The Rhodopi Mountains (or the Rhodops) sit in the South of Bulgaria, forming a border with Greece. It has a rich history which has resulted in a unique culture. You will find local costumes, bagpipe music, fantastic salads and Rakia (the national drink – a strong, clear spirit reputed not to give you a hangover). Although Bulgaria is in general very predominantly Orthodox Christian, the Rhodops are roughly evenly split between Christians and Muslims - living side by side in exemplary harmony – so you will find at least one church and mosque in every town.
Things to See
From a tourism perspective they are best known for their skiing potential, but actually there is much to see in any season, and the climate is cooler and fresher in summer than the Greek or Bulgarian lowlands. There are many caves and gorges to be seen, and you do not have go far off the beaten track to feel that you have gone back in time. There are pretty villages (like Shiroka Laka), and if you are interested you can trace the architecture and development from pre-soviet times, through the frankly Stalinist architecture that still exists, through to the modern sympathetic return to the traditional styles. There are beautiful mountains, valleys and streams; some of what you see is tumbledown and neglected, some seems to have been unchanged since the beginning of time – it is all part of the charm. There are interesting and unusual museums (like the unique Museum of Speleology in Chepelare), spectacular ruined fortresses and impressive monasteries..
Getting Around
There are public buses, and taxis are cheap, too. Roads are pretty well-maintained (even some dirt tracks are quite passable in a rental car – but beware, some would challenge even a 4x4 enthusiast). There are also well-defined tracks through the mountains for walkers, or mountain bikers. The Cyrillic alphabet is a navigational challenge – you might want a Roman alphabet map for yourself, but road signs are mostly in Cyrillic, and if you want to ask directions, the person you ask will probably need the Cyrillic version! Travelling alone is an unadventure, but it is not dangerous in our experience – just allow more time!
