Here in Sozopol, there is an end to the season feel as the days become shorter. So I am preparing for the launch of a special subscriber only pre book ski hire and ski lessons deal. The launch offer is on 1st October. Just for just a few days only.

The successful, tried and tested formula of friendly and smiling service from Georgi and his team at BanskoSkiMania remains the same. Check out the video interview where George gives some useful tips on what to look out for when choosing ski hire and ski school: http://banskoblog.com/2010/03/ski-rental-hire-banskoskimania/ and more comments from blog readers. If you’re not already registered, please do so today and, you’ll receive the subscriber only offer. You’ll also be the first to hear of Bansko snow forecasts, and articles, ranging from ski and snowboard gear, to events and new bar and restaurant reviews.

Many foreign visitors to Bansko would not consider the Bulgaria’s Black Sea for their summer holidays due to a reputation of over construction and mass tourism. However there are still many areas that are well worthwhile trying. One such place is Sozopol, and specifically Santa Marina holiday village. Low rise traditionally styled buildings in lush gardens situated just above a wide bay with child friendly shallow waters is where I have taken a rest this week and is where the video above was taken.

I queued for a while in Sozopol’s Church to take a look at bones reputedly to be those of St John The Baptist. These bones were recently excavated off a small island off Sozopol. The Daily Telegraph’s report cast some doubt on the exact authenticity of these bones… but the the special reverence these bones held to the faithful in the small church in Sozopol, was real enough.

The Sofia Echo, http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=118869, also reported: “…excavations on St Ivan island, the largest of five Bulgarian islands in the Black Sea, discovered artifacts and exquisite marble reliquary incorporated into the church’s altar, the historian Bozhidar Dimitrov, director of the National History Museum and minister without portfolio in charge of Bulgarians abroad, told Focus news agency.

It was subsequently revealed that the archaeologists found an exquisite reliquary – a relic urn – built in the altar of an ancient church bearing the name of St. John the Baptist. The urn, which was opened on August 1, contained small bones from the arm and leg of the saint, the archaeologists told Bulgarian media.

The reliquary was shaped as a sarcophagus and was discovered by the team of Prof. Kazimir Popkonstantinov. He said that it was very likely for the reliquary to contain relics of John the Baptist….

Black Sea

Sozopol Bay, Black Sea. Sunset -- 3rd September 2010


…St. Ivan is the largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea, with an area of 0.66 square kilometres, just off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast near Sozopol, a town rich in history and a popular tourist destination…”

Tip Of The Day:  Book A Trip To Plovdiv with Ryanair. Plovdiv makes for a really pleasant city break with its old town, Roman amphitheatre and car free centre. Come in winter ski season, and you’re just 2.5 hours from Bansko.  Makes it an interesting alternative for a Bansko transfer.

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You don’t have to wait for the ski season to come to Bulgaria. Recently, it seems a lot of visitors of all ages and tastes have been attracted to different parts of the country by interesting music events. Reportedly, Johny Depp is one of them, too.

Bansko Jazz Festival

Anyone who happened to be in Bansko from 7 to 13 of August must have had an incredible time. This is the time of the Bansko Jazz Festival, which has become one of the most significant musical events in the region. This year was the 13th edition of the festival.  It did not disappoint its fans and again offered unforgettable performance by Bulgarian and international musicians.

Every day had its own highlights, let me just mention famous British jazz band Incognito, No Square Quartet from France, Israeli Tango Project, among others.  The festival closing night was spectacular – piano genius Axel Zwingenberger playing together with one of the jazz history makers – Beny Golson. Among all the good Bulgarian musicians who played there, I really have to mention world-famous Ialdaz Ibrahimova and Milcho Leviev.

And the headliner of this year’s edition – the man declared to be the best soul singer of all times – Grammy-award winning Solomon Burke himself came to Bansko for an amazing concert. The audience was fascinated not only by his performance, but also by his friendly and natural behavior – one hundred lucky ladies from the audience received red roses from him.

I’m sure even if you’re not a jazz fan, you would have been happy to get away from the heat elsewhere and enjoy the lively atmosphere in the cool mountain town during the Jazz Festival week. Consider it early enough for next year.

For more, read The Doctor Says it All.

The Spirit of Bourgas

Your taste for music could have taken you to the other side of Bulgaria – on the sunny Black Sea coast for another major event this August – the Spirit of Bourgas festival, which was listed among the 20 Top Music festivals in Europe by “The Times”. This is a unique three-day rock festival with several stages along the beach that synchronously have performers of all kinds of genres. This year it was held from 13th till 15th August and ‘The Prodigy’ were the stars of the first night. Rumour has it that famous actor Johnny Depp was one of Prodigy’s VIP guests.

Other highlights were Serj Tankian, Gorillaz sound system, UNKLE, Apollo 440 and many famous DJs.

At the same time, nearby Sunny Beach resort had its event as well:

Solar Summer Festival 2010

This event caters to the club fans, with Richie Hawtin, Fat Boy Slim, Armin Van Buuren, Mark Knight and Victor Calderone playing this year on Cacao beach.

Kavarna Rock Fest

Hard-rock fans know their way already – the town of Kavarna near Varna on the north coast of the Black Sea has become known for its mayor, keen rock fan himself, who invites rock legends to perform there.  For the fifth year, Kavarna hosted its Rock Festival from 23 to 25 of July. Let me mention just some of the names that played on stage this year and the fans will know what it is all about: Destruction, Sodom, Kreator, Annihilator, Accept.

All the above festivals attract visitors from Romania, Greece, Serbia and UK. Only the Bansko Jazz festival is free.

In addition was a whole pleiad of stars who performed in Bulgaria this year, among which Sir Elton John, Bob Dylan, Morcheeba, Metallica, Rammstein, Massive Attack, AC/DC.

You have enough time to plan your destination for next summer. Follow your taste for music. There are airports in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Bourgas with cheap flights (only if you book well in advance).

In the meantime, if you consider a getaway in September or October, have in mind the following events lined up in Bulgaria:

Nigel Kennedy – the world-famous British violinist will be playing on 1 September in Plovdiv. Mind that he will be performing on the stage of the centuries-old Roman Amphitheatre, which will inevitably add to the experience.

Placebo – this band from London will be playing on 13 September in Sofia.

Scorpions – coming to Bulgaria as part of their swansong world tour, 9 October in Sofia.

Julio Iglesisas – the legend will be having a concert in Varna on 11 October and then in Sofia on 12 October.

There is a week of arts called Apolonia, traditionally held in the town of Sozopol (some 30 km from Bourgas). It will be from 28 August to 5 September this year. Although usually having mostly Bulgarian singers and plays, this event is definitely worth immersing into. The festival attracts the whole art elite of Bulgaria and gives a special bohemian atmosphere to the old seaside town.

Even if none of the above events is enticing you into coming to Bulgaria, let me tell you that usually autumn in Bulgaria is long, warm and colourful and sometimes goes on till November. I intend to enjoy it

TIP OF THE DAY:  Book you Ryanair flight to Plovdiv I guarantee you will love Plovdiv and whilst its around 3.5 hours to Bansko it makes a perfect city and ski break trip.

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Tsvetana Pironkova From Plovdiv: The Next Famous Bulgarian?

June 29, 2010

Share Tsvetana Pironkova, from Bulgaria, beat Venus Williams at Wimbledon today. The 22 year old Pironkova was on fine form. For tennis fans, the signs were good for her before Wimbledon after she beat fifth-seeded, and former Olympic champion, Russia’s Elena’s Dementieva. But her Wimbledon result is more than tennis, it’s a little like the [...]

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Read the full article →

Bansko Jazz Festival Programme 2010: The Doctor Reveals All

June 24, 2010

Share The Bansko Jazz Festival 2010 runs from 8th August to 13th August. So, as keen as mustard, I attended the media and press launch of the Bansko Internaional Jazz Festival 2010 programme at Sofia’s BTV building. The legendary festival organiser, Dr Emil Iliev, spoke about this year’s event and the programme of international musicians. [...]

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YouTube Video: It’s Serious Fun For Travel Bloggers

April 12, 2010

My in depth guide on the power of video and YouTube content for my travel blog on Bansko in Bulgaria. Tips applicable for all websites. Latest Google developments and YouTube optimisation techniques.

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Weather Forecast: End Of Ski Season Video

April 7, 2010

Share As the Bansko ski season comes to end, the snow on Monday made for excellent ski conditions higher up yesterday — and today they are good too. With lower temperatures, it’s looking reasonably okay until the end of the last day of the ski season, which is on Sunday 11th April. It’s a fine [...]

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Bansko’s Hot Spring Turns To Snow: Snow Forecast

March 28, 2010

Share Weather proved its spectacular display of changeability today. Yesterday Saturday 27th March will be remembered as the most wonderfully warm Spring day, with sunshine so hot the were sunbathing around the pool outside the Kempinski Hotel. It was so hot we put up the umbrella for shade. Snow was melting but everyone was happy. [...]

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