Elena (spa town)

In the town of Elena you will submerge into the romantic atmosphere of talented wood carvers and builders. You will get closer to Bulgarian traditions and customs in a typical folklore atmosphere. Elena region is a heaven for the fans of country and eco tourism. Here you will find a combination of magnificent nature, preserved Bulgarian traditionism, customs and rich historical heritage. There is something for everyone's taste. The nineteenth-century National Revival town of Elena is located 37 km southeast of Veliko Tarnovo. During the centuries under the Ottoman power the Turks used the town's population to guard the local mountain passes, giving them a measure of autonomy in return, so painters and woodcarvers of nineteenth-century Elena were able to decorate the churches of the surrounding countryside, and patriotic local merchants could finance the restoration of nearby monasteries like Kapinovo. Although Elena has not been renovated to the same extent as other National Revival towns, the core of nineteenth-century structures grouped around the hilltop church makes a visit here more than worthwhile. The town has a rich common, historical and architectural heritage. The following are parts of it: the clock tower from 1812, the Pope Nicholov's house built around 1830, Kamborov Khan, Rasukanovite houses - featuring five houses under one roof, the church "St. Nicholay" from the beginning of 16th century that is digged into the ground because its construction was on the sly; the churches of Uspenie Bogorodichno (The Holy Mother) and Rojdestvo Bogorodichno (Virgin Mary's Birth), the house of Jordan Hadjipektov in which you can find a picture gallery with а rich collection of highly esteemed old icons. Further information can be found under the tab "Elena" and in the Calendar of the bulgarian holidays and cultural events.

Leisure Time Activities

In the monasteries of Plakovo, Kilifarevo, Kapinovo - keepers of Bulgarian spirit - you will get acquainted with the interesting history of the region. For the fans of hiking and mountain tourism there are numerous picturesque eco tracks and tourist routes that reveal the natural beauties of Stara planina mountain. The ski tracks and infrastructure at Chumerna peak offer opportunities for practicing winter sports. The ski tracks there are 750 meters long, “dish”-type, and rope-lines. At Chumerna you can get ski-equipment for rent. Small ski-tracks are build nearby Bukovets hostel, Ushite and other villages in the surroundings of Elena.
Elena municipality manages lots of sports and tourist facilities and equipments. Adventurers are given the opportunity of mountaineering near Bukovets hostel/ or in a hall in secondary school “Ivan Momchilov”. In Elena you will find swimming pools with a childrens`s pool. Nearby is a possibility to use the city stadium with a racing-track, volleyball playground, football field, tennis court etc. Close to the stadium is a gym for training martial arts - Graeco-Roman style, free-style wrestling, judo, sambo, weightlifting, body building and a sauna for relaxation. In the centre of the town is a combined field for basketball and small-goal soccer. Another sports complex is in the secondary school “Ivan Momchilov” with a football field, sports field, hall with artificial wall for mountaineering and an indoor swimming pool. For non-physical recreation Elena itself as well as the environment atracts with numerous localities, such as: open-air and in house cinema, reading room, museums, memorial monuments, bars, restaurants and taverns with live music, cafes, pubs, clubs, discotheques, amusement arcades, motor course, play grounds etc....Balkan-Holiday recommends to visit cafe and bar "VIA VITA".

Fishing

Admirers of fishing can practice their favorite hobby on the Yovkovtsi lake dam 300 m in front of the house and can as well go fishing in nearby clear rivers like the "Veselina". Fishermen will discover here a fishing paradise: small hidden bays, shallow and deep water plus edges on the shore of the lake dam. In the about 92 180 000 m³ water containing lake dam you will find almost all kinds of European freshwater fish. The lake dam is rich in carp, pike, perch, roach, wels catfish and many other kinds of fish. The lake dam has been built in the 1970`s at the river "Veselina" . The lake dam is located in the territory of Elena municipality and supplies water to Veliko Tarnovo, Gorna Oryahovica, Lyaskovec, Strajica, Zlatarica, Elena, Gabrovo and Dryanovo. All you need is a fishing license, which you can receive easily in Elena for a very small fee and a passport photograph. The licence is valid for one year and will be granted without administrative barriers. Hail Peter!

Value for money in Bulgaria & Travel modalities

Bulgaria is not only becoming that popular the last years because of its breathtaking nature - clever ones have discovered Bulgaria for its excellent value for money. For instance in the region of Elena one could spend a stay at a restaurant or tavern sometimes with traditional music for just 20 € with good meals and drinks - and this is the price for two persons. Currently one litre gasoline is about 20% cheaper. Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007 - all you need is a valid Passport or ID. Hunters must contact the authorities before immigration.

For a fee of 15 € (refunded on booking) you can get a DVD
that informs you about Bulgaria and its opportunities as well as many travel tips.

Image "CONTACT" © by BALKAN-HOLIDAY