THE UNKNOWN GREECE AND BULGARIA (2/7/2023)

The Unknown Greece & Bulgaria. On this trip, we will explore the region of Thrace which is located on both sides of the mountain Rhodope in south Bulgaria and northeast Greece. We are going to drive among high forested mountains and their winding roads, beautiful valleys, and wild gorges, next to lakes, rivers, and waterfalls through numerous National Parks. We will visit monasteries, caves, and ski resorts as well as picturesque small cities.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a Greek port city on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Evidence of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history remains, especially around Ano Poli, the upper town. The ruins of Roman Emperor Galerius 4th-century palace include the Rotonda which has been both a church and a mosque. Much of the city center was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1917. The rebuilt 20th-century city has a modern European layout.

Rila-Bansko

The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery “Sveti Ivan Rilski”, is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.

Bansko is a town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, which are part of Pirin National Park, in southwest Bulgaria. It’s a gateway to numerous ski and snowboard slopes on Todorka Peak, including the challenging Tomba, runs. Footpaths cross the park’s craggy alpine landscape, home to bears and wolves. The park is also known for its high-altitude Vihren Peak, with forested ridges and striking glacial lakes.

Xanthi

The otherwise known as Lady of Thrace. Kosynthos River divides the city into two parts. The western part is where the old and the modern town are located. The east part, the Samakov district, boasts of a rich natural environment. Both parts still preserve their traditional flair, amazing visitors with their nobility and beauty. The cobbled narrow streets of the Old Town are decorated by gorgeous mansions. Their architectural style is a marvelous blend of local and ottoman architecture as well as Greek architectural style. Together with the Byzantine churches and the picturesque squares, the city’s Old Town could be said to be an open museum.

Nestos River

Above all, you will have the chance to organize a kayak tour of the River. The unspoiled scenery, the spectacular serpentine-like landscape, and the stupendous flora and fauna will certainly provide the ideal scenery for relaxation.

Plovdiv-Smolyan

Plovdiv is an ancient city built around 7 hills, in southern Bulgaria. The Roman-era Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, which once seated around 6,000, now hosts opera and concerts. Philippopolis was founded by the father of Alexander the Great, Phillip the king of ancient Macedonia.

Smolyan is a town and ski resort in the south of Bulgaria near the border with Greece The town is built along the valley of Cherna and Byala rivers in the central Rhodope Mountains which makes him the longest city in Bulgaria.

Pomakochoria

Pomakochoria is a series of mountainous villages inhabited by Pomaks, a Muslim minority, and we can find them in Evros, Xanthi, and Rodopi. They are pretty isolated and they maintain their picturesque character because of their woody gorges, the stone paths, the evocative boulders, and the green landscapes that catch every visitor’s attention.