The Charm of the Rodopes
The Rodopes are one of the most picturesque mountain ranges in Bulgaria – situated in South Bulgaria close to the border with Greece. The mountains are mysterious and pretty with many lakes, serpentines and rock formations. Here, in this mountain was the birthplace of Orpheus, who very likely wasn’t just a figure from ancient Greek mythology and a famous Thracian God, but a real person – a proper Thracian king. The mountain is very pretty anytime, but it is more famous because of winter ski tourism in Bulgaria, the biggest resort being Pamporovo. The summer is wonderful also because you can see wonderful views and places, caves and rock formations, historical towns and monasteries. And enjoy the famous tasty local cuisine. You probably know a lot about the famous ski resort Pamporovo in Rodope, but for the prettiest places in the region, like the Wonderful Bridges and Trinigrad Zhdrelo, may be you have never heard? Pamporovo is wonderful ski resort and shares the glory with the new star Bansko and and the oldest ski resortBorovets. Here there are many slopes for different abilities green, blue, red, black with varying lengths and difficulties. Also there are incredibly nice hotels, restaurants and pubs in both Bulgarian and English styles. After Pamporovo, a few kilometres along the road to Devin, there is a little village – Stoikite – very pretty, and after it the world famous village of Shiroka luka. It is architecturally and musically famous – the beauty of these houses is obvious for everyone to see, and there is a National school for folklore music. Above Shiroka luka is the village of Gela with its wonderful views over the changing moods of the mountains. If you drive towards the Greek border you will reach an incredible place reminding you of the Grand Canyon in America , named Trigrad Gorge( Trigradsko Zhdrelo). The breathtaking view of the vertical rocks closing in on you will surely instill in you aa admiration of its beauty and perhaps fear, because the Gorge is very frightening. There is also a deep and frightening but incredible cave – The Devils Throat. Nearby is another famous and beautiful cave with stalactites and stalagmites – Jagodinska. Some cavers selebrate New Years Eve there inside the cave. Momchilovtsi is another very pretty village nearby.The pretty Bulgarian houses there are world famous. There are a lot of nice villages with good properties for sale in that area.