About Bulgaria
Bulgaria is in many ways good value for the spring, summer, autumn or winter holiday. If you are looking for a good climate and many attractions Bulgaria is the given choice with cheap flights and short flight time from most European destinations. In times when most of us are affected by the financial crisis Bulgaria is a good vacation destination as its prices are lower than other European countries.
-fantastic climate with lots of sunshine
-golden sand beaches
-culture and history
-skiing
- eco-tourism
- varied landscape: Black Sea, rivers and lakes, valleys and forests, mountains and open fields
Bulgaria is the land of sunny mountains, clear waters, unique folk music and crafts.
In summer the modern beach resorts on the Black Sea coast offer its visitors nature, beauty, ancient history and modern architecture.
Mountain ranges offer unique views. Fragrant woods, volcanic rock formations, dramatic canyons and a great number of caves contribute to the magnificent panorama.
Culture and traditional life in Bulgaria
Folklore tradition is living in the villages and the Bulgarian songs and dances are rich in variety.
Unbelievable as it may be, there are still places in Europe untouched by the breath of civilization, and Bulgarian villages have managed to maintain their traditions and history. You will feel as if you have stepped into the past as you wander past the preserved traditional architecture, watch the villagers do their daily chores and experience their welcoming attitude to visitors.
Home grown food
Apart from the culinary specialties of the various regions you can also try some homemade honey, yogurt, fruits and vegetables, homemade jams and freshly canned food. The Bulgarian tomatoes and cucumbers are among the tastiest in the world during the summer months. Home made dishes will bring back memories from childhood.
Hospitality and daily chores
In Bulgarian villages one can still experience the true meaning of the word “hospitality”.
The local people will open the church for you, show you the way to a nice meadow for a picnic or suggest a place for a walk. The enchantment of the village atmosphere will pursue you everywhere.
In the morning the quiet village becomes animated with the pleasant sounds of crowing roosters, barking dogs, cows, sheep, goats and busy villagers starting their day. In the mountain regions the village women gather by the local spring to do their laundry by hand in the ice cold melting water from the snow clad mountain peaks. In the evening the villagers await their sheep and goats returning from a days grazing. At nightfall you may find men drinking and talking at the local pub. The grandmothers (babas) are sitting on benches and knitting socks.
Their life is simple and often very hard but they live it with dignity. The main occupation of the lowlands is agriculture and crafts, while in the mountains people raise animals and gather herbs, mushrooms and forest fruits.
Preserved villages
The rural houses differ greatly from region to region. They may be made of stone or soil, but they may also have tiled roofs or be covered with slates. All of them bear the mark of time and the occupation of their inhabitants. There are many examples of well-preserved, traditional architecture. If you wish to get a feel for them you should not miss some of these villages in the Balkan range near Veliko Tarnovo such as Elena, Tryavna, Gabrovo, Dryanovo and Stefanovo (near Lovech). They have preserved traces of their Revival period charm and romantic spirit. The old shopping streets host artisan workshops. The unique open-air Museum of Handicrafts Etara is near Gabrovo and a must for every trip.
Arbanasi and Bozhentsi are two villages in the Veliko Tarnovo region which have architecture from the Bulgarian pre-National Revival period.
Rural tourism is well developed in Bulgaria and often combined with other activities such as horse riding, hiking, craft learning workshops, and wine and brandy tasting.
The most popular destinations for rural tourism in the North- Central region include the villages within close proximity of Veliko Tarnovo: Arbanasi, Bozhentsi, Elena, Tryavna and Lovech.
The North-Central region is famous for its wineries. The wine cellars in Suhindol, Lyaskovets and Rouse offer a wide range of red and white wines. It is little known that Bulgaria is the second largest exporter of bottled wine in the world, second only to France. In the Bulgarian wine industry, traditional classic technologies are used, as well as refined and modern technologies imported from the leading wine producing countries.
Eco-trails
One of the most exciting ways to experience and discover the unique Bulgarian nature is to walk along eco-trails. They are especially designed to bring people close to the preserved natural world while strolling on paths, wooden bridges and enjoying breathtaking views.
Dryanovska eco-trail follows the course of a river. The nearby Bacho Kiro Cave and Dryanovo Monastery contribute to the diversity. This trail is near Veliko Tarnovo.
There are numerous other eco-trails described on the home page of BARET
http://www.en.baret-bg.org/ecotrail_e/enecotrails.html