Bulgaria vacations
Tours & vacations in 2019 & 2020

Overall, this was an exciting and enjoyable trip with numerous highlights. The most outstanding things for me were the: frescoed monasteries and churches, the mountain scenary including the gorges and caves, the historical and attractive city of Plovdiv and the interesting heritage villages with their traditional architecture. The accommodation was clean and comfortable and in good locations. The transport was comfortable and all journeys were less than 2 hours. The guide was very knowledgeable,... (more)Stuart Bates

Attending an opera in Plovdiv’s Roman amphitheatre was also very memorable. (more)Janet Galloway

Everything was very good. The genuine welcome from every host hotel or guesthouse was excellent. Staying in guesthouses and eating their normal local food. Highlights were Veliko Tarnovo (especially Hotel Gurko), Plovdiv, and the hosts at Boyana Guest House (Vratsa) & Guest House Deshka (Gorno Draglishte) were great fun. (more)Tim Morgan

Both Plovdiv and Rile were interesting and enjoyable and despite communication problems the two homestays were interesting if challenging and the hosts we very friendly and kind. (more)Rodney Mount

Memorable parts? Variations of the walks from the rivers forest snow and rock boulders. Tips? Not to book in June as thunderstorms and lighting was against you every day and wet clothes and boots. Local benefits? Just been there on vacations bought in money Overall rating? Quite challenging for all 6 of us. All so altitude took a while to get used to. (more)Paul Molony

Responsible Travel: Five Stars The operator: One star for honest business practices, but four stars for the actual trip. (more)Reid Kincaid

Seeing all these places I had been reading about! I can't pick one memory. Amazing! (more)Sara Detmer

Memorable parts? Seeing all the beautiful wildflowers. May was a wonderful time of year to be there. Also the very warm welcome we received from local people in the smaller villages. Tips? You need to be aware that the trekking company in Bulgaria promotes the opportunity for solo travelers to save costs by traveling with a couple who've already booked. As you are mainly staying in very small places if someone else books the same dates you are likely to end up spending every evening... (more)Ruth Bradshaw

Seeing a mother bear come to feed and bringing her cub out with her was the perfect end to the Romanian part of the trip. (more)Joyce Ell

Excellent trip with small group size as promised by the company. Unspoilt, beautiful countryside and towns with people who have not caught up with the greed of tourism. (more)Anne Higgins

Memorable parts? Spending time in the bear hides and being able to watch mother and cubs for over an hour. Tips? Be realistic about what wildlife you are going to see; i.e. walking in largish group (12 + guide) and wariness of local wildlife. Definitely take binoculars for watching bears / other wildlife from hide. Local benefits? Use of small village hotel, local driver and nature reserve guides benefitted local people. Because more and more people are visiting the area with... (more)Simon Knock

Memorable parts? I enjoyed the whole vacation, we were particularly lucky with the weather and although August is getting a little late there were still some flowers to see. The caves were particularly interesting. Still quite a few flowers to see Tips? Possibly to take a travel plug for the wash basin. Local benefits? Presumably as we stayed in a family run hotel which employed local people then it did benefit the local people. Overall rating? I thoroughly enjoyed... (more)Caroyl Mead

Memorable parts? I hate this question! The whole week was wonderful, and when the group was asked which walk they had enjoyed the most, everyone had the same trouble picking one! This was a walking trip geared towards fit experienced mountain walkers (warning for anyone thinking it is easy hiking in these Bulgarian mountains, read the blurb with care!), so the days were hard with steep climbs and long descents. The rewards were huge, amazing views, great biodiversity and a country that values... (more)Olive O

The most memorable part of the trip was... walking from Yagodina to Trigrad - the path was easy to follow and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. To be so high up in the mountains with nature and eventually descend to overlook Trigrad on the way down was amazing. (more)Morven Jenkins

Walking in the mountains through unspoilt meadows where the only sounds were birdcalls and an occasional sheep bell was balm to the soul. (more)Jo Cohen Jones

Memorable parts? The totally stunning views, the wild flower meadows and the lovely people. We stayed in some beautiful hotels, only one was a little too corporate for us (Mountain Lake Hotel - we were the only visitors and it was very lonely after all the bustle of the smaller family hotels), - our most favourite ones were the family owned and run hotels that were simply charming and the people could not do enough for us and made us feel really welcome despite the language barrier. Particularly... (more)Ruth Kinsella

The most memorable and exciting part of the vacation was climbing and walking in Valbonne (more)Hava Feary

The most memorable part of the vacation was the hike in Valbona valley (more)Hava Feary

There were so many highlights of the trip but we all agree that sitting around the dinner table sharing conversation and learning about this beautiful part of the world and making new friends was an unforgettable experience. (more)Susan Chortyk

Excellent!!! (more)Haruyo and Neil Abramson

The enormous warmth and helpfulness of the people we met surmounted the language barrier. (more)Rachel Ganz

Memorable parts? The children absolutely loved the water rafting and finding minerals along the River Ardar. Staying at the Wild Farm was very memorable in itself as the place gave the children the opportunity to play with their pets and play outdoors when we were not doing activities. Betty, our host, was lovely and included our children in family games. Tips? You need to bring insect repellent if you are going in the summer! Local benefits? Yes! It was all organised by... (more)Alicia Moreno

Memorable parts? The wildness of the mountains and the unspoilt terrain and spectacular views. Tips? London Local benefits? We stayed in a small family run hotel in a small village. Local produce was used as much as possible. Overall rating? Very good. I learnt a lot about Bulgaria, about the wild life in the Rodope mountains and how this is being preserved. The people working in the hotel were very helpful and friendly and our guide and driver were excellent in every... (more)Mary Bolton

Memorable parts? Climbing Mount Vidran, the wildflowers in the Pirin and Rila Mountains, city tour of Sofia. Evening strolls in the village Govedartsi to soak up the atmosphere. Watching the cows being herded each evening into the village. Friendly Bulgarians. Good Bulgarian food and wine. Tips? Don't underestimate the fitness needed for the walks. Previous vacations, walks have been easier than grading suggested. Not here the grading is more accurate so the strenuous walks are... (more)Mike Wilkinson

The most memorable was the variety of terrain walking through the Seven Rila Lakes; forests, mountains, frozen lakes, granite, ice and snow, and the warm welcome from everyone I met along the way. (more)Nicola Farrington

The most exciting part was to be able to see & enjoy the country in the snow which would not have been possible without snow shoes. (more)Alan Reimer

Memorable parts? I enjoyed visiting the mountains and countryside of Bulgaria with a guide. A trip to a Cultural center for dinner and entertainment on the same day as a trip to Local Outdoor springs was certainly memorable. Tips? This adventure in the mountains requires a high level of fitness as in order to enjoy it you must keep up with the guide and the pace is fast. I have been on 2 snowshoeing vacations before and didn't expect the daily distance and ascent to be completed... (more)Una campbell