The Region

Bulgarian Country Property is based in the heart of the Stara Planina mountain range nestling between the towns of Kotel and Sliven (www.sliven.bg).

Sliven was famous for textile manufacturing and is known for its 'valley of peaches'. It's now a developing and lively town with many shops, a great food market and museums.

The Rough Guide describes “The road from Sliven zigzaging over the Blue Rocks massif and down into pine-clad valleys where Gypsies camp among the wildflowers and herds of sheep block the roads. It an enchanting, almost time-warped corner of Europe which still follows a pastoral way of life”.

Nearby Kotel is still Bulgaria's major carpet-weaving centre where you can commission your own designs. It is a great walking area. The almost chocolate box village of Zheravna is surrounded by deep pastures where you can see magnificent examples of Bulgarian country wooden houses dating back to the seventeenth century, when the village earned its living from sheep—breeding and crafts.

Elena is half an hour's drive and has museums and good shops, bars and restaurants. Tourism is still very underdeveloped, but many people enjoy that aspect of Bulgaria. You can always find good food and well-stocked delicatessens.

The former capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo is also very close by car or by bus - as is Plovdiv, home to the finest collection of nineteenth century buildings in the Balkans.

There are many opportunities for hiking, climbing, caving, cycling, birdwatching, fishing and horse-riding. But you can also enjoy the mountain air, the sound of goat bells and relax at home with a glass of local wine.

Bulgaria has a continental climate, with long, hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Kipilovo has had wonderful long spring and summer weather since we have been here and many Bulgarians like to escape the oppressively hot summer in the cities to come to the mountains with fresh air, sunshine and countryside.

We have also spent memorable Christmas' with barbecues in the snow at New Year. We're not far from the airports of Bourgas (by the sea) and Plovdiv (by the ski resorts).

The capital. Sofia, has many flights from the UK and is worth a visit. It is about three and a half hours drive to us. There is also a regular bus route which takes 4 hours. Greece and Turkey are also accessible by bus or car.

We sometimes drive to the Greek island of Thassos for holidays. Road infrastructure is constantly improving so driving is easier. You can hire a car or we can arrange to meet you at the airport.