Bulgaria walking holiday

Environment:
This is a journey with an emphasis on the people and nature of the region, away from the tourist trail, where good food, great company and spectacular walking are the order of the day.

In planning the walks on this trip we have been mindful to ensure they have minimum impact on the environment. We adhere to our strict Responsible Tourism Policy; from reducing the packaging on our picnic lunches to careful disposal of waste.

Our supplier for this tour is responsible for initiating and supporting many great conservation initiatives to preserve Bulgaria’s cultural and natural heritage. In 2008 they received the national award for corporate responsibility and donorship for the 3rd consecutive time. We have now joined in partnership with them to support the Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria coalition. Bulgaria is one of Europe’s most beautiful countries, yet each year more and more pristine countryside and beach disappears to make way for hotels, golf courses and ski resorts. Often this is land previously designated as national park or protected area. Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria is a coalition of environmental organisations and committed businesses, and individuals; committed and working to stop more of this unique countryside disappearing.

Community:
Getting off the beaten track has great benefits. First of all by spending money in rural areas we are able to benefit communities who have less income generating opportunities. Our guesthouse in Ezerovo is a small family-run business which benefits not just the family but the wider community as their food is sourced very much in the local area; giving our meals less ‘food miles’ too!

The owners of the guesthouse are well known local people and involved in many responsible tourism activities in the area, such as training in the field of eco and rural tourism; publishing advertisement materials for the region dedicated to active tourism like hiking; the foundation of local workshop groups and even small unions - with the aim of making responsible tourism more popular in the region.

It is fantastic to be able to really learn about the country you are travelling to and how better than through a local person? This is one reason we employ local tour leaders on this trip who can offer a true insight into life in Romania, as well as explain the wealth of history and culture the country has to offer. Using local leaders is also consistent with our policy of generating employment, income and thus economic benefits in the areas we travel to. On this tour we also get a more in depth view of a country as there are so many more opportunities to meet, mingle and interact with local people and our leaders are a great at breaking the ice and making everyone feel comfortable.

We support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost.