Internationale groepsreis Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains

RODOPI MOUNTAINS

Phew what a hot week of walking. The temperature certainly made the walking a lot more difficult than anticipated but we still thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Rodopis. Our group was fantastic and we really seemed to get on well and have lots of fun.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Wlaking through clouds of butterflies. Coming out of the trees to see huge meadows full of hundreds of different flowers including many orchids. Finding a ladybird spider (very rare). Walking out on the platform on Mt. Elijah.....and many, many more. As well as experiencing Bulgaria food and drink and joining in the traditional dancing on the last night.

What did you think of your group leader?

Neli is a beautiful, knowledgeable leader and is so kind and helpful when the going gets tough.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

We walked on average 15km a day which is not that far at UK temperatures. When the temperatures get into the mid 30c the time given need to be longer - we needed to add an extra hour on the times stated.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is our second experience with Exodus and we are looking ofrward to more!

Beautiful walks in a remote part of Bulgaria

It was a very enjoyable trip in a remote part of the country. I didn't hear about Rodopi mountains before so didn't know what to expect. The scenery is absolutely stunning - mountains, forests, gorges, caves - all so untouched and beautiful! I enjoyed all the walks and we never saw any other walkers - it was amazing to have it all just to ourselves. We also had a chance to see how local people live. It was a nice, relaxing week and the group bonded pretty quickly!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

It is difficult to choose one moment as the whole trip was so beautiful. But I really enjoyed Sveti Ilia hike, the views were breathtaking and we even managed to see some wall creepers!

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader was great, very informative and knew the area really well. Nothing was too much trouble, she was always willing to help. It was easy to see that she was passionate about what she does and that she really enjoys showing her country to foreign visitors.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You might want to bring a lunch box with you. And don't forget a sunscreen!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

You will never be hungry - every meal I had in Yagodina was absolutely delicious and the portions were huge. It was good to try local dishes, it was all home-made and very tasty. Alcohol was very cheap, everybody was pleasantly surprised at the end of the stay that our bills were so low!

Anneke

Fijne week, met genoeg rust en genoeg actie.

Rodopi Mountains

This trip was delightfully different from other European trips that we have enjoyed. The local people were warm and friendly and appeared content to work in the fields or sit with the cows in a high pasture all day. The difference between our fast paced life style and their post communist lives was marked. The scenery was beautiful, very 'vertical', with rare pre-ice age flowers. Even the long drive from and too Sofia was interesting and our driver surely the most competent in Bulgaria.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

This is a difficult one. Was it seeing ancient Soviet agricultural equipment, people working in the fields, the prospect of seeing bears and wolves? Maybe it was meeting local ladies who were chatting and embroidering slippers, or dancing with the folk singers from the village? Probably, it was just the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the area.

What did you think of your group leader?

Nelly's love and knowledge of Bulgaria shone through at every meadow, mountain and forest. Nothing was too much trouble and her care was always evident. She was an outstanding leader and made this a wonderful and exciting trip for us both.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take an empty plastic sandwich box for packed lunches, and lots of memory for your camera.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Food is local, traditional and good - don't expect to loose weight!

Rodopi Mountains

Excellent trip walking in the mountains and meadows of the Rodopi mountains. Lovely family run hotel with exellent food - very welcoming. We had a very peaceful and relaxing time in Yagodina and the walks were lovely - especially the time spent in the beautiful wildflower meadows.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Walking through the fantastic wild flower meadows with no one else around.

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent. Nelli is a superb leader in all respects. Very kind and caring of her group at all times. She made our stay something special to remember. Many thanks.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just enjoy the scenery and the relaxed atmosphere.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This trip is very good value for money - would recommend it to anyone who enjoys walking in beautiful scenery.

A wonderful get away in the mountains

A good week's walking in a rural location hosted in a great locally run hotel. This week was everything that I expected based on the detailed trip notes, the walks and the hotel were as described and ticked all the boxes for me. I spent a couple of additional days in Sofia which was a good balance.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Meeting the local women for an evening of song & dance was fantastic and the cave trips were a fabulous bonus. Being out in great countryside away from the city was the best part - day after day of lovely tranquil walks

What did you think of your group leader?

Svetla had a great sense of humour and was a lovely, calm guide.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I'd suggest taking a walking pole, although as lots of the walks are through forest a suitable stick can be found en route. Some of the ascents are steep and in wet weather pretty slippery. The group return flight was very early so would advise booking your own. If you stay in Sofia check out the restaurants Made in Home and Made in Blue - although you may need to make a reservation.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Read the trip notes & if it sounds like a holiday for you then I'm sure you'll have a great time.

RODOPI MOUNTAINS

Good walking but not too strenuous, interesting scenery and sightseeing .

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The devil’s throat Caves with stalactites and stalagmites.

What did you think of your group leader?

very attractive Girl Good company & pleasant to talk to. 

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take travel kettle/breakfast tea bags /coffee/dried milk

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The food was mediocre/ordinary.

RODOPI MOUNTAINS

This was our 13th trip with Exodus and one of the most enjoyable. The walks were varied and leisurely and were easily altered to accommodate weather conditions. I was amazed at how well our friendly group of 16 gelled in just a few days.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Digging potatoes with friendly villagers and sharing their lunch. Chickening out of the walk on a rainy day in favour of the Spa in Devin - a very good choice! Sofia was more interesting than I remembered from 20 years ago (unsurprisingly) - worth a longer visit. The cave dwelling was fascinating. Watching the cows come home to the village without any apparent supervision!

What did you think of your group leader?

Svetla obviously loved the region and shared her enthusiasm with us. She was very helpful in sourcing local produce and crafts and taught us the rudiments of Bulgarian dancing.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The walks were a little shorter and a lot gentler than I was expecting. I'm not sure this trip is a B grade but I suggest you just go with the flow and enjoy a leisurely beer or two back at the hotel. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The hotel rooms were immaculately clean and quite spacious with plenty of hot water for the wet room shower. The food was plentiful if a little bit repetitive - potatoes, eggs, cheese, cheese, cheese, tomatoes and cucumber - the wine and beer pretty good and really good value. The only slight downside was the lack of anywhere comfortable to sit indoors for a pre supper drink or chat. As we were there at the end of the season, it was a bit too cold to sit outside in the evening.  

RODOPI MOUNTAINS

This trip was exactly what I expected and it definitely didn't disappoint. The walks were varied in terrain and landscape and the company excellent.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The moment at the top of Sveti Iliya when you could look out across the mountains and pick out the previous days' walking. It was amazing to be able to look out and see what we'd accomplished and fit it all together.

What did you think of your group leader?

Neli was a brilliant leader from start to finish. She never let anybody fall too far behind and she always had an interesting flower or bird to point out to us. Her passion for the mountains was infectious - I think we all left those mountains a little bit in love with them.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The walking was generally fairly easy going but it was made much more difficult due to the heat we were walking in. I would definitely advise people to take some larger (more than 500ml) water bottles so that they can carry enough water for hot weather - not all the walks had plentiful water sources.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The trip was a great success - not only because the itinierary was so thoughtfully put together but also because the leader, the locals and the group all came together to create a wonderful, warm atmosphere.

Rodopi Mtns

A very good holiday with good mix of people

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day in the mountains was great

What did you think of your group leader?

svetoslava was a very cheerful and a caring leader. she ought to have got us to introduce us to each other on first night and to our very good bus driver. Also to have got us to exchange e.mails before we left. We left at different times so was a little difficult.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just to order a brochure!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

No

BULGARIA: RODOPI MOUNTAINS

Lovely scenery at a relaxed pace.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The view from Saint Elijah and walking to the end of the overhanging platform. Also, the Yagodina Caves were great. Some very impressive stalagmites/stalactites. Shame you're not allowed to take photos.

What did you think of your group leader?

In a word, excellent. She obviously had a passion for this area and nothing was too much bother. Her English was excellent. I did two trips in Bulgaria and I think both guides set the standards for a good group leader.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I thought the trip notes were pretty accurate although we didn't see many birds. That might be the due to the time of year, I don't know.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The food was basic but I enjoyed it, plus there was plenty of it. I thought the most disappointing meal was the burger and chips they did. I suspect this is an attempt to give us what they think we like, but when they stick to traditional meals, they were fine (ingredients are somewhat limited, but you're in a remote area). The accomodation was clean and new. I enjoyed being based in one place and being able to unpack, but I suspect that's not for everyone.

BULGARIA: RODOPI MOUNTAINS

This part of Bulgaria was very remote and it felt as if I had stepped back in time.  Knowing that the food we were eating was grown or produced locally, including the delicious cheese and potato based dishes, jams and honey.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Taking in the stunning views on the walks every day. Standing on the viewing platform at St. Elijah. The last night when women from the village came to dance and sing traditional songs for us.  Also when local people joined in with the singing and dancing and a young man started to play the traditional Bulgarian bagpipes.  Fabulous!   

What did you think of your group leader?

She was very knowledgeable about the area and the country in general.  Always happy to answer any questions and if she didn't know the answer she would find out.  She was always cheerful and had a good sense of humour.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

It was very hot in August which made some of the steepest ascents harder for me than they would have been otherwise.  Take high factor sun cream. If you go to the bear-hide one evening be very patient.  We left just before a group of wild boar came down to eat.  The evidence was captured on a night vision camera.  No bears though! 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The transfer from and to the airport is very long but take the opportunity to look at the changing landscape, particularly when it starts to become mountainous as it is quite spectacular.  

BULGARIA: RODOPI MOUNTAINS

Beautiful, unspoilt countryside and a very clean hotel providing excellent food. The Rodopi Mountains provide the perfect destination for moderate grade walking. A centre based walking holiday works well in the Rodopis as there are a variety of walks either directly from the hotel or just a short bus ride away.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

All the walks were equally enjoyable and in September the locals are out in the fields picking plants to make herbal tea, harvesting their potatoes, felling trees and collecting logs for the winter. A rural way of life that is no longer seen in more developed areas. Simply being out and about in the fresh air every day was the highlight for me.

What did you think of your group leader?

Very knowledgeable and enthustiastic about maintaining the traditional culture of Bulgaria.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

It starts to get colder at night in September, so it is worth taking a warm layer for use first thing in the morning, although it soon warms up as the sun gets higher in the sky. As others have said, a pair of flip flops for use in the shower room is a sensible addition.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Relax, go with the flow and enjoy a draft beer in the hotel garden at the end of your days walking; what could be better.

Really nice week's walking in a rarely visited area.

A really nice week's walking in the rarely visited Rodopi mountains in Bulgaria - I'd never heard of them before! All the walks were pretty gentle with around four hours walking each day. The walks are in deep, step-sided gorges or up on open mountain pastures. There's plenty to see with butterfly, bird and orchid spotting being particularly popular.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The morning spent hiking up gorge of the Chairska River which is a spectacular route. The final half-day walk on the "Eco-trail" (before the transfer back to Sofia) is also excellent. Take a detour up to the waterfall, it's worth it!

What did you think of your group leader?

A leader was Nelly, a local of the area. She had an excellent knowledge of the area including the flora and fauna. She's really easy going and everyone enjoyed walking with her. I particularly like being allowed to walk at my own pace and 're-grouping' at specific points.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The transfer from Sofia is five hours (including a half-hour beer stop). It's quite a slog but well worth it. Take flip-flops as the hotel has 'wet rooms' rather than separate shower + toilet. Also take a sink plug if you want to do any washing.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The Yagodina hotel is really nice. It was spotless, the food is excellent and was all local dishes often using ingredients from the local village. Vegetarians are well catered for. Vegans will starve. There's fast Wifi throughout.

Bulgaria : Rodopi Mountains

A great week in a lovely unspoiled area. Gorgeous meadows. Lots of spring flowers, including rare orchids. Varied walks which give a good overall feeling for the area. The pace gave plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings & wildlife.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day gave something new. The meadows were especially beautiful.

What did you think of your group leader?

Nelly Radkova was an excellent leader. She was full of enthusiasm and fun. Being Bulgarian her local knowledge was excellent and she was obviously well liked by the local people. She spoke excellent English and was very kind and caring and eager to please at all times. She had a great love for the local environment and its conservation. She made the holiday very enjoyable.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take flip flops for the wet room, and a hair drier if needed. Don't forget your camera and binoculars. The weather can be changeable so waterproofs and an umbrella are advised.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We travelled out 2 days prior to the group and spent the time looking round the very interesting old city of Sofia before meeting the group. If you have time then consider doing the same as it is worthwhile. We stayed in the Hill hotel, which is the one used by Exodus and found it very good and within 15 - 20 minutes walk of the town centre.

Rodopi Mountains review

Lovely part of the world with stunning scenery. The wild flowers were at their best when I visited in May. A very different pace of life to home but interestingly even the cow herds on the upper meadows had their smartphones. My son loved the first and last days best with climbing under/over all the fallen trees and fording the fast running river - such a contrast to the ridge walks and alpine meadows. Our guide Neli was very knowledgeable about the area, flowers and birdlife, and very patient with all our questions. It would have been very difficult to find some of the paths on our own. The walking pace was accurately described as leisurely. The accommodation was comfortable, the wifi better than at home, the food excellent and the beer just so cheap!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The visits to the caves were an added bonus and such a contrast after our walks.

What did you think of your group leader?

Neli was a star throughout.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You don't need very much currency with you for this trip, but make sure you get it in advance - there is no access to banks, ATMs etc once you are there..

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Rodopi Mtns

A very enjoyable holiday with a good mix of people. Good hotel and food ,service was excellent.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day in mountains, great scenery.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader was good, but could have got us to introduce us to each other, like other trips I have been on, also to the very good bus driver, she ought to have arranged to have us exchanged e.mails, we left at different times for flight back so was a rush.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just to order your brochure !

Is there anything else you would like to add?

No

Rodopi mtns

A very good holiday ,good mix in group. Good hotel food and service.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day in mountains

What did you think of your group leader?

Good, but could have got us to introduce ourselves, and to our very good bus driver, and arranged an exchange of e.mails as we all left at different flights.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just to order your brochure!

Is there anything else you would like to add?