Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In fact, Chepelare's most famous native is a female athlete: Ekaterina Dafovska, biath-
lon gold medallist of 1998's Nagano Winter Olympics. Her success prompted local lead-
ers to open an academy for skiing, snowboarding and, oddly enough, table tennis. The
school (not for tourists) aims to train future Olympians.
The chairlift, 1.5km south on the Pamporovo road, is signposted. Chepelare also offers
30km of cross-country skiing. Hire gear at
Orion Ski
( 2142; Chepelare)
, by the lift,
note that few instructors are available. Chepelare has a ski factory, and you can buy cheap,
good-quality ski gear.
Sleeping & Eating
The tourist offices in Chepelare or Smolyan can book private rooms in Chepelare (from
20 lv per person with shared bathroom). Hotel prices increase significantly in winter.
More Chepelare hotels, signposted along the Plovdiv-Smolyan road, require private
transport to reach.
Hotel Phoenix $
( 3408; ul Murgavets 4; s/d 25/30 lv)
About 200m up ul Vasil Dechev from the town
square, the Phoenix offers simple, spotless rooms with TV, along with a traditional res-
taurant.
HOTEL
Hotel Savov $
( 2036; ul Vasil Dechev 7; d/tr/apt from 30/40/50 lv; )
Opposite the Hebros Bank,
this comfortable place offers large, airy doubles, and apartments with sitting areas. The
restaurant is popular and good.
HOTEL
Hotel Gergana $
( 4201; ul Hristo Botev 75; d incl breakfast from 35 lv; )
The Gergana, along the
Plovdiv road, is a cosy, family-run place with simple, clean rooms. Home-cooked tradi-
tional cuisine is served at the hotel restaurant.
HOTEL
BULGARIAN
Pelelanovska Konak $$
( 2176; ul Dimitar Chichovski 10; mains 5-9 lv; 11am-1am Mon-Sat)
This tradition-
al Rodopean
mehana
(tavern) is in the backstreets, across the river. Tucked inside a little
enclosure, it has outdoor seating and a spacious, hunting-lodge interior with hanging pelts
