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Bulgaria - where the wild roses grow - and the Balkan mountains charm the hiker
Backpacking in Bulgaria is as easy as it gets. Clear, well marked trails and excellent huts along the trail in the Balkan Mountains make Bulgaria a desirable destination for the outdoors person.
I spent two nights in Sofia - which offers interesting spots to visit - before taking the train out to the village Anton. One can simply walk through that town and be on the way up the sides of Stara Planina - the Balkan Mountains. The people in the mountain huts were all quite friendly. Dinner was basic and the prices very reasonable. I could not talk much with the people in the huts until I came to Kozyna and had the chance to talk with Tania, an English speaking guide who was working there (as well as Ivan and Lubov).
The weather (in May) was quite good for me: admittedly it was way too warm for me on the first day i.e. close to 26°C in Anton. Fortunately, the temperatures were more in my favor higher up. Gentle breeze helped cool me down so that walking in 1800 - 2000 m.above sea level was neither too hot nor too cold. Some snow was still up there but the scent of fresh vegetation filled the air - and all kinds of plants were in bloom. Birds and some smaller mammals around - and I had the trail almost entirely to myself. Lovely times.
After several days of walking, I spent a night in Kasanlak - visited the local museum which features things from 6000 B.C. Antiques from the Thracian time - a must visit for all Europeans (and others as well, of course) who want to know about our heritage and culture. I spent a day in Plovdiv - one of the oldest cities of the world. A choir of 30 women sang in an old Roman theater in the street, supported by 3 xylophones, 2 musicians playing each of them and drums. In the park some people had brought large loudspeakers which filled the air with Turkish-Greek-Balkan music. A crowd of people dancing old-fashioned dances: in jeans and t-shirts, hopping and swaying and sweating in the warmth of the afternoon.
If you want to do something in Bulgaria on your own - with assistance from a local, independent guide feel free to contact Ivo at www.bulguides.com
