Enjoy an authentic eco-holiday on our solar powered organic farm in rural northeast Bulgaria. Help out on the farm feeding the animals, milking and collecting eggs or simply relax in the hammock or reading a book on the verandah. We offer bed and breakfast, rental of our self catering eco-cottage and catered or self-catered workshop retreats.
We have restored a traditional village house using natural materials. The cottage accommodates up to 7 people in 2 doubles, 1 twin and 1 single. The downstairs comprises an open plan kitchen, dining area and living room while upstairs, 3 bedrooms, a library and family bathroom lead off the wooden balcony which overlooks the garden. Another double is located in the garden. One of the barns has been converted to a shady outdoor living space with an accompanying terrace under the old walnut tree.
Our eco-cottage is solar powered and our water is solar thermal heated directly by the sun. Our small holding is organic and we use compost and organic methods, such as companion planting, to keep the land fertile. We produce most of our own vegetables, meat, diary products, wine and perry. Our animals include Ellie, our pig; Dennie and Monnie, our goats; and 14 chickens. They eat all of our food waste and most of our other waste is reused or recycled.
All the buildings have been restored using natural materials of mud plaster, limewash and locally quarried clay paint. We use only biodegradable cleaning products and we collect rainwater for the garden. We have an additional odourless compost toilet.
What we offer
On request, we organise various events to meet local people, including an evening of traditional Bulgarian music, a horse and cart ride, foraging trip or archaeological tour. Or you can join us in making cheese and yoghurt; wine; preserves; and kombucha.
Our farm is a very peaceful place for meditation and relaxation. It is possible to join a meditation or reiki session. Or you can just chill with our very zen dog, Belcho.
Food
Bed and breakfast guests are served a breakfast made from our own farm produce. Guests can help themselves to produce from the garden. Home-made produce can also be purchased. There are many good restaurants in Popovo, 8km away and we can also arrange a take-away to be delivered from Popovo.
The area
A stay in Palamartsa is a step back in time, where horses and carts pass outside your window and you are woken by the shepherd taking the village flock to pasture. Surrounded by rolling hills and an ancient landscape you can relax among folk still living traditional farming lives.
Cycle around the village, take a walk to the Thracian hillfort 30 minutes away, fish at the nearby lake or take a swim at Razgrad lake or Opaka outdoor pool. There are plenty of archaeological attractions in the area too for you to explore, including 3 World Heritage sites. We are centrally located to visited the cities of Ruse, Shumen and Veliko Tarnovo.
Where are we
Palamartsa is located 8km northwest of Popovo. It's an hour from Ruse or Veliko Tarnovo; 2 hours from Varna; 4 hours from Sofia; and 3 hours from Bucharest. There are trains from Varna, Sofia and a direct bus from Bucharest airport to Razgrad (30 minutes drive).
Public Transport
Bulgaria has an excellent and cheap public transport system. Trains run from Sofia and Varna to the nearest town, Popovo, from where we can arrange pick-up. There are bus services from Popovo to most major cities. Three buses a day operate between Palamartsa village and Popovo. Please check our website for further details.
