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A weekend on Mount Vitosha
A weekend on Mount Vitosha
A weekend on Mount Vitosha Sofia is the only European capital, where one can go skiing on the public transport. The nearby Mount Vitosha is one of the city emblems and a very attractive place of choice for winter tourism. Snow in the highest altitudes remains for nearly half a year, and true summer weather is there only in the months of July and August. Mount Vitosha is a typical example of climatic inversion, i.e. whenever it is damp and overcast in Sofia, the sun shines brightly and the weather is warm on Mount Vitosha. There are quite many accommodation facilities. Mount Vitosha is the most frequently visited Bulgarian mountain. Sofia residents love it and regard it as part of the city skyline, and their attitude is richly rewarded by the excellent ski runs and magnificent vistas. The four parts of Mount Vitosha occupy an area of 278 sq. km. The most famous, Aleko skiing centre, lies in the Northern part. Mount Vitosha spreads all the way to Mount Lyulin to the Northwest. The Southwestern part is the largest and yet the least frequented. It borders on Mount Verila. It is home to Bulgaria’s longest reaching cave, Duhlata, as well as the karst spring natural phenomenon near the village of Bosnek. To the East rises Mount Plana. The Eastern part is also where some of the highest peaks are. The latter offer excellent conditions for rock climbing. The Bistrishko branishte natural reserve occupies the Eastern part of the mountain. Cherni Vruh, or Black peak, with its 2 290 m, makes Mount Vitosha the fourth highest in Bulgaria. There are no lakes in Mount Vitosha, but the river Struma, one of Bulgaria’s longest rivers. The mineral springs on Sofia’s outskirts Knyazhevo, Boyana, Simeonovo are huddled in the folds of Mount Vitosha. A mountain trail leads to the spectacular Boyana waterfalls, whose waters fall from a 40m high vertical rock. In winter months the waters freeze and form weirdly shaped icicles. Not far from there is situated the famous Boyana Church, a UNESCO protected cultural heritage monument. The church dates to 11th-12th century A.D. The Aleko skiing centre is the best opportunity for the lovers of winter sports. There one can practise skiing, snowboarding or trekking in the Vetrovala and Konyarnika localities. There are several schools for beginners and advanced skiers. Mount Vitosha offers also excellent opportunities for trekking. The biggest tourist chalet, Aleko, offers accommodation to 100 people and enjoys tremendous popularity with holidaymakers. The total length of the ski slopes on Mount Vitosha amounts to 29 km, the longest of them being 5 km long alone. There are six tow-lift facilities, 4-open-air cable cars and one cable-carriage car. The Visitors’ Centre on Mount Vitosha offers excellent opportunities for nature-friendly education and activities.-
Ana Whitton From UK
Sent on 06 March 2019I wanted to write a proper review of our hotel and experience while in Pamporovo, so this is the addition to my email. We flew to Sofia and the pre booked taxi transport was waiting for us. The driver (Kosta) was wonderful and we felt really safe with him driving. Our flight was late and we arrived to the Dafovska hotel after midnight. The reception was open and they were waiting for us. We were given sandwiches and water and shown to our room. The rooms were spacious and warm, the beds comfortable, bathroom lovely and clean. Plenty of hot water, the towels were changed every day and bins emptied. The hotel has Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room which is 12 leva per person with towels. I would have liked the water in the Jacuzzi to be a bit warmer. We went in every day after skiing, apart from one when we tried a different hotel. Snezanka hotel has a swimming pool too. Its ok but it was too busy for us and we decided to stick with ours. Their changing rooms are very very small and you have to pay extra for the towels. We chose half board. There was many things to choose for breakfast, hot food, pancakes, fruit, cereal & toast. Apple & orange juice as well as many teas and coffees. I have to admit I always take my own tea bags . Not having to cook dinner after a day skiing was very welcome. There isn’t really a great choice for strict vegetarians, but I always managed to find tasty food to eat. You can buy drinks from the bar, or bring your own. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to ski centre Malina. Very busy ski centre. We met with the representative Nelly there. I would have preferred to have the information on what time to be where when we arrived. Nelly organised our helmets (you need to rent this separately, 5 leva per person), ski equipment and our instructor. Well! I cannot give more glowing review for our instructor! Alex was amazing, very patient, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had lessons in the morning, then lunch, which he was very good to organise with the local bar, then another set of lessons. The food in the bars by the ski school and at the top of the slope was very good. Big portions, quickly delivered. I only needed soup at lunch time which were homemade and delicious. Staff, at the ski centre and gondolas, didn’t always speak a lot of English or smile enough but they were never the less very helpful especially with children and beginners. We skied on our last day too and we were picked up from the hotel by a taxi to be taken to the airport. This taxi driver was not so careful and good at driving and we could not wait to get to Sofia and get out of his car. The whole organisation of our trip with BulgariaSki was excellent! Thank you all -
Tommyboy From Scotland
Sent on 07 April 20185th time skiing in Bansko, have been here over Xmas period and Easter break, hasn't always been a lot of snow but enough to ski for five days. It is a good value for money skiing holiday for those on a budget, food very good value and varied depending on taste, some restaurants better than others, again depending on personal taste. Not to sure what the nightlife is like as we stay in our timeshare resort The Balkan Jewel which is 3 > 4 miles out of Bansko, they operate a free shuttle bus but the last one back from town is at 4.30pm therefore going back into town would require the use of taxis. I am sure we will be back in the future. -
Mitko From Bulgaria
Sent on 28 February 2018Dear all, Borovets is a nice place to be, but it is risky to ski there. The slopes for advanced skiers are crossing the slopes for beginners and the slopes are negligently prepared with icy spots and snow heap places. This all is a precondition for accidents. The ski lifts are maintained all on the surface, they stop frequently and the gondola had to be scrapped years ago. So be careful when skiing in Borovets! -
Lene willsea From N.i
Sent on 28 February 2018I love Pomporova. Its our home from home.We first went in 2008, the airport was a portacabin and the lifts were a dangling wooden chair.. The place improves year on year. I would highly recommend it. VERY CHEAP once ur there. But with all upgrades the prices to travel are clinbing. Jumped 200 in two yrs. -
Neo From United Kingdom
Sent on 15 February 2018The hotel it’s a brilliant idea however there are aspects you would be surprised to stumble upon We arrived late at night about 10pm. Greater by a very polite hostes she kindly provided us with prepacked sandwiches as the restaurant closed at 9pm ( we called in advance to ask if such is possible especially when you have young ckranky from long travel hours in multiple travel vechicles The room very spatious. Bed cover had some suspicious sticky stains that absolutely horrified me at the thought that my children could possibly put their tiny hands on to that. One of the bath robes provided had a black stain on its back, the other bath robe had its pocket thorn out and just hanging. There was a massive flaky, mouldy, damp patch in the corner on the ceiling. The toilet was leaking on the floor. Breakfast food was cold and rancid with a queue for pncakes quite long and very impatient as pancakes was the only food that you could have still warm. Boiled eggs were cold and so hard the yolk was dusty . Fried eggs were dry... won’t even go to details about the rest of the food. As the drinks offered to be purchased by the restaurant aren’t the healthiest of choice for children (all the juices on choice contained added multiple preserving agents and colourants) we asked if possible to have some tap water. It proved to be a terrible mistake, we were told that yes but we would have to pay for it, then told that if they bring a jug for us everyone else will be asking for it, then he brought a manager who was more rude than the server and plainly put it that even if we have children asking for water we would have to buy bottled water and she is not prepared to give us water for free, unnecessarily often stressing the �free’ word. There are far more many good things that are good about this hotel. It’s main let down it’s restaurant staff who are poor hospitality professionals and frankly plain rude. -
Nigel Buckle From United Kingdom
Sent on 17 December 2017I have stayed at the Orlovetz for 6 out of the last 8 years and will be returning in 2018 for another week. It has become my 'Winter retreat'. A modern hotel that stands out due to its prominent position and its design. The rooms are comfortable and warm with plenty of wardrobe space and an area to relax. The safe is in the wardrobe, which is really useful for your valuables. There is a decently equipped gym, a small pool (though you can also use the larger pool in the Perelik as well) a Sauna and massage treatments, great for those aches from the first days of skiing ! The restaurant was made larger a couple of years ago and now accommodates more guests. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style, the food, in general, is of good quality and there usually at least four different options at dinner. There is a small bar in the lobby area and a Piano Bar on the top floor that has stunning views across the surrounding district. As it is the sister hotel to the Perelik there is a tunnelway that links the two and saves you going out in the snow if you choose to use the alternative facilities provided there. One of them being 'The Pub' (previously known as the Pampi Bar) plus a couple of night clubs and a bowling alley. Also as the Orlovetz is just across from the Schnezanka it is only a short walk to Daks Bar, often used as the first mornings meeting place for your ski passes etc.,which is a lively night spot with live music and very popular. In all a great Hotel within a great small town, try it , Pamper yourself ! -
Liz From England
Sent on 19 November 2017I went with my daughter January 2018. I was a cheap half board flights included and we wasn’t expecting much.... but what a fantastic week we had!! Stayed at the Lion hotel which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the slopes/town. A free shuttle is provide by the hotel. The hotel and staff are lovely. The food was always varied and hot. My daughter and I are vegetarians and in only two nights were we disappointed with the choice - but we heaped up on pudding so didn’t go hungry. Am lucky enough to be going back in 2018. -
val From United Kingdom
Sent on 15 February 2017group of us just back from borovets.we arrived 4th feb 2017 and departed 11th feb.had a great time.hotel rila was fab.great gym and spa.food was good.ski school was great.we had a really good instructor Martin Hristov.he was really good with everyone took time to try and learn everyone.we all had a great time thankyou.will be back next yearx
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