Experience Bulgaria’s Mountains and Monasteries with Adventures in Good Company
Lying almost forgotten for years behind the Iron Curtain, Bulgaria remains one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. Our trip provides the opportunity to discover the amazingly rich cultural and natural heritage of Bulgaria’s remote Rhodope, Pirin and Rila Mountains, with the opportunity to interact with local people and learn about their way of life. In particular, our trip offers a unique insight into the local Pomak (Bulgarian Muslim) community as much of our time will be spent staying in and walking amongst traditional Muslim villages. By way of contrast, we will also visit three of Bulgaria’s most striking Orthodox Christian monasteries! And the natural history is equally fascinating: during our hikes, there will be excellent opportunities to see a fascinating variety of rare flora and fauna. We know Bulgaria may not be on your bucket list – but it should be!
Bulgaria is a diverse and stunningly beautiful country with charming small villages, colourful history and culture, and delicious fresh food, much of it organically grown. It is also a bit of a hidden gem so we won’t see many other American tourists and prices are quite low compared to other countries. We will visit longstanding monasteries; hike in the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope mountains; meet the residents of traditional Muslim villages; and learn about the transition this country is going through as it emerges from a long period of Soviet domination.
Highlights
- Hiking beautiful mountain landscapes with deep gorges, spectacular caves, ancient forests, and flower-filled meadows
- Experiencing the culture and cuisine of a little-known region of Eastern Europe
- Visiting the Bachkovo, Rozhen, and Rila Monasteries
- Observing life in traditional Bulgarian villages and traditional vernacular architecture
- Touring Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, and Plovdiv, the oldest city in Europe
Maximum group size: 14 Note: 2024 will have a slightly different itinerary.
