Borovec Things to Do

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If you want to get into the lodge you are supposed to pay an entrance fee. And you should join a guided tour, you can not wander around the house on your own :))). The tours usually last 30 min and start imediately one after the other. Pictures are not allowed. In case you decide to be a pain in the neck and they get sick and tired of you they might allow you to take a few in the last hall (as you can see on the picture).

In general the lodge itself is not something very special but gives some idea about buts and pieces from Bulgaria's last century history. What I like the most about the place is the park around the lodge and the cafe behind the lodge.

Some facts:
The Building is an original interpretation of 19th c. Bulgarian architecture with traces of the European romantic style. The same combination of styles is characteristic for the interior decoration.

The furniture, although European-fashion with a hint of folklore patterns, goes well with the wooden ceilings and columns carved in the best Bulgarian tradition. The floors are covered with rugs woven in Kotel and Chiprovtsi - small towns, known for well-developed carpet industry. There is also an authentic ship-cabin, a personal gift for the then Prince Ferdinand from Jean-Louis Maurice, skipper of the "New America" vessel.

The glazed tiles of the stoves are masterpieces of early 20th c. ceramics. Each of the fifty stoves varies in shape and color.

The impressive collection of trophies is well preserved too. Carefully replenished for over half a century, the collection hears evidence of the hunting zeal of King Ferdinand I and King Boris III. Although wood-grouse capercailzies prevail - a real challenge for every hunter, there are also deer, wild goads, wild boars, black cocks and bustards.


Working hours:
09.00 h - 16.00 h.

Duration:
About 30 min in the lodge.

Price
Aduldts:
Bulgarians - BGN 2 (EUR 1)
Foreigners - BGN 4 (EUR 2)

Kids:
BGN 1 (EUR 0.50)

Borovets is the biggest tourist resort of Bulgaria.
Located in Rila mountain , south of Sofia ,10 km from Samokov town and 70 km from Sofia.
Borovets is a purpose built resort to accomodate large amounts of Package tourists.

If you are into more serious hiking, again, Borovets is just the place for you :)

There are a couple fo marked routes to various sites in Rila:
-- to the Mount of Moussala (6 hours, and from the upper station of the cabin cableway - 3 hours),
-- to Sitnyakovo Palace (1.30 hours),
-- to Chakar Voyvoda Chalet (2.30 hours),
-- to Saragyol Palace (3 hours),
-- to the Maritsa Chalet (4.30 hours),
-- to the Zavrachitsa Chalet (6 hours).

The duration listed above is not from me. I took it from Bulgaria tourist sites, so I am not quite sure if the timing is correct.

I have seen the path signs frequently while I was walking around Borovets area, so you should not get lost that easily. The good news for you is that they are written both in Cyrillic and Latin, so you would be able to read them :)

Although Borovets is mostly known as a ski resort I like to go there during the summer season as well.

I am not a great hiker so I just like to walk around for not more than 2 or 3 hours. Doing this in Borovets is pleasent because you do not need to go far to enjoy stunningly beautiful nature.

Also, the air is so fesh that if you are not used to it, it might even give you a headache :)))

If you tend to take it easy and not walking too much there are two options that I know of. One of the options is to go up the main road. The other option is to take a walk to Chernata skala.

Well, I am not into skiing but I bet it would be tip that would catch the skiers attention :)

Since 2002 two of the ski tracks - 2 and 3 -Martinovi Baraki work nigthtime every day . All lift works as well. If there is not enough snow, snow cannons also works.

The disappointing bit is that they turn off the lights around 22:30.

Sorry for the bad quality of the picture but it was taken with my mobile phone not with the camera.

A total must experience !
Pay 20 Levs for per person and enjoy a wild ride driven by yourself throught the snow covered pine forests. It can be done at night or day, we went at 4pm, because you're having such a great time, time just flies by, and its hard to believe you have had an hrs worth of fun.
If you with someone, you stop halfway and switch drivers, I drove coming back down, its great fun, fast & furious !

This was our host ( as well as her husband and small child ) but she was the only one out of the family dressed in their costume. This was the part of the evening where everyone got up and got " Jiggy With It " ;-)

View of the table, the salad, small drinking vessels, plates and cutlery and if you are wondering what that Genie type pot is in the middle of the table, that is what the hot brandy was poured through !