Map and a Small Guide to Blagoevgrad and It S Region

Map and a small guide to pop-folk, called "chalga" and see some belly Bansko is a town and famous ski resort located at dancing. the foot of Pirin Mountain. It is considered to be the Blagoevgrad and it`s region In the summer it`s good to visit the "Aquapark". most developed Ski and Winter resort in Eastern Watch films in the Cinema - "Cinemax", play Europe and one of the best in Europe. It also hosts Blagoevgrad is 100 km south of Sofia and 90 km bowling or go to Spa in the center by the fountains. the annual Bansko Jazz Festival. Try the scenic north of the border with Greece. It lies in the narrow gauge railway from Bansko to Septemvri, outskirts of Rila mountain. With population of Things to see in Blagoevgrad area: nearby Plovdiv. Slow but scenery the train travels about 80 000 people Blagoevgrad hosts 2 Almost an hour away is situated the Rila almost 5 hours through mountains and canyons. universities and more than 10 000 students. The Monastery. It is the biggest Orthodox Monastery in Buses to Bansko go at these hours: 7, 9, 9.30, 11, 11.30, South-West University (SWU) and the American Bulgaria and maybe on the Balkans. The monastery 12.50, 14.40, 16.30, 18, 19 University in Bulgaria (AUBG). was founded by the hermit St. John of Rila (Ivan The small "Bodrost" ski resort is situated about 20 The town has been found by the Thracians in the Rilski), whose name it bears, during the rule of Tsar km from Blagoevgrad. "Macedonia" hut is further 4th century because of it`s thermal springs. Later it Peter I (927-968). The hermit actually lived in a cave up in the mountain of Rila. It is inetersting to go was occupied by the Romans and in 15th century not far from the monastery, while the complex was there for hiking and ski. There are no buses or trains became a base of the Ottoman army until 1912 built by his students, who came to the mountains to there. when it was liberated to be a notable Bulgarian for their education. Nowadays it is a remarkable Every hour there are buses to Sofia until 6 p.m. town nowadays. cultural and spiritual center of the Balkans. and there are also trains going to there. Buses Blagoevgrad - Rila Monastery : If you are going to visit Plovdiv there 2 buses Starts from Blagoevgrad: 7.00 am and 12.00 pm from that depart at 6,00 and at 14,00 every day. Arives in the town of Rila: 7.30 am and 12.30 pm Plovdiv is the second biggest Bulgarian city - there From town Rila to Monastery: 7.40, 12.40 and 15.50 you can see remains from 4 empires – Thracian- From Monastery to Rila : 8.20, 14.10, and 17.00 Macedonian empire, Greek, Roman empire and From town of Rila to Blagoevgrad and back there Otoman empire. The old Plovdiv is beautfull and are buses on the hour until 19.00. colourfull little town on one of the hills of the city. Things to see in Blagoevgrad: If you are travelling to Republic of Macedonia or The old town "Varosha" - typical Bulgarian style Melnik is situated a 100 km south of Blagoevgrad Greece you can always spent one night in and the orthodox Church situated there. and is the smallest town in Bulgaria with only 385 Blagoevgrad. The town is only 20 km far from the The Historical museum in "Varosha" and the Zoo in inhabitants but is also an architectural reserve and border with Macedonia and 90 km from the border the hills above the town are interesting to see. 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments. The first with Greece. There are several buses to Thessaloniki The central area with it`s cafes, bars and to settle the area was the Thracian tribe of the – at 9,45, 12,00 and 21,45 – ask where to wait for restaurants packed with young people. famous rebel Spartacus. It is famous for it`s wine them. Getting to the border with Macedonia is The buildings of the AUBG, Municipality and and crafts. possible by taxi or if there is a shuttle bus, there is Theatre by the fountains. Bus to Melnik: 11,00 (bus station - tel. 884009). On one bus to Strumica (100 km south) at 17,00. Entertainment: the way back you can take a bus at 17,00 from If you prefer trains there is a train station in The nightclubs like "Underground" work all night Melnik to Sandanski, and from Sandanski at 18.00 Blagoevgrad just 6 minutes walk from hotel Fenix. long. You can visit also "Piano bar" if you want to there is a bus to Blagoevgrad. Sandanski is SPA listen to pop music or sing karaoke. In "Extreme" resort with many hotels with mineral water pools. and "Sun city" you can hear the typical Bulgarian In Bulgaria for Emergency dial – 112