By traveling to the far reaches of Bulgaria, tourists are granted an opportunity to lean into the local way of life and immerse themselves in authentic experiences that combine history, nature, and gastronomy.
TRAVEL ABOARD
Bulgaria is a land of magical beauty and ancient myths. There is a village in the most remote corner of Rhodope Mountains where those myths and legends intertwined with the sound of bagpipes and the smell of homemade bread in the midst of lush meadows and high ridges.
Picture-perfect mountains, diverse fauna, perky streams and hidden caves pass visitors who take the winding road to Gorno Kiselchovo (English translation: Upper Kisechovo) in Central Rhodope. As much of an experience as the stay in the bed and breakfast in the remote village, the unique trip from Smolyan or from Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, is an opportunity for travelers to admire the charming idyllic scenery stop by stop.
An hour and a haff journey from Smolyan, it is a reminder to embrace a slower pace and observe the flashing light between the greenery. Passengers are rewarded for traveling mindfully as they reach the end of the line and step out into the beautiful and intriguing village of Kiselchovo, then settle in the coziness of the guesthouse Ethno Art Room.
It is in this far-southern mountain destination that explorers can discover an alternative side of Bulgaria – one that swaps the typical beach vacation for the lesser-known wonders of a rural retreat.
AN AGING CRAFT
Nestled in the heart of the tranquil and majestic Rhodope mountains, the region around Ethno Art Room is a tapestry of picturesque landscapes, historical landmarks, and cultural traditions. Typifying what it means to travel holistically, the village promises to offer delights for all the senses – including a pallet of delicious tastes.
Gorno Kiselchovo is renowned for its rich honey-making tradition. What’s more, due to its placement between meadows of wild herbs, blooming trees and bushes in crystal-clear air environment, the local honey chemical analysis evidenced 10-15 times more of health-promoting components compared to honey, produced in lower altitudes.
With its fertile land and quality cattle, the neighboring Mogilitsa has long been synonymous with cheese-making. Travelers can indulge in the flavors of its renowned cheeses on a tour of a family-run dairy farm. Regional favorites include a local hard cheese with nutty yet sweet flavor, and goat cheese, known for the lack of the typical odor because of the goat breed selection and identified as a Geographical Indication.
To taste some Bulgarian yogurt made by the hostess Roumy from cow or sheep milk, produced in the nearby farms, and inquire about the artisanal techniques associated with yogurt-making, visitors have to spend a day or two at the guesthouse Ethno Art Room, arguably Bulgaria’s most remote tourist destination. Here, Roumy offers her guests house-made jams along with handpicked herbal tea not only to visitors to delight but to the curious hikers, passing through the village on their way to Kiselchovo waterfall or Buduralan peak.
The famous Smilyan beans are often associated with this part of Rhodope and the guests of Ethno Art Room can order those for dinner, then purchase some on the way back to the city from the villages or the producers in Smilyan. Local potato varieties, named after the mountain, are also part of Roumy’s menu.
THROUGH THE AGES
Just as cheese-making is rooted in the history of this Gorna Arda region, so too are the stories of ancient settlers. Within a 2-kilometer drive west of the road to Ethno Art Room, in the village of Mogilitsa, is standing tall the best-preserved architectural structure on the Balkans from 19th century. The entire complex Agushevi Konatsi is fitted with 221 windows, 86 doors and 24 chimneys. Due to its size the feudal estate resembles a castle with no equivalent on the peninsula.
At the high point prior to arriving to Kiselchovo tourists get a glimpse of Fortress Kaleto – a late-antique fortress, built in the 6th century, which was part of the Rhodope fortification system during the Middle Ages. The passage cave and the fortress itself were used as a rock sanctuary. A few chapels are preserved in the southern part of the fortress.
For the hikers and bikers in the area the ancient Roman road from Poprelka to Kremene and Holy Trinity Church built in 1896 are within easy reach. Today, the legacy of the famed trade route lives on through the stone ruins which hold the echoes of bustling merchants, wayfaring travelers and the Roman army. Modern visitors can dedicate an entire day to explore this roundtrip trail vising also cave Nadarska and the village after which the cave was named.
A HING-LAND PARADISE
While a journey south of Ethno Art Room promises to transport travelers back in time, a short trip east offers them a unique experience of alpine-like vegetation and a glorious view. The closest peak to Kiselchovo – Buduralan peak – attracts hundreds of visitors throughout the year, all of whom are charmed by the natural beauty of their surroundings and the 300-degree view.
During summer, Buduralan is locals’ spot of choice for a picnic in the gaze of a sunset extravaganza. However, it is in the winter months – when the temperature drops to minus 10°C and the snow covers the ground – that the hike becomes truly enchanting.
To make the most of this green wonderland, travelers can take a tour on foot, on a specialty bicycle, a four-wheel ATV ride, a traditional ride on horses or by boat. As a more leisurely activity compared to the horseriding, the boat ride is a perfect 20-minite opportunity to “warm up” the cameras and catch the magical reflection of the light in the river canyon Gorlo, called “catch of the day” by the locals as it changes rapidly by season and during the day.
From Gorno Kiselchovo the tourists can hike to the abandoned village Varad. Booking a local guide to get there is highly recommended.
As a contrast to adventurous tourist activities nearby such as extreme climbing, alpine zipline or alpine trolley the guests relax within the grounds of complex Ethno Art Room with a sip of aromatic herbal tea indulging the day-light superb view from the yard, the flickering open-air fire flames in the early evening hours and the starry sky in the cool summer nights. Bagpipe musicians from the villages around make those evenings unforgettable as their craft is inherited from centuries-old folklore.
Whether it’s savoring the flavors of the land, exploring Uhlovitsa, Nadarska or Golubovitsa cave, or embracing the very best that nature has to offer, travelers are spoiled for choice in Ethno Art Room. Taking off from this unassuming travel destination, visitors often leave knowing they have experienced a place that represents the many wonders of Rhodope – the mountain of Odyssey.
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT BULGARIA AND GREECE
If all of the above is not enough to make your days and weeks in the heart of Rhodope Mountains while lodging at Roumy’s guesthouse a great vacation adventure, the new border route to Greece, announced in the beginning of 2026, makes this destination the best starting point for both mountain and beach tourism. A 45-minute drive takes you from the complex grounds to the border and then the Greek beaches are 2 hours away.
Ethno Art Room is situated at the end of the World, on the crossroads of ancient and modern, the mountain and the sea, on unpaved path roughness and the nearby highway convenience.
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