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While
Bulgaria is well known for its skiing few foreigners are aware of the vast range
of other activities available. The following can be done alone or a personal
guide/instructor can be arranged. Contact us for further details.
International Jazz Festival - Bansko
hosts an enormously popular International Jazz Festival branded "the music of the free people" and this year it
will be held 8 to 13 August 2010. Inspired by Dr Iliev's idea to transform Bansko into a centre of significant cultural
importance, the festival is undoubtedly fulfilling its purpose. Since 1998, the number of participants and quality of
performances has steadily increased and this year is no exception, with a line-up that includes Italian Antonio Flinta
quartet (8 August), Incognito (UK) on 9 August, and Diane Schuur from the USA (11 August).
Click for more info
Mineral
baths - These
exist all over Bulgaria and the nearest to Bansko (6 km south) is in the village of Dobrinishte where there are 17
mineral springs with water temperatures between 30-43 C. Scientific studies rank Bulgaria among the foremost in
Europe for hydrothermal, bioclimatic and mud treatments, sea cures and other health resources. Bulgaria is a world leader
with its exceptional diversity of medicinal herbs and the excellent curative properties of its apian products.
Kayaking - Go rafting with your own personal guide along two of Bulgaria’s most beautiful rivers - the Struma
and Mesta Rivers. Instructor, equipment, and lunch included.
Horseback Riding - Visit the horseback riding school and check out the numerous riding routes. Enquire about the horseback
riding tour which includes transport, lunch, and a personal guide. The trip takes you through breathtaking
scenery in the Kresna gorge on horseback.
Hiking/walking
- Pirin Mountain
is a tempting site for every hiker. The mountain offers magnificent scenery, numerous crystal clear lakes, and interesting
species of flora and fauna! If you are planning to go hiking independently you should visit the Bansko
tourist office for hiking maps, advice, and a personal guide should you wish.
Mountain Biking - Enjoy the magnificent scenes of Bansko and
surrounding area by mountain bike; all levels of experience welcome. Experience unforgettable and breathtaking
scenery along specially marked trails. The tourist office and various other places in Bankso have a range
of imported models available for hire. From a climatic standpoint mid-June to late September is the ideal
time for biking in the Pirin, while in the Rhodopes it's feasible until mid-October.
Rila Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rila monastery, played an important role for the preservation of the
national spirit and faith during the Ottoman rule. Day trips are available for you to explore this amazing
and beautiful site.
Dancing Bear Park - The world’s largest and most sophisticated rehabilitation
park for bears. The park is located near the small town of Belitsa. Learn more about
the “Four Paws” charitable foundation for the protection of animals. Thankfully the bears are
not paraded around by chains attached to their noses any longer as done for 300 years; now they are respectfully cared for
in the park. 18 bears in total to see.
Paragliding - Organised locally and costs around 60 EUR as opposed to 500 EUR as in other parts of Europe!
Contact www.skynomad.com.
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| Pirin Mountains |
Rock Climbing - Bulgaria's
mountainous terrain means that the opportunities for climbing are practically limitless. The most popular areas with mountaineers
and rock climbers are Mt Malyovitsa in the Rila Mountains, the karst region to the north of Mt Vihren (in the Pirin range),
and the Blue Rocks outside Sliven. At the time of writing no foreign operator offers package trips for rock climbing however
you can hire equipment and a personal guide from Odysseia-In in Sofia at a cost of approx 25 EUR per person per
day.
Bird Watching - Bulgaria
is great for bird watching and is a nesting ground for most European species in spring (May–June) and on the migratory
path of many Asian ones in autumn (Sept to mid-Oct). In total there are around 400 species. There's
plenty to see at any time, owing to the diversity of ecological niches and the fact that farmers use less pesticides and insecticides
than in Western Europe. For further information
contact the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds which can recommend local guides and advice on all matters ornithological.
Zoology, Botany
and Geology - Aside
from birds, Bulgaria's fauna includes most of the Balkan and Mediterranean reptiles (over fifty species) and mammals.
Mountainous areas are the habitat of bears, boars, wolves, wild cats, deer, foxes and badgers, while... more
Paintball
- A fun game for the whole family!
Contact us for a wide range of games and activities on offer.
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