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Sopot
This small town is situated 5 km west of Karlovo. There are many shops, cafes, restuarants and historical landmarks.
To the northwest of the town at the foot of Stara Planina mountain is the St. Spas Monastery. The area is fantastic for walking and mountain biking. There are a couple a cafes and a childrens play area.
It is also the base for Skynomad paragliding centre which held the 2005 world paragliding cup.
Not far from here is the chairlift which takes you to the Nezabravka chalet and paragliding take off point with spectacular views across the valley and mountains beyond.
Skynomad
Horse Riding Centre
Hostel Bogdan is located in the village of the same name, approx.12 kms from Karlovo. There are horses availbale for beginners up to advanced riders. Accomodation is also available.
Wine Tasting and Restaurant
The Chateau Copsa was opened in 2008. Situated close to the villages of Moscovets, Bogdan and Karavelovo and only 10 kms from Karlovo.
The chateau offers gourmet cuisine, wonderful red wines from all over the world, wine tasting and situated in the midst of the vineyard with stunning views to the Stara Planina mountain and the Sredna Gora hills.
Lake Koprinka
This beautiful vast lake is situated off the main Sofia Bourgas highway east of Karlovo. It is very popular for fishing and perfect for walking. At the eastern end is a hotel restaurant on the banks of the lake.
Uzana Ski Resort and Etar Ethnographic open air museum
This beautiful resort is situated 22km from Gabrovo.
Set in the stunning landscape of the Stara Planina Mountain range, surrounded by venerable oak forests and wildlife of the ‘Bulgarka’ natural park. The Uzana hut is the starting point of many mountain routes including the summits of Shipka and Buzludja and is part of the international walkway highway leading to the Black sea coast.
The resort offers snow sports, mountain and ecological tourism in a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. It is a year round destination, the summer months offering walking, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, camping and the winter months snow sports, snowmobiles, horse sleigh rides, skiing, snowboarding. The surrounding sites of Uzana are suitable for rock climbing and spaleology. There are many hotels and chalets to choose from offering excellent amenities, bed and breakfast, half board, restaurants, cafes, ski equipment rental and amenities within the resort include, bike rental, swimming pools, volleyball, billiards, table tennis, souvenir shops, ski rental plus many others.
The resort is situated 1300 m above sea level. The total length of the pistes are 3km, a professional run at 1300m long equipped with Pomagalski drag with 7 – 8 other pistes for beginners. The ski season starts from mid December to the beginning of April.
The local authorities are planning a project to develop the resort by enlarging the existing base of hotels, huts and camping with the construction of new sports facilities, football ground, tennis courts, new pistes, mini golf and 2 new horse bases.
Close to the resort are many places of interest to visit. Shipka church with it’s beautiful and stunning gold domes is located at the bottom of Shipka pass. Sokolski monastery and the open air ethnographic Etar museum, a working museum showing the old ways of the Bulgarian people, traditional houses and Bulgarian crafts are only a few kms away.
Restaurants
There are many restaurants in and around Karlovo.
The Happy Crossroad Restaurant can be found next to the Shell Petrol station on the main road, Sofia to Burgas. The restaurant was new for 2008, beautiful wooden traditional interior, gorgeous food and live entertainment at the weekends.
The restaurant in the Hotel Almond is highly recommended and is located above the town of Karlovo. Excellent service, great food and wide variety of wines to choose from.
Leaving Karlovo heading east, just past the village of Vasil Levski is the Fish Restaurant. Eat in or out for fresh fish, sea fish, meat and salads dishes. If you would like to cook at home, choose your own trout to treat your family and friends to a BBQ.
In the village of Sokolitsa is the Hotel Yeav with excellent restaurant, set in landscaped gardens with swimming pool. Every Friday is Karaoke night. Soon to open is the newly built spa centre. More information to follow.
Close to the centre of Karlovo is the restaurant Tarzan. Live music, excellent food and service with a friendly atmosphere. The sister restaurant to Tarzan is in the 20th July square in the centre of Karlovo, between Hotel Shterev and Dahad Bar.
Spa resorts
This region is dotted with Spa resorts, Pavel Banya, Hissarya and Banya to name but a few. The mineral waters in these resorts are said to have healing properties with excellent results for arthritis sufferers and gynecological conditions, also good healing results on joint diseases. The complexes provide various therapies including reflexology and massage. Hissar also has many archeological and historical sites, parks and gardens. People worldwide and from Bulgaria visit the spa resorts for treatments and to swim in the mineral water swimming pools. There are many hotels, guest houses, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Sightseeing
Hiking trails, museums, art galleries, monasteries, churches,Thracian tombs, wineries, archaeological sites, parks and gardens, swimming pools, mountain villages, spa resorts, fishing, hunting, horse riding, plus many more.
