Borovets Bulgaria Summer Face
 |
 |
 |
 |
Borovets Bulgaria Summer Face
BOROVETS is home to the first and most famous Bulgarian mountain resorts. Only 73km, and less than 50 minutes away from Sofia, the village sits at an altitude of 1350 metres at the base of Mt Moussala (2925m), the highest peak on the Balkan peninsula.
Established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting village for the Bulgarian kings, Borovets is now renowned for skiing and winter sports. However, in the summer the Rila Mountain village transforms from a high-velocity, action-packed winter holiday location into a quiet, peaceful summer holiday location. The name Rila descends from the Slavic word “rula” which means “full of water”. The mountains are filled with more than 200 lakes and surrounded by wild mountainous terrain containing more than 2000 different species of flora.
Local hotel and restaurant owner Ivan, a 26-year veteran of Borovets, said that he encourages nature-loving holidaymakers who are looking for clean and fresh air, long walks and a peaceful alternative to a Black Sea vacation. “Borovets in the summer is a totally different place to the winter. We get a lot of pensioners or couples who come to appreciate the beauty and the Bulgarian culture. Quite different to the young, back-packing, hard-drinking British tourists during the winter.”
In true Bulgarian style, my colleague and I were invited to sit down and sample some of Ivan’s homemade drink of choice. A fresh carafe of Rakia containing 14 herbs and spices (three more than the Kentucky Colonel’s – it had to be good) was brought to the table, along with a quick shot of advice, “those who drink alone, drink twice”, and in turn dismissing the foreign culture of some winter visitors, explaining drinking is about the experience and not about how fast huge quantities can be consumed.
Borovets is an experience of beauty, nature and Old Bulgarian culture. More than half of the village’s numerous restaurants are closed in the summer, but do not despair there is still plenty to choose from to sample some local culinary delights. It’s worth taking a short reconnaissance walk around the streets before sitting down in one of the more high- profile restaurants. The choices are plenty and most offer time-honoured delights from salads to lamb on the spit. If the latter makes your mouth water, just make sure you ask for it directly off the spit or else you might not get what you expected.
Taking a walk on the Rila Mountain is considered the number one summer activity. The signature hiking route to Chernata Skala, commonly known as Black Rock, takes visitors through century-old pine forests, passing flower-covered green meadows and across small picturesque streams. After the leisurely two-hour trek, you will find there are plenty of places to picnic while admiring the wonderful view. If the four-hour walk sounds like a bit much then adventurers can go on horseback or by horse drawn carriage.
The hiking enthusiast can find a wide range of trails from easy to difficult and all generally well sign posted. Some of the more famous walks are to Mt. Moussala – six hours, and from the upper station of the Gondola – three hours, to Sitnyakovo Palace – 1.5 hours, to Chakur Voyvoda Chalet – 2.5 hours, to Saragyol Palace – three hours, to the Maritsa Chalet – 4.5 hours, to the Zavrachitsa Chalet – six hours. Gondola* and chair lift will take you up for a cost of seven leva one way or 13 leva return.
Borovets at this time of year doesn’t cater for the extreme sports tourist just yet, but with some imagination and a mountain bike, there is plenty of challenging terrain to satisfy. Or if you are feeling a little more physical, the Alpine & Mountaineering School is a close 40-minute drive, located in the Maljovitsa Ridge of the Rila Mountains. It is fully equipped, including an indoor artificial climbing wall. The instructors are expert climbers and most of them are lecturers at the National Sports Academy.
But all that said Borovetz in the summer is all about relaxation and taking time out to enjoy a little slice of nature’s paradise.
How to get there
By bus: Every 30 minutes, a bus/minibus departs for Samokov from the South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug). Approximately an hour later the bus arrives at Samîkov Bus Station where a shuttle van leaves for Borovets every 15 minutes. In Borovets, the van stops in front of Hotel Samokov. For the return journey the shuttle van departs from in front of Hotel Ela.
By car: If you choose to travel by car you have to take the following route: Sofia – Gorublyane – Pancharevo – Samokov – Borovets. The resort offers ample parking with the largest guarded car park situated by the entrance to the resort. The Rila and Samokov hotels also provide 24-hour guarded parking facilities.
The Sofia Echo.com
Bulgarian Mountains :: Rila Property :: Borovets ski
More news:
REIT FairPlay Properties to raise 22 mln levs in share sale
Revamped shopping center opens in Lovech
Real Estate Investors Weaned off Russia, Head for Bulgaria
Balchik Dreams co to invest 130 mln euro in coastal resort
Eurohold Bulgaria grows property business
Bulgaria was recently ranked 1st in a list of best investment destinations.
Construction of City Park Residence near Sofia's centre started
Irish Developer With Property in Bulgaria in 30 mln Euro Dispute With Banks
Mall Plovdiv Picks Sienit for General Contractor
Gardens Group to invest 440 mln euro in 5 housing projects in Bulgaria
Realtors: Sofia office rents up 20% YTD
Estonian Q Vara real estate co sells stake in Bulgarian firm
ECE shopping mall scheme in Sofia wins top investor certificate
Investment projects under 40 mln levs ineligible for govt aid
Russia edging UK as biggest market for Bulgarian vacation homes
REIT Universal Properties to raise up to 5.85 mln on bourse
Realtors: property sales to Bulgarian expats up 10% YTD
261 000 PROPERTY DEALS CONCLUDED IN BULGARIA IN 2006
PROPERTY PRICES IN BULGARIA TO GO DOWN
EU-RELATED PROPERTY PRICE BOOM PREDICTIONS FAIL COMING TRUE IN BULGARIA'S VARNA
NEW VACATION PROPERTY PROJECTS LAUNCHED IN BULGARIA
Bulgaria Offers Hassle-Free Property Purchases
Buying on the Southern Black Sea Coast Bulgaria Property
Bulgaria certifies Dolna Banya golf club investment
Greek construction tie-in to invest 5 mln euro in Sofia development
Why Buy Property In Bulgaria ?
Bulgarian Property Investment Fund Floats GBP 23 M Shares in London
Multinational Investment Fund Targets Bulgarian Properties
Bulgarian ski Chalets for Sale - buy houses in Bulgaria Pamporovo
7 banks control 85% of Bulgaria mortgage market
Sofia Property Prices Up 6%
Cinema Complex for 25 Million Levs to Be Built in Plovdiv
US Ambassador Compares Varna with Los Angeles
Bulgarian Property ireland Interest
Linexa Property ready to invest 100 mln levs in Razlog area
Greeks Bearing Gifts - Greek Investments in the Balkans
Overseas Property: Black Sea Bulgaria Bonanza
Investors sizing up sites for residential construction in greater Sofia area
House Prices in the Village of Godlevo - Razlog District - Reached EUR 10 000
Price of Agricultural Land Bulgarian Properties Up by 500%
Spanish company to build 100 mln euro golf course near Sofia
On Bulgarian Property prices in Address
Mall of Sofia gets investor certificate
MIL Equity Partners Expands Eastern European Fund to $100M
Investors move east to Romania Bulgaria
Greece second top overall investor in Bulgaria
2 firms vie for Rakitovo tourist development
Immobilia in Varna
Eastern Europe set for property boom
A SALUTE TO BRITAIN: UK-linked funds invest in Bulgaria
Latest offers:
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Lozenec 700 EUR
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Centre 750 EUR
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Centre 700 EUR
For rent Apartments 3 Bedroom in town Sofia - Ivan Vazov 1650 EUR
For rent Maisonette in town Sofia - Ivan Vazov 1650 EUR
For sale Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Mladost 4 135000 EUR
For rent Apartments 1 Bedroom in town Sofia - Manastirski Livadi 600 EUR
For sale Apartments 1 Bedroom in town Sofia - Manastirski Livadi 115000 EUR
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Ivan Vazov 1400 EUR
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Iztok 1000 EUR
For rent Apartments 3 Bedroom in town Sofia - Oborishte 1200 EUR
For sale Houses Cottage Chalet in town Sofia - Boyana 308000 EUR
For rent Apartments 3 Bedroom in town Sofia - Lozenec 750 EUR
For sale Studio Apartments in town Sofia - Centre 50000 EUR
For sale Apartments 1 Bedroom in town Sofia - Centre 139000 EUR
For sale Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Centre 142500 EUR
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Lozenec 700 EUR
For sale Apartments 3 Bedroom in town Sofia - Lozenec 292500 EUR
For rent Houses Cottage Chalet in town Sofia - Manastirski Livadi 2500 EUR
For sale Land Plot Residential in town Sofia - Geo Milev 220000 EUR
For sale Factories Industrial in town Sofia - Trebich 818000 EUR
For rent Apartments 2 Bedroom in town Sofia - Boyana 500 EUR
For rent Apartments 1 Bedroom in town Sofia - Centre 450 EUR
For rent Houses Cottage Chalet in town Sofia - Dolni Lozen 1000 EUR
For rent Houses Cottage Chalet in town Sofia - Dolni Lozen 1000 EUR