| Since the return of democracy to Bulgaria in | | | | leading Bulgarian ski-resorts, Borovets and |
| 1989, one of the most significant | | | | Pamporovo. Borovets is the oldest winter |
| developments has been in the sphere of | | | | resort, founded by Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand |
| tourism and, parallel to it, a rapidly | | | | in 1896 and is closer to Sofia, near Samokov, |
| growing interest in realizing hitherto | | | | to the north of the Rila mountains. |
| unsuspected possibilities for foreign | | | | Pamporovo is a modern purpose-built |
| investments in real estate. The length of | | | | ski-resort in the Western Rhodope mountain |
| the Black Sea coastline, well-known in the | | | | range, where they are getting everything |
| 1960s and 1970s as the holiday playground of | | | | ready for a unique sports experience. |
| Bulgarians and the citizens of other Soviet | | | | Bulgarians are hoping it will impress the |
| bloc countries, has undergone a massive | | | | world skiing community with the high |
| transformation into one of the most | | | | standards of sports and tourist |
| attractive talked-about destinations for | | | | installations. The conditions for skiing |
| European tourists. It has been characterized | | | | are among the best in the Balkans. 17 |
| enthusiastically as a second Costa Brava.Many | | | | ski-tracks with a total length of 65km cater |
| visitors, after their first unforgettable | | | | for skiers and snowboarders of every level of |
| vacation, came back, this time looking to | | | | skill, from basic beginners to the very |
| invest in new seaside apartments built | | | | advanced. The Gondola ski-lift terminal is |
| off-plan in astoundingly beautiful new | | | | opposite the 5-star Kempinski Hotel. By |
| property developments at incredibly low | | | | 2006, to cater for the increasingly high |
| prices. Add to this the accession of | | | | expectations of affluent winter-sports |
| Bulgaria as a full EU member state in 2007 | | | | lovers, more than 6000 apartments are being |
| and you understand immediately that the | | | | built in new construction meeting the highest |
| prospects are unusually attractive. The | | | | international standards. Each of the |
| renaissance in summer tourism on the Black | | | | developments has its own characteristic name, |
| Sea coast is complimented by the discovery by | | | | indicative of the way local Bulgarian |
| winter sports lovers of the excellent | | | | architectural tradition is married with |
| facilities and almost unexploited | | | | modern developments, where attention has been |
| possibilities of Bulgarian ski-resorts. | | | | given to detail. Beyond any doubt, the |
| Already prominent on the European - and even | | | | special attraction of these properties in |
| global! -Ski-lovers list are resorts like | | | | Bansko is the low cost, matched by equally |
| Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. Sofia, the | | | | high quality.In addition, Bansko has an |
| elegant capital of the Bulgarian Republic, is | | | | excellent 18-hole Golf Course and the route |
| minutes away from the densely forested slopes | | | | infrastructure in the area has been |
| of Mount Vitosha, the pride and recreation | | | | significantly upgraded to enhance access to |
| ground of the local inhabitants. In the last | | | | the other tourist attractions of the |
| 10 years, the national capital has been | | | | surrounding region. Discussions are underway |
| transformed into an international business | | | | at Government level for the construction of |
| centre with a cosmopolitan character.All this | | | | an airport, capable of accommodating |
| in turn has created the hugely increased | | | | international flights.Pamporovo opens up like |
| interest of European and especially British | | | | an Alpine resort, along the scenic valley |
| and Irish, investors in a number of highly | | | | route from Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city, |
| attractive new, "off-plan" Property | | | | to Smolyan and the newly-opened border point |
| developments, particularly in these hitherto | | | | with Northern Greece. In the shadow of Mount |
| unknown Bulgarian resorts, whose potential is | | | | Snezhanka (1926 metres), it is Europe's |
| just now being truly appreciated.Bansko, | | | | southernmost ski-resort, with sunshine for at |
| about 160 km south of Sofia and 250km from | | | | least three quarters of the year, but also |
| the Northern Greek metropolis of | | | | very agreeable temperatures, guaranteeing |
| Thessaloniki, has been called the Gateway to | | | | ideal skiing conditions for the duration of |
| the Pirin Mountains. In fact, the entire | | | | the season from December to April. Created |
| region has been designated the Pirin National | | | | around three main skiing areas, with 25 |
| Park. The pretty and historic market town of | | | | designated slopes, Pamporovo is the perfect |
| Bansko, a notable centre of regional commerce | | | | choice for the winter sports enthusiast, |
| from the 18th and 19th centuries, forms the | | | | whatever may be his or her degree of |
| vibrant heart of this new resort with global | | | | proficiency. There are also experienced |
| ambitions. Now you can see, side by side, | | | | instructors to guide learners and |
| historic monuments and new 5-star hotels, | | | | children.During the summer season, Pamporovo |
| attractive traditional residences and | | | | becomes the ideal base for mountain-walking |
| state-of-the-art property developments. The | | | | and environmental tourism. It's a year-round |
| variety of clubs and pubs and places of | | | | centre for healthy, energetic relaxation. |
| entertainment for all tastes will impress | | | | Several brand new 5-star hotels assure |
| vacationers. Bansko, furthermore, is a | | | | top-notch accommodations, quality |
| major venue, in the strong Bulgarian bid for | | | | entertainment and excellent nightlife, but |
| the Winter Olympic Games in 2014, together | | | | also provide gym, swimming and sauna |
| with the capital Sofia and the other two | | | | facilities. |