The Central Balkan Mountain Range is the region in Bulgaria which could be described to the highest extent as a model of development of the mountain tourism. Several settlements lie in this part of the range which crosses from west to east our small country, each one having its own charm and color. One of these charming places is the town of Apriltsi. It is nestled at the foot of Maragidik mount and attracts many visitors-mainly fans of the wild nature, the good local cuisine and the adventure tours.
The tourism in this region has flourished over the past few years, which is due to the beautiful nature and the enterprising spirit of the local business. However, unlike other parts of Bulgaria where the investor’s appetites changed significantly the environment, the landscape in this region is barely touched by the concrete and the expression of bad taste. Small family hotels with open-air pools, ancient rural houses reconstructed and refined for the purposes of tourism, folk-style taverns with chimneys and water-mills in their yards, fish restaurants overhanging forest rivers, is what people can see there. Everything is small in size and is in accordance with the surrounding nature. No wonder Apriltsi and the surrounding settlements fill with tourists from an early spring when everything is covered in greenery and the local hotel owners do their best to satisfy all needs of their guests. Here is what Darya Zarichinova from the Tour Club Remark Association, consisting of owners of tour objects from this region, told RB:
“Visitors can stay over at various places. There are many guest houses in this area. There are different sized hotels-small and comfortable ones, larger hotel complexes with spa centers, mainly in the regions rich in mineral water such as the near villages of Chiflik and Shipkovo. Besides, there are many warm swimming pools in Apriltsi which can be used from early spring until late autumn. This explains the big number of guests during the Easter holidays at the beginning of May every year. Many people reside near the eco-paths and the rivers which go near the town”, says Darya Zarachinova.
The mountain town is a starting point for people who go to the Central Balkan National Park which is enlisted in the European networks of protected areas “Pan Parks” whose task is to preserve the nature situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Steep slopes, broad meadows, shady forests and scattered rocky formations, which can be spotted in this area, have turned into irresistible challenge for all mountaineers. Several eco-paths were marked in this region as well. The most popular one takes tourists to the foot of the 80 meter high waterfall Vidimsko Praskalo which forms a heavenly pool. This place is full of tourists during summer time. Along with trips on the pedestrian paths, people can ride horses at the foot of the Balkan Mountain Range. The owners of a local horse house offer horse-riding lessons to amateurs as well as some trips to the most inaccessible areas of the mountain to the advanced riders. ATV riding, mountain biking, paintball tournaments, team buildings, etc are among the multiple entertaining, offered in this region.
The history fans can visit the local churches and monasteries such as the Novoselski monastery in whose yard a bone-vault museum of the local population, killed during the wars for liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Yoke, is situated. The ancient church with the beautiful stone plastic arts, situated in the Skandaloto neighborhood, is also very attractive for tourists. This neighborhood is typical with its well-preserved ancient houses, most of which were turned into family hotels.
Healthy eating and good cuisine are in high esteem there. The hotel and restaurant owners make great efforts to restore the traditional local food recipes in their daily menus. This is done with the help of students from the Professional High School for Tourism from the town of Apriltsi. So, everyone can be sure that cooking has good traditions in this region. Some festivals were dedicated to the local cuisine. One of them is the traditional feast of pork bacon and the warm grape brandy (rakia).
“This feast attracts huge number of tourists, because it is interesting and tasty at the same time”, explains Darya Zarichinova. It is held at the end of February and the beginning of March at the central square in Apriltsi. Contests for tastiest and fattest bacon are organized there and many chain dances are held at the town square. The contestants this year made for the first time a local meal consisting of bacon, eggs and leeks. 500 eggs and nearly 50 kilograms of bacon were used for this meal. A giant baking tray was placed on the square, so everyone could try the delicious meal. A contest for best homemade warm grape brandy is also held there. The organizers of the event hand out to people many food delights for free. It is great fun to be there.
English version: Kostadin Atanasov
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