Places to Visit

SAMAKOV - Samakov is the nearest big town and this is a 10 minute drive from the house. It is a typical Bulgarian town with a wealth of real Bulgarian character.   It is also considerably cheaper than the tourist resort of Borovets. It has many shops and good restaurants and a fascinating market is held every Monday morning, even in the freezing cold of winter. It has 2 brand new, large supermarkets stocking everything you need for your holiday, which some people may prefer to the smaller shops. Eating out here is incredibly cheap too, much cheaper than in Borovets.

LAKE ISKAR - Mala Tsarvka is a short drive from Lake Iskar, a large and impressive expanse of water with its beaches and watersports. The golfers in your group might like to try the Ihtiman golf course, also just a short drive away. There are also many natural spas nearby.
 
SOFIA - The capital Sofia (approx 60 minutes), is the highest capital in Europe and a city of considerable romantic charm which offers historic churches, some of which date from the dawn of Christianity, museums, galleries, parks, tram rides and a huge range of quality shops and restaurants. It is widely regarded as the "new Prague".
 
RILA MONASTERY - Although further away, (approx 90 minutes), the Rila Monastery must not be missed. It is Bulgaria's largest and most famous monastery, founded in 927AD and hidden high in the Rila mountains.
 
PLOVDIV - For those who prefer towns and cities, the old Roman town of Plovdiv (126 km) offers monuments and ruins from the days of the Roman Empire.
 

Things to Do

Gym facilities - A range of facilities are available in nearby Borovets, including sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, solarium, massage, swimming pools and fitness centres - local fees are payable.
 
Bowling - There is a 10 pin bowling alley at the Rila Hotel in Borovets which is open to non residents – local fees are payable.
 
Hiking - Borovets offers everything for the perfect holiday: clean and fresh air, serene pine forests, green meadows sprinkled with fragrant flowers and herbs, blue lakes and majestic snow-capped peaks. Supervised hiking tours, led by experienced guides, are available throughout the year, including cleared winter walks. These tours are tailored to individual capabilities and may last from a few hours to a few days
 
For the more independent-minded, unsupervised hiking and trekking trips can be undertaken along marked routes to various sites in the Rila mountains: to Mount Moussala (6 hours, and from the upper station of the Gondola - 3 hours), to Sitnyakovo Palace (1.5 hours), to Chakar Voivoda Lodge (2.5 hours), to Saragyol Palace (3 hours), to the Maritsa Lodge (4.5 hours), to the Zavrachitsa Lodge (6 hours). Imagine walking along the Maritsa river valley to Chernata Skala (Black Rock). The vertical eastern face of this rugged feet rises several hundred feet above the river. The observation platform on the cliff-top offers fine views over Raduil village, the Dolnobanska hollow and the town of Dolna Banya. For a more demanding trek, take the gondola-lift to Yastrebets Lodge (2350 m) for a five hour hike. To the south, about two and a half hour’s walk away, is the Moussala massif. Ascend on a winding path past the seven Moussala lakes to the peak (2865 m). All around is a vast skyline of mountain ridges: the magnificent Rila, the marble cliffs of the Pirin to the south, the dome of Vitosha to the north-west, the Sredna Gora in the distance to the north and the endless slopes and ridges of Rhodope massif to the east. Another suggestion is to commence at the terminus of the chair-lift (1790 m) for a six hour hike. Walk an hour and a half to the Chakur Voivoda Lodge (2000 m) and then another good hour to Sarugyol meadow for fine views of Deno peak (2790 m), the valley of the Prava Maritsa river and the Moustachal and Moulichal peaks. The Sarugyol lakes are a further hour’s walk away. They owe their names (Sarugyol is the Turkish word for "yellow lake") to the abundance of yellow flowers that grow in the vicinity. A final hike up Shatara peak (2495 m) provides more fine mountain views.
 
Horse riding - Experience the unforgettable thrill of riding in the mountains. The horse riding school in Borovets has a number of ex-race horses and more than 15 years experience of teaching people to ride. In winter, you and your family or friends can also enjoy horse drawn sleigh rides around the resort.
 
Mountain biking - Enjoy the charm of the mountains under the guidance of experienced mountain bike instructors. All levels of ability can be accommodated from family groups to thrill-seeking, advanced bikers
 
Sightseeing - Tours to tourist attractions throughout Bulgaria are regularly run from Borovets, e.g. to the Rila Monastery, to the Bulgarian Tzars’ residence of Bistritza, to history-rich Sofia, to Melnik (with its unique pyramids and famous wines) and to Plovdiv (the second biggest city of Bulgaria with its monuments of different civilizations.

Tennis - Fully equipped tennis courts are available in Borovets, together with professional tennis instructors.

Places

  • SAMAKOV - Samakov is the nearest big town
  • LAKE ISKAR - alarge and impressive expanse of water with its beaches and watersports.
  • SOFIA - The capital Sofia (approx 60 minutes), is the highest capital in Europe.
  • RILA MONASTERY - It is Bulgaria's largest and most famous monastery
  • PLOVDIV - The old Roman town
 

Activities

  • Gym facilities
  • Bowling
  • Hiking
  • Horse riding
  • Mountain biking
  • Sightseeing
  • Tennis