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Re: Hiking near Plovdiv

by lyuben 27 May 2012

It is about 80 km to the Wonderful Bridges from Plovdiv, and you can use public transport (bus Plovdiv-Smolyan) only to the fork on the…
RE: SE Bulgaria. What to see?

by japetus 05 March 2012

Thanks for your advice, I'll keep them in mind for my planned visit. In the meanwhile, a search showed me of a new guidebook and also…
SE Bulgaria. What to see?

by japetus 29 February 2012

And by SE, I mean the extreme SE, north of Greece, around the Ivailovgrad area. While there are many attractions for the visitors to the…
RE: small towns Bulgaria

by tedmuller 23 August 2011

Hi Camile, if you want a tour of the eastern rhodope mountains, I'd be happy to be your guide. Maybe start with a day in Plovdiv... not…
RE: hiking in bulgaria with a toddler

by japetus 23 June 2011

Thanks karavansarays, we'll start the morning in G.Delcev and end our trip at evening in Zlatograd (and we may also proceed to Xanthi…
Re: hiking in bulgaria with a toddler

by traventuria 20 June 2011

Maybe you could consider Trigrad in Rodopi Mountains - no doubt one of the best areas for short easy/moderate hikes in a diversity of…
RE: some bus questions

by anamisho 10 May 2011

Hello, All the buses that travel between Plovdiv and Smolyan or Plovdiv- Rudozem stop at both Bachkovo and Chepelare. So, no need to…
Re: Rila, Plovdiv & Veliko Tarnovo

by anamisho 05 May 2011

Yep, the English site of BDZ is not perfect. I will try to help you. The only direct train form Plovdiv to Veliko Turnovo is at 14.20…
RE: 7-9 days to spare.

by AndrewSmith 26 June 2010

The area around Smolyan in the Rodopi mountains is also vety pleasant for hiking. October should be very easty to find accommodation -…
Re: Moving around Devin

by voivodata 05 February 2010

I have been living and working in and around these Rodopi villages for much of the last 20 years. Its become second home to me now as…
RE: Moving around Devin

by etcap 04 February 2010

I visited the area in 2005, and at that time there was very little public transport, just as Dave describes it in #1. If I remember well,…
RE: Moving around Devin

by daveelmstrom 04 February 2010

I would guess that it's possible you can get a minibus from Devin to Shiroka Laka, but it will be difficult to know for sure until you're…
RE: Smolian & the Rhodopi Mountain

by voivodata 22 January 2010

Smolyan is a very peaceful and pleasant town. Safe and uncommercialized. The people are very friendly and helpful. This warmth and hospitali…
RE: Smolian & the Rhodopi Mountain

by AndrewSmith 17 January 2010

He He I visited Smolyan in 1988 under the old communist system. I was on a balkan holidays package tour to pamporovo. Its mostly a winter…
RE: Smolian & the Rhodopi Mountain

by daveelmstrom 17 January 2010

I can't tell you anything about investing in property -- that's a decision beyond a travel forum. I can tell you that Smolyan is in a…
Re: Rodopi mountains route advice

by voivodata 24 April 2009

Travelling from Devin to Sofia by bus is not a problem. There are very good connections from Devin to Plovdiv and then from Plovdiv to…
RE: Rodopi mountains route advice

by daveelmstrom 22 April 2009

I'm just speculating here, so apologies in advance: Most towns of any size will have at least one direct bus departure to Sofia daily.…
RE: Croatia + Bulgaria

by alan1972 10 February 2009

>This portion of the trip would last maybe 8-10 days. Is this too little time? I think you are referring to Zadar + one island + Plitvice…
RE: Croatia + Bulgaria

by daveelmstrom 10 February 2009

Once you're in Zagreb, getting to Bulgaria is quite easy, albeit time consuming. I took the trip, and I think it took around 16 hours…
Croatia + Bulgaria

by phouston06 10 February 2009

I am a young male traveler, I enjoy historical sites (especially ruins/ancient things), outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and…
RE: Off the beaten track in Bulgaria?

by etcap 23 July 2008

I hiked through the Rodopi mountains 3 years ago, and it certainly felt off the beaten track. In fact, I don't remember meeting any other…
RE: Two weeks in Bulgaria

by blakbird 27 February 2008

This response is WAY after the fact, but I thought I would add this here for anyone interested in getting to Shiroka Lâka. I traveled…
Bulgaria - avoid, avoid, avoid !

by orange_tree 18 November 2007

We had been to bulgaria 5 x now and enjoyed the country a lot.We loved the beach and the mountains , the black sea seem to overcrowded…
Going to Plovdiv

by alan1972 13 November 2007

I second #2's suggestions of visiting Bachkovo Monastery. Buses heading towards Smolyan or Pamporovo pass right by the gate. There are…