Dobrinishte Infrastructure receives investment from Bansko

Dobrinishte to receive BGN 600,000

The recent report by stroitelstvo.info that the "Streets and the main square in Dobrinishte will be rehabilitated, BGN 600,000 will be invested by Bansko municipality in infrastructure projects in the area. The perspectives for development of Dobrinishte as a spa and mountain ski resort put forward the issues for the access roads to the town and the need of public works."

"The improvement of the public infrastructure is one of the priorities of the local administration said mayor Nikola Sakarev. A project for rehabilitation of the water supply infrastructure is also under preparation. Reconstruction of the network started with the change of the pipes in three of the streets in town. The central square is to be renovated too as well as the park and the green zones. The town is searching for new means to attract tourists and visitors."

Dobrinishte revisited

I don't like commenting on news until it becomes fact, but when I tackled the bumpy road from Dobrinishte town to the Bezbog chair lift on a recent Sunday, it was clear to see work has started in upgrading this road. This is a good thing, and will encourage more people to explore this great section of the Pirin range.

My visit revealed music and dancing on a Sunday afternoon with a large crowd of probably 500 locals mainly families enjoying the fresh mountain air, some camping, many having barbeques. After making a fool of myself queuing up for a kebabche only be told this was the private feast for the family supporters of the motorbike / motocross lads. The short stroll to a commercial cafe saw the £1 including beer meal - and good too.

Why Dobrinishte?

Well last year I visited Natasha of Bamro to check out the development she was building there. Whilst I haven't had the chance to go and take a look in person since, the pictures on her web site look great, and I also hear her property management services are of the highest quality. Her villas are in a most perfect setting and, with plans already in motion to put in 25km of ski pistes,

Dobrinishte will make for a great year round alternative place to stay from Bansko. In winter you will need to travel the 10 minutes to the Bansko gondola lift, but when new lifts and pistes are in place, Dobrinishte will attract more tourists who may well wish to stay in the apartments and villas being built up close by.

Have you hired a 4x4 before? If not, you will need one in winter to get up the track to the bezbog chair lift. I hear the effort is worth it: note to selk to go ski this piste in December. Check out car hire companies with 4x4 in the getting there post.

Mountain Biking

From what I could see, and have subsequently been told, is an adrenaline filled mountain bike downhill from the top of the Bezbog chair lift. Keep tuned for my exploits soon, as I hope to check out some routes and maybe compile a rough guide to mountain biking in the Pirin and Rila areas.

Anyhow, my point is that mountain biking in Dobrinishte and Bansko and on the Pirin and Rila mountains is set for a huge growth in popularity. Mountain biking has been on the up everywhere and , like golfers, mountain bikers like to take trips abroad to try new routes and to activity to their vacations.

So, if you are an owner of an apartment in Bansko, you may find that people ask where they can store their mountain bike and, if they do not bring their own, where they can hire quality mountain bikes.

Don't worry however, I'm looking for some help getting a guide together on not just mountain bike hire, but some quality routes with maps progress. If anyone can help with this task, then please let me know. If you have ridden the mountain please can you comment? Any experience, good or bad, on mountain biking in the Pirin. is sought. Thank you.

Finally, for those mountain biking enthusiasts looking to bring their own bike, then secure underground storage is what you will be after. Pleased to say many apartments, like Mountain Residence 3, have an underground garage.

Make sure the garage is secure by, not only a locked automatic gate before the ramp, but also on the actual entrance to the garage.

Dobrinishte Swimming Pool

This year now its all finished - the pool looked fabulous, very warm from Dobrinishte's own hot mineral water. A great place to go and sunbathe, and for children to have a perfect day. If you are over for the Bansko Jazz Festival in 2009, then be sure to take a trip there.

Bansko Budget Skiing Tips

OK, so budget skiing will be all the rage this year - what with the pound at below €1.3. So what do I need to do to save money? Here are my top tips:

1/ Before looking at Bansko, you may be unsure about Bansko being able to deliver the goods, then you may not know that the Guardian newspaper placed Bansko as the number one budget ski destination.

2/ Many beginners, or those new to skiing, may be a little nervous going for a diy ski holiday. By this I mean you book flights, transfer and accommodation separately. However many apartment owners, including those on here, have local representation that will pick you up from Sofia airport, show you your Bansko apartment and answer all your ski and accommodation questions. So before you leave you can have transfer, lessons, ski hire, left pass all sorted.

3/ If you can book a flight online and send a few emails the job is done. The savings on Bansko accommodation by going direct with owner are illustrated here when booking at Mountain Residence 3. Saving over £100 per person is easily achievable and often a lot more.

4/ Evaluate all the costs of going skiing: ski/board hire, lessons, lift pass, food, nightlife and quality of accommodation. Some of these you can save money see section on supermarkets
So a ski holiday in Bansko does not require a package tour. If its your first time you will have all the information for a successful holiday and a a few clicks on this site and you will probably be better equipped on info than you think.

5/ So whilst you have already made great savings by booking an apartment direct remember that other savings are yours for the taking whilst you are here in Bansko that apply in any resort, like taking your own sandwich for lunch as prices on the mountain are generally more expensive than the town and like being careful to check out meter rate when taking taxis.

6/ If you are going a period greater (or less than 6 days skiing) or just fancy a relaxing morning on a long weekend, think about buying a half day pass for skiing after 1:00pm.

7/ Get some friends together, you'll save on transfer costs and also accommodation costs. A two bedroom apartment is cheaper than a one bedroom apartment on a per head basis. If there's a big group of you then ask for a discount if you take two apartments.

8/ Take just hand luggage for a long weekend. You're quicker through the airport and as, apart from Bulgaria Air and British Airways, the rest are charging you for check in luggage.

9/ Eat in. Read my blog post here which gives ideas for cheaper shopping. My Bansko curry recipe will be in newsletter soon!

10/ Take a taxi to Dobrinishte, Razlog or Banya. Restaurants over half the price and an excellent meal with wine, beer, coffee is to be had for 10 levs (about £4) per head.

and my bonus tip number 11 is to subscribe to my newsletter which will bring you regular news, views, apartment to rent reviews, hotel reviews, money saving tip plus my thoughts relating to restaurants, bars, clubs, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding in Bansko. Subscribers get 5% discount on the already low cost Bansko apartment rental prices.