TravelStream™ news feed for member scottik38 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/scottik38 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:44:09 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225285860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225285860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225285860/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:44:09 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Sapareva Banya, Kyustendil, Bulgaria

Sapareva Banya (Bulgarian: Ñàïàðåâà áàíÿ) is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, part of Kyustendil Province. It is located at the north foot of the Rila mountain 15 km east of Dupnitsa. The town is known for its mineral (103°C hot) and clear mountain water, as well as the geyser in the town centre that sprang forth in 1957.

We decided today to go for a drive up to the mountains that surround the city on the south side. On the other side of the mountains is the border with Macedonia.

The mountains are very high, height to be written soon as i find out. We drove in the car as high as we could and then had to transfer to a 4wd jeep. This got us a bit further up the trail until the
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Sapareva Banya, Kyustendil, Bulgaria

Well this was a pleasant suprise. After trying many different hotels along the way to find that they were either closed for the winter, too expensive, or no internet, we finally came accross the Hotel Ilievata. It is a small, but relatively new, 4 floor hotel. The top floor boats a lovely quaint restaurant that allows you to see all around the city.

The rooms are very nice, price is good, 30 leva for single room (comes with double bed) and 40 leva for a 2 person room. Lovely bathrooms are en-suite and internet is available through cable connection.

The food at the restaurant is great and very well priced. We enjoyed it so much we decided to stay here another night.

For those on their way to Sophia, this hotel is only about 90klms away and well worth the stop.

Overall, we give it a 9 out of 10
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225204140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225204140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225204140/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:37:49 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Dupnitsa, Kyustendil, Bulgaria

The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery (Bulgarian: Ðèëñêè ìàíàñòèð, Rilski manastir) is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rilska River at an elevation of 1,147 m above sea level.
Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments. It is on account of this also a key tourist attraction in Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe as a whole.

Spent a good part of the day to get here, and it was well worth the effort. Nestled in between the mountains, you turn a corner and suddenly there it is, this massive monastery. Free to enter the monastery, they have lots of books, icons, crosses and blessed Holy Water for sale. There is also a museum, which cost 8 leva to enter, and shows much of the historical part of the Rila Monastery. Unfortunately, cameras and videos are not allowed to be taken.

A church sits in the middle of the monastery, and although it is full of painted designs on the walls and roof, no photos are alowed to be taken.

Anyway got a nice few photos from the outside.

After this, we went to visit the cave where he lived as a hermit. This was about a 300 metre walk into the forest, which looked lovely with its display of red and gold leaves. Birches, elms, maples, poplars and oak predominated the hillsides. Patches of green could still be seen where firs and pines were trying to grow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224864120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224864120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224864120/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:09:52 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Veliko Turnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Âåëèêî Òúðíîâî, sometimes transliterated as Veliko Turnovo) is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Turnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture.
The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. In the Middle ages it was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the Tarnovo Artistic School of architecture, painting and literature. With its spectacular location and magnificent architecture, Veliko Tarnovo is considered to be one of Bulgaria's most beautiful cities.[1]
Veliko Tarnovo is an important administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of Northern Bulgaria.

Started off having lunch here at the restaurant Shtasliveca, a fancy place that seems to cling to the side of the cliffs overlooking the river. Looking out of the window you see many houses build the same, just clinging to the edge.

After lunch we took the trail to the castle fortress of Tcarevec, used to hold back the many invasions of Bulgaria from the south. It was an important place during the invasion of the Ottoman Empire in the 1800's.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224863100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224863100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224863100/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:54:52 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Etara, Bulgaria

The Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex (Bulgarian: Àðõèòåêòóðíî-åòíîãðàôñêè êîìïëåêñ "Åòúð", usually referred to as Åòúðà, Etara) is an open-air museum 8 km south of Gabrovo in northern Bulgaria that presents the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. It spans over an area of 7 ha and contains a total of 50 objects, including water installations and houses with craftsmen's workshops attached. As a whole, the complex's goal is to illustrate the architecture, way of life and economy of Gabrovo and the region during the Bulgarian National Revival.
The museum's construction started in 1963 under the direction and project of Lazar Donkov. The pre-existing Karadzheyka water-mill, built around 1780, was thoroughly reconstructed, with the other objects being constructed later. The complex was opened on 7 September 1964 and proclaimed a national park in 1967, as well as a monument of culture in 1971.
The park features typical Bulgarian revival houses with two floors, bay windows, a clock tower, and a beautifully decorated house by Saakov featuring 21 windows. Using original instruments and following the old traditions, locals represent around 20 characteristics of the regional crafts such as wood-carving, pottery, coppersmith crafts, furriery, cutlery making, needlework etc. There are shops for souvenirs, tourists can enjoy the luxury of a local three star hotel with a bar and a restaurant. There are numerous restaurants in the park where tourist could enjoy the delicacies of local Bulgarian cuisine. There are visitors to the park, from all over the world, all the year round, especially during the annual Christian festivals celebrated in the park, namely, Palm Sunday and Easter. A tourist can become a first-hand witness of these festivals, and observe local traditional rituals.

Spent the morning wandering through the old village. It was the only day sofar that we had come across rain. The drive up over the mountains was a slow and steady one, passing many vehicles that had slid off the road into the ditches. Even one tourist bus had slid into a ditch, blocking the road for an hour or so. Was quite relieved when we got to the other side of the mountain range and back to sunlight again.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224963480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224963480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224963480/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:41:23 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Shipka, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Shipka (Bulgarian: §º§Ú§á§Ü§Ñ, "Rosa canina") is a town in central Bulgaria, part of Kazanlak municipality, Stara Zagora Province. It lies in the Central Balkan Mountains, at 42¡ã42¡äN 25¡ã23¡äE / 42.7, 25.383, 650 metres above sea level. As of 2005, Shipka has a population of 1,398 and the mayor is Stoyan Ivanov.
The town is known for being located at the historic Shipka Pass, the location of several key battles in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Local sights include the Shipka Memorial (1934) on Stoletov Peak and the Russian-style Shipka Memorial Church (1885¨C1902) and the recently discovered Thracian tomb Golyamata Kosmatka.
The population is overwhelmingly Eastern Orthodox and ethnically Bulgarian, with a notable minority of Karakachans (a Greek-speaking transhumant people of obscure origin).

We bought some souvenirs from here as well as took what fotos we can. Most churches do not allow fotos taken inside, or if they do, you have to pay for the privilege.

After this, it was getting late so we started on our long journey to Plovdiv where we would sleep for the night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224955680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224955680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224955680/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:31:30 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Dryanovo, Bulgaria

The Bacho Kiro cave (Bulgarian: ïåùåðà "Áà÷î Êèðî") is situated 5 kilometers west of the town Dryanovo, Bulgaria, only 300 meters away from the Dryanovo Monastery. It is embedded in the exquisit canyons of the Andaka and Dryanovo River. The first tourists entered the cave in 1938, two years before it was actually called the Bacho Kiro cave after the Bulgarian National Revival enlightener Bacho Kiro. The cave is a four-storey labyrinth of galleries and corridors with a total length of 3,600 metres, 700 metres of which are maintained for tourists' attraction.

English explorers found in this cave the remains of a massive bear. The bones are now kept in a museum in England. Though not at many stalegtites and stelegtites as in our caves, the caverns and passageways were massive and ideal for living in the times of the cavemen. It cost $2.00 per person to enter.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224890460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224890460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224890460/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:23:36 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Dryanovo, Bulgaria

Well what can we say? Again, not a lot of clientele due to the season, and I think the same few staff doing everything. The hotel is situated out in the middle of the forest, the fog comes in very quick and the temperature drops very quick as well.
No internet was available here. Cost of the rooms were 35 leva per room. Meals had to be paid extra and the waitress looked like a bulgarian comedian named Lubo Neikov, a cross dresser. Her smile seemed to be so fake that it made me laugh.
Dont come with lots of luggage as there are lots of stairs up and down to get to the reception. To my dismay, even though we were in the middle of the forest, I did still not see a squirrel.
The food was average, nothing outstanding. The dining room looked like it came from a royal castle from the 10th century. Nice tall backed chairs around big square tables, I was waiting for the King's royal party to turn up at any minute.

Overall, we gave it 5 out of 10
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225141200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225141200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1225141200/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:21:02 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Velingrad, Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

The Hotel Magi is situated in the heart of Velingrad on Cvedinenie Boulevard. It is a 4 storey hotel with quaint little rooms. Prices are good, 30 leva for single room, 40 for double room and 50 for a triple. Wireless internet is available, but the signal is not the best when you are in the rooms at the far end of the hotel.

It boasts a bar and cafe on the ground floor which is open to public assess as well as for its patrons. Its website is www.hotel-magi.hit.bg and you can email them at hotel.magi.velingrad@abv.bg

The rooms are quaint, separate bathroom and heated. Still find it strange to just stand inside the bathroom and turn on the shower without having to stand in either a bath or shower bay. Will give an update on the food soon as we have eaten.


Went to a nice restaurant for our dinner, it even had a live gypsy band playing. Had a great selection of Bulgarian style food to pick from, so I tried chicken with grilled vegetables. Food was excellent as was the service. Walked back to the hotel, it was already 9.30pm so while Damyan & Erina retired to bed I worked on the travel blog.
Morning now and I must say it was the best night's sleep I have had for awhile. Even though I got up at 7.00am I still had slept well. Internet connection was up and down as usual so I went downstairs to get a cup of tea from their cafe. It's funny here, everyone in Bulgaria thinks that tea should always be flavoured, not normal flavour, and that it should be drunk black. I ask for milk and they don't seem to understand. When I finally get my message accross, (Bulgarian is very similar to Russian) they give me my milk but still proceed to put lemon in my tea. Yuck, they obviously don't know what happens when you mix lemon and milk together.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224977400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224977400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scottik38/1/1224977400/tpod.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:14:54 -0400 To Hungary & surrounding countries

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Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

From the outside this place looks like a giant fun centre and casino. When we got closer, we saw that it actually was just that. It has a casino, tenpin bowling alley, water slides and swimming pools plus hotel resort. The pools and waterslides were not functioning due to the time of year but we did enjoy a few games of tenpin bowling.
The rooms were not too badly priced, we had to get a studio (2 x double beds) as everything else was booked out. Again, wireless internet was available, just not in our room as we were the furthurest from the reception area. TV signal was good so we had a good choice of satelitte channels to watch from.
The only bad point that we could mention was that our room was directly above the bowling alley so for awhile we had to endure the noise of 16lb bowling balls smashing into bowling pins. The other usual story, smoking is allowed anywhere in the hotel.
Went down in the morning for my free complimentary breakfast, only to find that having milk with your cup of tea is just about unheard of. So much in fact that when I asked for some milk with my tea I had to pay for it, it wasn't inclided with the free part. The omlette I had for breakfast was ok, they had a choice of about 5 different hot meals.

Overall, I had a great sleep and so I rate this hotel 8 out of 10
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