Travel: Liquid Rose Gold: Bulgarian_Rose_013

Rose-pickers weigh roses at the rose gardens of Lema distillery in Kazanlak, Bulgaria on May 24, 2018. Each of Lema's caldrons has a 5 ton capacity, and it takes 3 to 5 tonnes of roses to produce just 1 kg of rose oil. Lema, a family-owned rose plantation and production facility of over 40 years, produces mainly rose oil, rose water, lavender oil, and souvenirs. The distillery borders Arsenal, Bulgaria's oldest weapons-maker (privatized after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989.) Arsenal employs around 10,000 people, and has its own kindergarten and hospital on the grounds.Photo by: Yana Paskova for National Geographic Traveler

Rose-pickers weigh roses at the rose gardens of Lema distillery in Kazanlak, Bulgaria on May 24, 2018. Each of Lema's caldrons has a 5 ton capacity, and it takes 3 to 5 tonnes of roses to produce just 1 kg of rose oil. Lema, a family-owned rose plantation and production facility of over 40 years, produces mainly rose oil, rose water, lavender oil, and souvenirs. The distillery borders Arsenal, Bulgaria's oldest weapons-maker (privatized after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989.) Arsenal employs around 10,000 people, and has its own kindergarten and hospital on the grounds.

Photo by: Yana Paskova for National Geographic Traveler