Five-day olfactory journey to Bulgaria

Raw materials come from all corners of the world: Osmanthus from China, Vanilla from Madagascar, Patchouli from Indonesia, and Oud from Bangladesh. But did you know that 50% of the worldwide Rose Oil supplies come from Bulgaria? Or that in recent years, Bulgaria has overtaken France to become the world leader in lavender oil production?

Join our scent expedition and explore what fragrances & flavours Bulgaria has to offer. 

Discover & Create

From field trips and meetings with local producers to full-day perfume-making classes, this journey is designed for those who want to deepen their knowledge of perfumery in a short, intensive format.

We’ll focus on Bulgaria’s primary perfume plants — rose, tobacco, oakmoss, and lavender — and explore other locally distilled materials such as linden, lilac, helichrysum, clary sage, and juniper.

Additionally, we will explore locally produced beeswax absolute, a unique aromatic material derived from raw beeswax that honeybees make while collecting nectar from Bulgaria's diverse flora.

The Experience

An immersive olfactory program designed to elevate your understanding of fragrance creation.

Daily perfume-making sessions with Karen Gilbert — fragrance expert, author, and host of The Perfume Making Podcast — will guide you through natural and synthetic materials, accord-building, and perfume composition.
Through hands-on and “nose-on” practice, you’ll learn how to structure and refine your own creations.
All materials and equipment are provided.

In previous years, the classes were led by Marina Barcenilla (2025) of Marina Barcenilla Parfums, and Sarah McCartney (2024) of 4160 Tuesdays.

Field Visits

Spend a full day among the lavender fields and distilleries, meeting the producers who transform plants into precious essences.
Enjoy a culinary journey alongside it — tasting regional food and wines that share the same terroir as the aromatic plants we’ll study.

Materials You’ll Work With

Participants will explore and create with locally produced materials, including:
rose oil, rose absolute, rose CO₂, tobacco absolute, oakmoss absolute, beeswax absolute, helichrysum oil, lavender oil and absolute, clary sage concrete, linden CO₂, lilac CO₂, and juniper berry oil.

All materials will be available to test, blend, and purchase at preferential prices during the retreat.

Perfume Plants of Bulgaria 
locally produced natural materials
(subject to yearly availability)

Rose (Rosa x Damascena Mill): Rose CO2, Rose Absolute, Rose Essential Oil

Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum L.): Tobacco Absolute without nicotine

Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri L.): Oakmoss Absolute, low percentage of atranol

Beeswax (Cera alba): Beeswax Absolute extracted from honeycomb waxes

Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Mill): Lavender Absolute, Lavender Oil

Linden (Tilia Cordata Mill) : Linden CO2

Lilac (Syringa; L.): Lilac CO2

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea L.): Clary Sage Concrete

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.): Rosemary Essential Oil

Juniper Berry (Juniperus Communis L.): Juniper Essential Oil

Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.): Pine Essential Oil

❤️

Discover the smells, tastes and sights of Bulgaria by joining our fragrant adventure!

Kristen Reynolds, USA

Holistic Skin Therapist, Earth Angel Esthetics

Anyone who appreciates scent knows how delightful it is to experience just one sniff of any aroma, but imagine experiencing it for five days straight! It's a true scent adventure, and I highly recommend it.

Jhon Lookyan, Switzerland

Private Chef, Cesar Ritz College

As a Chef, this was a fantastic experience! Attending the event has helped me expand my palate & discover a new take on gastronomy, which I now apply in my everyday cooking.

Silvia went far and beyond to make me feel comfortable, safe & constantly learning. Her hospitality was genuine and highly attentive!

I am looking forward to repeating this incredible adventure with friends & family in the near future!