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Riding through antiquity - ancient Thracians sanctuaries and
temples, antique Roman Imperial Residence and Bulgarian National
Revival towns.
This mountain trail ride takes you through the
Sredna
Gora Mountain
- the land of the Thracians, mineral sources, roses and lavender.
The main goal of this carefully designed holiday is to relax and
rejuvenate the body, senses and mind. This trail offers a special
combination of horseback riding with revitalizing SPA treatments and
refreshing massages. Throughout the holiday you will enjoy delicious
food prepared from wholesome local produce and sample some famous
Bulgarian wines. Gallop through the boundless meadows and ride
through oak and beech forests. You will become one with the pristine
nature of Sredna
Gora Mountains.
Come and discover the many archaeological, historical, and
architectural landmarks hidden in these mountains.
 IT-BGRT03
Rates include English speaking
guides, all meals, lodging in guesthouses and 3-4 star hotels on 2
nights, 6 riding days.
8 days/7 nights $ 1,650
Single $ 155
-- based on €
1060 / 100
Non rider rate: $1,185 ( € 760)
2008 Dates:
04/19-04/26
05/24-05/31 10/18-10/25
Meeting:
Sevlievo
Airport: Sofia
Transfer: Incl. from Sofia airport at set time
Pace: 4-6 riding hours per day
Level:
Low Intermediate+
Tack:
Western and English: Ortho-Flex,
McClellan, Podium and others
Horses:
Shagya
Arabs, East-Bulgarian breed, Anglo-Arabs and other warm blood horses
- all well broken and calm. The height of the horses is from 150 to
165 cm.
Min/Max: 4-8 riders
Additional activities:
SPA treatments, swimming, wine tasting, visit the ancient Roman town
Dioclecianopolis, the Thracian complex in
Kazanluk, sightseeing.
Accommodation:
In authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere and in cozy family
hotels.
Meals: ecologically clean food prepared from wholesome local
produce; international and Bulgarian cuisine; drinks included.
Itinerary
Day 1
Pick up from Sofia
Airport
and transfer to the town of Hissar, 180 km Southeast from the
capital. The first night is in a SPA hotel with swimming pool,
sauna, massage centre and fitness. Start your holiday with an
introduction to your itinerary, have a first-hand look at the horses
and equipment and choose a suitable partner for the week.
Sightseeing tour of Hissar. We visit the remains of fortress walls
from the ancient roman town Dioclecianopolis, the third largest town
in the ancient province
of Thrace, after
Philipopolis /Plovdiv/ and Beroe /Stara Zagora/. The wall is one of
the best preserved of its kind not only in
Bulgaria, but also on the entire
Balkan Peninsula! Welcome party and overnight at the
hotel.
Highlights:
Hissar health resort
Hissar health resort is situated almost in the centre of
Bulgaria, on the southern slopes of
Sredna
Gora Mountain,
336 m above sea level.
The first settlers of the small valley were Thracians from the Bessi
tribe. Eventually, the area was reached by Macedonians, but it was
not until Roman times when Hissar developed into a large town and
resort, called Dioclecianopolis, after the Roman emperor Dioclecian
/284 - 305 AD/.
The town was built according to all requirements of Roman town
planning - with wide, straight streets, decorated with statues of
gods and goddesses, with marble baths, beautiful palaces and villas
for Roman aristocracy. To protect the town from enemy invasions, it
was surrounded with a wall raised by the skilful hands of Thracian
master-builders.
Day 2
A ride from town of Hissar
through the village
of Starosel to
Belovitsa village - 27km.
Breakfast in the hotel. Saddle up the horses and ride through
hills and oaken forests to the village Starosel. This village made a
sensation in 2000 when the archaeological expedition lead by Dr.
George Kitov found "the largest preserved Thracian king complex with
a temple-mausoleum in Southeast Europe".
Picnic - lunch in the village. Your guide will escort you to visit
a recently discovered Thracian cult complex, still in excavations.
Learn about the mysterious Thracians and their amazing cultural
heritage and historic significance. In the afternoon you will ride
to the village
of Belovitsa, situated on the
southern slopes of
Sredna Gora
Mountain.
Accommodation and dinner at a family hotel.
About 5 hours riding. |
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Highlights:
The Thracian cult complex in Starosel
The it is supposed that the temple is from the time
of the Thracian king Sitalk. The rich findings in the stone-built
tomb date from the end of the fifth and the beginning of the fourth
century BC. A main staircase with monumental corridor, ritual
landing and two chambers, leads to the temple. The entrance is
outlined with slabs with plastic and colour decoration. The inside
area is a round, domed chamber with semi-columns and colour
ornaments, where the initiated established connection with gods.
It is surrounded by a 263 yard long wall made out of some 4000 stone
blocks and was hidden under a 20 m high mound of earth.
Day 3
A ride from Belovitsa through the
village
of Starosel to
Belo Kamene hut - 25 km.
Breakfast at the hotel. Start from Belovitsa village you will ride
through the fields to Starosel village. Approximately two hour ride.
Visit an ancient Thracian temple. Lunch and relax in the beautiful
meadow next to the temple. In the afternoon you will ride to Belo
Kamene hut.
About 3,5 hours riding. Overnight will be in cozy rooms at the hut
in the middle of the forest. Dinner with local food and wine by the
fireplace.
Day 4 A ride
from Belo Kamene hut through Chalet Barricades to the town of
Koprivshtitsa
- 30km.
Breakfast in the hut. The ride takes us through the forest via the
foot of Bogdan peak (1603m.) to the Barricades Chalet. Lunch at the
beautiful meadow next to a mountain river. In the afternoon you will
ride to the Bulgarian Revival town Koprivshtitsa which is a unique
architectural preserve. About 5 hours riding
You will be accommodated in an authentic century-old house. Dinner
with wine tasting.
Overnight in the town of
Koprivshtitsa.
Highlights:
The town of
Koprivshtitsa is situated near to the
Topolnitsa
River at 1060 meters above the
sea level. It is a museum town and unique settlement in
Bulgaria
which has preserved over 250 examples of the Bulgarian Revival
Period architecture. The greatest wealth of architecture in
Koprivshtitsa are its Revival Period houses with colourful
courtyards, surrounded with high stone walls and gates, disorderly
built curved and narrow cobblestone little streets and plots, and
numerous stone fountain contribut to the attractiveness of the
little town.
Day 5
Local ride in the area of Koprivshtitsa town.
Breakfast at the house. You will be taken on a guided tour of
Koprivshtitsa. We visit some of the most interesting Museums in the
town. Lunch at an exclusive wine and barbecue restaurant. After a
refreshing break in the afternoon, prepare for two-hour ride around
Koprivshtitsa. About 2 hours riding. Enjoy some free time for
shopping and exploring the charming galleries, craftsman shops and
coffee retreats. Dinner with wine tasting in the local pub in the
centre of Koprivshtitsa. Overnight in
Koprivshtitsa.
Day 6 A ride from town of
Koprivshtitsa to Strelcha - 25km.
Breakfast at the house. We ride trough the untouched forest to the
health resort Strelcha. Picnic lunch in a beautiful wooden shelter
situated among the oak trees. About 5 hours riding. Overnight is in
a SPA hotel. Before dinner you can experience beautifying, relaxing
or pampering SPA treatments such as aquatic relaxation procedures or
massages. Dinner in the traditional local pub.
Day 7
Ride from Strelcha to the
village
of Belovitsa -
25km.
Before breakfast you can try some more spa treatments. Breakfast at
the hotel. We will gallop through some fields and have a picnic
lunch. About 5 hours riding. You will be accommodated again in the
family house in Belovitsa. Before dinner you have time to visit the
Piasuchnik dam. In the evening enjoy a Farewell dinner - gourmet
food prepared in your honour by the hosts.
Day 8
After breakfast you say good-bye to your horse. Visit the famous
Thracian complex of Kazanluk.
Depart from the Sofia
Airport in time for your
flight.
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