SKI RESORTS

Bansko

Bansko is situated in the Pirin mountains and is 160 Km from Sofia. It has more than 450,000 visitors each year. Bansko prides itself on the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Bulgarian village with all modern technologies from snow-making machines and new lifts being part of their new infra-structure. Bansko boasts many attractions, lakes, hills and rivers making this a good all year round destination. They are in the process of building a golf course which should be completed next year and there is talk of an airport being built in the not to distant future. The scenery is quite alpine in character. The ski runs are situated 10 Km out of town in the northern slopes of the pirin mountain, here you will find many runs of all levels, and are very well maintained. In the town itself you will see many cultural monuments, museum houses. Snow fall in winter is normally up to 2 m thick, whilst benefiting from a very mild climate.

Pamporovo

Pamporovo is situated in the Rhodopa mountains and found 260Km from Sofia. Here you will find ski runs to suit any level of experience. The smallest of the three resorts and many say the prettiest, this resort nestles in the heart of the mountains surrounded by breath-taking scenery, pine forests, meadows and views across the valleys. You’ll find the temperature mild during the winter, with average snow layers of 140 - 150 cm. The average days of sunshine are 120, so here you’ll get the best of both worlds, beautiful sunny summer days and snow in the winter for skiing. At any time of the year what better way to explore this beautiful countryside?. The resort has some bars and restaurants to try the local cuisine so just relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Borovets

Borovets is the largest and oldest of the ski resorts and only 73 Km from Sofia, also lying in the Pirin mountains. The snow falls here to about 1.5 m thick and again the climate is very mild in winter. There are ski runs to suit any level of experience and also boasts two ski jumps. The town has many bars, restaurants, discos and shopping areas but is most famous for hosting the World Cup Alpine Skiing, twice.

The ski season is October to April.
All resorts have ski schools
All resorts have ski hire facilities.

COASTAL RESORTS

Sunny Beach

Sunny beach is the largest resort on the Black Sea coast with a wide and long beach (only 35 km from the city of Bourgas), with hotels lining the beach perimeter. You’ll find the sea warm with a gentle sloping sandy floor. This resort also sports the prestigious blue flag award. There are many water sports available, water skiing, surfing, hand gliding, parachute and banana boat rides. There’s paddle boats and rowing boats and for the more serious sea farer sailing and yachting. Other sport facilities include tennis, archery, beach volleyball, horse riding and coming soon golf courses. The resort is also home to the Golden Orpheus International Festival of Bulgarian Pop Songs, Symphony Concerts and beach contests. It has a very lively atmosphere with many bars, nightclubs, cafes and a casino can be found in the centre of the resort. Sunny Beach is nestled in a peninsula, at one side of the bay you will find the ridges of the Balkan Range and to the other side the ancient town of Nessebar, a must to visit with its Byzantine architecture, situated on a small outcrop you’ll find small, intimate restaurants where you can eat listening to the sound of the sea gently lapping against the shore. Just outside the resort you will find unspoilt countryside, with many plants (some protected) that you will only find along this coast.

St Vlas

St Vlas is located just north of Sunny Beach Resort. This picturesque village is just one of the “pearls” of the Black Sea coast, with views across the bay to the UNESCO village of Nessebar. The bay boasts golden sands, 2000m long and 20m wide. Here the Black Sea joins the biggest mountain range in Bulgaria, the Stara Planina. This unique location with the natural rise of terrain means that nearly everyone has either mountain or sea views. Obviously the most desirable locations are the beach properties (affording a view of the mountain and the sea), which are now few and far between. Originally, around 2 A.D., the village was founded and named Monastery (the village is famous for it’s many monasteries). It was only in the 14th Century that St. Vlas changed it’s name to honour Saint Vlasius, who was a famous healer and protector of stock breeders and merchants. The village now has numerous restaurants, cafes and bars, with the added attraction of Sunny Beach being only a short taxi ride away, if you fancy an evening of livelier entertainment. More recently St. Vlas has been developing into one of the best areas, with more and more 4 and 5 star hotels and complexes being built.

Kosharitsa

Kosharitsa, though not on the coast is fast becoming one of the favoured villages to purchase a property. Famous for buried treasure and hunting partridges and pheasants. Only a few minutes drive from the popular resort of Sunny Beach (6Km), this village offers a quieter place to stay. With a cycle path due to open in 2007 and public transport to and from Sunny Beach, you’ll get the best of both worlds. Kosharitsa is situated at the foot of the Eastern Balkan Range and surrounded by forest, making it a pretty, peaceful area. Many Politicians and business men live here including the Mayor of Nessebar and the Head of Bourgas District, it is policed by the Nessebar Police department making it a very safe area, hardly any crime is ever reported here. In the village centre you will find a number of food shops, a doctor and health centres, a pharmacy and a dentist. The main growth of holiday villas are mainly on Almond Hill area of the village with views to the mountain, overlooking Sunny Beach and the flat lands stretching behind Sunny Beach. There are small complexes with apartments and studios and larger complexes mostly building semi-detached and detached villas. One of the most popular reasons for buying here is not only the peace and quiet but the news that a golf course is in the process of being built in the nearby area of Kalinata. Prices will soar!.

CAPITAL CITY

Sofia

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria is a modern and busy capital. A centre for Bulgaria’s political, economic and cultural life. Western European in feel with many pavement cafes, bars and restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world, mainly concentrated in the central part of the city, nestled amongst tree lined boulevards. With hot dry summers and snowy winters, you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Sofia has something for everyone. The diverse history of Bulgaria shows in the many styles of architecture found next to each other, the city has an abundance of museums to show this history. One of the most popular is the National History Museum, which holds some magnificent displays of Thracian gold, silver and ceramics. There are many places of interest, Art Galleries, theatres and The Alexander Nevski Cathedral to name but a few.

This city will not disappoint those of you who love to shop. From large shopping malls, designer boutiques to small street shops, Many European chain stores can be found here. you can’t fail to find something to suit!.

There are many parks in Sofia, offering peace and tranquillity in an otherwise busy city. The Boris Garden park includes the National Stadium, or why not visit the Vitosha National Park just outside the city. This is the Mountain Vitosha which can be seen towering over the city, many even class it as part of Sofia. You can get there by public transport or by car. People walk up the mountain made of granite as there are many trails marked for walkers, here you can visit one of the hotels or restaurants overlooking the city, sample some of the local cuisine and soak up the view.

There are major ski resorts located about two hours away by car, although many locals go to Aleko, part of Mount Vitosha, here they have several good ski runs that are very steep as well as catering for beginners and intermediates ( the ski instructors also speak English). This is an excellent place to enjoy skiing as being north facing they tend not to be icy and generally keep the snow throughout the season.

Bulgaria is known (and indeed the Sofia district) for its wonderful and invigorating cold and thermal mineral spas known for their medicinal qualities. This you can find in the capital itself as well as the surrounding areas.

There is a large business sector in Sofia, with many of the world’s large corporations having an office presence, because of this and the tourist trade here, buying a property as an investment is a wise choice. Property prices are constantly on the rise and property is quickly sold due to the rental market always being in demand. Short term rentals to tourists and long term rentals to businessmen and students give the buyer a great return on their investment.