Home description
This newly built apartment sleeps up to 4 persons and accommodates a double bedroom, living room, bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. The living room contains a double sofa bed which can easily be converted into a second bedroom.
The apartment offers a sanctuary to relax from the slopes and is within easy reach of the après ski bars and the old town of Bansko with its host of cosy mahenas (taverns offering the best freshly cooked meals in Bulgaria), bars and nightclubs there is something for everyone. This is the perfect place to spend your winter ski holiday.
Bansko / Vihren Complex area
Bansko is the newest and the most rapidly developing ski resorts in Bulgaria. 40 million Euros have been invested in the slopes in the last couple of years with the same amount ear-marked for the next 2-3 years. This has led to the creation of a top rate facility with the best equipment, including a brand new gondola to take you up to the top of the mountains, 40 new snow cannons and a state of the art electronic ski pass system.
There are 14 pistes totalling 65km. One of these pistes is a unique 16-kilometer uninterrupted ski run, starting from Todorka Peak (2600 m) at the highest point of the ski center, all the way to base station of the Gondola lift at the outskirts of town. The last 7 km of the slope are lighted, allowing for night skiing which is a great experience. The entire facility is equipped with artificial snow machines to ensure a great skiing experience even in warmer conditions. The ski season is one of the longest with snow guaranteed from December until May by the 40 Techno Alpin snow cannons. Bansko offers cross country and excellent off piste skiing. Bansko is popular with snowborders facilities include a halfpipe.
Skiing in Bansko is great value for money compared with other European ski resorts.
Après-ski is friendly, Banskos nightlife is excellent with several bars, nightclubs and restaurants. The traditional taverns Mehana offer great local cuisine (grilled lamb and sausages) and folk music. There are many nightclubs and numerous bars so nightlife goes onto the early hours of the morning. There is even a casino and bowling alley!!!
Summer in Bansko
Bansko is not only a great ski resort, but in the summer it is the host of a traditional Summer Jazz Festival, Bulgarian Folk Festival and many other cultural events making this the ideal summer holiday for those who prefer much more than lazing around. During the summer months Bansko is popular with visitors. Opening within a mile of our apartment in Spring/Summer 2007 will be a golf course designed by Ian Woosnam.
Few countries can rival Bulgarias superb almost untouched mountain scenery. In summer hiking is popular and Banskos natural beauty and the rich diversity of fauna and flora are a natural asset. Local companies can organise trips in the mountains e.g. white water rafting, canoeing or paragliding but for those who just want to wander around the old town and soak up the national heritage this is a perfect place with museums, local monuments and narrow cobbled streets where you can explore and buy souvenirs from local shops or just relax in one of the local bars or cafes.
How To Get There
By Air - The nearest airport is Sofia.
SOFIA HAS A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SERVICING FLIGHTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. DESTINATIONS ARE FOUND HERE
http://www.sofia-airport.bg/pages/destinations.aspx?lm01=103&lm02=52&lm03=55
EASYJET.COM
4 DESTINATIONS DIRECT TO SOFIA
WIZZAIR.COM
14 DESTINATIONS DIRECTTO SOFIA
& VARIOUS OTHER AIRLINES ADDING ROUTES AT ALL TIMES
- Cheap flights available from all UK airports ( www.ebookers.co.uk, or www.expedia.co.uk)
- Wizz fly from LONDON LUTON direct to Sofia from £42 return including taxes (www.wizzair.com). Airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair offer connections within the UK and Ireland to Luton.
- Air Bulgaria fly from MANCHESTER and LONDON GATWICK direct to Sofia (www.air.bg/en)
- British Airways (www.ba.com) and Hemus Air (www.hemusair.bg) fly from LONDON HEATHROW direct to Sofia.
- Other nearby airports are Thessaloniki in Greece (www.thomsonfly.com) and Plovdiv.
Car Hire
It can cost from just £14 per day including unlimited miles and full insurance. There are many car hire companies operating from Sofia and the rest of Bulgaria. Some of these are listed below.
www.rentomobile.com (conveniently have an office in Bansko) or www.rentacar.need.bg/en/ or www.economycarrentals.com or www.bulgariacarrent.com or www.rentacarbulgaria.com
By car it will take you about two hours if you can avoid rush hour in Sofia. If you are driving by yourself you head towards the town of Pernik and then shortly before Pernik turn south towards Kulata. After passing Blagoevgrad you have to watch out for Simitli where you turn off the main road and then go east through some smaller mountains about 35 kilometers to Bansko. You will see some beautiful sights on the way.
Bus/Minibus
Transfers from Sofia can be arranged (approx £35 / person return)
There is a regular public bus service and two private bus operators that service Sofia to Bansko (3hrs). They all leave from the bus terminal in Ovcha Kupel several times a day. Tickets are 6 leva (£2!) one way.