Travel China and Beyond

Trip to Bansko, Bulgaria - part 1

Here is the first part of several postings about some interesting places to visit in Bulgaria. This Eastern European country is a good place to visit and enjoy both winter (skiing, hiking) and summer (hikinig, swimming) activities. This summer my family and I had a good visit to several nice resourts in Bulgaria and this is a quick write up about it.

Bansko is located in the Southwest part of Bulgaria (directly south from the capital Sofia). To get there you have several options. We drove from Plovdiv (the second biggest city in the country located in central south Bulgari). We drove through Pazardzhik and through the Rodopi mountains. Prior to getting to Bansko you will go through the village of Bania. Once you get to Bansko this map will help you navigate and find one of the nice hotels in town — hotel Kempinski. I have labeled the direction you will arrive from and the direction to the hotel (look at the red color arrows and text) . Here is a picture of the Kempinski in Bansko. Once you are in the town there is plenty to do and enjoy. On the map I have circled several historic sites in the town. The house of Neofit Rilski is a good example of the 17th century Bulgarian architecture. It is essentially a small fortress — with thick walls, heavy wood and metal doors, small windows on the bottom floor to allow the inhabitants to defend themselves against attackers. Houses like that were built until late 19th century and remain as museums today.

   Photos from these houses

I will continue with more on Bansko and Pirin mountain in the next couple of posts. Stay tuned