FUN IN BULGARIA

ON A HUNT IN BULGARIA

DimanaT — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 19:38:36 +0000

ON A HUNT IN BULGARIA

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Tue, 08/29/2023 - 22:38

The country is a preferred hunting destination. Here is why

Hunting provokes the most profound instincts embedded in our human nature. Today, people hunt not to survive, but for sport, to test their skills and to maintain populations of game and wildfowl in numbers that do not affect people's life and work. With its diverse landscapes, thick forests and clean rivers, and its location on the European bird migratory route Via Pontica, Bulgaria is understandably one of the best places for hunting on the continent. The reasons for this are not only in its nature. Bulgaria has a rich tradition in organised hunting and fishing, and the network of hunting grounds covers the whole country and takes care of the high quality of the local game.

Bulgaria's game diversity is impressive – red, fallow and roe deer, chamois, boar, wolf, jackals, foxes, hare, Western capercaillie, Grey partridge, pheasant... these are just some of the species that one can meet in Bulgarian forests and fields. Many of the wild game that can be caught in Bulgaria are trophy ones. For example, the country is the European leader in hunting red deer – it has four world records in trophies. Local boars are famed for their large trophies and their weight – here was shot one of the largest boars ever caught in the world.

This is why it is hardly surprising that hunting in Bulgaria attracts not only local people, but also many foreign visitors. According to information by the Executive Forests Agency, even during the years of the pandemic Bulgaria remained an attractive destination for foreign hunters. In 2021, foreigners hunting big game in the country were mainly from Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, while the small game foreign hunters arrived predominantly from Italy, Greece, Spain, and France.

Choosing the hunting ground where to meet Bulgaria's nature is the first important step for every hunter. On it depend the impressions, and the results, that he is going to have from the experience.

Good equipment is the other crucial element for trouble-free and pleasant hunting. Without it the experience would not be complete – indeed, once people used spears, bows and arrows, but today the well prepared hunter relies on a combination of high and low tech weapons and accessories, and quality clothes of the best fabrics.

When the hunter is equipped with the best hunting weapon, optics and clothes, the experience is on a completely new level. In the three weapon and ammunition shops and the website of Aleksis Optics (www.aleksis-optics.com) you will find everything you need for an unforgettable and good hunting. Established in 1995 in Veliko Tarnovo, the company specialises in the sale of the best of optics industry – binoculars, night vision devices, thermal imaging devices and weapon accessories. Aleksis Optics also offers a rich selection of assault, hunting and cold weapons; ammunition; clothing, shoes and accessories. The company will help you take good care of your weapon with options to purchase spare parts, a repair shop, weapon inspection, optical and thermal devices mounting.

Imagine hunting apparel that is comfortable, modern, tested in real life conditions, at affordable prices – and is made in Bulgaria. Since 2017, Ares Hunting (www.ares-hunting.com) has confidently worked towards its goal to create and establish on the market a Bulgarian brand for clothes for hunting, fishing, tourism and other outdoor activities. Each item that you are going to see in Ares Hunting's online store has author's, unique design, and is custom made after the company's specifications that reflect real life hunting experience and knowledge of the diverse needs that one has during different types of hunting. Each model has been tested continuously and repeatedly in real hunting before being greenlighted for manufacture. This is why Ares Hunting clothes satisfy even the highest requirements and standards for intensive hunting. The unique colour of Ares Hunting was also developed after an idea of the company. Thanks to it, you will stand out among other hunters while blending in the environment.

When you are on a hunt or are exploring wild nature, the good knife can be crucial for the quality of the experience. If you have packed a knife by the Bulgarian company Ego Knives (FB: EgoKnives), you can be assured that you are ready for everything. Handmade of the best materials by artisans who perceive their craft as a form of art, the knives with the Ego Knives brand are comfortable, effective and exceptionally beautiful. Each of them has an authenticity certificate and lifetime warranty, and their sheaths are made with the same attention to quality and detail.

Issue 203-204 Nature

FUN IN BULGARIA

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ON A LUXURY HOLIDAY IN BULGARIA

DimanaT — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 20:17:08 +0000

ON A LUXURY HOLIDAY IN BULGARIA

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Wed, 04/26/2023 - 23:17

From spa to wine – the options for exclusive relaxation in the country enchant

photography by Armin Rimoldi, Pexels

Modern luxury is all about subtle comfort, elegant aesthetics and the feeling that all of our needs have been met and catered for even before we have realised their existence. In Bulgaria, we find this in selected hotels and resorts that value their clients and provide them with a wholesome experience, where comfort and pleasure combine in an inimitable way, and nature and its beneficial effects are always nearby.

From the Black Sea coast with its luxury hotels and options for glamping to the mountains where you find intimate resorts among nature that offer clean food – Bulgaria's luxury map is getting richer by the year. The country's diverse geography allows a variety of experiences during the vacation – different outdoor and sports activities, tastings, the chance to join events, festivals and traditional festivities. Thanks to this, luxury vacation in Bulgaria does not present a single, unified face – variety is its "business card."

Spa pleasures make a significant part of Bulgaria's image as a luxury holiday destination – and deservedly so.

With its abundant mineral springs, the Bulgarian lands have been a destination for spa tourism since the times of the ancient Romans. Today, we find some of the best luxury experiences in the country's established spa and balneological resorts.

Mineral springs are not evenly distributed in the Bulgarian lands – about two thirds of them are in the south. On this background Sandanski, in the southwest, stands out with its 80 springs with temperatures between 42 and 81ºС. The combination with the beneficial, almost Mediterranean, climate and the proximity of the Pirin makes the town one of Bulgaria's must visit places.

With its unique resources and professionalism, Park Hotel Pirin (Sandanski, phone: +359 893 300 300; www.parkhotelpirin.com) has deservedly become a symbol of quality spa experience in Bulgaria. The hotel is located by the cool and picturesque park of Sandanski at the foot of the Pirin and uses the waters of hot mineral springs that heal a number of conditions. In its top-class spa and wellness zone you will find a variety of procedures with high quality cosmetic products and typical Bulgarian herbs and aromas. The professionals there will consult you on the best procedures for you, and if you seek something truly special, you can give yourself a ritual at the VIP zone. Everything at Park Hotel Pirin embodies quiet exquisiteness and intelligent comfort – the luxury rooms and apartments, the spacious and comfortable conference rooms with a range of capacities, the elegant restaurants and the cosy lobby bar. During the night, Faces Life Bar offers selected drinks and music – a guarantee for a pleasant end of the day.

To enjoy a wholesome spa vacation among clean mountain nature and air you do not need to go far from Sofia. It is enough to book one of the designer's villas at PinusVillas compound (Zheleznitsa village, Yarema locality, phone: 359 884 78 25 47, www.pinusvillas.com) and you will immerse yourself in an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation. The luxury experience among the elegant interior of the Alpine chalets is guaranteed, and the fresh greenery boosts your energy levels. The villas are only four and each of them has its own spa facility that is used only by its guests: an outdoor hot tub and a sauna or a phyto barrel. PinusVillas compound is one of the few places in Bulgaria where you can enjoy the beneficial effects of hot steam enriched with herbal mixtures in a phyto barrel. It cleanses the body in depth, brings freshness to the skin, erases stress and stimulates immunity. PinusVillas has taken care of all the needs and whims of the guests with a cosy restaurant, equipped conference room and options for outdoor activities. The special packages for corporate clients are an opportunity to responsible companies to give their employees the most important thing: taking care of their health and wellbeing.

When you book a villa or room at SPA Complex Belchin Spring (Belchin Village, phones: +359 884 025 169, +359 884 025 542, www.belchin-spring.com) you will quickly forget that you are mere 50 kms away from Sofia. The tranquility and clean nature dominate this charming boutique spa complex, and the options to enjoy them in blessed seclusion or with your loved ones is truly seducing. With its outdoor and indoor pools and variety of classic and innovative procedures the spa centre is an oasis of care for one's health and beauty. If you want to enjoy spa experiences in calmness, choose the luxury villas or the chalet as they have en suite saunas and mineral water hot tubs. The ECO villas, for their part, combine comfort with the feeling of being close to nature. The lovers of active recreation will find a variety of options for outdoor sport, and connoisseurs of fine food will fall for the menu of the à la carte restaurant. The creators of Belchin Spring have taken care of everything – outdoor and indoor playgrounds for children and multifunctional rooms equipped with everything needed for a flawless corporate event.

Bulgaria is a place where excellent, intriguing and exciting wines are made. The ways to enjoy the creations of some of the best producers, however, are not that many. This is why the elegant hotels and wineries that offer this type of experience stand out and deservedly win the hearts of people who seek delicate luxury and memorable tastes.

Connoisseurs of good wine have been familiar for years with the quality of the creations of the family winery Château Copsa (phone: +359 882 64 54 52, reservations@copsa.bg, www.copsa.bg). One of the best ways to enjoy them is on their own territory, as guests of the boutique hotel Maison Copsa and the exclusive castle Château Copsa. Located in one of the most picturesque parts of the Valley of Roses, they offer elegant ambiance, exquisite luxury, stylish restaurants with author's cuisine and a diversity of experiences. Participating in the emblematic traditions of rose picking and grape harvesting is an excellent way to experience something new with your family – or to include in the programme for the teambuilding or corporate event that you organise at Château Copsa. Just imagine – how many places in Bulgaria provide you with the opportunity to taste exquisite wines and rakiyas in the cellar of a medieval castle? At Château Copsa this is a charming rule that leaves a lasting memory.

Regardless of the hotel or resort you have chosen for your luxury vacation in Bulgaria, the quality of the experience will be as in any established international destination – but with a pinch of local colour and character that make the vacation truly unique.

Issue 199

FUN IN BULGARIA

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THE GIFTS OF THE NEW YEAR

DimanaT — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 07:34:49 +0000

THE GIFTS OF THE NEW YEAR

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Thu, 12/29/2022 - 09:34

Quality makes us happy

When the year is still young, we have many reasons to give presents – from the name days in January that are celebrated by thousands of Bulgarians to St Valentine's Day. But do we really need a special occasion to make a gift? Of course not. The only things we need are good ideas and someone we want to make happy. This could be us, as well – self love is the key to happiness and inner harmony.

Good ideas can be different. They all share one thread: excellent quality. In the beginning of 2023 we will find it in jewellery, clothes, accessories, cosmetics, wines and gourmet food of carefully selected materials and ingredients. We find it in the delicate attention to detail. In the aim to find the best on the market and to give it to those who will appreciate it.

When we find quality and give it to the right person, the whole world turns into a smile, a drop of happiness and freedom. After all, this is why gifts exist – to give us hope and make the world a better place.

Give elegance as a present: The current collection of Coeur de Lion conquers and enchants

Since 1987, the Coeur de Lion jewellery has been one of the best ways to show your love and affection. The German brand is famed for its handmade pieces of natural stones in memorable combinations.

Coeur de Lion's current collection, which celebrates the brand's 35th anniversary, goes beyond the expectations. Charged with Coeur de Lion's traditional joie de vivre, vibrancy and individuality, it inspires women to rediscover themselves day after day and to freely express themselves.

The new vision of the emblematic GEOCUBES® line was inspired by the Bauhaus movement – necklaces of turquoise crystals, amazonite, howlite and haematite that can be worn long or short, separately, in a combination, or in a Y-shape.

Coeur de Lion's latest interpretation of another classic – the round crystal covered pendants, shimmers with the colours of anthracite, blue, green and lilac.

For customers seeking a more gentle elegance are the geometrical necklaces with detachable pendant and earrings of silver, gold and pink gold, and some delicate jewellery with freshwater pearls.

Find your Coeur de Lion jewellery on www.remco.bg and in the stores in Sofia, at 29 Alabin St and 7 Solunska St.

Perfect skin with Orjena: Order from BewellStore

Orjena is a K-brand created in 2014 with a clearly defined mission – to make perfect skin possible. Orjena turns the dream into a reality with natural oils with low-molecular weight and purified water that hydrate and nourish the skin and improve its elasticity. The Ultra Hyaluronic Eye Patch is a wonderful example for the Orjena effect. The formula based on 8-layer hyaluronic acid and high-quality sea collagen content permeates deep under the surface, nourishes and hydrates. Thus, the skin of tired and puffy eyes gets immediately firmer and recover its vitality. You will find the patches and other Orjena products on bewellstore.bg.

Begin the new year with a new business and Hristina Cosmetics

Personalised care for the face, the hair and the body is trend number one for modern women. For entrepreneurial spirits with vision for the future this is a golden opportunity to start a new business. Hristina Cosmetics (www.kozmetikahristina.com),a Bulgarian company for natural cosmetics, is the best way to turn the idea into a reality. The company has its own production base in a region with clean nature at the hearth of the Rila mountains. It will help you to create cosmetic products under your own brand in its factory. For more information call +359 895 516 349 or write to sales_hristina@abv.bg.

Issue 195-196

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THE LAND OF HEALTH

DimanaT — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 09:50:50 +0000

THE LAND OF HEALTH

by Bozhidara Georgieva; photography by Anthony Georgieff

DimanaT Sat, 10/29/2022 - 12:50

You crave a luxury spa retreat? Bulgaria is the right place to be

Fountain in Hisarya, a major spa destination

Mineral waters are among Bulgaria's greatest natural resources. In the country have been registered 225 hot and cold springs with diverse chemical content beneficial for the treatment of cardiovascular, lung, joint, gastro-intestinal and other diseases. About two third of the mineral springs are in the country's south.

It is a common knowledge that people have enjoyed and used this wealth since times immemorial. A number of modern cities, like Sofia, for example, are the heirs of prehistoric and ancient Thracian settlements that appeared by healing springs. Later, the Romans turned those into veritable resorts – one of the most famous ones was Diocletianopolis (modern Hisarya). The Ottomans were also dedicated spa lovers and continued the tradition.

Hot mineral springs even played a part in the creation of the Bulgarian state. In 681, the Byzantine emperor Constantine IV decided to attack the proto-Bulgarians, who had just crossed the imperial border by the Danube. Instead of leading the attack himself, he left his army and headed to the Burgas Bay to treat a bout of gout in the local mineral springs. The Bulgarians won the battle. The peace treaty that was signed afterwards was the first official document recognising the existence of a Bulgarian state south of the Danube.

Today you do not need to be a Byzantine emperor to make the most of Bulgaria's spa wealth. The country's spa and balneological resorts offer an amazing variety of the experience. In some of them, such as Velingrad, Devin and Voneshta Voda, you are surrounded by clean mountain air. Others, such as the springs at Albena or Pomorie, are a way to simultaneously enjoy a spa and a seaside vacation. In resorts with millennia-old spa traditions such as Hisarya and Gotse Delchev, you get the pleasant ambiance of small-town Bulgaria combined with impressive ancient ruins of Roman towns.

Recently, on the map of wellness Bulgaria appeared new names offering a completely different level of the experience: luxury spa resorts. They deserve attention because of their marvellous combination of exquisite atmosphere, stylish ambiance and professional therapies, massages and procedures.

A marvellous mountain scape, an impressive geyser and abundance of hot healing mineral springs – Sapareva Banya is among the most pleasant places in Bulgaria for a spa holiday. Especially when you have booked a room at EMAR boutique hotel (Sapareva Banya, 3 Yordan Popmihailov St, +359 882 50 00 79, emarhotel.bg). The newly opened resort in the Rila mountain has everything that defines an incredible experience. The intimate ambiance of the elegant rooms is complemented by the friendly, competent approach of the experienced staff who know how to make guests feel special and pampered. EMAR's spa and relaxation zone is a true delight – an outdoor mineral pool that can be used in the winter as well, a sauna, an outdoor and indoor Jacuzzi, a steam bath, a salt room, adventure showers and a variety of massages. The top class restaurant offers splendid Bulgarian classics and international dishes, accompanied by a carefully selected wine list. EMAR Hotel has also taken care of lovers of active recreation with a variety of activities – guided mountain treks, e-scooter or bike trips and more. The quality of the service, the richness of the experience and the tranquillity of the ambiance show that EMAR's ambition to become one of the it-places in Bulgaria for spa holiday has already provided an impressive result.

The chemical content of the waters in the locality Kazanlak thermal baths, in the beautiful Valley of Roses, is similar to the one of the more popular Pavel Banya spa resort, but in higher concentration of fluoride, hydrocarbonate and sodium ions. The exquisite Kings' Valley Medical & Spa Hotel (phone: +359 883 253 638, www.kingsvalleyhotel.bg) is a new resort by the springs where care for the health is combined with elegant luxury of unparalleled quality in Bulgaria. Everything in Kings' Valley inspires relaxation, recovery of one's energy and care for one's health. Spacious and comfortable, the rooms and apartments have vistas to the slopes of the Stara Planina. The thematic restaurants and bars are an opportunity to immerse yourself in elegant tastes from Bulgaria and beyond, and kids and teenagers can have fun in special zones. The spa and medical centre of Kings' Valley gives an opportunity for total care for the soul and the body with a variety of pools and saunas, special spa apartments and healing and prophylactic therapies tailor-made for each guest by a team of professionals. Kings' Valley aims to offer a top-class experience to high-demanding people – the hotel's first guests already know that it has outdone itself.

Immersing in spa pleasures in Bulgaria in an atmosphere of luxury and tranquillity has never been so easy. If Constantine IV was around to see them, he would get sick with envy.

Issue 193

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TSAR SIMEON II AND TSARINA MARGARITA OPEN BEY HOUSE HOTEL IN BULGARIA

DimanaT — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 06:53:29 +0000

TSAR SIMEON II AND TSARINA MARGARITA OPEN BEY HOUSE HOTEL IN BULGARIA DimanaT Mon, 09/26/2022 - 09:53

The Royal Family of Bulgaria were guests of a new historic hotel in Veliko Tarnovo

His Majesty Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians and Her Majesty Tsarina Margarita cut the ribbon of Bey House

Bey House Hotel, Restaurant, Garden & Turkish Bath announced that His Majesty Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians and Her Majesty Tsarina Margarita, arrived at the Bey House compound just after 12 o'clock noon on the 22nd of September for the Grand Opening of the Bey House property. Their Majesties were guests of Bey House for their overnight stay while in Veliko Tarnovo.

The ribbon cutting ceremony by Their Majesties establishes the official opening of Bey House. The historic event brings to Veliko Tarnovo the first proper five-star hotel. Bey House is welcoming distinguished guests, including Their Majesties, from across Bulgaria and the world for a three-day-long independence day celebration which began on the 22nd of September.

Bey House is a historical landmark built in 1864 with four guest chambers, each named after a Tsarina of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom. The arrival of the Tsar and Tsarina marks a historical moment where the Grand Chamber devoted to Tsarina Margarita was christened by Her Majesty.

The opening comes during the King’s visit to Veliko Tarnovo for the Bulgarian Day of Independence.

Bey House offers Bulgaria a unique, one-of-a-kind hotel with unparalleled service for Bulgarian and international guests. The property features a Turkish bath, a gourmet restaurant with a celebrity chef, meeting rooms for distinguished persons, a garden courtyard, and a bar with a master mixologist. Bey House’s mission is to draw international attention to Veliko Tarnovo and expand tourism into the region.

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ЦАР СИМЕОН II И ЦАРИЦА МАРГАРИТА ОТКРИВАТ ХОТЕЛ БЕЙСКАТА КЪЩА В БЪЛГАРИЯ

Царското семейство на България гостува на нов исторически хотел във Велико Търново

Bey House хотел, ресторант, градина и турска баня обяви, че Негово Величество Цар Симеон II и Нейно Величество Царица Маргарита, пристигнаха на 22 септември в Хотел Bey House малко след 12 часа на обяд за тържественото му откриване. За еднодневния си престой в Старопрестолния град Техни Величества избраха да гостуват на Bey House.

Церемонията по прерязването на лентата от Техни Величества поставя началото на официалното откриване на Bey House. Това историческо събитие предоставя на Велико Търново първия автентичен петзвезден хотел. Bey House посреща изтъкнати гости както от цяла България, така и от цял свят, включително и Техни Величества, за тридневното честване на Деня на независимостта, което започна на 22 септември.

Bey House е историческа забележителност, построена през 1864 г. с четири покои, всеки от които носи името на Царица от Третото Българско Царство. Пристигането на Царя и Царицата бележи историческия момент, в който Царица Маргарита кръщава големите покои, посветени на Нейно Величество.

Откриването се състоя по време на посещението на Царя във Велико Търново за Деня на независимостта на България.

Бейската къща предлага на България уникален, единствен по рода си хотел с несравнимо обслужване за български и международни гости. Имотът разполага с турска баня, гурме ресторант със знаменит готвач, приемна за изтъкнати личности, градина и бар с професионален миксолог. Мисията на Bey House е да привлече вниманието на чуждестранни гости към Велико Търново и да разшири туризма в региона.

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TO CATCH A MOMENT

DimanaT — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 07:45:25 +0000

TO CATCH A MOMENT

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Sat, 08/27/2022 - 10:45

Bulgaria is a top European destination for hunting tourism

Few things can be such an intense and rich experience as hunting. Deep among pristine mountains and forests, by crystal rivers or among endless fields, it makes us face nature and its tough laws and brings us back to long gone times when hunting was an integral and life-saving part of humanity's existence.

With its mountains, thick forests and diversity of ecosystems, Bulgaria is an excellent place for hunting. Here live hare and fox, quail and pheasant, red and fallow deer, mouflon, boar, wolf and many more.

For the ancient Thracians, boar hunting was the king's sacred privilege and medieval noblemen entertained themselves by hunting big and small game. Ottoman sultans would visit the Bulgarian lands on long hunting expeditions.

The modern idea for hunting organisations that take responsibility for preserving the species diversity appeared in Bulgaria as early as 1898, which makes the local organised hunting and fishing movement one of the oldest in Europe. King Boris III himself, an ardent nature lover, was a passionate hunter. The tradition continued after 1944 as well. In the 1970s and the 1980s the government created new hunting facilities and imported some new species in order to turn Bulgaria into a hunting tourism destination.

Today, the organised hunting and fishing movement in Bulgaria is among the most popular organisations in the country, and its members and hunting preserves carefully work for maintaining species diversity. Thanks to their efforts and tireless work, Bulgaria today is a top destination for hunting tourism in Europe, with abundant trophy animals and a diversity of places where to meet them.

Deep in the picturesque slopes of the Rhodope near Chepelare there is a place where you will find tranquility, clean nature and contact with valuable and interesting local and imported species. Boar and red deer, fallow deer and mouflon, bezoar ibex and Barbary sheep, and Bulgaria's only population of Himalayan tahr inhabit the territory of Zabardo Hunting Preserve (information, inquiries and reservations: Engineer Svetloslav Krastev, phone: +359 88 855 1413, www.huntzabardo.bg). In Zabardo you will find as well comfortable accommodation, options for recreational fishing and photo safari, delicious local food made of products from the region. In the preserve's environs are sites of interest such as the Wondrous Bridges nature phenomenon, Pamporovo and the mineral springs of Narechenski Bani, and Plovdiv is only 60 km away.

Equipped with the best on the market and inspired by ideas for places where to use it, you are ready for a close up of Bulgaria and its wild nature. The encounter will definitely leave lasting and pleasant memories.

Issue 191-192

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5-STAR BULGARIA

DimanaT — Sat, 28 May 2022 13:45:42 +0000

5-STAR BULGARIA

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Sat, 05/28/2022 - 16:45

Rich and diverse options for a luxury holiday in the country

Higher quality: one of the effects of the pandemic, which is now ending, was the change in our attitudes when choosing where to spend our vacation. We have become more demanding of the hotels where we stay and the environment and service that we expect to get there. We seek more luxury and exclusive experiences, unforgettable author's cuisine and intriguing interior design, bars with unusual and impressive vision, the opportunity to meet new interesting people and to indulge in top class spa pleasures.

Fortunately, Bulgaria is ready to meet the needs and demands of people who want an uncompromisingly 5-star holiday. On the local map of luxury places shine both hotels and resorts that have been in the business for years and new names that are just welcoming their first guests.

The seaside is our intuitive choice when planning our summer vacation. And the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is ready to offer exclusive and luxury holiday spots along its length. Boutique hotels and exclusive resorts, marinas and five-star hotels – the diversity and quality are impressive. The best of these stand out with their carefully conceived concepts, care for the whole family, remarkable design and, of course, direct contact with nature. Because tranquillity and greenery are a must in a luxury vacation.

With its rich greenery, modern architecture, tranquillity, mineral springs and individual approach to its guests, Albena (www.albena.bg) is a resort that has always embodied the concept of a luxury holiday on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. In the summer of 2022, Albena has managed to raise its game to a completely new level, with the newly opened five-star Amelia Hotel. The thematic hotel has set the goal to offer its guests an exemplary exclusive all inclusive vacation, and has succeeded. The clean French design of the interior, the luxury rooms and apartments, and the proximity of an exclusive beach are just the beginning. Amelia's guests relax in a spa centre with mineral water from Albena's own springs, enjoy elegant food of local products and local wines at the top class restaurant and have fun with a wide range of sport activities. For kids there is a special animation programme, a children's club and a disco. To connoisseurs of exclusive experiences, the executive programme offers access to a bar with an open air mineral pool, cocktails and an unforgettable view of the sea. Book your luxury holiday at Amelia and you will discover that the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is the place to find a world-class experience.

When you seek a combination of relaxing vacation in luxury ambiance and the excitement of a bustling seaside resort, you will find it at Barceló Royal Beach, in Sunny Beach (www.barcelo.com, www.barceloroyalbeach.bg, phone: +359 554 20400). This five-star hotel is an oasis of elegance and exclusivity in one of the most picturesque parts of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. To its guests, Barceló Royal Beach offers spacious rooms and apartments with balconies, 2 swimming pools in a beautiful garden, 2 restaurants serving exquisite food, bars, special kids' club, the biggest and best equipped spa centre around, and more. Find yourself what includes the unforgettable experience called Barceló Royal Beach.

The opportunities for a luxury holiday in Bulgaria, however, are richer and spread far from the Black Sea. With its diverse geography and rich historical heritage, the country is an excellent place for vacation in the mountains and culture, wine, green and spa tourism.

A number of top class and exclusive hotels skillfully use the wealth of mineral springs in Bulgaria and turn them into the centrepiece of the experience that they offer to their guests. With its abundant hot springs, the Bulgarian Southwest has attracted connoisseurs of healing and beautifying procedures in a luxury environment for millennia – the ancient Romans have enjoyed them long before our times. Today we can do it, too, immersed in modern luxury and tranquillity.

Sandanski's healing mineral springs have deservedly attracted Bulgarian and foreign guests seeking healthy and natural vacation and healthcare. The five-star Pirin Park Hotel (Sandanski, 27 Hidrostroy, phone: +359 893 300 300, www.parkhotelpirin.com) is the place where the healing power of mineral water is combined with exclusive experience. The stay at Bulgaria's first hotel with EUROPESPA WELLNESS quality seal is rewarding, relaxing and memorable regardless of the season in which you visit. Here you will find everything required from a luxury spa vacation: elegant interior, two high-class restaurants, mineral water swimming pools, a spa centre with carefully selected classical and modern procedures, tailored medical spa programmes, options for active relaxation and entertainment for kids. An impressive combination of professionalism and individual approach that inevitably charms the guests and inspires them to return again and again.

The map of luxury hotels and resorts in Bulgaria gets richer and more diverse by the year. This is an invaluable opportunity for us and the best we can do is to grab it.

Issue 188

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FACE TO FACE WITH NATURE

DimanaT — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 07:53:49 +0000

FACE TO FACE WITH NATURE

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Sat, 07/31/2021 - 10:53

Hunting in Bulgaria is a first-class experience

Bulgaria is one of the European countries where hunting and hunting and photo safari tourism are a true pleasure. The country's diverse geography offers a variety of landscapes and habitats where numerous animals roam. Thick forests, rivers and marshes, mountains and valleys – the choice of places where you can meet wild nature face to face is large, rewarding and will leave you filled with pleasant memories.

Organised hunting movement in Bulgaria dates back to the 19th century. Today in the country are active dozens of hunting lodges and farms. They look after a natural diversity of rare animals, such as brown bear and red deer, and more common species such as boar, wolf, roe deer, hare, fox, Western capercaillie, wood pigeon, pheasant, quail, grey partridge. Many of these are native to Bulgaria, while others were introduced in the 20th century when the country started to develop as a destination for hunting tourism. Such an "immigrant" is the European fallow deer. It was introduced to Bulgarian forests in the 1970s and today is widely present all over the country.

The quality of Bulgarian game has been internationally recognised for decades. Many red deer and boar capital trophies over 250 СIС points were hunted in Bulgaria.

Foreign hunters have known the potential of Bulgarian hunting places for years and are regular visitors to specialised hunting farms. In their aim to meet the needs of their clients and to offer an unforgettable experience, the best hunting farms offer special conditions and a variety of local and imported species.

Deep in the picturesque slopes of the Rhodope near Chepelare there is a place where you will find tranquility, clean nature and contact with valuable and interesting local and imported species. Boar and red deer, fallow deer and mouflon, bezoar ibex and Barbary sheep, and Bulgaria's only population of Himalayan tahr inhabit the territory of Zabardo Hunting Preserve (information, inquiries and reservations: Engineer Svetloslav Krastev, phone: +359 88 855 1413, www.huntzabardo.bg). In Zabardo you will find as well comfortable accommodation, options for recreational fishing and photo safari, delicious local food made of products from the region. In the preserve's environs are sites of interest such as the Wondrous Bridges nature phenomenon, Pamporovo and the mineral springs of Narechenski Bani, and Plovdiv is only 60 km away.

Prerequisites for a good hunt do not include only nature conditions and the work of hunting farms. A hunter or a fan of photo safari cannot do anything without proper equipment.

When the hunter is equipped with the best hunting weapon, optics and clothes, the experience is on a completely new level. On the website of Aleksis Optics (www.aleksis-optics.com) you will find everything you need for an unforgettable and good hunting. Established in 1995 in Veliko Tarnovo, the company specialises in importing of the best of Russian optics industry – binoculars, night vision devices, thermal imaging devices and weapon accessories. Aleksis Optics also offers a rich selection of assault, hunting and cold weapons, including made in Russia ones; ammunition; clothing, shoes and accessories. The company will help you take good care of your weapon with options to purchase spare parts, a repair shop, weapon inspection, optical and thermal devices mounting, ballistic profiling.

Thus, armed with the best hunting products and equipment, and with knowledge where to go, hunting and photo safari in Bulgaria will surely become one of your best experiences of the year and will stay in your memories for long.

Issue 178

FUN IN BULGARIA

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LET'S GO ON A LUXURY HOLIDAY!

DimanaT — Mon, 31 May 2021 07:27:13 +0000

LET'S GO ON A LUXURY HOLIDAY!

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Mon, 05/31/2021 - 10:27

In 2021 we discover in Bulgaria exclusive vacation places of a world-level quality

When we crave to let ourselves in exclusive pleasures. When we seek a place of quiet seclusion among nature. When we want to indulge in exquisite spa experiences and amazing cuisine... we do not book airline tickets for some exotic destination anymore. We choose Bulgaria instead. In the past few years the country has confidently become a place where people seeking an exclusive holiday discover diverse options to enjoy a luxury vacation of a world-level quality.

The benefits of this refocusing are obvious. Travelling takes just a couple of hours and saves both time and carbon emissions. You do not need to own a vaccination certificate and to undergo PCR-testing upon departure and return.

Something more. Bulgaria is blessed with an incredible range of geographical conditions that invite you to escape from the busy city life. The Black Sea coast lures with its golden beaches and calm sun. The mountains charge us with fresh air, pristine nature and options for active relaxation. And the abundance of mineral springs in the country is a true wealth. The new luxury hotels and resorts that appeared in the recent years in Bulgaria allow us to enjoy it to the full – with healing, beautifying and relaxing traditional and exotic therapies, procedures and massages.

When we combine the vacation at a luxury place with exquisite spa pleasures and the proximity of the mountain, we quickly recover from the everyday stress. The exclusive 103° Hotel & SPA (Sapareva Banya, 39 Germaneya St, phone: +359 88 61 03 103; www.spahotel103.bg) gives us exactly this. Sapareva Banya is famed for its geyser whose water, with temperature of 103ºС, is the hottest in Europe. 103° Hotel & SPA allows us to enjoy this unique nature treasure and to feel its beneficial effect on our body and mind in a cosy complex where each detail emanates tranquility. Stepping on the principles and aesthetics of Scandinavian minimalism, the boutique 103° Hotel & SPA provides us with an elegant environment, a modern SPA centre and seclusion far from the crowds. And at the rooftop bar we find a hydromassage pool, fresh drinks and vistas to the Rila.

But this is not all. In the nearby Panichishte Resort, at the foot of the Rila, another gem awaits: 103 Alpine Hotel (phone: +359 896 103 103, www.hotelalpine103.bg). The boutique hotel and villas were created with a single goal and idea: to provide exclusive guests the feel of seclusion, total relaxation and pleasure for all senses. The design of 103 Alpine Hotel is a skilful balance of Bulgarian tradition, nature elements and Alpine style. The SPA centre is a masterpiece, and so are the contemporary interpretations of traditional dishes served at the elegant restaurant. 103 Alpine Hotel is a place which we are happy to visit in all seasons, enriching the experience with treks in the Rila and skiing on the slopes of Panichishte.

Choosing where to go for a well-deserved luxury vacation in Bulgaria has never been so exciting. The choice is rich and the experiences are nice for sure. Whether we will choose to experiment with different hotels or will find our new favourite spot for future returns – it is completely up to us.

Issue 176

FUN IN BULGARIA

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THE CALL OF THE WILD

DimanaT — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 13:14:49 +0000

THE CALL OF THE WILD

by Bozhidara Georgieva

DimanaT Thu, 04/29/2021 - 16:14

Safe, nice and comfortable vacation in 2021 is possible – when you are camping

Let's go back to nature! This is the motto of the modern urbanite in 2021, when the time for planning the summer vacation arrives. People who feel unconvinced in the safety of hotels and big resorts have now fixed their eyes on an alternative way of holidaying: camping.

In a tent or with a camper van, travelling or staying for weeks at one place, people who choose this type of vacation end up gaining more than initially expected. When you camp by the beach or on a nice mountain meadow, the border between you and nature grows thinner. In the morning the sun, the birdsongs, the waves' murmur awake you. In the evening you enjoy the starry skies and the crackle of the lit fire. The inevitable inconveniences only make the experience more memorable.

When camping, you feel that digital detox is not impossible. That you do not need so many items, or people for that matter, in your life. That both you and your children can make friends with total strangers. That you do not need to plan your day around arbitrary rules such as breakfast hours and the swimming pool opening and closing time. That you relax.

Happily, people's growing desire to vacation in such a manner in 2021 coincided with the trend for the increasement of camping options in Bulgaria. For some years now the network of campsites in the country has been growing, and the infrastructure has been improving.

About 90 campsites are now operational in the country, and areas for bivouacking and wild camping can be found in the Stara Planina, the Strandzha, the Rhodope, the Pirin and the Rila mountains. The idea to hit the road, like in an American movie, and to sleep wherever you want to is definitely attractive – particularly when the Black Sea coast is your target destination. However, you need to be aware that putting tents, caravans and camper vans on beaches in Bulgaria is forbidden by the law. If you want to enjoy the sea's proximity and the sand all around you, you need to stay in one of the official campsites that exist on the Black Sea coast.

Some fans of camping do not mind breaking from all comforts of civilisation for some days. Glamping is for people who are not that radical. The camping's luxury alternative – which is all about designer's tents and bungalows, and having an exclusive ambience – has arrived in Bulgaria as well.

Specialised companies already offer everything you need for a tranquil and comfortable camping vacation – from camper vans to tents and sleeping bags, grills, lightning, coolers and much, much more.

The luxury camper van is hands down the most comfortable way to enjoy your vacation. You do not even need to own one to do this. DimarRent (Sofia, Kostenets St, phone: 0899 929 968, dimarrent.com) rents excellent, well maintained high-end camper vans. The company owns Siena 440 and Siena 435 models by the prestigious Italian brand GIOTTILINE in which each detail has been crafted to perfection and provides a maximum comfort of habitation. DimarRent camper vans are light enough so that you can drive them without special license category and are spacious enough for 6-7 people. The provided Green Card insurance allows you to hit the road with your rented camper van all over Europe. The option to rent camping equipment for its part frees you from worrying where to source a gas grill or chaise longues. In short, with DimarRent your camper van vacation is as close to perfection as possible.

From the Rhodope to the Strandzha and the Stara Planina mountain range – mountain campsites are an excellent alternative to the Black Sea coast. There, fresh air and tranquility rule, sublime landscapes are all around and opportunities for outdoor activities and discovery tourism are plenty.

You might be an experienced camper or a complete amateur trying this type of vacation for the first time, but by all means you will fall in love with Campsite Kapinovski Monastery (phone: +359 884 48 54 54, www.kapinovski.bg). Located in one of the most charming spots in the Stara Planina mountain's northern reaches, 20 kms from Veliko Tarnovo, it combines charming nature, intriguing historical heritage and excellent conditions for accommodation, fun, outdoor activities. At Campsite Kapinovski Monastery you can stay not only in a campervan, but also in a unique tree tent, a lodge or a triple deluxe room. Days fly seamlessly when spent by the excellent pools, on the endless meadows around and on the bank of the mountain river. When you want to do something different, you can walk the eco trail, fish, bike or visit the picturesque Kapinovski Monastery. Whatever you choose you should be assured that your vacation will be tranquil and will boost your energy and health – all that we need in 2021.

Issue 175 Nature

FUN IN BULGARIA