Category: Roaming the Rhodope – Bulgaria
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Sofia
Poor Steve has been struck down by either food poisoning or a tummy bug. Whichever, after a rough night, he was definitely not up for any breakfast and neither was I if there was even a remote possibility of being poisoned. We waited until S felt a bit better then got on our way. Luckily…
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Starosel and Hisaraya
Through my amazing language skills (Bulgarians say ne for no, Russians say nyet) I’ve discovered that quite a few of the people staying in the complex are Russian. Now I may be imagining things, but I’m not feeling the love from them in that we are unsmilingly stared at and blanked. This is the complete…
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Lozenets/Vineyard
We’ve spent far too much time lazing about, anyone would think we were on holiday. I’d like to be more active but it’s just too damn hot and being on the beach is the only place to be other than lying down in an air conditioned room. I enjoy the beach anyway: reading my kindle,…
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Lozenets – Beach time
I don’t know whether it’s reassuring or depressing but Bulgarians also have serial car accidents on Fridays when everyone wants to get away and the last thing anyone wants is a 2 hour delay. But that’s what we got. What is different is the police and the public actually take action against people trying to…
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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…
Middle-aged flash packers 