09 Dec 2020
The older you are the more experienced you get. Balkan Holidays has 56 years of experience in operating the best summer holidays to Bulgaria, and has a range of holidays, Spice of Life for the mature traveller, over the age of 50.
These holidays offer extra activities to help make your time away more special and memorable. Spice of Life packages contain free extras, such as sightseeing and walking tours, use of jacuzzi, folk shows, Bulgarian cuisine evenings and farewell parties. These extras differ by hotel, so check our Spice of Life website for more details.
Spice of Life packages are available in three resorts:
27 Feb 2020
Baba Marta is known as 'Grandma March Day' and is a holiday celebrated in Bulgaria on the 1st day of March. Bulgarians wear an item called a Martenitsa, usually in the form of a wrist band which is woven by binding red and white coloured threads together. The Martenitsa are not only worn on the day to celebrate the holiday but also through the month of March until a stork or a bloomed tree is seen which symbolises warmer weather and good health. The greeting exchanged by Bulgarian's on this day is Chestita Baba Marta (Happy Baba Marta).
There are many different beliefs and opinions (even several legends, involving real
01 Jan 2020
We're pleased to announce Sunny Beach remains Europe's Best Bargain says Post Office Travel Money Report.
Bulgaria's popular Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach has retained the number one spot as the cheapest summer holiday destination according to new research carried out by Post Office Travel Money.
Famous for its clean seawater and golden Blue Flag awarded 8km stretch of beach, Sunny Beach has been attracting holidaymakers from the UK for over half a century as they seek a great value beach resort offering all the necessities for a memorable summer break.
In the latest Holiday Costs Barometer, which is released annually, the value
11 Dec 2019
Research conducted last year by leading experts at a Finnish University and presented to the congress at ITB Berlin proved that those who take holidays are not only healthier but also happier.
Doctor Jessica de Blum conducted the research to determine to what extent holidays have a positive impact on people’s health and well-being. Doctor de Blum discovered in her conclusions that not only do holidays have a beneficial impact on our health, but they also make us happier. According to the results, related to the experiences and personal happiness of groups monitored over a period of time, those who spent their money on concerts, family
10 Dec 2019
Once again the Eastern European resorts of Bulgaria have dominated the cheapest ski destinations in Europe report with both Borovets and Bansko taking the top spots, offering consumers the best value for their money this winter. This welcoming news was announced in the recent Post Office Ski Resort Report which compiles data from leading ski resorts around the continent to put together a comprehensive report detailing which destinations provide the best choice available to clients.
The report found Borovets cheapest when it came to a complete ski package including a six-day ski pass and ski/boot hire for one person, together with ski
22 Nov 2019
With increased capacity out of East Midlands and Newcastle this Winter, more guests can take advantage of Balkan Holidays’ ‘City and Ski’ option.
Those flying home to Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester and Newcastle can spend their final day in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Sofia is Bulgaria’s bustling, cosmopolitan capital and a compact and characterful place. It is young, lively and appealing, with numerous bars and cafes. Churches, treasure-filled museums, art galleries and leafy parks could keep visitors busy for a week. Once checked out of their ski resort, Balkan Holidays guests will be driven the couple of hours by coach
21 Oct 2019
Great decision, you want to return to the slopes! With Balkan there is a loyalty bonus of 5%, so you’re already saving.
Our advice for year two is to lower your expectations of what you learned last time, and take it slowly. Definitely prepare by getting fit (see our previous blog article). It’s a good idea to keep a Trello.com list of ‘stuff you’ll need’ for each day to help you avoid forgetting anything.
Lessons are great at any level, especially if you are unfamiliar with the resort you’ve chosen. You’ll get to know the slopes in safe company and then have spare time to explore your favourites.
You may want to
16 Oct 2019
Preparation for a ski/board trip is key. This is especially true if you are a beginner, as there will be many falls (on soft snow!), and lots of physical demands, such as carrying skis. So, to get most enjoyment out of your trip, the best advice is to prepare your body for a week on the slopes.
One of the key challenges is the strain put on your thighs as you ski. After a day many will find their legs complaining and shaking, and you can avoid this by being prepared. Core stability is also key, for balance, for a good ski posture, and to get up when you fall.
As with all sport, warming up and stretching at the end of the day are
08 Oct 2019
Your choice of ski destinations is vast, from Japan to Scotland, from New Zealand to Lebanon. (According to Wikipedia, a Lebanese engineering student returning from studying in Switzerland brought back the sport of skiing in the early twentieth century.)
Why choose the Balkans?
What Bulgaria offers is unique. It’s a down-to-earth, fun and great value ski/board destination. Many are sceptical, then return year after year, having fallen in love with the place.
It’s the ideal place to learn to ski, everything is easy and straightforward and you are not competing for slope time with many advanced skiers. There is a warm welcome from
01 Oct 2019
The first thing to do is to get your trip booked well ahead of time to give you plenty of time to get ready. Here are our top ten things to thing about:
1. UK indoor ski slopes
It’s very worthwhile to book lessons at an indoor slope. There are different sorts of slopes, from very old and decrepit to new and pristine.
Highly recommended is a trip to a ‘real snow’ slope, where snow is made and the temperature is kept low.
It makes a fun day out, especially as often you’ll find the slopes positioned close to shops, cinemas and restaurants. It is possible to get a feel for skiing in one day, but many slopes
