DOCSLIB.ORG

Rila Mountains Horseriding Trail

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Rila Mountains Horseriding Trail Penguin Travel Office Denmark: Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, Tlf. 33 21 51 00; Fax 33 21 51 50; e-mail: [email protected] Dossier Ref. BGHR_05 BULGARIA Horseriding Holidays Rila Mountains Trail Issued: January 2006 Horse riding in Bulgaria: from/to Sofia Iskar Ranch Difficulty grades: 2-3 Do you really want to explore Bulgaria - do This trail ride is a different way to explore the it on a horseback. country; its nature and culture. It is intended It’s simply one of the best ways to expe- for those of you who want to change the riding rience the country and the people. On the grounds or the short Saturday riding tour with horseback you will gain knowledge of the riding in the wild nature of South-Eastern Eu- nature, flora and fauna, historical sights, rope. The horse trek requires that you are used architecture etc. You will pass through Madzhare to riding and have some experience in riding in the most fantastic landscapes and you Govedartsi Borovets the open fields, on an unknown terrain and on will have the most impressious views. And Lovna Hut different horses. A different skill grade is neces- Seven Rila Lakes Mount Musala at the same time you will meet the peo- Ribni Ezera Hut Zavratchitsa sary for the various tours. Here is a short descrip- ple were they are in the country side: In a Rila Monastery tion of the difficulty grades we operate with: harmony between nature – horses and the Semkovo Hut Grunchar Hut 1. For all those who have no or just a little ex- famous – still existing – Bulgarian hospi- perience. tality. 2. For those with experience relevant to 1-2 years of a riding school. You should have tried The Rila Trek Rila Mountains the different paces and individual tours in the Are you a fen of challenging mountains, open fields. wild and untouched forests and overnights 3. You have several years of experience and you in mountain huts? If so, this trip is just for Season: Juli – august - september are well-trained in riding in all paces, on chal- you. The Rila Mountains are the highest on lenging terrains and you can ride horses with dif- the Balkan Peninsula, with lots of peaks Group size: Min 4 ferent characters. almost 3000 m. They are like a rough sea of mountain peaks, gorges and more than Tour type: IT+/IG/GT SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS 189 lakes. During this trip we pass The Our tours are divided in different tour types, re- - Rila Mountains are the highest in Bulgaria Seven Rila Lakes, which lie just like pearls gardless of being guided or not or if someone and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount on a thread. travels alone or in a group. We have prepared Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. They occupy the prestig- Our toriding trek starts from Iskar Ranch, your vacation so that you can concentrate on ious 6-th place in the European “classification”, pass the popular ski resort of Borovets, new impressions and experiences, awaiting you preceded by Caucasus, the Alps, Sierra Nevada, where you will see the hunting residence all the time. Here is a description of this tour: the Pyrenees and the Etna volcano. of the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand. The ride - IT+: Individual tours with a guide: There is a - Rila Monastery lies in the very Rila Moun- continues at an elevation between 1900 local guide provided for the days of your stay. tains, at 1,147 meters above sea level. It is the and 2400m passing several remote moun- In this particular tour you will be met by a rep- most popular tourist site among all monasteries tain lakes offering breathtaking views. One resentative in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surround- of the highlights of the tour is the visit to - IG: International group tours: Multi-national ings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient his- the biggest and most important Orthodox tours with a guide accompanying you through- tory. The monastery was declared a national his- monastery of Bulgaria - Rila Monastery out the whole trip, meeting you at the airport torical monument in 1976, while in 1983 it was (1147 m). It was founded in the 9th centu- upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again inscribed in UNESCO’s list of world heritage. ry and has more than 1200 murals. If you for departure. You will have a riding guide from wish, you can also peek into the monastery Riding base Balkan through the trail with good ITINERARY knowledge of English. kitchen or a monk’s cell. Riding goes on Day 1. After welcoming you at Sofia Airport you through highlands and lowlands with tra- - GT: Group tours: The only difference is the group consists of mostly Danish riders. will be transferred to Iskar Ranch (60 km). This ditional Bulgarian agriculture. It ends at is the place where you will spend the biggest part Iskar Ranch. of your stay. /D/ Day 2. This day is dedicated to the acquaintance among riders and horses. Thus it is quite well- balanced in order to strike up this friendship in the best possible way! Along the largest dam in Bulgaria - Iskar, the ride leads across the rolling hills of the ridges of Sred- na Gora and Rila Mountains. After a short rise we reach Borovets (1350 m a.s.l.) - a mountain ski- resort. The horses remain here, while we have a transfer back and overnight in in the Iskar Ranch as we did yesterday. The distance between the Iskar Ranch and Borovets is about 30 km. /B+L+D/ Day 3. This will be an active riding day. After breakfast a visit to the Bulgarian king’s hunting hut in Bistritsa is planned (1380 m a.s.l.). Then we start riding to the mountain hut Zavratchitsa (2178 m a.s.l.) following the upstream of Prava Maritsa River. On the way we pass through the gorges of few other mountain rivers, covered with dense belts of Dwarf mountain pine. In the 1/3 ٠ [email protected] ٠ www.penguin.dk ٠ Fax 33 21 51 50 ٠ To book please call 33 21 51 00 Penguin Travel Office Denmark: Frederiksberg Alle 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, Tlf. 33 21 51 00; Fax 33 21 51 50; e-mail: [email protected] Dossier Ref. BGHR_05 BULGARIA Horseriding Holidays Rila Mountains Trail Issued: January 2006 parts of the Rila Mountains’ plateau at a height of 2600 m a.s.l. The alpine meadows and pastures here provide magnificent views over the Urdini and the Seven Rila lakes. This is one of the most exciting places in the mountains. After short ride among the circuses we continue further along the stream of Dzherman River to Lovna hut(1654 m a.s.l.). Vada hut (1410 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight, is very close by. We pass few more tributaries of Iskar River in order to get there. /B+LP+D/ Day 7. In the morning descent leads along the Cherni Iskar River valley to the village and Goverdartsi (1160 m a.s.l.). The final destination for the day is the tiny village of Madzare where the horses remain. From here we will be trans- ferred again to Iskar Ranch for overnight. /B+L+D/ Day 8. In the morning farewell breakfast and saying goodbye to the horses and the guides will put the end of this journey. Then you will be transferred to the airport for departure. /B/ afternoon the ride continues to the circus of the /B+LP+D/ Maritchini lakes, lying at the foots of the high- ACCOMMODATION & FOOD est peak on the Balkans Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). Day 5. In the morning we head north from The Rila Trek is based on 7 nights with full board Spectacular view is expecting us while riding to- Semkovo hut to the glacier mountain “pearls” as per above. (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; LP wards the final stop for today – Grunchar hut of Sinioto, Ribnoto, Smradlivoto and few other =Lunch package; P = Picnic, D = Dinner). Drink- (2178 m a.s.l.). Very close westwards is the “blue lakes. The path through the alpine meadows will ing is to be paid on spot in leva. eye” of Beli Iskar dam. take us to Ribni ezra hut (2230 m a.s..), which Three nights spent in Iskar Ranch, 4 nights en /B+LP+D/ lies among the springs of Rilska River. It is very route in the mountains. You have access to a possible to see here flocks of semi-wild horses, bathroom almost every day (on the floor). Day 4. Today the ride from Grunchar hut leads whose reaction to the ones you ride is quite to the next accommodation in Semkovu hut unpredictable. However the attraction could be INCLUDED IN THE LANDARRANGEMENT (1740 m a.s.l.). The mountain path walks along from both sides so pay attention! From now on The luggage is transported in a supporting ve- several circuses and glacier lakes, situated by the the road follows the stream of Rilska River to hicle and the riding guide is accompanying the peaks Suha Vapa (2638 m a.s.l.) and Lopatishki Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.). We overnight in a party throughout the trek. Transfer from/to Sofia peak (2530 m a.s.l.). Around noon we reach the nearby pension. Airport to the ranch is also included. springs of Iskar River right above the Beli Iskar /B+LP+D/ dam. The route is traced to pass between heights ISKAR RANCH of 2200 and 2700 m a.s.l.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING EXCHANGE INITIATIVE for SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY Smes in the BALKAN-MEDITERRANEAN REGION Subsidy Contract No
    ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING EXCHANGE INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY SMEs IN THE BALKAN-MEDITERRANEAN REGION Subsidy Contract No. BMP1/1.3/2616/2017 Company name: “Moravsko Selo” Page | 1 Source: http://biohotel-bg.com/en/ Country/region of operation: Razlog Municipality, ‘Predela’ locality Boykov Rid, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria Sustainability dimension: environmental, resource-efficient tourist products Description of the enterprise/initiative: “Moravsko Selo” complex started working in 2007, when bio and eco were not commonly used words in Bulgaria, and producing your own food was considered quite a lonely occupation. On an area of 14 acres, 1100 metres above sea level was created one of the first family held hotels with a focus on organic production, sustainable farming and environmentally-conscious way of life. The complex includes hotel, restaurant, a farm and bio shop. Social/ community impact sought: The impact sought is offering tourist services and products which are environmentally friendly and resource-efficient: the food concept does not include a lot of intricate recipes with sophisticated products from faraway lands but rather real, local, seasonal products that the surrounding nature bestows. The complex produces the products used in the kitchen in an organic way, without using substances that are harmful to nature and man. What they cannot manufacture, they pick out from local selected providers and farmers. The visitors in the complex can enjoy close-to-the-nature experience as they are welcome to visit the farm, pick up some vegetables, ride the horse and walk with the dog. Project co-funded by the European Union and National Funds of the participating countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Analytical Report
    ANALYTICAL REPORT CAPACITY OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BANSKO, BELITSA, RAZLOG AND YAKORUDA FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE TOURISM IN A CROSS-BORDER REGION Part One 1. General Characteristics of the region а. Territory, towns, natural assets The four municipalities are located at the foot of the Pirin and Rila Mountains and in the Western-most part of the Rhodope Mountains. Their total area is 1,568 sq. km. and there are 5 towns and 31 villages situated there, including high in the mountains. The infrastructure is relatively good and ensures access to all settlements. The local roads are being renovated as per the adopted municipal pans. There is Internet in place, which ensures good conditions for modern communications. The region is mountainous and includes reserves, protected territories and National Parks. The area is rich in water resources: rivers, high-mountain lakes, waterfalls (the most famous one being the Sv. Nikola Waterfall – Municipality of Bansko). There are also many thermal springs, the majority of them being unique. The Banya village, located along the Razlog – Yakoruda road, is one of the richest settlements in Bulgaria in terms of thermal water – 72 springs have been found with various temperature and composition. Along the course of the Dobrinishka River, there is the mineral water pool built in ancient times and known as Rimskoto Banche (the Roman Bath). There are two thermal water deposits in the Municipality of Belitsa – one of them with low-mineralised water suitable for daily use and the other – with water suitable for treating locomotor problems. The natural rock formations – wonders of nature, which are the subject of various legends, are also numerous and varied.
    [Show full text]
  • About Bulgaria
    Source: Zone Bulgaria (http://en.zonebulgaria.com/) About Bulgaria General Information about Bulgaria Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe and is situated on the Balkan Peninsula. To the north the country borders Rumania, to the east – the Black Sea, to the south – Turkey and Greece, and to the west – Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a National Assembly (One House Parliament) of 240 national representatives. The President is Head of State. Geography of Bulgaria The Republic of Bulgaria covers a territory of 110 993 square kilometres. The average altitude of the country is 470 metres above sea level. The Stara Planina Mountain occupies central position and serves as a natural dividing line from the west to the east. It is a 750 km long mountain range stretching from the Vrushka Chuka Pass to Cape Emine and is part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain range. It reaches the Black Sea to the east and turns to the north along the Bulgarian-Yugoslavian border. A natural boundary with Romania is the Danube River, which is navigable all along for cargo and passenger vessels. The Black Sea is the natural eastern border of Bulgaria and its coastline is 378 km long. There are clearly cut bays, the biggest two being those of Varna and Bourgas. About 25% of the coastline are covered with sand and hosts our seaside resorts. The southern part of Bulgaria is mainly mountainous. The highest mountain is Rila with Mt. Moussala being the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula (2925 m). The second highest and the mountain of most alpine character in Bulgaria is Pirin with its highest Mt.
    [Show full text]
  • USAID and Sustainable Tourism
    ANNEX 2. PROJECT PROFILES 2.A: BULGARIA Project Name: Biodiversity Conservation and Contract Number: LAG-I-00-99-00013-00, Task Economic Growth (BCEG) (Phases I and II) Order 001 Project Duration: 2000 to 2004 Funding Mechanism: IQC - BIOFOR, Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry Strategic Objective: 183-0410 Special Initiatives Donor Agencies/Partners: • Associates in Rural Development (ARD) • Government of Bulgaria Ministry of Environment and Water • Government of Bulgaria Ministry of Economy • Ministry of Agriculture and Forests • Rila and Central Balkan National Parks • Strandja Nature Park • Foundation for Local Government Reform • Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism • Bulgarian Tourism Union • Pirin Tourism Forum • Regional Tourism Association of Stara Planina • Conservation NGO’s s.a. Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds • US Agency for International Development • United Nations Development Program • Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe • World Bank/Global Environment Facility CONTEXT Bulgaria has a rich history and a unique and internationally significant nature and culture; conservation and cultural identity are particularly strong in rural areas. The country, which is positioned at a crossroads between Europe and Asia, contains nine World Heritage sites, and has rich cultural, historical, and religious resources reaching back from the ancient Greeks and beyond medieval times. It contains mountain ski resorts, beaches with sun and sand (the self-named “sun-and-sand-stalag”), and many “wild” and undeveloped rural areas for adventure seekers. These resources provide a strong base for tourism in Bulgaria. In the mid-1990s, while many sectors of the Bulgarian economy were registering losses, statistics reported by the National Statistic Institute and Ministry of Finance show the tourism sector was steadily generating positive financial results.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1 POLSKA AKADEMIA NA UK in S T Y TUT ZOOLOGICZNY
    POLSKA AKADEMIA NAUK INSTYTUT ZOOLOGICZNY FRAGMENTA FAUNISTICA Tom XIII Warszawa, 10 V 1967 Nr 21 Regina B a ń k o w s k a Materiaux pour 1’etude des Syrphides (Diptera) de Bułgarie Materiały do znajomościSyrphidae (Diptera) Bułgarii MaTepuajibi k imnamuo cevieficrBaSyrphidae (Diptera) Eojirapmi [Avec 69 figures dans le texte] En ćte 1959 et 1964 j’ai eu 1’occasion de faire des excursions pour explorer la faunę dipterologique de Bułgarie. Cette exploration a ete rendue possible grace a 1’amabilitó de l’Institut Zoologique de 1’Acadśmie des Sciences de Buł­ garie, que je tiens a remercier ici. Les rśsultats obtenus serviront a, complement de 1’etude de la faunę de dipteres de Bułgarie. Les rócoltes et observations ont ete faites dans les regions montagneuses: Belasica, Pirin, Rila, Rodopi, Strandża, YitoSa, Stara Pianina et dans la region maritime. J ’ai elaborś aussi les materiaux recoltes par mes collegues pendant leur sejour en Bułgarie. Les donnees fauniques concernant la familie Syrphidae de Bułgarie sont assez mediocres, seulement le travail de D r e n s k i (1934) contient des donnees plus completes. Tout le reste des elaborations, ce sont les listes tres fragmen- taires consacrees a 1’ensemble des dipteres: N e d e l k o v (1912), S z i l a d y (1934) et D r e n o v s k i (1936) comportant toute la Bułgarie, les travaux de L o e w (1862) et D r ń n s k i (1942) seulement les environs de Yarna et travail de L o e w (1863) les environs de Slivno.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Things You May Find Useful to Know…
    Some things you may find useful to know… About Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east. With a territory of 110,994 square kilometers (42,855 sq mi), Bulgaria is Europe's 16th-largest country. Its population of 7.4 million people is predominantly urbanized and mainly concentrated in the administrative centers of its 28 provinces. Most commercial and cultural activities are centered on the capital and largest city, Sofia. The country is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the Council of Europe. The climate in the country is dynamic, which results from its being positioned at the meeting point of Mediterranean and continental air masses and the barrier effect of its mountains. Northern Bulgaria averages 1 °C (1.8 °F) cooler than the regions south of the Balkan mountains. Temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas. The lowest recorded temperature is −38.3 °C (−36.9 °F), while the highest is 45.2 °C (113.4 °F). Situated at a crossroads between civilizations, Bulgaria has more than 13 centuries of recorded history and one of the richest cultural legacies in Europe. Modern Bulgarian culture derives from three ancient civilizations: the Bulgars, then Thracians, and the Slavs. The territory was also part of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for several centuries. Bulgarians are the main ethnic group in the country and comprise 84.8% of the population.
    [Show full text]
  • Snow-Shoeing in Rila Mountains
    “ODYSSEIA-IN” AND “ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS” TRAVEL TEAM SOFIA 1000, 20-V “АL. STAMBOLIISKI”, (ENTRANCE FROM “LAVELE” STR.) ТЕL: +359 2 989 05 38, FAX: +359 2 980 32 00 www.hiking-bulgaria.com E-mail: [email protected] SNOW-SHOEING IN RILA MOUNTAINS TRIP HIGHLIGHTS - SNOWSHOEING IN RILA MOUNTAINS - FAMILY-RUN GUESTHOUSE, TRADITIONAL CUISINE - SNOW VALLEYS WITH VIEWS TO JAGGED PEAKS - CENTURY OLD PINE FORESTS - WINTER ADVENTURE IN LITTLE KNOWN RILA TRIP SUMMARY The south-western part of Bulgaria is a land of mountains – a rolling sea of independent massifs separated from one to another by deep cut gorges and high passes. Most of the towns and villages lie down in the valleys or on the lower slopes, leaving the ancient forests, high alpine meadows and rugged rock for a variety of rare and endangered wildlife. This is where Rila Mountains rises and rises high – it is the highest mountain range in Southeast Europe! We are based in the village of Govedartsi on foot of the Rila Mountains. Our family-run guesthouse is the ideal base for exploration of the hills and valleys of Rila.The walking will be done with snowshoes. On stretches where we can walk without them, they will be strapped to our packs. Walking with snow-shoes requires no previous experience and is an easily mastered skill. It is great fun and you feel what freedom really means because we make our own path through the covered with snow valleys. We walk in areas where there is no risk of avalanches. Your guide knows the region and will lead you to the most spectacular places.
    [Show full text]
  • THE NEW EUROPE Locally Escorted Tour Ove Disc R Mo Re
    13 day / 12 night SPECIAL JOURNEY: THE NEW EUROPE Locally Escorted Tour iscover m d or e. BUCHAREST – SIBIU – SIGHISOARA – BRASOV – VELIKO TARNOVO – PLOVDIV – RILA – SOFIA .. ... e $ r d o i 400 s m c r per o e cou v BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS INCLUSIONS v TR ple e AVEL r o c m s C i R • Maximum 15 participants • Romania’s stunning Transylvania region • Fully Escorted by English speaking EDIT o d Deta r e ils . pa . g Tour Leaders . e 3 • Medieval cities of Sighisoara, Brasov and Sibiu . • Guaranteed departures e r d o i s m c o r v • Dracula’s Castle in Bran and Peles Castle in Sinaia • First / tourist class hotel accommodation e • Comprehensive tour • Meals: B = breakfast (12), ve • Magical, world- renowned Carpathian Mountains disco r mo conducted in English only re L = lunch (3), D = dinner (9) ... • Historic cities of Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv . SPECIAL J .. • Centrally located hotels e r OURN d • Sightseeing as per itinerary o E • The Valley of the Roses Y i s m c SOLO o • Gratuities included • Transportation by air-conditioned r • Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest and most e v e v TRAV r o coach or minivan m • Marketed exclusively in important spiritual centre c ELLER s i o d r Australia & New Zealand • Gratuities and porterage during tour e • Bulgarian and Romanian traditional dinners and CLUB . e r entertainment • Arrival and departure transfers d o i s c m o r v e DAY 4 MON SIBIU / SIBIEL ROMANIA SMALL GROUP TOUR •Sighisoara Sibiu was built by German settlers in the 12th century.
    [Show full text]
  • Faculty of Humanities Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
    Faculty of Humanities Information sheet Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski Type of exchange: Erasmus + programme Details of exchange Field of study: European Studies / Humanities Erasmus study code: 022 – Humanities Study Level of exchange: Bachelor Maximum number of students: 2 Semester or year: Semester Details university: Erasmuscode: BG SOFIA06 Website: https://erasmus.uni-sofia.bg/site/income/ Term dates: Winter Term: 03 October 2016 – 20 January 2017. Exam Period : 23 January - 17 February. Summer term: 20 February – 09 June 2017. Exam period : 12 June 2017 – 07 July 2017 Course catalogue: Read here Accommodation: Read here © Published by the International Relations Department, 2016 Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski GUIDE FOR INCOMING 15, Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd 1504 Sofia, BULGARIA ERASMUS STUDENTS e-mail: [email protected] http://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/international_relationsOhridski Academic year 2016/2017 SOFIA UNIVERSITY ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI This Guide has been elaborated and published by the International Relations Department at Sofia University with the financial support of the European Commission thru Erasmus+ Programme. The publication reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. ERASMUS Guide ERASMUS Guide CONTENTS WELCOME NOTE 1 ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY 2 Brief history 2 Administrative structure of the University 3 Faculties 4 University campuses 5 University Libraries 8 University Publishing House
    [Show full text]
  • Hiking in Rodopi–Rila–Pirin Mountains Bulgaria 15 Days/ 14 Nights
    “ODYSSEIA-IN” AND “ZIG ZAG HOLIDAYS” TRAVEL TEAM Sofia 1000, 20-V “ Аl. Stamboliiski”, (entrance from “Lavele” str.) Те l: +359 2 989 05 38, Fax: +359 2 980 32 00 WWW.HIKING -BULGARIA .COM Hiking in Rodopi–Rila–Pirin Mountains Bulgaria 15 Days/ 14 Nights DAY 1 Welcome to Bulgaria! Start from Sofia airport or Sofia downtown. Transfer to Plovdiv – the cultural capital of Bulgaria (130km, 2 hours). Plovdiv is situated at the footsteps of Rodopi Mountains – the Land of Orpheus and are starting point for hikes and adventures in the pristine Rodopean forests. Night stop: Plovdiv Accommodation: 3* downtown hotel Meals included: no meals included DAY 2 Bachkovo Monastery In the morning we will stroll and visit the cobbled streets of Plovdiv Old Town with its Roman Amphitheatre; Djumaya Mosque - one of the three examples of the oldest type of Ottoman worship buildings still preserved on the Balkan Peninsula; Orthodox Church “St Konstantin and Elena” and will enjoy the unique architecture of the Bulgarian Revival Houses. At noon time we will lhead to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s second largest monastery, famous for its incredible 17 th century murals. In the afternoon we will make a pilgrimage walk to the holy spring and rock chapel of the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. The chapel is situated in the “Red Rock” Nature Reserve with rick flora and fauna. Later: drive to Chepelare town (1.30 hours, 75km) Night stop: Chepelare town Accommodation: family-run hotel Meals included: breakfast and dinner Walking time: 2 hours (ascent: 200m/ descent: 200m) DAY 3 Wonderful Bridges Rock Phenomenon The massif of Rhodope Mountains is the biggest one in Bulgaria.
    [Show full text]
  • Discover Bulgaria Is Famous for Its 600 Healing Mineral Water Springs
    Bulgaria Discover Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism Bulgaria, 1052 Sofia, 8 Slavyanska Str., Tel. +359 2 94071, fax: +359 2 987 2190 е-mail: [email protected] Bulgaria www.mee.government.bg www.bulgariatravel.org This document is created within the framework of the project “Elaboration and distribution of advertising and informational materials for promotion of Bulgaria as a tourism destination”, Agreement BG161PO001/3.3-01-4, realized with the financial support of Operational Programme “Regional development” 2007 – 2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Fund for Regional Development. All responsibility for the contents of this document is borne by the beneficiary – the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism and in no circumstances it should be regarded that this document reflects the official position of the European Union and the Governing Authority. USEFULL INFORMATION Bulgaria State government system: Parliamentary Republic Capital city: Sofia (population 1.2 million) Official language: Bulgarian, script – Cyrillic Religion: Orthodox (85%), Muslim (8%), other (7%) Time zone: GMT (London) + 2, Eastern Europe time (Germany) + 1 Climate: Humid continental, in the southern parts – transitive Mediterranean. Average temperatures for January are from -2 to 2 Сo in the lowland and -10 Сo in the mountains, in July 19-25 degrees Сo in the lowland and about 10 degrees Сo in the higher parts of the mountains. BULGARIARainfall - 450-600 mm in the lowland, up to 1300 mm in the mountains. Currency: Bulgarian lev
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth (BCEG
    Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth (BCEG) Project Bulgarian Ecotourism Development Outlook Survey of the Domestic Market Submitted by: Plamen Vulchev BCEG Project Consultant Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth Project is a collaborative initiative between the United States Agency for International Development and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria implemented by Associates in Rural Development, Inc. Project Number LAG-I-00-99-00013-00, Task Order 01 Bulgaria Biodiversity Conservation & Economic Growth Project Table of Contents Preface iv 1.0 Executive Summary 1 1.1 The Research 1 1.2 The Present Situation 2 1.2.1 The Tourist Services Market: Consumer Characteristics 2 1.2.2 Ecotourism Marketers: Domestic Travel Agents Profile 3 1.3 The Outlook for the Development of Ecotourism in Bulgaria 4 1.3.1 Potential Market – an Urban Target Group 4 1.3.2 Potential Provider 5 1.4 The Ecotourism Pilot Areas 5 1.4.1 The Varied Journeys Group as Potential Consumers of Kalofer and Govedartsi as Ecotourist Destinations 5 1.4.2 Kalofer and Govedartsi as Potential Tourist Destinations: A Travel Agent’s Perspective 6 1.5 Guidelines for the Development of Ecotourist Products 6 2.0 Guidelines for the Development of Ecotourist Products in the Areas of Kalofer and Samokov 9 2.1 The Goal 9 2.2 The Market 9 2.3 The Ideal Ecotourist Destination 10 2.3.1 General Characteristics 10 2.3.2 Attributes of a Destination 11 2.3.3 Accommodation 11 2.3.4 Eateries 11 2.3.5 Attractions 11 2.4 The Kalofer and Samokov Areas: Strengths and
    [Show full text]