Land of the Thracians

Introduction
Mountains Bulgaria

Riding through antiquity - ancient Thracian sanctuaries and temples, antique Roman Imperial Residence and Bulgarian National Revival towns.
This mountain trail ride takes you through the Sredna Gora Mountain - the land of the Thracians, mineral sources, roses and lavender. The main goal of this carefully designed holiday is to relax and rejuvenate the body, senses and mind. This trail offers a special combination of horseback riding with revitalizing spa treatments and refreshing massages. Throughout the holiday you will enjoy delicious food prepared from wholesome local produce and sample some famous Bulgarian wines. Gallop through the boundless meadows and ride through oak and beech forests. You will become one with the pristine nature of Sredna Gora Mountains. Come and discover the many archaeological, historical, and architectural landmarks hidden in these mountains. 

Accomodation

In authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere and in cozy family hotels.
Meals: ecologically clean food prepared from wholesome local produce; international and Bulgarian cuisine; drinks included (except hard drinks).

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding
Two guides are with the riders (one of them with medical qualification). One leads the group and the second follows in a jeep with a mobile phone connection.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to the town of Hissar, 180 km Southeast from the capital.  The first night is in a SPA hotel with swimming pool, sauna, massage center and fitness room.  Start your holiday with an introduction to your itinerary, have a first-hand look at the horses and equipment and choose a suitable equine partner for the week.  Welcome dinner and overnight at the Hissar hotel.

Highlighted:
Hissar Health Resort - The Hissar Health Resort is situated almost in the centre of Bulgaria, on the southern slopes of Sredna Gora Mountain, 336 m above sea level.

Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel.  Panoramic tour of the town of Hissar.  You will be escorted to visit the remains of the walled fortress town of the ancient Romans, Dioclecianopolis, the third largest town in the ancient province of Thrace and the best preserved of its kind in the entire Balkan Peninsula. Afterwards, we saddle up the horses and start our ride through the beautiful countryside around the village of Starosel. We stop for a picnic lunch nearby the village.  In the afternoon we ride on to the village of Belovitsa on the southern slopes of the Sredna Gora Mountains.  We will stay  for dinner and an overnight at a family run hotel.  About 3 1/2 hours of riding.

Highlighted:
The first settlers of the small valley were Thracians from the Bessi tribe. Eventually, the area was reached by Macedonians, but it was not until Roman times when Hissar developed into a large town and resort, called Dioclecianopolis, after the Roman emperor Dioclecian 284 - 305 AD.
The town was built according to all requirements of Roman town planning - with wide, straight streets, decorated with statues of gods and goddesses, with marble baths, beautiful palaces and villas for Roman aristocracy. To protect the town from enemy invasions, it was surrounded with a wall raised by the skilful hands of Thracian master-builders.

Day 3:  Breakfast at the hotel. Starting from Belovitsa Village you will ride through the fields and oak forests to the village of Starosel.  This village made a sensation in 2000 when the archaeological expedition lead by Dr. George Kitov found "the largest preserved Thracian king complex with a temple-mausoleum in Southeast Europe".  A visit to the ancient Thracian temple which is still being excavated. Lunch and relax in the beautiful meadow next to the temple. In the afternoon you will ride to the Belo Kamene hut. Overnight will be in cozy rooms at the hut in the middle of the forest. Dinner with local food and wine by the fireplace. About 3 hrs of riding.

Highlighted:
The Thracian Cult Complex in Starsol, dates from the time of Thracian King Sitalk. The rich findings in the stone-built tomb date from the end of the fifth and the beginning of the fourth century BC. A main staircase with monumental corridor, ritual landing and two chambers, leads to the temple. The entrance is outlined with slabs with plastic and color decoration. The inside area is a round, domed chamber with semi-columns and color ornaments, where the initiated established connection with gods. It is surrounded by a 263 yard long wall made out of some 4000 stone blocks and was hidden under a 20 m high mound of earth.

Day 4: Breakfast in the hut.  We ride through the forest via the foot of Bogdan Peak (1603m.) to the Barricades Chalet.  Lunch at a beautiful meadow next to a  fresh mountain river. In the afternoon you will ride to the Bulgarian Revival town Koprivshtitsa which is a unique architectural preserve.
You will be accommodated overnight in an authentic century-old house.  Dinner with wine tasting.
Approx  5 1/2 hrs of riding.

Highlighted:
The town of Koprivshtitsa is situated near to the Topolnitsa River at 1060 meters above the sea level. It is a museum town and unique settlement in Bulgaria which has preserved over 250 examples of the Bulgarian Revival Period architecture. The greatest wealth of architecture in Koprivshtitsa are its Revival Period houses with colorful courtyards, surrounded with high stone walls and gates, disorderly built curved and narrow cobblestone little streets and plots, and numerous stone fountain contribut to the attractiveness of the little town.

Day 5: Breakfast at the house. We will go on a guided tour of Koprivshtitsa. We visit some of the most interesting museums in the town. Lunch at restaurant in town.  After a refreshing break in the afternoon, prepare for a two-hour ride around Koprivshtitsa. Enjoy some free time for shopping and exploring the charming galleries, craftsman shops and coffee retreats. Dinner with wine tasting in the local pub in the centre of Koprivshtitsa. Overnight in Koprivshtitsa.  About 2 hrs of riding.

Day 6: Breakfast at the house. We ride trough the beautiful untouched forest to the health resort of Strelcha.  A picnic lunch in a beautiful wooden shelter situated among the oak trees. Overnight is in the SPA hotel. Before dinner you can experience beautifying, relaxing or pampering with spa treatments such as aquatic relaxation procedures or massages. Dinner in the traditional local pub.
About 4 1/2 hrs of riding.

Day 7: Before breakfast you can indulge in some more spa treatments. if you like.  Breakfast at the hotel.  We will gallop through the rose fields and have a picnic lunch. You will be accommodated again in the family house in Belovitsa. We can try some bareback riding down to the river to wash the horses.  In the evening enjoy a Farewell dinner - gourmet food prepared in your honor by the hosts.  About 4 1/2 hrs of riding.

Day 8   After breakfast you say good-bye to your horse and host. Visit to the town of Plovdiv and start back to Sofia.  Depart for the Sofia Airport in time for your flight.

   Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Land of the Thracians

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Sevlievo
Airport: Sofia
Transfer: Included from Sofia Airport at set times.

Climate:

Marked by four distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate that is one of the country's best features. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate. Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances.