Winter Bulgaria. To Bulgaria in winter

I was passing through and spent one day at this resort. To tell the truth, there is nothing to do here in winter. The weather is nasty, there is a constant light drizzle of intrusive rain, the temperature during the day when it clears can reach +8 degrees. At night, sometimes it even gets down to minuses. There is a strong wind blowing from the sea plus constant rain, so you don’t want to leave the hotel. One thing that pleases me is the vegetation, it is still green. In short - gloomy, dull, wet and cold.

Unfortunately, I ended up in Varna out of season. But January in Bulgaria is not at all like January in Russia. At first the temperature was +15. It feels like the beginning of September, and not winter at all. Of course, it’s very cold to swim in the sea, despite the gently warming sun. Then the weather turned bad and it started raining. And the temperature dropped to a slight minus. Further - more, it snowed and freezing rain, a piercing cold wind blew from the sea. But there was no one on the beach in such weather.

We went to Bulgaria in winter “by chance”; our friends resold us the tour we won at a price below average, because they didn’t want to go there in winter. Golden Sands is usually windy in January, with temperatures hovering around freezing and no sudden changes. The vacation turns out to be purely excursion. Bulgaria actually has a number of attractions worth seeing. You can experience the pleasure of antiquity and soft winter weather, only insulated clothes will still be needed. Swimming is of course excluded, but this is fully compensated by the local flavor.

Visas to Bulgaria were made, as always, ourselves. Tickets were purchased through the Siberia Airlines website www.s7.ru to Burgas. We rented a car for a week - a Renault Megane 2007 cost 140 euros for the entire rental period www.carhire-varna.com. The car was picked up and returned at Burgas airport.

Accommodation:
From Burgas to Bansko it is about 450 km. Having left early in the morning, we were already checking into the hotel by lunchtime. We decided to stay not in the resort of Bansko itself, but 4 km from it in the village. Bathhouse in the hotel "Rimska Banya" with indoor swimming pools mineral water(38 degrees and 30 degrees). Cost of accommodation per night for 2 adults + 1 child – 50 euros. The price includes accommodation in a huge room with a bathtub with a running tap mineral water, breakfast, use of swimming pools, sauna + free transfer to the ski lift in Bansko. I cannot convey in words the feeling of unearthly bliss that I had when I rode on alpine skiing, having taken off these terrible heavy ski boots, plunged into a pool of warm mineral water. Just for these emotions, I would come to these lands a hundred times more.

Nutrition:
There are a lot of different establishments open in Bansko, but now is the high season, accordingly the prices are inflated, and the quality of the dishes is not always pleasing to the stomach. We discovered a simply stunning place 8 km from Bansko in the town of Dobrinishte - the Macedonian Tavern. The Balkan restaurant is decorated in national style, the size of the dishes is simply scary (we had difficulty eating a bowl of salad). All dishes are made with soul and are very tasty. What is noteworthy is that there are always a lot of Bulgarians in the restaurant. Our bill for three with wine did not exceed 1000 rubles. In general, if you have a car nearby, I would advise you to eat only here.

Descents and equipment:
In Bansko, the length of all ski slopes is 75 km. There are slides for both beginner skiers and super professionals. A gondola lift takes you up the mountain from below, which operates daily from 08:30 to 16:30. A ski pass (pass for all ski lifts) costs about 27 euros per day for one adult, 18 for a child. If you are not going to spend the whole day in the mountains, then you can arrive here by noon and after 12:30 buy a ski pass for the remaining time until closing is already cheaper - 20 euros per adult and about 14 euros per child. In principle, this time is enough for beginners. Equipment for rent is offered on almost every corner, and the situation is the same with instructors. On the first day, we used the official rental services and the ski school, located directly at the lift ticket office. So, renting equipment for an adult (skis, poles, boots) cost us 15 euros per day, for a child – about 10 euros. Instructor services for 2 hours of group lessons per adult cost 20 euros, and 15 euros for a child. You can study in the same group with your child. Our mistake was that we said that we had never seen alpine skiing at all (we did have some skills), so the instructor assigned us to a group of complete “dummies” and we started from scratch. These classes were enough for us to refresh our memory of what we already knew, and then independently master the mountain slopes.

For two days we went down the training slides (personally, they were enough for me to get my daily dose of adrenaline), but by the middle of the second day my men wanted something more extreme. So we went down the first blue (easy) slide, which was (as it seemed to me) 4-5 km long through the spruce forest (the smell of resin is still in the nose). Honestly, already halfway through the journey I was ready to take off my skis and go on foot. My legs were buzzing and I was wet as a frog. Before each descent it was very scary. Only later, once I was downstairs, did I realize that all this could not only be experienced, but also enjoyed from it. We rented equipment for another three days from a very nice guy in Dobrinishche. The set for an adult cost us 10 euros per day, for a child 4 euros per day. What’s remarkable is that they don’t require anything as collateral anywhere!

In the town of Dobrinishte, if you drive about 9 km into the mountains, there is another ski slope. It is much more modest than Bansko, the lifts are all chairlifts and rope tows, but at prices significantly lower than Bansko. Ski pass for the day – 10 euros per adult, 8 euros per child. For beginners there is one small slide, it was enough for us

We went up on a lift, just to admire the beauty. Fairy tale!!! There are spruce and pine trees all around, squirrels are running around. Eh, it's a pity, I'm bad at drawing.

Excursions:
Basically, the whole excursion here comes down to exploring the natural beauty. In summer, guides take you on excursions to the mountains. We had neither time nor energy for sightseeing. Once we reached the village of Dobarsko, which is 12 km away. from the village Bathhouse. The 12th century Church of St. Theodore Tyrone and Theodore Stratilates with frescoes from the 16th century has been preserved here. A church was built next to a spring with healing properties, healing blindness. According to legend, the water of this particular source healed the blind soldiers of Samuel. The church is waiting in the wings to be included in the list world heritage UNESCO. In winter it is closed, since there are almost no excursion groups, but there is a number on the gate mobile phone museum curator. We called her, and she opened the church for us, told us everything and showed us. The inside is very beautiful, the church is worth coming to Dobarsko. What can I say, we enjoyed skiing, I hope we will come back here again next year!

Useful information:
Hotel "Rimska Banya" www.rimskabania.com
restaurant "Macedonian Tavern" www.mak-kruchma.com
ski resort Bansko www.banskoski.com

Bulgaria is one of the most popular European countries where you can relax both in summer and winter. Everything is here necessary conditions for a complete and active recreation all family members.

Holidays in Bulgarian resorts

The most famous resorts in Bulgaria have long been very popular among tourists and travelers from different countries. And the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, is a center of culture, art and architecture. You can get to Bulgaria from Moscow by plane.

Today the most popular resorts in Bulgaria are Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Pomorie, Golden Sands, St. Constantine and Helena, Elenite, Sveti Vlas and Obzor.

Bulgaria in summer

Weather in June. They can still go at the beginning of the month light rain and a cool wind blows, but by mid-June the air temperature reaches +25°C .. +30°C during the day and at night it drops to +18°C. IN northern regions In the country, the temperature during the day is about +7°C, and at night it drops to +2°C.

The water temperature in the Black Sea warms up to +23°C and higher, depending on the weather forecast.

It's time for a family beach and excursion holidays and therefore the price of tours varies from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles with accommodation in comfortable four or five star hotels best resorts Bulgaria.

Weather in July. The weather in Bulgarian resorts is simply wonderful and the average monthly temperature can vary from +25°C to +35°C. At night it drops to +22°C. In the north of the country, during the day the air temperature may not rise above +10°C and at night it drops to +4°C. The sea water temperature reaches an average of +24°C.

July is in full swing beach season and in Bulgaria there are a lot of children's health resorts with sandy beaches and convenient access to the water. The price of tours during this period can vary from 28,000 to 50,000 rubles and more, depending on the hotel category, flight cost and insurance. Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure, even in a three-star hotel you will receive the highest quality service.

Weather in August. This is the hottest month in Bulgaria and the average monthly air temperature can reach +35°C, and at night it drops to +20°C. In the north of the country and in mountainous areas, daytime temperatures may not rise above +12°C, and at night they drop to +5°C. The Black Sea is very warm and the water temperature is around +24°C-+25°C.

The price of tours at this time is quite high and if you purchase a ticket for two from a tour operator, you will have to pay about 35,000-50,000 rubles. But you can also stay in private apartments and it will be much cheaper.

Bulgaria in autumn

Weather in September. In the first month velvet season The air temperature is around +23°C - +25°C and the approach of autumn is beginning to be felt. At night the temperature drops to around +15°C - +17°C. The Black Sea is still warm and the water temperature is about +21°C... +23°C. Since it begins academic year, then the price of tours is slightly reduced and a trip for two can be purchased for 30,000-40,000 rubles, depending on the category of the hotel where you will stay, the cost of the flight and insurance.

Weather in October. Average monthly temperature The air temperature in the northern regions of the country is usually between +12°C and +14°C, and at night it drops to +7°C. Water temperature is about +17°C. And in the south it may still be warm all month, and the temperature will remain at +20°C.

The water in the Black Sea is already cold and therefore tourists are starting to purchase inexpensive excursion tours. The price of the tours is quite reasonable and therefore a trip for two can be purchased for approximately 28,000-38,000 rubles and more, depending on the class of the hotel, the cost of the flight and insurance.

Weather in November. This is a month with changeable weather and therefore changes to clear and warm days can come quickly cold winter with wet snow. The average air temperature can be from +9°C - +11°C in the south of the country and not rise above +5°C.

The water temperature in the cold Black Sea does not rise above +10°C.

At this time, Bulgaria is taking a break from tourists and therefore the price of tours is quite low. So, for example, an excursion package for two can be bought for 25,000-30,000 rubles.

Indeed, your friend is absolutely right - in Bulgaria there are also ski resorts, but they are, of course, not as popular as the Alpine or Scandinavian ones, for example. But the undoubted advantage of Bulgarian resorts for you will be their low cost and the fact that many people here understand Russian. Well, for a good rest, the absence language barrier is also a plus.

Of course, the hotel business at Bulgarian ski resorts is still far from European, but somehow they still manage to do it even at the old bases. Soviet period create more or less comfortable living conditions. I must say that the mountains in Bulgaria are great for beginners, for children and for those lovers who do not yet have much great experience in skating. Moreover, in comparison with the well-known European hills, the Bulgarian ones are much inferior in height.

There are three best ski resorts in Bulgaria - Borovets, Pamporovo and Bansko. So, Borovets is the former residence of the Bulgarian kings, a nice place, and also located not far from Sofia, just about an hour and a half drive. Here are the longest ski slopes, a decent number of comfortable hotels and a very reputable ski school.

The length of the ski slopes at this resort is more than forty kilometers; the skiing season begins in November and ends only in May. Winter is mild. There are three ski areas, 20 kilometers of cross-country ski trails and 18 trails for snowboarders. A total of 16 lifts. The cost of ski passes is 30 euros for one day for an adult, 18 euros for children from 8 to 12 years old. Than on more days you purchase a ski pass, the greater the discount on it.

The next resort is Pamporovo. Of all the Bulgarian resorts it has the most large number sunny days per year. The ski school employs more than a hundred professionals and has kindergarten for kids, and here you can bask in thermal springs and relax in radon and sulfur baths.

For skiers, this resort has almost twenty kilometers of equipped trails, and for biathletes and cross-country skiers - thirty-five kilometers of trails. The ski school operating in the resort of Pamporovo is considered the strongest in Bulgaria. The resort infrastructure is well developed, there are also decent hotels.

You can ride here from December to April inclusive. There are eight lifts in Pamporovo, but you need to take into account that they are not available near all the slopes. A ski pass for an adult for one day costs 55 euros, and for a child from 7 to 11 years old - 35 euros. There is also a system of discounts.

The third most popular resort is Bansko. It is located in a very romantic place - in national park Pirin is surrounded on all sides by mountains. On its territory there is a whole mass of family-type hotels. The longest skiing period here is from December to May. And it is also very conveniently located - no more than two to three hours from the airports of Plovdiv and Sofia.
The total length of slopes for skiers at this resort is approximately seventy kilometers, of which 35% are suitable for beginner skiers, 40% for those who already have basic level preparation, and the remaining 25% for more experienced skiers. The resort has 25 Austrian ski lifts various types devices.

A one-day ski pass for an adult is 30 euros, a student pass is 25 euros, for a child from 7 to 12 years old - 20 euros and for children under 7 years old - 50 cents. There is a decent system of discounts for more days.

There are also four ski resorts in Bulgaria, smaller in size and in popularity. Vitoshe is a mountain located ten kilometers south of the capital. The skiing season is also four months - from December to April, the total length of slopes is 30 kilometers, and there are also 11 kilometers of slopes for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. There are 12 lifts, the cost of a ski pass for one day is 13 euros for an adult and 8 euros for a child.
Dobrinishte - located near Pirin Mountain. The resort is separated from Sofia by 160 kilometers, and from the resort of Bansko by only 6. The ski season is again four months (from December to April), four ski slopes with a total length of seven kilometers. For accommodation there are comfortable rooms in Alpine rural houses. There are several schools teaching skiing. The cost of a ski pass for three days is 25 euros for an adult, 8 euros for one day.

Chepelare is located in the Rhodope Mountains. It is separated from the airport in Plovdiv by 75 kilometers, and from Pamporovo by 10. It has gained high popularity due to low prices and the opportunity to relax here with children. The ski season is four months (December - April), there is one ski lift and special trails for children. The length of the running track is thirty kilometers. There is also a ski school. A ski pass for an adult for one day costs 20 euros, for a child from 8 to 12 years old - 12 euros. There is a system of discounts.

And the last ski resort - Panichishte is located on the Rila Mountains, next to the famous balneological resort Separeva Banya. You can drive to this resort from Sofia in one hour. Skiing season is from December to March. The most low prices for a ride. The cost of a ski pass is 5 euros per day. There are a variety of trails - for children, for beginners and for professionals.

Instructions

Borovets. Once upon a time, this was the hunting ground of royalty, but now skiers flock here. The main audience at the resort are Russians and English; on days the Bulgarians themselves come. So there is no language barrier.

If you are lucky with the weather, then in winter the thickness of the snow cover on the slopes of Mount Musala ranges from 60 cm to one and a half meters. The air temperature rarely drops below -5 degrees.

Everything is in order with the ski infrastructure in Borovets: a variety of lifts, well-prepared slopes, a ski school and the same kindergarten, high-quality rental equipment. You can relax after skiing in saunas, swim in the pool, there are fitness centers, a dozen restaurants and the same number of bars.

It is better to stay at a hotel on one of the central streets of the resort. The closer to the ski lifts, the more convenient it is.

Note: not far from the resort there is the famous Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century. The monastery is considered the main shrine of Bulgaria, captivating with its beauty and extraordinary atmosphere.

Pamporovo. Anyone who is tired of the gloomy winter should take a trip to Pamporovo, because this resort has a reputation as the sunniest in Bulgaria. Come back! And at the same time, improve your health: in these places thermal springs come out of the ground, and there are SPA centers right in the hotels.

Skiers in Pamporovo will find decent slopes on Mount Snezhanka. Most of the skiing takes place here, as well as on the Stenata track. More suitable for intermediate skiers and beginners. Real pros can ski on difficult “black” slopes - there are only three of them. But lovers of cross-country skiing can relax in Pamporovo: the resort has a picturesque ski track to the village of Mugla, 25 km long. There is a half-pipe for snowboarders.

By the way, for those who come, it will be pleasant to know that in the ski resort kindergarten teachers and instructors speak Russian.

Keep in mind that if the winter in Pamporovo is too warm, some of the trails may be closed.

Note: from the observation deck located on the 93-meter television tower on Mount Snezhanka, a magnificent panorama of the Rhodope Mountains opens. On a clear, sunny day you can even see the Aegean Sea!

Bansko is the real pride of Bulgaria. Sunny, snowy, surrounded by three picturesque peaks, with unique regional cuisine... Moreover, compared to Borovets, Bansko is much cheaper, and the skiing season here begins in November and lasts until April.

The total length of 15 trails is 75 km. There are three ski areas, both for beginners and pros there is plenty to do. There is a fan park and a half-pipe for snowboarders. There are no complaints about snow in Bansko: the thickness of the snow cover is usually 2 m. For Eastern Europe quite good.

The resort has many inexpensive family hotels, some of them are located in cozy old mansions. In general, Bansko is a very charming town: there are stone houses built in the 17th - 19th centuries, and cobblestone streets, and ancient churches...

On the bank of a mountain stream directly below open air There are baths with thermal radon water. Best vacation after active day! And of course, don’t miss the local restaurants, the so-called mechanics.

Note: to get to Bansko, you don’t have to fly to Bulgaria. Most travel agencies offer tours to Bansko with a flight to the Greek city of Thessaloniki, from where Bansko can be reached by bus in 3.5 hours.