Escape the lively atmosphere of Plovdiv for a half-day journey that reveals two fascinating faces of the historic region of Thrace — royal heritage and contemporary Bulgarian winemaking.
This carefully curated experience takes you to the elegant Krichim Palace, once a royal hunting residence surrounded by one of the most beautiful historical parks in the country. The estate lies along the peaceful valley of the Vacha River, on lands that were once part of the legendary “Great Bulgarian Forest”.
The first building constructed here was the hunting pavilion known as the “Austrian House”, built in 1905 for Ferdinand I of Bulgaria. Later, the complex was expanded and completed during the reign of Boris III of Bulgaria in 1936, turning it into a refined countryside retreat for the Bulgarian royal family.
Today the estate impresses visitors with its magnificent landscaped park, home to more than 300 species of trees and plants. Walking along the quiet alleys, you will reach one of the most romantic corners of the park – the lake with water lilies, where small boats once floated during royal gatherings. Even today, a wooden boat resting beneath the bridge recalls the elegant leisure of another era.
Your visit also includes the estate’s historic greenhouses, a highlight for nature lovers and botany enthusiasts. The surrounding forests host a rich variety of wildlife such as fallow deer, mouflon, pheasants, and many bird species, reflecting the estate’s origins as a royal hunting domain. The nearby hunting lodge, part of the complex, completes the atmosphere of aristocratic countryside life.
After exploring this peaceful royal retreat, your journey continues toward the sunlit vineyards along the foothills of the Rhodope Mountains, where modern Bulgarian winemaking is flourishing.
There, in a boutique winery surrounded by vineyards, you will discover the local terroir and enjoy a guided wine experience that highlights the character of wines produced in this unique micro-region near Plovdiv.
