Farmhouse for Rent in Skalitsa Village - SE Bulgaria (Now with Internet connection)
About Skalitsa Village
The village of Skalitsa is located in Southeast Bulgaria. Its nearest towns are Yambol and Elhovo, Radnovo all around 30 minutes drive from the village.
Yambol and Elhovo towns are thriving and continue to be rejuvenated by popularity and investment from many foreigners and Bulgarians. Radnovo is untouched by foreigners and is a relatively unknown but very attractive town.Skalitsa is one of the larger and more important villages in the area and is an up and coming attraction with available investment from Europe into the infrastructure and facilities there.
There has been a major clean up and fresh look in the village with the school having been renovated and money other public building having been given a face-lift. There is also brand new theatre/concert hall that opened in the village centre last year that attracts artists and performers nationally and from around the world.
It has everything you need in the village including two garages, post office, a doctor and dentist surgery, two veterinaries, a chemist, a variety of grocery/food stores, a clothing/linen/shoe shop and a beautiful orthodox church, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007.
During the summer months, (and there are many of them) there is local produce sold from stalls in the village centre park - yes it has a big public park in the village centre as well.
It also has a unisex hairdressing shop and many bars scattered around in and around the village where you can get refreshments, snacks and most cater for basic food provisions.
Skalitsa also has its own bakery, window double-glazing factory, metalwork factory, wood-processing factory and around the village many new vineyards have been planted from private investment.
Bus and taxi services run regularly from the village centre to all satellite villages and major towns such as Radnovo, Yambol, Elhovo and both Nova and Stara Zagora.
It is not widely known but Skalitsa is famed for its healing stones, which are geographically positioned at a point where two magnetic fields cross. There is only one other place on earth where this happens! Research has been made on the site along with media attention, all present evidence of the stones having healing properties for arthritis, rheumatism and various other related and unrelated ailments.
There have been two sets of film makers in the village last year, one film crew from Hollywood USA, choosing Skalitsa for its magnificent setting on a raised rock base within the Thracian Plain. Skalitsa actually mean little rock. This was chosen over other Balken countries including Croatia, Romania and Former Republic of Czechoslovakia, the Skalitsian scenery could not be compared with!
The Farmhouse Location
The farmhouse is located high up on the edge of the village a pleasant ten-minute walk to the village centre and about the same to the healing stones. There is Ivan and Maria who own the bar/general grocery store which sells everything you would need which is only some 300 metres from the farmhouse. Of course the main towns of Yambol, Elhovo and Radnovo are only 30 minutes drive have big supermarkets where you can stock up with provisions if you wish.
Halfway up the side of a quiet tarmac road away from the main road, (which is quiet as well) you will find it nestling naturally. It has purposely been made to blend in complete harmony with character of other farmhouses that are scattered around the village.
The views form the farmhouse grounds are extensive over the countryside and from the garden and most days you can have stunning views of the hills and even the mountains in the north.
The Accommodation
The Grounds
As you enter the farmhouse along the white concrete path you will be entering a garden purposely retaining very much the Bulgarian style with the farmyard and cart tucked away under the outhouses shelter. Looking beyond the garden through the vineyard trellis with uninterrupted view of the undulating Bulgarian countryside.
It is full of practical but beautiful plants and shrubs and of course the wine and rakia producing vines that cover the main area above you. Underneath the vines is the patio area, well protected from the direct heat of the strong Bulgarian summer sun and a perfect place to relax with a cool refreshing drink accompanied by the wonderful nature surrounding you.
Inside the Farmhouse
Once you enter the farmhouse this is where the Bulgarian style mixes and compliments with the western European comforts and modern lifestyle. The renovation was made to a high standard with kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom now providing a very comfortable living with double glazed units throughout. Throughout the farmhouse it still keeps very much to Bulgarian traditional style is decoration and taste. In a nutshell, everything is to modern western standards but with Bulgarian character written all over it.
The Hall
This carpeted internal entrance for the house is a separate room leading to the other three rooms. Fitted with a Skalitsa made white aluminium door netted fly screen door, this provided draught free winters and ventilation options during the hot spring, summer and autumn months. It has a clothing rack for hanging outdoor clothing and ample space for outdoor shoes to be kept. Also there is a cabinet, drawer and some shelving for storing keys, purses, hand luggage, etc.
The Kitchen
The kitchen has all white goods provided, fridge, freezer, washing machine, modern electric oven and grill, gas hob, extractor hood above and a microwave oven. The kitchen is big enough to cater as a dining area with a dining table and four chairs to fitting comfortably. All crockery and kitchen accessories are provided.
The Bathroom
The modern bathroom suite is a brand new extension of the farmhouse. It is a fully tiled with a large bath and fixed wall shower unit with shower curtain surround. There is a wide bathroom ceramic basin and low flush toilet with a convector heater if needed. A wall cabinet with mirror doors is fixed above the basin.
The Bedroom
The comfortable carpeted bedroom has one double king-sized bed with headboard and bedside drawer. The view from the window gives a glorious sight of the vines, garden and uninterrupted views of the wonderful Bulgarian countryside beyond. It is fully furnished with dressing table with full mirror and quality wooden wardrobe imported from France. Also there is an electric convector heater if needed.
The Living Room
The luxurious and homely living room is cosy furnished with good quality imported furniture. There is a new wooden floor and ceiling with a traditional Bulgarian patterned carpet. Placed within are two\sofas, which will accommodate six guests. One sofa converts into a comfortable double bed. You will find a high quality Sony music system with CD, cassette and radio facilities. A colour television is also provided for terrestrial viewing.
As part of the fittings there is also a freestanding traditional wood-burning stove with a well-stocked supply of local wood in the garage retaining the Bulgarian atmosphere. On the bookcases you will find a good variety of books, music cassettes and CDs that are also there for you to enjoy.
Extras
*Food and daily supplies of all provision from shoes to bread provided can be bought from the local shop only 300 metres away.
*Milk, (from cow or goat or sheep) eggs and sirine (traditional white Bulgarian cheese) can be bought from neighbours at below shop prices.
*Electric water and bottled gas for heating/cooking are provided for in the price for guests staying less than 28 days.
*All bedding and towels are provided
*A weekly laundry and cleaning service is provided id required |(a fee of €15 is charged for this)
*There is a regular garden maintenance from the owners and food from the garden is offered free form the extensive grounds during the growing season.
Why Rent here?
This renovated farmhouse gives the best of both worlds, tranquillity of Bulgarian village life with as all the comforts of a home from home. Whether for holiday, a base for house hunting or a place to stay whilst your property is being renovated this is an ideal place to stay at a fraction of the cost of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation.
Not sure whether Bulgaria or village country life is for you? Use the farmhouse to test the water with Bulgarian village life without total initial commitment - there are special rates for extended stays over 28 days!
Look at out Competitive rates Daily rates:
€20 leva per night all seasons
Weekly rates
March, April, May, June - €125
July, August, September - €140
October, November - €112
December, January, February - €100
For extended stays of 28 consecutive days or more the following rates apply:
€400 for each 28 days all year round (€100 per week) Guests staying for 28 days or more will have to cover nominal electric, bottled gas and water bills.
Testimonals
August 2007
Dear Martin and Galiya,
We just had to say how much we enjoyed out stay at your house. This was the first time in Bulgaria and everyone was so helpful and friendly we really didn't want to go back.
Just a few points, a fly screen or curtain should be installed on the front door like you have done to the windows, it was a problem with them getting in the house. Also you might consider getting English television in the farmhouse, we did miss that.
That aside, thank you so much for letting us use your Bulgarian home we envy you living there. Might see you again next year after we get married.
Rik and Maggie
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October 2007
Hi Mart and Gal,
Bulgaria for the first time for us and it was a horrendous time in Sofiya being hassled by taxi people. thank God for Christu you taxi friend who you booked for us. He was our gardian angel before he arrived we weren't too sure wether this country was for us! By the time we got to scalitza and you greeted us we had calmed down and the rakia you presetned to us was quite a tonic. For the week or so we were there we didn't want to go home and we are now seriously looking for a house for us in the area. Stefan loved the animals there, he doesnt stop tlaking about them a week after getting back to yorkshire. Galia is lovely and her bulgarian ways was an added bonus for us when we needed her. nothing was to much trouble. We hope to return and see both of you again but hopefully with out own dream home and we can give you our rakia. Give our love to Maria, Ivan Sasho and Rosa for being such warm neighbours, we had put on weight since being there.
love dave linda and stefan
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September 2007
Mart and Galia,
just a quick massive thank you for being such warm and generous hosts. We adore you house and our 4 days there really wasn't enough for us. We would dearly like more time there next year rather than opting for the coast, that was a mistake we wont make again. We have fallen in love with Skalitza in that short time there.
Will be in touch through email
Phil and Sam (Sam is now expecting! Will update you later)
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April 2008
Joe and I would love to thank you so much for making our holiday so special. Our previous trip as you know wasn't for us and you have restored our faith in Bulgaria with your hospitality and understanding of much that we didn't know about in Bulgaria. We have been educated by both you and Galia.
May well see you again in the autumn if you can fit us in
Many Thanks again
Love
Joe and Rose
It has been the busiest week so far this year trying to get everything planted out on the two plots of land in the village and town and trying to keep on top with blogging. Well the blogging has had the foot off the accelerator recently and I apologise to fellow blogging friends for not paying visits recently. There just aren’t enough hours in the day and the candle has been burnt at both ends recently.
On another front the two patches of sweet corn that was sown were almost another complete failure. I have to transplant half the seedlings from one patch to the other as over half had died due to not being tended to on a daily basis. I have now put more melons in their place and a massive reservoir channel dug out with advise from locals. I won’t find out whether this has survived until this coming weekend and it will be 6 days without water as we are not due until Saturday this weekend.
It is really quite a sense of pointlessness as I started getting stuck in to this massive field when I was asked where my horse was from one of my neighbours who were doing exactly the same thing in a field adjacent to mine. He of course knew full well I didn’t have a horse and my donkey was long gone salami to gypsies a couple of years ago. I said that Galia son Ivo has a rabbit in Yambol and this was rabbit feed for next winter. We both laughed as the joking went on. In all seriousness, I was cutting hay for my neighbour’s horse although he didn’t know it yet. If the hay isn’t cut and left to seed next year’s crop would be poor so it was also for that reason as well.
It was a long haul, but I loved it, no Galia there as she was working her Saturday in lieu of the 6-day weekend so it was make your own dinner in the evening. I couldn’t wait with a couple of lettuce and radish for the town farm brought o the village and onion and green garlic with sirene, olives and sunflower oil, red vinegar and salt as dressing. A glass of my own homemade sliva (plum) rakia and ice cold Ayran alongside. All on a table under the grapevine trellises looking at the field that had just had its hay cut and now drying out in the warm evening air. It wasn’t the same without Galia though and as I sat down on my own I really couldn’t see the point of preparing all this without someone to share it with and a reminder of lonely times before I met Galia working on the farm – Another story altogether.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sCPxGA-NbsGvXnKYNNpKB3oRsYhBn9HzBmqWz0iCYdsDrE-zPq7Ef3tqcY42VCAfBsmwpYPyZBKw9GOGV1xVkmH7Fr9sogUQlsMM-P8ZJwpR9WNUAMW9pY0jCFhqZmnYMohlMaNia659T4Ygrga7s=s0-d)
