Family winter holiday in Bulgaria
| country: | Bulgaria |
| departures: | 2009: 19 Dec, 26 Dec 2010: 13 Feb, 19 Dec, 26 Dec 2011: 19 Feb, 17 Dec, 26 Dec |
| price: | From £869 - £989 (8 days) per adult and from £739 - £899 per child including flights from the UK. From £649 - £749 per adult and from £569 - £669 per child excluding flights. |
| offers: | 19th December was £999, now £879 SAVE £120 26th December was £1,099, now £989 SAVE £110 Price quoted includes flights, subject to availability. Child price reductions also apply. Please contact us for details. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
A great mix of winter activity, exploration and discovery off the beaten track in Bulgaria
Ski Trails
This snow-filled week of adventure is based in the spectacular limestone gorges and peaks of the Rhodope Mountains. The village of Chepelare boasts the country’s longest ski run but its impressive range of downhill and cross-country trails are altogether quieter than in neighbouring resorts.
Dog-sledding
As well as skiing and snowboarding you’ve time for optional snowmobile rides or dog-sledding. One evening you’ll also visit a local observatory for a tour of the spectacular night sky.
Caves & Canyons
Leaving Chepelare you’ll drive through the mountains to Devin. En route you’ll see Bulgaria’s largest canyon, join a local family for lunch and visit the impressive Devil’s Throat Cave.
Snowshoeing
The underground waters at Devin feed a number of thermal swimming pools so you can relax after your snowshoeing expeditions into the surrounding countryside! Your holiday ends in historic Sofia with time to see the main sights and of course some last minute souvenir hunting.
Ski Trails
This snow-filled week of adventure is based in the spectacular limestone gorges and peaks of the Rhodope Mountains. The village of Chepelare boasts the country’s longest ski run but its impressive range of downhill and cross-country trails are altogether quieter than in neighbouring resorts.
Dog-sledding
As well as skiing and snowboarding you’ve time for optional snowmobile rides or dog-sledding. One evening you’ll also visit a local observatory for a tour of the spectacular night sky.
Caves & Canyons
Leaving Chepelare you’ll drive through the mountains to Devin. En route you’ll see Bulgaria’s largest canyon, join a local family for lunch and visit the impressive Devil’s Throat Cave.
Snowshoeing
The underground waters at Devin feed a number of thermal swimming pools so you can relax after your snowshoeing expeditions into the surrounding countryside! Your holiday ends in historic Sofia with time to see the main sights and of course some last minute souvenir hunting.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly From UK; Arrive Sofia Upon arrival at Sofia airport you’ll be met by your Group Leader and make the 3-4 hour drive to the Rhodope Mountains and your first base of the week in Chepelare. Here you’ll check in to your rooms at a family-run pension. Chepelare is situated on the western edge of the Rhodope Mountains, a range that Bulgaria shares with neighbouring Greece. The peaks here reach heights of up to 2100 metres, with lushly vegetated slopes and a karst geology that gives rise to numerous gorges, caves and, of course, mineral springs. The area enjoys a good winter snow record, and Chepelare itself is just 10 kilometres from the popular ski resort of Pamporovo. Chepelare has a good range of amenities and services for visitors. In addition to shops and a few cafes there are a couple of museums, a cultural centre and numerous churches, including the Church of the Virgin Mary with its splendid hand-painted murals. During the ski season a two-seater chair lift runs to the top of the ski trails on Mechi Chal (Bear Mountain) and at night there is a floodlit piste for children and beginners, right in the centre of the village. Tonight your leader will brief you on the week ahead and you’ll prepare your daypack ready for your first day’s activity. Pension - 4 nights (D) Your accommodation in Chepelare will be in a centrally-located property, with combined restaurant and bar. It’s a traditionally-styled property, the former home of a local family who extended their house to accommodate guests. En-suite rooms are comfortable – it’s a nice accommodation for your family. |
| Day 2: | Downhill Skiing Or Snow Boarding Today you’ll take to the powdery Bulgarian snow for the first time, with a choice of either a day on skis, or a day snowboarding (snowboarding will be offered at an additional fee of 25 Euros per person per day including equipment hire and instructor). Downhill skiing has long been the most popular form of skiing; in fact it was first taken up as a leisure activity by the British in Victorian times. However in recent years snowboarding has become the fastest growing winter sport. Both of these activities require different equipment so your first stop today (or the previous evening, time permitting) will be to get kitted out with the correct boots and then either skis or a board. As well as experienced ski technicians, your leader will be on hand to make sure everything fits properly and to show you how it all works. Then it’s off to the slopes! Although Chepelare has a relatively small skiing area it does boast the longest ski run in Bulgaria and has more than enough pistes for a day’s activity – for novices and experienced skiers alike. The main runs lead from the top of Bear Mountain (1873m) and vary in difficulty from black (the hardest) to green (the easiest) covering a total distance of approximately 11 ½ kilometres. If you’re a beginner, you’ll join a two-hour lesson, aimed at your level of ability/experience, while proficient skiers are free to ski! For the remainder of the day you’re then free to practice your new skills or explore the area, before returning to your pension. (B) |
| Day 3: | Cross-Country Skiing After breakfast today, you’ll take to an altogether different type of ski for a morning of cross-country skiing. Cross-country skis are much narrower than those used for downhill skiing, with a different binding (means of attaching your feet) which helps you to walk up gentle slopes. On the lower slopes of Bear Mountain there is a specially prepared network of cross-country trails which weave their way amongst the snow-covered forest. Although you’ll be travelling at a much slower pace than yesterday, it’s a good idea to take a flask and a snack today for refreshment and to help keep your energy levels up. After lunch, the afternoon is left free for you to either enjoy more skiing or to join an optional skidoo or dog-sled ride (subject to availability). A dog-sled usually carries up to two people - a driver (or musher) and a passenger, plus children - pulled by a team of 2-8 dogs. The dogs always get really excited as soon as they see the sleds coming out, and it’s often a struggle to hold them back, so the sleds have a snow anchor just for that purpose. The handler will tell you about the excursion before you set off.A skidoo (sometimes called a snowmobile) is a bit like a jet-ski that runs on snow rather than water, powered by a petrol engine that drives a single caterpillar track. Like a motorbike, it is steered by handlebars connected to two parallel skis at the front. The brakes are on the handlebars, and there is a single forward and a single reverse gear. Larger models with powerful engines can travel at over 100 kilometres per hour, but you’ll be using mid-range models and taking things a lot more gently! The driver and a pillion passenger sit on a motorbike-style seat, but - for safety - smaller children may be towed behind on a sled. There is no minimum age for either activity but children under the age of 16 must ride with an adult. Whichever option you choose you’ll follow a mixture of forest tracks and open slopes, covering a distance of around 20 kilometres. (B) |
| Day 4: | Free Day & Observatory Visit Today you are free to pursue your own choice of activities. Most families are likely to take to the slopes once more and your leader will be able to help with arranging the relevant equipment hire and booking any lessons you might require. Downhill Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are all available on your doorstep. If day two was spent on skis perhaps today’s the day to have a go at snowboarding! If you fancy a change of scenery there’s a good bus service to nearby Pomporovo where experienced skiers will enjoy the variety offered by a different range of slopes. The public bus service can also be used to explore the picturesque mountain scenery further afield. The small town of Smolyan lies in the heart of the Rhodope and celebrates a history dating back to Ottoman times. There’s an interesting cultural museum here and many traditionally built and well-preserved buildings. This evening you’ll meet up with your leader once more and make the 45-minute drive to the Rozhen Observatory. Set at an altitude of 1750 metres, Rozhen is the largest observatory for the study of astrophysics research in South Eastern Europe. There are four telescopes here, one with a lens of two metres in diameter, and you’ll learn more about the night sky on a guided tour of the complex. After your star-filled visit you’ll drive back to Chepelare. (Dinner this evening will be timed to coincide with the best time for visiting the observatory). (B) |
| Day 5: | From Chepelare – To Devin You leave Chepelare this morning and head for the small town of Devin, situated a relatively short distance away (26km), as the crow flies, but on the opposite side of the peaks above Chepelare. Your journey today has been planned to give you a genuine insight into the culture and natural history of this magnificent region of Bulgaria. After a short drive you’ll reach the wonderfully preserved village of Shiroka laka, situated on the Shirokolushka River. More than 90 buildings here have been proclaimed national monuments, including the old St. Panteleimon School (1888) and the Church of the Holy Virgin (1834). After time for a short walking tour you’ll continue on your way to reach the village of Trigrad, famous as the site of the largest Bulgarian canyon. To reach the village the road follows the meandering Trigrad River and passes through gorge itself, where sheer rock walls tower some 250m above the road. You’ll arrive in Trigrad in time for lunch, which today has been arranged for you with a local family; a great opportunity to discover more about Bulgarian life past and present. As well as the gorge, the area around Trigrad village is famous for its cave systems and after lunch you’ll visit one of the most impressive – the Devil’s Mouth Cave - which contains many steep passageways and 18 separate waterfalls.From Trigrad it’s only a short 40 minute drive to reach the thermal spa town of Devin. As recently as 1912 Devin was actually under Turkish rule and today it is one of Bulgaria’s most attractive mountain towns. Many of the hotels in the town offer spa facilities and treatments. On arrival in Devin you’ll check in to your hotel. Dinner tonight will be taken in the hotel. Hotel with pool – 2 nights (BLD) This small, mountain resort hotel is also traditionally-styled, from where you can walk to the restaurants and shops of Devin. The hotel also has a small pool, restaurant and bar. You will be accommodated in en-suite rooms, which usually have TV and telephone. |
| Day 6: | Snowshoeing & Thermal Pools After yesterday’s visits and sightseeing it’s back to winter activities today and an excursion on snowshoes, into a nearby forest to search for animal tracks. The tracks of red and roe deer, foxes and wild boar can all be found, if you keep a sharp eye out. You may also be joined in your search by one of the regions many birds of prey, such as the peregrine falcon or griffon vulture. Your Group Leader will give a quick lesson on how to put on your snowshoes and how to use them with a pair of poles to move around. It really isn’t difficult at all and, although you might feel a little ungainly at first, you’ll soon discover that you can climb even a fairly steep slope with ease. With snowshoes you can go almost anywhere - which means you can get to places that skiers cannot. This afternoon, on return to Devin you’ll visit one of the town’s thermal pool complexes. Unlike the waters in some spa areas, in Devin the water is colourless and pretty much odour free. As well as offering general health benefits, the waters of Devin are reputed to be beneficial for those with cardiovascular conditions and mobility problems - but they also make a great place to relax weary ski-legs! This evening, you can choose to dine at one of Devin’s many restaurants. (B) |
| Day 7: | Sofia Today you leave the mountains behind, and return to Sofia. However first there’s time for one last snowshoeing expedition into the countryside around Devin. You may set off along a prepared cross-country ski trail but if a glorious view or interesting diversion presents itself you have the freedom to get off the beaten track –literally! You can expect to be out for around 4-5 hours today, so it’s a good idea to take a vacuum flask and provisions for a picnic. From Devin it’s about a four-hour drive back to Sofia, stopping off for lunch along the way (own account). On arrival you’ll check in at your hotel and have time to freshen up before going out to dinner in a nearby café or restaurant. Your leader will of course be on hand for advice, should you decide to explore further afield, and to help arrange a celebration meal on everyone’s last night together in Bulgaria. Hotel – 1 night (B) |
| Day 8: | Trip Ends; Fly To UK Depending upon flight schedules, there may be time for a short walking tour of the Sofia. In common with many European capitals, Sofia has a fascinating mix of historic buildings, museums, parks and galleries to explore. Most of the main sights are located within walking distance of one another making it easy to get around. Amongst the most popular sights you’ll see are: the Alexander Nevski Church, whose massive domes are reminiscent of St Paul’s in London; the nearby Russian Church with its characteristic gilded ‘onion’ spires; the National Art Gallery and Sofia City Garden. Of course there are shops too. The main shopping boulevard is Vitosha Street but there’s also an extensive indoor market and a couple of former soviet era government buildings, now converted to department stores and malls. Clients travelling on our group flights will transfer to Sofia airport in good time for the return flight to the UK. (B) |
small group family holiday
This is a 'small group family adventure' - typically you will join several other families and travel in a group of approx. 16 people. The trips are great value and a great way for you and your children to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of time to yourselves. Most adventure kids tend to be aged between 7 and 15, but some are younger (minimum age is usually 5) and some older (perhaps travelling as part of a larger family group). Please check with the operator to confirm the minimum age for this trip how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We stay in small family-run pensions and eat in local restaurants. We use a local Bulgarian agent, driver and a Local Group Leader. This fulfils part of our commitment to make a positive contribution to the local economy and is the best way of ensuring that our money reaches as many people as possible. Local overseas leaders offer a great way to find out more about the local culture, speak the language, understand the day-to-day life around them and help to ‘open doors’ to a fuller experience. You’ll share a meal with a local family which provides the perfect opportunity for sharing and learning. Our agent in Bulgaria is committed to protecting the great outdoors and their wonderful natural wilderness. They have a set of environmental guidelines that their leaders work with and will share this information with you during your trip.
Our responsible travel code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.  Carbon balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you call. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |