Across the Balkans

Introduction
Mountains Bulgaria
Exciting cycling trip in the heart of the Balkan mountains.
On this tour we bike along the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for their unspoiled nature, green valleys with sheep peacefully grazing on lush grass, precipitous cliffs and gentle, rolling hills offering plenty of unique biking opportunities. We start the trip from the tiny Goliam Izvor village, passing by the Central Balkan National Park and ending up in Veliko Tarnovo – the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming Bulgarian towns. The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages that look as they have been untouched for the past 200 years. You’ll see wooden carts pulled by a horse or donkey and villagers making hay the old-fashioned way.

Tour highlights:
♦ Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, being the 3rd largest in Bulgaria, is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
♦ Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum presenting the Bulgarian customs, craftsmanship, architecture and way of life in the the region during the Bulgarian National Revival period.
♦ Bozhentsi village - an architectural reserve consisting of some 100 houses from The Bulgarian National Revival Period.
♦ Veliko Turnovo - the old medieval capital of Bulgaria

Accomodation

Accommodations
Overnights are in family hotels and guesthouses.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Guesthouse in Sofia
Night 2: Hotel in Ribaritsa
Night 3: Guesthouse in Apriltsi
Night 4: Hotel in Etura
Night 5: Guesthouse in Bozhentsi
Night 6: Hotel in Elena
Night 7: Hotel in Veliko Turnovo

Sofia - Family Hotel "Zdravets" 
This small hotel is run since 1995 by friendly hosts. The hotel has a beautiful garden with lots of flowers, a reception and a small restaurant with a veranda. There are 15 spacious rooms and apartments with TV, telephone and bathroom with toilet, shower or bath. Internet is also available at this property.

Ribaritsa – Park Hotel Ribaritza or similar
The hotel offers views of the surrounding Balkan Mountains. All rooms features a cable TV as well as a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and free toiletries. Guests can relax in the outdoor swimming pool. WiFi is available in common areas and is free of charge.

Apriltsi – Family Hotel Tihiat Kut
The hotel is situated in the quarter Ostrets. It offers 40 beds (double, triple and quadruple rooms). Each room is equipped with a TV-set, WC/shower and a balcony. The hotel offers great views of the surrounding mountain. Free Wi-Fi is provided in public areas.

Etura – Hotel Strannopriemnitsa
Picturesquely situated at the foot of Stara Planina right next to the river Sivek, the hotel is a part of the Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar.
Built and furnished in unison with the entire pattern of the museum, the hotel combines the unique charm of the national architecture with modern needs.
The hotel provides 61 beds (5 single rooms, 22 double rooms and 2 family rooms). Each room has its own bathroom, TV set with satellite program and phone.

Bozhentsi - Parlapanova guest house
Built with respect to the local, traditional architecture and offering views of Stara Planina Mountain, the Guest House is immersed in the countryside. Fitted with parquet floor and satellite TV, rooms have simple furnishings and a fully equipped private bathroom. In the summer, guests have free use of the small outdoor pool and the barbecue which are located at a sister guest house, 20 m away. Free WiFi is available in all areas.

Elena – hotel Eleni palace
Offering an indoor pool, this hotel is located in the center of Elena. Free WiFi and a fitness center are available as well. The accommodation consists of 26 rooms – 19 of them double; 2 single; 2 twins; 1 triple; 1 apartment and 1 VIP room. All rooms here will provide you with air conditioning, a private bathroom and a TV with cable channels.

Veliko Tamovo – Hotel Silvestar
Enjoying a quiet location, this hotel is ideally located only 100 m away from the Tsarevets Fortress. There are 12 double rooms including and all of them are comfortably furnished. The guests have at their disposal individual bathrooms with all necessary appliances including a hairdryer, air conditioning with local thermostat, a plasma TV and a telephone set. Free internet access is available.

Triple and single occupancy
In case you are willing to share but we are unable to find another person of the same sex willing to share a room with you, a single supplement fee will apply.
Triple occupancy might be possible depending on the time of the year, please inquire.



Meals
Breakfasts and dinners are included except for dinner on day 1 and 7. Lunches are to be paid extra.
The food is usually composed of home-cooked dishes and Bulgarian specialties.

Special diets and dietary restrictions
We can cater to special diets and dietary restrictions - please, let us know at the time of booking.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

BIKES:

Itinerary

Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1. Arrival
Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to our hotel.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Sofia

Day 2. Goliam Izvor to Ribaritsa
Early transfer brings us to Golyam Izvor village where the cycling starts. We start cycling towards the town of Teteven as we have an optional detour to the Glozhene monastery. As we reach Teteven we can have a short stop for a walk and visit of the local historic museum and church or go for a short bike and hike to a nearby eco trail with 2 beautiful waterfalls. Then you continue cycling to Ribaritsa village where we stay for the night.
Cycling distance: 47km; Ascent: 370m; Descent: 220m.
Detour to Glozhen monastery - Distance: 27km; Ascent: 510m; Descent: 520m.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Ribaritsa

Day 3. Ribaritsa to Troyan monastery & Apriltsi
Ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point for the day - Bogoi pass (1185m). From this pass the road goes all the way down to the town of Troyan passing through the village of Shipkovo where you can take a refreshing bath in the mineral water swimming pools. After lunch in Troyan town centre we visit The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka" nearby and the famous Troyan monastery. We spend the night in Apriltsii village.
Cycling distance: 77 km; Ascent: 970m; Descent: 1060m.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Apriltsii

Day 4. Apriltsi to Gabrovo or Etura
Cycling on isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. Enroute you pass by numerous small villages set in green landscapes and river valleys. After an ascent followed by a nice downhill ride you reach Gabrovo town and continue to "Etura"- an open-air ethnographic museum, where you can add and additional 6km of cycling reaching the nearby Sokolski Monastery.
Cycling distance: 61 km; Ascent: 700m; Descent: 800m.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Etura

Day 5. Gabrovo to Tryavna & Bozhentsi
After breakfast you start cycling from Gabrovo. After an ascent followed by a descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time on sightseeing and lunch in the centre of this beautiful National Revival town. Ups and downs through open terrain will lead you to the final stop for today - Bozhentsi architectural reserve.
Cycling distance: 50 km; Ascent: 900m; Descent: 890m.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Bozhentsi

Day 6. Dryanovo monastery to Elena
A transfer in the morning brings you to the Dryanovo monastery where you can also visit the local cave. You start cycling from the turning for Yalovo village to the town of Elena passing by several villages and the blue waters of Iovkovtsi dam.
Cycling distance: 53 km; Ascent: 800m; Descent: 800m.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Elena

Day 7. Elena to Arbanassi & Veliko Turnovo
From Elena we continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi architectural reserve. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, cultivation lands, shrubby hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. After some free time for rest and walks among the old houses of Arbanasi we go for a lunch and sightseeing tour in Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Afternoon transfer to Sofia where we spend the last overnight.
Cycling distance: 42 km; Ascent: 600m; Descent: 730m.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Veliko Turnovo

Day 8. Departure
Transfer to airport after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Across the Balkans

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Goliam Izvor
Airport: Sofia
Transfer: Included from Sofia Airport

Climate:
                                                   Sofia area