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0845 3000 247 +44 (0)1900 838570 |
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HIGHLIGHTS |
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Old Plovdiv Roman Amphitheatre Sveta Bogoroditsa church National Revival Architecture: Danov House Balabanov House Hindlian House Kuyumdzhioglu House (Ethnographic Museum) Georgiadi House Lamartine House Dzhumaya Dzhamiya Mosque Sahat Tepe Hill |
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SURROUNDINGS |
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Todoroff Wine Cellar (Brestovitza) Bachkovo Monastery Rhodope Mountains Trigrad Gorge Kardzhali Rock Formations Madzharovo (bird reserve) Pamporovo (ski resort) |
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TRAVEL |
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20 daily trains to/ from Sofia - 2-3 hours Also direct trains to Burgas, Varna & Istanbul. Hiking & Birdwatching tours of the Rhodopes can be organised |
Plovdiv & the Rhodope Mountains
of Asenovgrad andBrestovitza , and beyond the wild, rugged Rhodope mountains, a natural paradise.
ACCOMMODATION FLIGHTS GETTING ABOUT CAR HIRE
CONTACT US+44 (0)1900 838570
Bulgaria's second city, Plovdiv is a delightful cultural centre and a vibrant cosmopolitan city situated on a group of hills rising rather unexpectedly from the Plain of Thrace beside the Maritsa River. It is within easy reach of the Rhodope Mountains which form a constant backdrop, and also the red wine growing regions around Asenovgrad and Brestovitza. Plovdiv is steeped in history, dating back to the ancient Thracians, and rebuilt as 'Phillippopolis' by Philip II of Macedonia in 342 BC. Thracian fortifications, modified by the Macedonians, overlaid by Byzantine walls and the Roman Ruins of 'Trimontium', and later by the famous 'National Revival' style mansions of the Bulgarian Rennaissance which characterize 'Old Plovdiv' overlook the more modern quarters.
Plovdiv is an excellent city for strolling, whether among the shopping streets of the lower modern town or along the picturesque cobbled alleys of romantic, 'Old Plovdiv'. Of particular note in the old town are the distinctive 'National Revival' style houses and mansions - these are constructed in such a manner that they expand outwards with each storey, creating overhanging facades to overcome the problems of limited ground space and desire for large rooms. They are brightly coloured with elaborate facades and many windows. The interiors of some of them are even more sumptious including the Balabanov House and the Hindlian House, both open to the public. The latter belonged to wealthy Armenian merchants and the rooms display a wide variety of styles with elegantBiedermeier furniture, an unusual fountain and paintings of St. Peterburg and Venice. Further up the hill is the Kuyumdzhioglu House, with an ornate black and cream facade, which is now the Ethnographic Museum. There are also several notable churches, numerous traces of previous ruling powers and in particular the impressive roman amphitheatre which hosts open air concerts during the warm summer months (see below for Plovdiv Festival).
Wine village on the edge of the hills to the south of Plovdiv, and incorporating several vineyards and wine cellars including the popular Todoroff Boutique Cellars.
BACHKOVO
The attractive village of Bachovo lies 9km south of Asenovgrad in the Chepelarska valley, the road into the rugged, and beautiful Central Rhodopes. Just above this village of stone houses lies the famous Bachkovo Monastery which has been declared a World Monument by UNESCO. It was founded in 1083 and is Bulgaria's second largest monastery after Rila. Surrounded by walls the monastry comprises two churches, Sv. Bogoroditsa (1604) which is the oldest building in the complex, and Sv. Nikolai. There are frescoes in the refectory, the porch of the Sv.Nikolai church and rather gruesome images of what is in store for sinners in the principal church. The views of the surrounding mountains are very beautiful.
RHODOPE MOUNTAINS
The northern spurs of the Rhodope mountains rise just 10km from Plovdiv, with the main route running up the Chepelarska Valley south of Plovdiv to the ski resorts of Pamporovo and Chepelare. Further minor roads ascend narrow valleys into the range and villages offer excellent bases for hiking and climbing in these dramatic, rugged mountains.
SUMMER 2014 - SPECIAL OFFERS
Contact us for a wide range of excellent accommodation packages and packages for Plovdiv and the Rhodope Mountains.
Todoroff Wine Cellar/ National Revival architecture/ Hindlian House interior,Plovdiv
Bachkovo Monastery / Rhodope Mountains / Bachkovo Monastery
Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom CA13 0RA - Tel. +44 (0)1900 838570; Email. [email protected]
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