Villa Izvor

www.guesthouseizvor.com

guesthouseizvor@gmail.com

+359 888 339233

Izvor (‘Spring’) Boutique Guesthouse is situated detachedly in the picturesque locality of Oresha near the village of Golyam Izvor at the Teteven Balkan Mountain. It is surrounded by pine forests, mountain slopes and lush green vegetation.

Izvor Villa is a high-class guesthouse built entirely of natural materials – stone and timber. The furniture is designed especially for this place and it is handmade. Its decoration is the one of a mountain lodge and the house bears the snug air of the old fusion style.

The open plan of the first floor includes the following separate areas:

A kitchen, fully equipped with all the modern electrical appliances and household utensils necessary for the preparation and service of meals;

A dining room for 8 people;

A living room with a fireplace and upholstered furniture;

A sanitary unit;

A wide veranda with a yard view.

There is a small home gym and three bedrooms with individual spirit and design on the second floor:

A double bedroom with a TV and a bath with toilet;

A double bedroom with a TV, a terrace and an extendable armchair, where a third person could sleep /if necessary/;

A big bathroom with a shower, a bathtub, a bidet and a toilet;

A double bedroom with two single beds.

Facilities:

The villa is air-conditioned;

Local pellet heating with electronic control;

Satellite TV;

LCD TV on the first floor;

WiFi is available in all areas of the house and the yard;

Multimedia and audio – Apple ecosystem /Apple TV, AirPlay, Bluetooth/ in the common areas, bedrooms and the yard;

Hi-fi audio system for guests who do not use the Apple ecosystem;

Parking for two/three vehicles.

Izvor boutique guesthouse predisposes to a quiet relaxation in complete privacy and harmony with nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and everyday life. The combination of the comfortable atmosphere and the variety of facilities guarantees the complete relax, full relief, pleasant emotions and amusement in the crystal-clear air surrounded by the quietness of the Balkan mountain.

The house is built in a large and terraced yard with lush vegetation. There are individual areas for different activities and entertainment:

a hot tub suitable for cooling in the hot summer days and warming in the snowy winter conditions;

a solar shower in the area for mountain sunbathing and outdoor massages;

a covered BBQ with a fireplace, a kitchenette and a wooden table with benches for 8 /so that you could make your BBQ specialties by yourself/;

areas for coffee, tea and drinks;

sport games area;

biking;

And places where you could just sit and contemplate nature.

We, the hosts, would like to create an intimate, peaceful and cosy home environment for your complete nature recreation.

The picturesque mountain village of Golyam Izvor is located at the northern slopes of the Stara planina mountain along the river Oselna, 10 km away from the town of Teteven and 80 km away from Sofia via the Hemus motorway.

The village has ancient roots. Finds from Thracian, Roman and Slavic times were discovered during archaeological excavations. The ritual objects found later prove the existence of a big settlement during the 12th and 13th century. The locals have earned the statute of a Voynuk village – the Ottomans had no right to settle there. During the Bulgarian National Revival, this place had lively economic fabric and its population was more than 3,000.

Vasil Levski established a private revolutionary committee in the local school in 1870, and it being the most active one in the region, the Apostle of Freedom declared it the First Regional Revolutionary Committee in the Bulgarian lands.

There are two museums in the village of Golyam Izvor today with rich ethnographic collections:

The authentic house of Georgi Stoykov, where Vasil Levski was staying;

The old Monastic school from 1816, built in the yard of the Ascension of Jesus Church. The school changed its statute from monastic to secular school where the Bell-Lancaster method was applied in 1843.

The village of Golyam Izvor has several neighbourhoods – Gergov han, Suchitsa, orlyak, Oresha, Staro selo, Ravna, Krakozhabene, Golyamoto usoe, Tulyushevets, Krivina, Dalga livada and Raynov rad. Mineral springs – Tulyushevets and Krivina – were found on the territory of the village.

Golyam Izvor has unique nature, wonderful clean air and healthy climate. The locals are warm-hearted, proverbially hospitable and friendly. They have preserved holidays, customs and traditions even today, which they keep and pass on with much love, soul and heart – Koleduvane /Christmas carolling/, Babin den /a feast in honour of women practicing midwifery/, spring Violet Ball, Trifon Zarezan /the feast of wine and vine/, and many others.

The Teteven Balkan mountain is in the central part of the majestic Stara planina. It is famous for its beauty, high clifftops and centuries-old forests. Its territory is highly differentiated and with a difficult terrain.

The admiration of the writer Ivan Vazov from Teteven and its vicinity makes him exclaim: ‘Had I not come to Teteven, I would have been a foreigner to mother Bulgaria, too… I have roamed a lot, I have wandered a lot, but I have never seen a more marvellous Heaven.’

One can visit not only natural but also many historic and religious sites in the Teteven vicinity. Some of them are:

Sv. Georgi Pobedonosets /St. George the Conqueror/ Glozhene Monastery, village of Glozhene.

A Bulgarian holy place from the 12th century with a unique location, historic role and spirituality.

Kostina Locality, village of Ribaritsa.

One of the leaders of the April Rebellion – Georgi Benkovski – was betrayed and killed at the place on the 12th May 1876. The notorious Bloody Well, where he was decapitated by the Ottomans, is also there.

Saeva dupka cave, village of Brestnitsa.

One of the oldest caves in Bulgaria. It is supposed that it was formed 3.5 million years ago. Its length is 400 metres, it has 5 halls and the temperature is almost permanent all around the year.

Sv. Vseh Svyatih /All Saints/ Church, Teteven.

Vasil Levski performed his Axion Estin as a deacon and chorister in this church in 1870.

Boatin nature reserve, near the village of Divchovoto.

Known for its centuries-old beech and spruce forests /100-200-year-old trees/ and its rare flora and fauna.

Sveta Troitsa /Holy Trinity/ Monastery of Etropole and Varovitets Waterfall, Etropole.

The monastery was the most significant learning and study centre in the Bulgarian lands in the 16th and 17th centuries after the Rila Monastery. The famous Etropole calligraphic and artistic literary school was established and developed here. The waterfall is just behind the monastery walls.

Skoka waterfall, Teteven.

Ethnographical museum, village of Cherni Vit.

Yorgo’s house museum, Teteven.

Bobev’s house museum, Teteven.

For the fans of tourism and mountain hiking, the region offers numerous eco trails and routes. You could find information about them at the local tourist societies.

Izvor boutique guesthouse works all year round.

The price per night is:

Summer season /April – September/ - BGN 300;

Winter season /October – March/ - BGN 350.

The whole house shall be rented for at least two overnight stays.

The house reserves the right to change the prices during holidays.

The price includes:

Tourist tax;

VAT;

Insurance;

Parking;

Unlimited Internet;

Use of all the facilities and the entire equipment of the villa;

Cleaning.

The price does not include:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner /we offer several catering options, if required and with advance booking/;

Horse riding and hiking in the mountain /with advance booking/;

Massages /with advance booking/;

Visit to the museums in the village /with advance booking/;

Excursions, sport, tourism and entertainment events.

Check-in after 2 p.m.;

Check-out until 12 noon;

Maximum number of guests – 6 /+ 1/;

Smoking in the house is not allowed;

Accommodation of children under 10 years of age is not allowed;

Getting in with shoes is not allowed;

No food in the bedrooms;

Pets are not allowed.