour of Kovachevitsa Wine tasting at Uva Nestum winery Culinary class for traditional banitsa in the Western Rhodope Mountains Entrance ticket to the Old School in Kovachevitsa -- today the Museum of Education

Important Information

• The tour involves walking through villages and attending local ceremonies. Participants should respect local customs and dress modestly. Photography may be restricted during certain parts of the wedding ceremony.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund