In May, the municipality of Troyan reported strong tourist presence. Judging by the reservations, an even greater influx of tourists is expected in the coming months, Daria Zarichinova - a representative of the Regional Tourist Association Tour Club Remark, has told Radio Bulgaria. According to her, the pandemic has changed the attitudes of travelers:

"We have reached to this conclusion based on our participation in all major tourism exhibitions in Bulgaria. Years ago, people were looking for more comfort and mostly asked us about the conditions in hotels, but these days tourists first ask about the hiking trails, the sights and the cultural events. More and more tourists come here mainly because of the mountains as they choose active recreation in nature."

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The Troyan Balkans is a magnet for nature lovers and adventurers. In addition, one can perfectly combine mountain hiking with water sports.

"Fans of water sports could visit the Sopot dam near the village of Golyama Zhelyazna. There are water bikes, kayaks and other equipment at their disposal. They can enjoy nature and be active during their vacation. They can row, fish, or have a walk near the dam," Daria Zarichinova says.

The pools at the local hotels and guesthouses also offer an alternative to a sea vacation. The nearby village of Shipkovo and the resort of Chiflik are famous for their hot mineral water springs and offer various spa services. One can also take a walk in the brand new forest park "Turlata" located in the town of Troyan. It has an arboretum and a children's playground. While visiting the National Exhibition of Arts and Crafts in the village of Oreshak, everyone can sit on the potter's wheel and try their skills in the ancient craft.

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There is another advantage of choosing the Bulgarian mountains over overcrowded seaside resorts this summer. In the past 3 months, in the backdrop of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, prices at Black Sea coast jumped between 20 and 30%. However, a mountain vacation can be a bit more budget-friendly:

"There has been a price rise, but it is definitely not drastic, especially in hotels and guesthouses. In general, I can say that the rise is about 10%. The situation with restaurants is a bit different because of the drastic rise in the price of food. The average rise in restaurant prices now is about 20 percent.”

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This summer the municipality of Troyan also relies on event tourism to attract more guests and entertain them.

In 2022, the Crafts Museum downtown Troyan celebrates its 60th anniversary with a rich cultural program. On July 1 and July 2 citizens and guests will welcome July Morning with the traditional festival "Rock at the Heart of the Balkan", when favorite Bulgarian bands will perform on stage in the town.

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Photos: Veneta Nikolova

English version: Al. Markov