Sandanski, Bulgaria Hotels, Vacations, Tourism

About 40km south of Bachkovo, MANASTIR , 1500m above sea level, is the highest village in Bulgaria and (they say) the Balkan peninsula. With its steeply terraced houses, potato and tobacco plots, stacks of firewood and scampering goats, Manastir makes a good base for hiking and gives a feel for rural life in the Rhodopes. The easiest way to get there is on the daily bus (at 5.30pm) from Lâki , 20km north. One of the best hikes from Manastir is to Progled , a trip which can be done in 5–6 hours, but is far nicer stretched out with an overnight stay at a hiking chalet; you'll need map #4 in the BTS Rhodopi series. … more »