RURAL BULGARIA
Staying in a rural Bulgarian house, contacts with its living
dwellers, the everyday lifestyle and the holidays, the music and the crafts,
all combined with a walk in the nature is your journey with us. Bulgarian
village, this original cultural and ethnographic reserve, gives the
opportunity to feel and immerse into a manner of life that casts bridges
across time and cultures.
Relaxing in quite places, visit to interesting cultural site near by and
finish the day with wine tasting, folklore music unplugged and traditional
dinner. Home made cheese, The famous Bulgarian yogurt. Most of the landlords
in Bulgarian village have “botanical and zoological museums” in there yards
– there they grow various vegetables and fruits. Work in the garden, pasture
herds, feel free of time and troubles. Take part in festivities, music and
crafts.
Day – 1 and 2: Sofia – Dobarsko village
Meet and greet by a professional and friendly guide in Sofia. Departure for
Rila monastery. Short sightseeing. Drive to one of Bulgarian nature
phenomenon Sand pyramids near Stob village. 1-hour walk in beautiful
landscape. Transfer to Dobarsko village. Accommodation in guest houses.
Dinner.
Dobarsko is a mountain village - 1070 m. above the sea level. It is nestled
in the south foot of the holy Rila Mountain and overlooks the endless
horizons of the pearl of Bulgarian Mountains Pirin and wide Rodopi
Mountains.
In the morning of the second day you can take part in everyday life in the
village. Studying old traditions, rituals, and songs. Overnight.
Day – 3 and 4: Banya village
Drive to Banya village situated in 15-km southwest from Dobarsko village in
a valley between the three big mountains Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes. Ruins
of interesting archeo-logical sites from Thracian and Medieval times were
found not far from Banya. Accommodation in spa complex “Roman bath”.
More then 70 mineral springs with average temperature of 58 C. Banya is
extremely attractive with its open-air swimming pools with mineral water,
which are near the public baths. The old bath /1735/ is interesting with its
architecture. In English the word "Banya" means bath.
4 churches, several small chapels. The interior of Sveti Georgi Church
/1834/ is of great artistic value. Flower greenhouses full of roses,
carnations, dahlias etc. meeting with local icon- painters, wood-carvers,
masters in weaving traditional textiles and embroidery.
Small beautiful parks. A number of folk-restaurants /mehanas/ that are
decorated in the old traditional style. They offer delicious specialties of
the local cuisine.
Day – 5, 6, 7 and 8: Kovachevitsa village
Drive after breakfast for 2 hours to Kovachevitsa village. Accommodation at
the “Wind-bells house”. Lunch with our great hostess Virginia.
If you wish to be overwhelmed by long-forgotten feelings, or to be immersed
in the enchanting glamour of bygone days, you are at the right place.
The village is tucked away between the ridges in the remotest southwestern
corner of the Rodopes. Kovachevitza is simply out of this world – so very
detached from the modern-day surroundings.
In Kovachevitza you can feast your eyes on a variety of Nature’s gifts
gathered in one place – picturesque canyons, a crystal-clear river, thick
forests, incredibly fresh and cool air, towering peaks offering
breath-taking views. All this will transport you to the long forgotten days
of the past.
Its charming, narrow, cobblestone streets and the unadorned beauty of its
proud, tall white-facade houses with stone-slab roof and huddled whispering
eaves, is a unique example of the Bulgarian architectural genius. Walk in
the mountains, take part in art-therapy, rural and recreation activities.
Taste Bulgarian cuisine – the taste you will never forget.
Visit to Ribnovo village on the third day. The life in the village is severe
but original. The villagers are Bulgarians Muslims who strongly respect the
local traditions. Almost all the women ware the traditional multicolored
trousers "shalvars", aprons and head-cloths. A substantial part of the
tradition is the hospitality. One can always find shelter, food and a nice
word in the village.
Day – 9, 10 and 11: Manastir village
Departure for town of Smolyan. Smolyan eco-trail. Drive to Manastir village.
This is the highest village on the Balkans. It is located 1500 m above sea
level. Accomodation in a guesthouse. Rodopes are famous for its beautiful
spots, easily accessible peaks and “places of power”. You can pasture goats,
try the traditional local means of transport – a donkey or a horse cart, go
for a picnic in the mountains, hike “Prespa” peak. Hosts offer dinners with
traditional food and wines from the region, folklore music and dancing.
Relax and feel the warmth of the Bulgarian hospitality.
Day – 12, 13, 14 Orehovo village
Transfer to Orehovo village in the heart of Rodopes. Old green forests and
fresh air offer wonderful opportunities for mountain, ecological tourism and
recreation close to nature. The climate is mild, and the air is rich in
ions. There is a picturesque landscape with marvelous caves, stone forms and
chasms. Overnight at guest-house “Heaven”. You have a lot of opportunities
to spend a fantastic time in Orehovo. Take part in the process of
agricultural production, pasture sheeps and goats, take a picture of
yourself in Bulgarian national clothes, dance Bulgarian “Horo” or “Rachenitsa”,
participate in milking cows or goats.
There are a lot of chalets and tourist routes in the area. The village is
famous with “Persenk” peak, chalets “Persenk” and “Loven dom” – Varna, and
the Thracian – Roman road that has preserved its original pavement.
The natural monument “The Wonderful Bridges” is in the close proximity.
A waterfall situated in the place of Duplevo - 0,5km west of the village.
Lilkovo and Sitovo villages. Rocky gorge in the valley of Oreshnitsa River.
Day 15: Sofia
Visit to Backovo monastery and Asenova fortress from 14-th century. Transfer
to Sofia.
Price: 1500 euro per person
Our group quotations always include:
- Meeting and assistance by a tour guide throughout the tour;
- transport by minibus and driver;
- 14 nights accommodation at guest-houses and spa complex in Banya village;
- entrance fees as per itinerary;
- breakfasts, lunches and diners;
- insurance;
