Snow-shoeing in Bulgaria

Best Winter Break In Sofia!

Rila Mountains

From Sofia we head south towards the Rila Mountains arriving in Govedartsi, a village at the foot of the mountains. Donning our snow-shoes for the first time, we should need just a few minutes to master the easy technique, after which we can head off for an introductory walk in the National Park with views of the mountain peaks. The following day we plan to do another full day of snow-shoeing, taking silent paths up through the fragrant pine forest and deep into the untouched snow-covered wilderness of the Maliovitsa region. The Christmas and New Year departures include an additional day snow-shoeing through the forest and snow fields near Rujdavitsa with stunning views of the mountains of the area including Goilam Kupen.

Rila Monastery & Sofia

From our hotel, we transfer to the Kirilova Vada area where we should see a panorama of high rugged peaks and begin a snow shoeing walk. We visit the world famous Rila Monastery in the early afternoon. Beautifully preserved, covered in breathtaking frescoes and with the pine-clad Rila Mountains as a backdrop, the monastery is a wonderful sight at any time of year; but with a light dusting of snow it promises to be absolutely sublime. No doubt leaving our hearts in the mountains, we return to the capital for some sightseeing.

Transport: Bus/On foot.

What to Expect: This short but active hotel-based trip requires no previous snow-shoeing experience. The walking is moderate (approx 4-6 hours a day, with a maximum of 650m ascent). Equipment is provided.

0844 499 0901

Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
Tinos - Exploring the spiritual centre of Greece with walks to Volax, Kolymbithra Bay and remote Tiniote villages around Hora.
Andros - The most fertile island of the Cyclades. Hikes to hidden hamlets along ancient mule paths.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Join tour Rafina
Arrive Rafina and check into hotel. Rafina is a small port compared to Piraeus, located to the east of the capital, and has good ferry links to the Cyclades.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: Sail to Tinos; walk to Myrsini Village
We make an early start this morning and board our ferryboat to the island of Tinos. The voyage normally takes about 4 hours. The island of Tinos has attracted thousands of pilgrims from all over Greece since the early 19th century due to the discovery of a miraculous icon. The Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to the nun Pelagia, and revealed the location of an icon bearing the Virgin’s portrait as the Panagia Evangelistria. When workmen finally found the icon eleven years later, the discovery evoked great excitement and several miraculous cures were attributed to it. This afternoon we head straight out to explore the island, taking a bus or taxi to Falatados we then start our circular walk to Myrsini village. This path takes us on an old mule trail, here the whitewashed houses spill over the hillside. We stop at a local Taverna for refreshment before taking the bus back to our accommodation in the island’s capital, Tinos Town. (Approx. 3 hours walking).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: On Tinos; walk to Kolymbithra
After breakfast we set out to walk to Kolymbithra, one of the most idyllic bays on the island. Our route takes us north through several traditional Tiniote villages, passing through flower-filled squares and past ancient terraced fields, fed by mountain springs. In spring the hillsides are covered with wild flowers such as bright red poppies, oleander or daffodils, often with the scent of wild herbs in the air. We first contour high above the north-eastern coastline and follow steps up to the rocky summit of Exobourgo peak (570m), where excavations have revealed there was a settlement from the 8th to the 5th century BC. We’ll pass lemon and mulberry trees as we descend into the village of Volax, perhaps calling at the local taverna for lunch before following an old path down into a valley to the natural water spring in Agapi village – the name means “love” in Greek. Finally we reach the Aegean at Kolymbithra, where we can take a well earned dip in its refreshing waves and possibly dinner before taxis collect us for our journey back to our accommodation in Tinos town. (Approx 5 hours walking).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: On Tinos; optional bus or boat trips
Today is left free for personal exploration. The capital of Tinos has a bustling atmosphere with pilgrims arriving on ferries from all over Greece, many of them to crawl on hands and knees up to the shrine to the Virgin and make offerings hoping to cure all kinds of ills and injuries. Shops selling candles, incense and souvenir icons line the main street. There is a thriving market every morning selling locally produced fruit and vegetables, including the speciality, capers picked from the hillsides in early spring. You can happily spend the day here, but if you fancy something a bit different, take the bus to Pyrgos, on the northeast side of the island, and the centre of marble production on the island even to this day. The road crosses the ridge of the island, and is dotted with ruined windmills. You can take the hour’s trail down from Pyrgos to the coast at Panormos and enjoy a swim followed by a lazy late lunch in traditional Greek style at one of the fine tavernas around the little harbour. Alternatively, you can take the public ferry to Delos, one of ancient Greece’s most sacred sites (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: On Tinos; Sail to Andros
This morning, your tour leader will lead a stunning walk into the interior of the Island through the sleepy village of Ktikados. The path then descends through cultivated terraces back to the sea at Kioni. We have a quick dip before making our way back to town for a quick lunch before we collect our things and bid a sad farewell to this lovely island (about 3 hours walking). Leaving Tinos in the afternoon, then, we make the short ferry crossing to Andros (approx 2 hours), the most fertile island in the Cyclades. The climate and fertile soil support an abundance of oranges, lemons, figs, grapes and olives. Much of this grows in terracing and so the hillsides often appear like a fine mosaic with little farms, orchards and vineyards. The people of Andros worshipped Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment, and so planted many vineyards which produced exceptional wine. We pull into the port of Gavrio, set in a deep inlet (an important harbour in antiquity) and then transfer to our base for the rest of the week, near the main town of the island, Andros town. An air of quiet sophistication reigns here and is reflected in the marble slabs which line the main street, and the elegant Venetian architecture of the houses.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: On Andros; walk to Korthi
An excellent day’s walk to the village of Korthi near the southeastern corner of the island. The trails take us past quaint villages hidden among cypress, olive and lemon trees, disused watermills and the ruined Venetian hilltop fortress of Paliokastro (550m), this makes an ideal picnic stop with a great view. We walk on, climbing briefly to drop again into the lush and secluded Korthi valley. The village rambles down the hill to a harbour and beach on a deep indentation of the sea. From Korthi we take taxis back to our base in Andros town. Tonight we can eat in one of the local tavernas. (Approx 5-6 hours walking).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: On Andros; walk to Panachrantos Monastery
This morning, we transfer to the white-walled Panachrantos Monastery perched high in the hills ahead of us and begin our ascent. Disguised by its seemingly impenetrable walls, legends indicate that it was founded in around 961 by a Byzantine general who stopped off briefly at Andros on his way back to Constantinople after a victorious battle in Crete. By the 19th century there were over 300 monks here, who carried out extensive cultivation. Now, only 2 monks remain. Their prized relic is the skull of a local doctorturned- saint, said to have healing properties. After time to look around we’ll descend along the ancient pilgrim’s path which winds down the hillside towards the town passing by several remarkable stone walls. Composed of orthostats; flat slabs that face outwards; the design of these walls is unique in the Cyclades. We descend to a beach to relax a while and then climb the steps into Andros town for lunch before transferring to Gavrio port to catch our ferry to Rafina. (Approx 4 hours walking).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Tour ends Rafina
Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

4nts hotel staying in standard accommodation throughout; 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners included. Accommodation is en-suite rooms in a standard family run hotel throughout. The hotel is known for its strong traditions and local cuisine and is located near meadows and coniferous woods.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sat 24 Dec - Thu 29 Dec 2011 -1060 GBP
Thu 29 Dec - Tue 03 Jan 2012 -1060 GBP
Sat 25 Feb - Wed 29 Feb 2012 -770 GBP

0844 499 0901