Friday off-topic: Here's Bansko, the ski town you aren't visiting but should

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Greetings, you fellow drunkards! How was the hangover, eh? Welcome to the (not so little) ski town you probably didn't know existed. I'm talking about Bansko, which sits at the foot of the Pirin Mountains roughly 90 miles from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, in the Pirin-Macedonian ethno-cultural region.

Huffington Post recently wrote about it, and in light of a recent comment of mine, where I was laying down details of some local food, music and dance traditions (many originating from that same region), I should probably mention that most of them are being practiced as we speak - the winter holidays are the most fruitful time in terms of experiencing traditional festivities, as people (especially in the countryside) are not so busy like in summer, so they spend most of their day and evening sitting around the table and thinking of fun ways to pass the time. If you know what I mean.

So if there's a perfect time to visit places like Bansko, it's right now. I recently did, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Doubtless, this is the best time for Bansko. Especially since it's been named the best value destination for family ski trips, which is great since it's home to some major competitive ski races. A bonus: it has the longest ski season of all Bulgarian resorts, from mid-December to mid-May, which is quite a lot, considering its proximity to the Mediterranean.

Already popular with Greek, Romanian, Russian and British travelers, it's increasingly becoming popular with Americans, as well, according to recent data from Booking.com. And there's little doubt why: you can ski your heart out above the centuries-old village during the day and party hard at night.

If skiing isn't your thing, you'll still have plenty to do, including a visit to the former home of poet Nikola Vaptsarov, as well as countless museums and churches. In between all that skiing (and, let's face it, apres-skiing), take a quick jaunt to Belitsa, which is home to the bear sanctuary Dancing Bears Park, whose patron is Brigitte Bardot. Bansko also hosts an ever growing international jazz festival in summer, and is adding two more festivals next summer, one for alternative music, the other for classic. It's fast becoming a major cultural hub in this region of the world.

Of course, I'm kinda biased on this one - not just because it's the best skiing resort in this corner of the continent, but because my family on my father's side originates from a village nearby. So, if any of you would like to experience something different sometime, and explore the authentic Balkans, don't hesitate to ask me about details, directions and any tips that might help. Oh, and don't forget to inquire about the famous Bulgarian rakia and the Shopska salad, once you're there!

Comments

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

This sounds way better than our overrated ski resorts in Switzerland.

[airiefairie.livejournal.com]

Certainly looks like a fascinating place.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking of visiting your country and the region in general some time in the next couple of years again. It's beena while since I was last there. But I'll probably opt for the seaside. We've got enough snow here already.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Yours is one of the very few European countries I haven't visited yet. Time to correct that wrong, methinks :)

[peamasii.livejournal.com]

I'm going to Bulgaria next month to ski but as always in Borovets. Honestly, it's the best resort. Sorry, Bansko! ;-)

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

As a Plovdiv guy, I have to say... Pamporovo FTW!