Snow Goose Chalet

Summer and Beyond

Spring

Enjoy the late season skiing experience; make the most of Bulgaria's long skiing season and soak up the sun in the balmy spring weather. Or feast your eyes on the glory of the lower mountain slopes as they re-remerge from their winter blanket of snow. Hiking in the Rila mountains in spring time is a nature lover's dream. The locally famous Seven Lakes are a breathtaking reward for a day's hike and the area yields many visual treats. Meadows bursting with spring flowers abound and drench the slopes with colour. Let the pure, clean air blow away the winter gloom and put the spring back in your step. Relax on the terrace at Snow Goose Chalet with a snifter or two and watch the sun sink gracefully below the tree-lined mountain horizon.

This region of Bulgaria is littered with stork nests which form huge, scruffy cowls on street-lights and high chimneys. March is the month these migratory birds return to their nests. Watching them soar aloft and then settle into their nests in the early evening is a rich reward. Come in late May to see their chicks grow bold and restless.

Summer

Sultry summer days in the Rila mountains fade into nights cool enough to ensure a sound night's sleep. Hot days can be spent hiking, horse-riding, water skiing, wake boarding, fishing, or simply lazing around and enjoying the scenery, the peace and quiet, or a good book on the terrace. Mountain bikes can be hired in Borovets resort and the less energetic can take the gondola lift up the mountain and cruise back to the resort the easy way.

Lake Iskar, about half an hour's drive from Beli Iskar, is a lovely spot for lunch on a hot day, with restaurants at the water's edge offering a calm, blue backdrop to the day's fare. When the main towns are too hot to visit, take a turn from the beaten track and head up to Rila Monastery. Founded in the 10th Century and rebuilt mid 19th Century, this World Heritage Site is tucked away at 1,150m and is framed against the natural backdrop of the mountains.

Autumn

Perhaps the most spectacular season of all, autumn is the season of burnished copper, fiery reds and natural ochres as the leaves on the trees in the huge forests temporarily turn the trees to a fiery patchwork quilt. The pale autumn light pays the perfect compliment to this seething mass of colour. Hikes already undertaken in spring and summer are a completely different experience in the autumn and the sometimes excessive heat of summer gives way to a soft warmth with a cool breeze hinting at the chill to come. Autumn is the best season to visit the region's towns.

Plovdiv, two hours drive from Beli Iskar, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The old town, with its cobbled pavements and 19th Century National Revival style houses, is well worth a visit since its restoration to former glory. The old town is flanked by a 2nd Century Roman amphitheatre, a recent discovery revealed by a landslide in 1972. During the summer it hosts open-air opera performances and classical music concerts.

Sofia, the capital city, has places of interest from many periods in its varied history and is also worth a visit for some bargain hunting.

Summer, Spring and Autumn Lets

Self-catered doesn't mean every man for himself. When you book Snow Goose Chalet during these seasons, you can select one of a number of options. You can make your own way to Beli Iskar and opt to cater for yourself. Alternatively we can arrange transport from Sofia airport for your party. Perhaps you would rather we did the shopping; we can send you a list of options and get the shopping in for you.

If you know you'd prefer to eat at home but really don't want to spend your holiday cooking, we can fill the freezer with home-cooked meals ready to defrost. Pop them into the oven to cook whilst you relax on the terrace enjoying the last of the sun's rays with a gin and tonic (make sure the makings are on your shopping list!) We can price your individual choice of options to order, just send us an email or give us a ring.