Hiking Bulgaria

" Two years ago I knew absolutely nothing about Bulgaria and made a first visit there purely by chance. I have been back 3 times since and travelled all over the country. I’m a convert and like all converts I’m passionate. I love the people, the warm welcome, the history, the music, the mountains, the countryside, the food & wine, the rakija…. In honour of...

“In 10 years as a travel journalist, I had never received any information on Bulgaria, let alone written anything about it or ever felt the urge to visit the country. Yes, I knew about the Black Sea, cheap sun and skiing, but that image of mass tourism is not a positive one.   All that changed when I had the chance to go there for the first time. In the space of just 5...

“I’m just back from my fifth trip to Bulgaria in two years. This time I spent three days at the new RIU Pravets hotel & golf resort learning to play golf. The weather was not brilliant, but it’s been pretty strange recently all over Europe. All in all, a great experience in a great place and now I am hooked on golf as well as Bulgaria.   I finished up...

“ I have not been back to Bulgaria since the last Odysseia newsletter in June. I’m suffering withdrawal symptoms. Above all, I miss that spectacular scenery, fresh food and heart warming rakiya. Nazdrave!   However, my last visit did inspire me to take up golf.  I started seriously in August and am just about to take the French ‘Carte Verte’...

The ancient Maya and the Hindu Lord Krishna predicted that 2012 will be the year of renewal and transformation. At the same time  Bulgaria  welcomed the New Year in harmony with the old traditions; with a lot of sun and piles of snow; with new boutique wines and delicious local cuisine coming from the recipes of our grandmas; and with many new tourists eager for adventure and...

"I know who made the yogurt you are eating and who made the cheese. I've been to the farm where we got the eggs and know the guy who raised the pigs for the pork you ate last night. The rose petals in that jam are from our own farm."

From O rpheus, musical prodigy and son of  Callio pe and either Oeagrus or Apollo, to Thracian kings to whom myriad temples w ere raised in Kazanlak in the Rose Valley, to Perperikon City where the second oracle was discovered and where Alexander the Great himself learned the prophecy that he’d rule the world – any single one of...