Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Târnovo, minibuses wait opposite the market along ul Vasil Levski to get here, as
do bus 14 from the Pâtnicheski Prevozi bus station and bus 10 from the centre. Taxis cost
about 12 lv.
INTERNATIONAL
A daily train for Bucharest leaves Veliko Târnovo train station, stops at Gorna Oryakhov-
itsa and continues from there. A Târnovo-Istanbul night train (56 lv, 70 lv with sleeper
car, 11 hours) usually runs.
Getting Around
Walking is ideal for seeing Târnovo.Taxis are good for zipping around the central areas,
but sometimes refuse to drive in the old quarters, especially Varosha, due to the narrow
streets. If staying in such a neighbourhood, therefore, take advantage of any free pick-up
services offered. If driving, park in the central Varosha car park: avoid the narrow lanes
higher up. Hiring taxis (at fixed metered rates) for local destinations like Arbanasi, or
chartering them (for negotiable rates) to places further afield is more feasible.
For car rental, ask at the Tourist Information Centre for the best offers (usually around
40 lv per day, including insurance, but not petrol).
ARBANASI
Arbanasi is a historic village known for its monasteries and activities, like horse riding and hiking. Although it has
always attracted moneyed visitors to its clifftop 'resort' hotels, today this sleepy village of just 1500 souls is mostly
visited by big tour buses on day trips. If based in Veliko Târnovo (4km away), it's easy to visit the main attractions,
take in the views and enjoy a relaxed lunch, and still be back in town for dinner, whether you drive (taxis are 5 lv) or
even hike up (90 minutes).
Nearly 90 of the village's churches, homes and monasteries are state-protected cultural monuments. During the
16th century and thereafter, it generally flourished under the Ottomans who rather unusually encouraged church-
building here.
Arbanasi's three major sites, two churches and one house-museum, are all covered by the same ticket (5 lv). Each
operates from 9.30am to 6pm daily, though they're usually closed between 1 October and 31 March.
First in precedence is the
Nativity Church
(adult/student 6/2 l)
, the oldest surviving one here. It features a kal-
eidoscopic frescoed interior, with paintings (created between 1632 and 1649) covering its five chambers. The
