Category: My blog
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Velingrad- The Spa Experience
We did extend our stay and it was a great decision. Stressful events at home were put on a back burner and a loop of gym, swim, read and eat took place. The hoteI is beautiful. Black steel and wood look amazingly good together and a perfectionist definitely oversaw the building of this project, it…
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Velingrad
Our bar bill at our hotel came to £40 for 4 nights. And no, we haven’t gone teetotal; wine, beer and several gin and tonics were consumed. We waved a fond farewell to our hosts and set off for the next part of our trip -Velingrad. Velingrad is a spa town about a 3 hour…
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Orpheus and Shiroka Laka
Orpheus certainly made his mark round here. What a guy! A musician, a prophet, a poet and all round charmer, there’s not much here that isn’t named after him. Naturally we couldn’t leave here without climbing Orpheus Peak in homage to him and as it happens, it’s also the second highest point in the Rhodope…
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Smolyan – Waterfall Canyon and Koleto Fortress
I forget to mention in the previous blog that while we were hiking yesterday, we chatted to an older Bulgarian couple who were collecting chamomile flowers to make into tea. The gentlemen said something along the lines of “your body will thank you.” I’ve noticed this foraging in Eastern Europe before and I love it.…
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Sofia/ Smolyan – hike to Orpheus Rock, Smolyan Lakes and Tower of Snezhanka
We have stayed at The Jasmine Hotel in Sofia before. Snazzy it ain’t but comfortable and conveniently situated it is. It’s very well situated for the Vitosha National Park which we haven’t visited yet but may well do before we fly home. After a hearty but strange breakfast (frankfurters and unpleasant looking mushed eggs for…
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Roaming the Rhodope – Bulgaria
I won’t bore you with the details, but last week was not a good one, and at one point I honestly thought the only place I’d be checking into would be an asylum. However, here we are, in The Jasmine Hotel Sofia, having had a stress free flight with some reviving champagne and a good…
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Anton Valley/Panama City
Our German boys were extremely thoughtful and very quiet, but the fiesta/ whatever the hell it is partying went on into the small hours again so we weren’t sorry to be upping sticks. S much better but it was still boiling in AV so it was time to move on. Our hosts were very concerned…
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Anton Vallee
Who can tell, indeed? Those serious looking people carrying the religious icon yesterday turned out to be wild fiesta types after all. Both the white noise machine and ear plugs had to be deployed as the noises of serious partying went on and on and on. We blearily awoke just before 7.20am and I toyed…
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Las Lajas/Anton Valley
Naturalmente Bungalows and Chantal turned out to be delightful. In the evening, We drove into “town” (a small parade of restaurants and shops) and had delicious pizzas at the Naturalmente Pizza restaurant. (Run by Chantal’s brother-in-law.)The rain stopped so we were able to eat outside. It’s a popular restaurant – the pizzas are very good…
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Playa Bluff to Las Lajas
Such a peaceful night and a contrast to the previous night – the only sound being the waves and a gecko that is in the room somewhere. It left its trail last night with some droppings by the fan and also in Steve’s water glass! Obviously on holiday – air conditioning and a pool to…
Middle-aged flash packers 