MELNIK CULTURE AND WINE TRAIL - BULGARIA
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This riding holiday is a one way point to point trip along the Greek border covering 300km and three distinct mountains and ethnographic Bulgarian areas: the Rhodopes, Slavyanka and Pirin mountains. As well as having the opportunity to see many rare birds, wild animals and endemic plants, you can feel the magic of the smallest Bulgarian Town museum of Melnik, famous for its fine red wines and visit the Rojen Monastery and the emblematic Rila Monastery.
The riding is excellent with fit horses and ever changing scenery and pace. Accommodation is thoughtfully set out in nice guest houses en-route, including some beautiful historical houses, showing various aspects of Bulgarian culture.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - MELNIK CULTURE AND WINE TRAIL
Day 1
Arrival and transfer. On the way to Trigrad you will pass through the thrilling Trigrad Gorge, 7 Kilometers long, enclosed with rock walls as high as 250 meters.
Upon arrival there is an option to visit the Devil’s Throat cave. This cave is over 300,000 year old with 350 m. long route which passes through “Buchashtata Zala “(the Roaming Hall). According to the legend, this is where Orpheus went down to the Kingdom of Underworld, in search of his beloved Eurydice. While climbing almost 60 m long stairs inside the cave curving among the waterfall, you can see one of the highest underground waterfalls in the Balkan Peninsula (60m high).
Accommodation is in afamily operated hotel, located on a hillside with a view toward the valley surrounded by tall mountain peaks, and an ancient curving Roman road.
Day 2
After breakfast - a ride from the village of Trigrad through a beautiful pine forest to the Videnitsa peak (1652 m). On the very top of the peak the riders will see a Thracian sanctuary and the ruins of an ancient Roman stronghold. Get to know your horse, your trusty companion for this 300km trek. A ride through the village of Zmeitsa to the town of Dospat. Accommodation in the town of Dospat, at a cozy hotel with a very picturesque location, overlooking the Dospat Lake and the mountain. Riding - about 7-8 hrs.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. A ride from the town of Dospat past the crystal waters of the Dospat Lake, along the ridge of the Rhodopean part,called Zvezden Balkan (Star Mountain) to the Hissar gulch.
Break and lunch in a wooden shelter, beautifully situated among the pine-trees. Here you will enjoy a delicious hot lunch and afterwards a short siesta with the horses. Back in the saddle, ride up through the ancient forests and into the Dikchan Reserve. Accommodation is in the Dikchan hunting lodge, perched on a hillside overlooking the valley. Riding - about 5 hrs.
Day 4
After a hearty breakfast, ride out into open countryside with breath-taking views of the valley ahead - a perfect photo opportunity! Landscape becomes more agricultural, with rolling hillsides and meadows. Ride via the small village of Pletena to the village of Dolen, which is a unique architectural preserve. Accommodation in the village of Dolen: in about 250 year old house with the preserved simplicity and coziness of the authentic architecture and atmosphere of past times. After dinner, if the weather permits, an evening around the campfire is planned, with authentic music, wine and dancing - you could hardly dream of a better end to the day. Riding - about 4hrs.
Day 5
After breakfast - a ride from the village of Dolen through a valley of Mesta river to the village of Sadovo. A picnic lunch awaits you by the river after a wonderful morning's ride. Relax with the horses for a time, and then onwards and upwards, it is time to enjoy some beautiful fast canters! Again, we are heading into mountainous territory, and see the Slavianka mountain rising up before us. Tonight, you will be staying in a monastery in the village of Teshovo. Riding - about 8hrs
Day 6
After breakfast - a ride from village of Sadovo along the north-western slopes of Slavianka mountain, near the village of Nova Lovcha to the village of Katunci. Today we spend traversing the mountainside, at first alone with nature, but later encountering many small villages along the way as once again the terrain becomes softer and more pastoral. Accommodation in the village of Katunci. Riding - about 8-9 hrs.
Day 7
After breakfast - a ride from the village of Katunci along the beautiful Katunci's pass formed from Pirin and Slavyanka mountains ridge through the village of Katunci to the town-museum of Melnik. Along the way we take a detour to visit the Rozhen Monastery while our horses wait patiently in the shade. On the outskirts of Melnik we say a sad farewell to our horses, who have now become our friends on this wonderful adventure. Accommodation in the town of Melnik in a typical old house overlooking the village. Time for some wine-tasting! We visit the museum and the caves before tasting the famous Melnik red wine. Over a farewell dinner in a warm and friendly atmosphere we discuss our return to Bulgaria! Riding - about 4hrs
Day 8
After breakfast transfer to the airport. If the earliest flight departure time of the group is past 5:00 pm (17:00h), riders will have the opportunity of visiting and taking a tour of one of the ancient, most remarkable and the largest monasteries in Bulgaria – The Rila Monastery. Established in the 9th century, this architectural and cultural monument has rich heritage of mediaeval and revival art: icons, church plate, prints and embossed gospels and embroidered vestments. The Rila Monastery is a national monument of culture and an invaluable national treasure.
Please note: Itineraries are for guidance only and we reserve the right to make changes in the daily riding schedule and route, considering the safety of our riders, current conditions of the trail, weather factors, or other unforeseen and local circumstances.
NOTES - MELNIK CULTURE AND WINE TRAIL
Prices for groups smaller than 4 at the time of booking (cost will be adjusted and reimbursed when more riders join the date):
2009:
3 riders - small group supplement £90 (ride price £1,079pp)
SOFIA
Sofia is definitely worth a visit. We recommend a few nights to explore the old churches, antique markets with Soviet and WWII relics, art and ethnic museums as well as almost Viennese coffee and cake shops. The best place to stay is the Sveta Sofia hotel which is located in the heart of Sofia on the main pedestrian road. We can book additional nights in this hotel for £77 per double room, £68 per single room.
The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation and meals starting with dinner the first night and ending with breakfast the last day, mineral water with meals, transfers, all riding as described, English speaking guide, back up vehicle.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks including wine-tasting, entrance fees for caves, museums, and other sightseeing, tips and items of a personal nature.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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