WINTER IN GOVEDARTSI
The snow usually covers the whole area from mid December until early April and still covers the peaks right into the middle of summer.
When visiting in winter, Borovets is obviously the place to head for. It is the oldest and most popular mountain resort in Bulgaria, lying at 1350m. It is set in pine woods and provides a variety of ski runs amongst beautiful scenery. All levels of skiers are catered for and it is particularly good for beginners. The skiing facilities have undergone a lot of improvements lately, with new lifts and runs. These are part of the Super Borovets Project, an enormous investment in the area aiming at an Olympics bid for 2014. There are many more lifts and runs planned and the improvements are set to continue for several years.
The resort of Borovets is very lively and colourful. Local transport includes horse drawn sleighs which add to it’s character. It has a wealth of restaurants and bars, as well as many nightclubs and discos. All food tastes are catered for, as are all budgets. There is an active apres ski scene and some quite unusual "adult" entertainment! Non-skiers are also provided with lots to do including bowling, swimming and fitness facilities based in the larger hotels. Borovets has something to offer all types of skiers, from groups of singles through to families with young children, as well as being extremely good value for money
SUMMER IN GOVEDARTSI
The weather in summer is very warm and similar to the Mediteranean climate. There are many ways to take advantage of this.
The village of Govedartsi borders the Rila Mountain National Park, with its spectacular alpine scenery, deep forests and river gorges, and there is easy access to an endless number of valley and mountain trails. The area will be of particular interest to nature lovers and those that love the outdoor life and is a perfect destination for mountain hikers and mountaineers. The Rila mountain range boasts the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula (Mt Musala - 2,925 m) and the average height of the peaks are 2,700 m. The mountains are registered in the UN list of representative protected areas and are Bulgaria's largest national park - 81,000 hectares, two thirds of which is forested. The park contains over 100 peaks, with deep and dramatic river gorges, lakes and waterfalls. The national parks authority has marked many trails and built bridges and information boards and there are mountain chalets for hikers to shelter for the night, making it possible to walk to the Rila Monastery, for example. Another popular walk is to see the Seven Lakes.
The area also offers many other outdoor activities such as horse riding, extreme sports, and mountain biking. The entire area is renowned for its eco environment and stunning natural beauty. There is a wealth of natural beauty to admire and enjoy and lovely, easier walks for those not so energetic amongst us. The Cherni Iskar River, which runs through the village, provides many beautiful spots to enjoy picnics and relax, perhaps doing a little fishing.
10 minutes drive from Govedartsi, on the way to Borovets, is the town of Samokov. This is a typical Bulgarian town with a wealth of real Bulgarian character.It is also considerably cheaper than the tourist resort of Borovets. It has many shops and a fascinating market is held every Monday morning, even in the freezing cold of winter. It has several brand new, large supermarkets stocking everything, which some people may prefer to the smaller shops. Eating out here is incredibly cheap too!
Govedartsi is a short drive from Lake Iskar, a large and impressive expanse of water with its beaches and watersports. There is a lovely outdoor swimming pool, with terraces and gardens for sunbathing, just 10 minutes away on the way to the town of Samokov. There is another outdoor pool in Samokov itself. The golfers in your group might like to try the Ihtiman golf course, also just a short drive away. There are also many natural spas nearby.
Although further away, (approx 90 minutes), the Rila Monastery must not be missed. It is Bulgaria's largest and most famous monastery, founded in 927AD and hidden high in the Rila mountains. There is also a monastery in Samokov which is worth a visit as well as the Bulgarian King's Residence which is in Borovets.
For those who prefer towns and cities, the old Roman town of Plovdiv offers monuments and ruins from the days of the Roman Empire. Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, is widely regarded as the "new Prague". Steeped in history the city is a mecca for shopping.
SEE CHALET ELIZABETH IN GOOGLE EARTH. COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING INTO YOUR BROWSER:
*Please click/mouse over on thumbnails above to view image
Description:
Chalet Elizabeth is a beautiful alpine chalet in the charming village of Govedartsi, Borovets.It is situated in the centre of the village and has lovely views of the surrounding countryside and mountains. It is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy luxurious accommodation in a beautiful setting, whilst being on the doorstep of some of the best skiing in Bulgaria. It is also a wonderful base for a summer holiday, with its hot summer climate and proximity to the lovely Lake Iskar as well as the Rila mountains for walking.
A holiday based in Chalet Elizabeth gives you the best of both worlds. You have easy access to the bustling ski resort of Borovets, only about 20 minutes drive away, but can experience a little more of the local flavour of the country you are visiting in the quiet rural escape that is Govedartsi. Here you will find the real Bulgaria with its friendly people, not to mention all manner of farm animals wandering free around the village. A real spectacle in itself.
Notes on price:
The above prices are per person per week, for 9 guests (in 4 double/twin bedrooms), for a CATERED SKI HOLIDAY, which includes:
Daily transfers to and from the ski slopes
A hearty buffet breakfast to start the day
Chalet tea with hot drinks,cake and biscuits when you return after a busy day's skiing
A delicious home-cooked 3 course evening meal with a glass of wine/soft drink, followed by tea/coffee
Tea/coffee always available in the chalet to help yourselves
We are happy to cater for vegetarians. Just let me know the number of people in advance. Children under 12 can also be catered for. Please ask for details.
A special, traditional Christmas Dinner can be provided with all the trimmings and accompanying alcoholic drinks for a supplement of £9 each (for the whole chalet). Please request at the time of booking.
PLEASE NOTE: During the Spring/Summer/Autumn periods the chalet is rented on a self - catering basis only.If you would like to self-cater during the ski-season, please contact me for prices.
Accommodation
HKI13
Type
Description:
Sleeping capacity:
4 double/twin bedrooms, plus fold-up single bed
Bathrooms:
Upstairs there is a luxury bathroom with a bath with shower above, washbasin and WC.
Downstairs there is a shower room with toilet and washbasin.
Kitchen:
There is a fully equipped kitchen.
Living Rooms:
The main feature of the ground floor is the large open plan living room with a well equipped, fully fitted kitchen at one end and a spacious dining area with large dining table and log burning stove at the other.
Stairs go up from the kitchen to the first floor.This features a cosy sitting room leading onto the balcony with stunning views of the Iskar valley.
Cleaning/towels/linen/maid Service:
There will be a daily maid service, including emptying the bins, 6 days a week. This does NOT include washing up! Bedlinen, towels and teatowels are provided, as are basics such as toilet rolls, washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets.
Other:
THE CHALET IS STRICTLY NON-SMOKING
Bedrooms:
There are two bedrooms downstairs, one double, which has its own entrance to the terrace, and one twin.
The large, double master bedroom is on the first floor as well as a further twin bedroom.
Notes on accommodation: The chalet has been furnished to a very high standard. All furnishings are brand new and have been carefully chosen to complement the traditional chalet design. All the rooms are very spacious. In particular, there is plenty of storage space in all bedrooms. Good quality bedlinen (duvets) and towels are provided, as well as tea towels in the kitchen. The rental price includes all central heating and electricity costs. Logs are also provided.There is an alarm system, linked to the local alarm company, for your security.
Mealtimes are to be looked forward to at Chalet Elizabeth. On your arrival day, meals will be organised to suit your arrival time. After that we will provide traditional chalet catering.
At breakfast time a buffet will be laid out for you including cereals/muesli, yoghurts, fresh and dried fruits,breads and pastries, jam, selection of cold meats/cheeses. Together with orange juice, tea and good coffee, this will set you up for a strenuous day on the slopes.
When you arrive back in the late afternoon, you will be greeted by afternoon tea including a varied selection of Bulgarian and home - made cakes and biscuits.
Later on, when you are rested and refreshed, we will serve you a delicious 3 course evening meal with a wide variety of home cooked dishes to suit all tastes. This will be accompanied by a glass of wine or soft drink. You are welcome to bring in your own alcoholic drinks to supplement this if you wish.
Our chalet hosts have one day off a week, and on that evening you will be able to try a local restaurant, of which there are many to choose from.
Property Catering: Half Board
Amenities/Facilities provided
Alarm System
Free Parking Facility
Restaurant or Food Facility
Towels Provided
Central Heating
Garden
Fireplace
microwave
dishwasher
fridge/freezer
cd player
central heating
radio
oven
hob/stove
Etc.
Travel
You can either fly to Sofia or Plovdiv airports.There are various different routes available depending on your departure airport, desire for direct flights and cost. Different people have different priorities regarding this and so we can’t really make recommendations. However the following websites are likely to be useful:
Easyjet - Gatwick to Sofia - VERY CHEAP!
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/basubsid/public/en_gb
http://wizzair.com/index.shtml
http://www.air.bg/en/
http://www.travelsupermarket.com
Skyscanner
Balkan Holidays
Malev airlines
RETURN AIRPORT TRANSFERS: we can organise this for you at ONLY £20 per person.Please request when booking.
Booking notes
25% of rental charge to be paid at the time of booking. Full balance of rental due two months prior to start date of holiday.
CANCELLATION
Cancellation prior to payment of full balance - no return of deposit.
Cancellation after payment of full balance - no refund.
We would strongly recommend that you take out holiday insurance to cover any cancellations.
House swap
House swap considered.
Changeover day
Saturday during the ski season. But this can be flexible according to existing bookings.
Arrival time 4PM.
Departure time 10AM.
Our resort manager will meet all guests on arrival to hand over the keys and for a welcome drink . He will also take the security deposit of £200/150 Euros/300 BGN from you. This will be returned at the end of your stay.He will advise on all aspects of your holiday and answer any queries you may have. He will be available throughout your holiday.
Ski
Daily transfers to and from the slopes are INCLUDED in your package.We can arrange SKI PACKS for you at reduced prices and your skis and boots can be stored at the storage depot in the resort centre, very close to the lifts, to save you taking them with you every day. Please do not take skis and boots inside the chalet.
Please contact me for ski-pack prices.
Golf
There are several new golf courses just a short drive away.
Fishing
The Cherni Iskar River runs through Govedartsi and provides some beautiful areas to fish. There is also some lovely fishing to be had at the nearby Lake Iskar.
Beach
The lovely Lake Iskar is a short drive away. Here you will find beaches, swimming facilities and a whole host of watersports.
Accessibility
Outside
Outside, there is a large garden with plenty of private parking space. Garden furniture is provided. There is also furniture on the balcony upstairs where you can enjoy the lovely scenery.
For booking and further information
This advertiser joined Direct Holiday Bookings in 23 April 2008 and has advertised this property with us since 29 April 2008.
Property Ref HKI13
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Direct Holiday Booking
Owner's Contact Information:
