Villa

This newly-renovated two storey house is perched on the edge of traditional Merdanya village in central Bulgaria (near Veliko Turnovo) with a brand new, large underground pool. Upstairs, it has two double bedrooms with French doors opening onto a large balcony with wonderful views across the Stara Planina foothills - perfect for morning coffee or that evening glass of wine - a bathroom and a twin room. Downstairs has a spacious open plan layout between the living room, dining room and kitchen with all modern amenities, plus a bathroom. This is the place to go if you want to get away from it all and re-charge in pristine countryside in a part of Europe where life is still slow and deeply traditional.

There is a large stone wall garden, cable TV, DVD player, washing machine, underground pool, wifi, badminton net and 4 racquets, some kids’ games and books, barbecue, fire pit and hammock.

In the heart of traditional rural Bulgaria, this is a true country idyll with herds of goats and friendly neighbours producing their own honey and wine. We have a local agent who looks after all our guests needs, also a friend in nearby Hotnitsa who runs local cultural tours, and a friendly taxi driver who will also double as a pizza delivery man. Merdanya is a small authentic Bulgarian village - expect to see wattle and daub houses, babushkas in head scarves, herds of goats and the odd horse-pulled cart. Nearly every villager grows their own food so the gardens are full of proudly tended corn, peppers and vines.

The house is an easy 10 minute walk to the centre of the village, where you can pick up daily essentials.There are two little grocery/general stores which are good for food basics including bread, cheese, salad, coffee, beer wine, local deli provisions, sweets etc. Other shops include an ironmonger, two café / bars,a pottery (where visits can be arranged) and a fish shop. Local supplies are just that – local – so whatever is in season is in the shops - and fantastically fresh and full of flavour. And the default method of food production is organic in small plots and gardens.

The historic city of Veliko Turnovo - which was the medieval capital of Bulgaria and an important cultural centre - is just 15 minutes drive away with its bars, cafés, restaurants, banks, shops etc. There are some stunning nature walks in the area, plus a beautiful monastery high on a hilltop nearby, plus horse riding, birdwatching, archery and fishing all nearby. We can help organise all of these.