43.08 Bulgaria: Out and About in the Rhodope Mountains, remote and essential to experience...blog sometimes light, on other occasions, serious.
In the most mountainous region in Bulgaria, crossing into Greece, sits the Rhodope Mountain range. It's not the highest but it brings about a tranquility to the region, to those who live here and others who visit. Whereas the mountains of Pirin and Rila are higher, tougher and harsher (though fantastic), these are lesser icons. Many small towns and villages dot the landscape. It is not easy to reach these towns—a person does not enter a freeway and speed toward the destination. Rather, one negotiates the narrow roads, elements, local drivers, weather and then arrives and chooses a place to stay for a while. The idea is not to flit in-and-out. Far more intelligent, time allowing, to select a well-positioned town and use it as a base to explore this unique region during the day. Night-life is unknown to us—we're too tired by then. Weather permitting, there are great hikes, sights, historic markers and many other places to visit. ( Continues at end... ) 'Okay, Jen, enoug...