Yes, Bansko is known for the its skiing. People flock to the area from all over Europe to enjoy the new facilities and the ideal ski conditions. But what about the summer? Well, summer holidaying in Bansko is also fun. There are plenty of things to do in the mountains and in the town itself to make it a worthwhile holiday destination.
Bansko is crowded in the winter. The taverns are filled with people and the slopes are crowded. Parking can be a problem. But, in the summer, the peace of the mountains and the beauty of the village make it an ideal location for your summer holiday.
The Taverns (Mehani)
If you've been to Bansko in the winter, you know that the mehani are filled with people. Finding a table is difficult. Parking your car is difficult. When all you want to do is relax after a day on the slopes, this can be frustrating.
Not so in the summer. The mehani are significantly less crowded. This means that you will be able to enjoy spending time with the people you are traveling with and can enjoy a few drinks without worrying about the noise or without waiting for a place to sit.
The Mountains
Bansko is an ideal place if you want to spend your vacation enjoying the surrounding mountains. Hiking is a popular activity, and so is picnicking. The surrounding Pirin Mountains, for example, are a popular destination and there are trails and picnic sites located by streams and in meadows. If you are interested in doing either of these activities, ask a local for advice or ask at your hotel.
The picnic sites are well used because it is a popular activity for the locals. They feature stone slabs that are designed for cooking and roasting. The locals prepare dishes such as pork chops and stuffed green peppers. If you do decide to cook using the stone slabs, smear it with bacon grease to prevent food from sticking.
A great hike to try is to climb Vihren, which is 2914 meters high. Vihren is a the highest mountain in the Pirin Mountain range. Since it is the highest peak, climbing it is quite an accomplishment. But, be careful. Vihren means "the gale" and the locals refer to it is "the peak of storms".
Mountains tend to have their own weather patterns, especially when they are tall. The day could start off beautifully but halfway through your climb a storm could roll in. Just be careful and practice good judgment. Don't be afraid to turn around. The mountain will always be there and you can try again some other time.
Other things to do
There are plenty of other things to do. You can watch the sunset near the micro dam, take a train ride, or soak in the mineral springs in Banya, a nearby town. The springs offer a great way to relax and rejuvenate after a stressful week, or even after a physical day climbing Pirin Mountain. There is also a golf course in Bansko.
Although the ski slopes are closed in the summer, it is still a great vacation destination, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. Stay in one of Bansko's hotels or rent a vacation home or apartment. Once you get there you can enjoy activities such as golfing, hiking, soaking in the mineral springs, or picnicking.
It is a remarkable and complex combination of places, landscapes, people, customs, smells - what can I say? I have more than enough in me to share with others, and this is why I decided to write about it.
All I ask you is to keep an open mind, get a fully insured car, and decide to expand your eating and drinking habits (after all you will be visiting the World's capital of what is known as 'Mediterranean Diet').
Firstly, think seriously before packing your bags: do you deserve a good holiday? If yes, then: one, switch off your blackberry; two, don't sit next to a hotels swimming pool for two weeks pretending you are enjoying yourself with a drink in one hand and a paperback on the other. You didn't work hard for a year to deserve just this.
After landing, unpacking and taking a good sleep, prepare to expose yourself to the place and get the most out of it. Remember: you are safe, locals can help you anytime, thieves are practically non-existent, and you are an arm's length away from an English speaker.
Hit the road with your family on a daily basis leaving around 9am; make every day an excursion somewhere on the island, no matter where your location. Your hotel is for breakfast and sleep, for at least one week of your stay.
I recommend places like Vai in Sitia, Agia Fotia in Ierapetra, Ledas outside Heraklion, Falasserna outside Chania, Fodele and Panormo which are both close to Rethymno, and Skala village in Elounda. They all have beaches so take your umbrella, towels suntan lotions and plenty of water with you on every journey. Sunbathing on a beach is more effective than swimming pools: you get a glorious tan to keep for months to come. To be on the safe side, ask for the existence of jelly fish and wear plastic shoes when you walk inside the sea.
For those who look for places truly untouched by tourism, I will recommend the beach of Xerokambos near Zakros, located in the South East of Crete. If you wish to see miles of golden sand, layered with white flowers, this is the place.
The other way of doing excursions is to join a safari group; ask your hotel for details. You will have a wonderful time, and you will be in a safer, more controlled environment with people guiding you, and people from your own group joining you. You will still see lots of places off the beaten track, and keep it all on a daily excursion mode.
You should eat at the local tavernas; aim for the one that attracts most of the crowd. Open yourself to local food: try Dakos (wet rusk) small dolmadakia, fresh fish, oven food (like stuffed tomatoes and peppers), local pastries, and meat on the barbeque. Always have a salad on your table; ask for the local specialty. And always try the local sweets with honey and white sugar.
Except excursions, try and mix with the locals getting the most out of your journey. The unbeatable way of doing this is by sneaking into a local wedding; the best weddings take place on Saturdays at nearby villages. If you don't manage to get invited, just head for one uninvited in one evening of your first days, leaving it to pot luck. People will invite you on the spot, and it will be a unique opportunity to get acquainted, eat fantastic wedding food and get lots of tips for your stay. If you have thoughts about a more permanent stay, it will be good for you to start making contacts anyway; in Crete people are very social and you will soon discover the snowball effect that this will have on you.
Keep the last couple of days to ease off; it's time for swimming pool rest with plenty of reading, drinking and socializing with people from your group. Try to compare your experiences with theirs and see what difference this will make. I can definitely guarantee you that when you go back home you will talk about your holiday for the rest of the year. And maybe think of coming to stay in Crete for longer periods of time.
I still haven't managed to see even half of Crete-it is a remarkable and complex combination of places, landscapes, people, customs, smells ' what can I say? I have suggestions in my mind to pass on to others, and this is why I decided to write about it. All I ask from you is to keep an open mind, get a fully insured car, and decide to expand your eating and drinking habits (after all you will be visiting the World's capital of what is known as 'Mediterranean Diet').
First of all, think for a moment before you start packing: do you deserve a good holiday? If yes, then: one, switch off your blackberry; two, don't sit next to a hotels swimming pool for two weeks pretending you are enjoying yourself with a drink in one hand and a paperback on the other. You didn't work hard for a year to deserve just this.
After landing, unpacking and taking a good sleep, prepare to expose yourself to the place and get the most out of it. Remember: you are safe, locals can help you anytime, thieves are practically non-existent, and you are an arm's length away from an English speaker.
Hit the road with your family on a daily basis leaving around 9am; make every day an excursion somewhere on the island, no matter where your location. Your hotel is for breakfast and sleep, for at least one week of your stay.
I recommend places like Vai in Sitia, Agia Fotia in Ierapetra, Ledas outside Heraklion, Falasserna outside Chania, Fodele and Panormo which are both close to Rethymno, and Skala village in Elounda. They all have beaches so take your umbrella, towels suntan lotions and plenty of water with you on every journey. Sunbathing on a beach is more effective than swimming pools: you get a glorious tan to keep for months to come. To be on the safe side, ask for the existence of jelly fish and wear plastic shoes when you walk inside the sea.
The other way of doing excursions is to join a safari group; ask your hotel for details. You will have a wonderful time, and you will be in a safer, more controlled environment with people guiding you, and people from your own group joining you. You will still see lots of places off the beaten track, and keep it all on a daily excursion mode.
You should eat at the local tavernas; go for the place where most of the people are. Open yourself to local food: try Dakos (wet rusk) small dolmadakia, fresh fish, oven food (like stuffed tomatoes and peppers), local pastries, and meat on the barbeque. Always have a salad on your table; ask for the local specialty. Don't forget to have a go at the local sweets, made with cheese, honey and powder sugar.
Except excursions, try and mix with the locals getting the most out of your journey. The unbeatable way of doing this is by sneaking into a local wedding; the best weddings take place on Saturdays at nearby villages. If you don't manage to get invited, just head for one uninvited in one evening of your first days, leaving it to pot luck. People will invite you on the spot, and it will be a unique opportunity to get acquainted, eat fantastic wedding food and get lots of tips for your stay. If you have thoughts about a more permanent stay, it will be good for you to start making contacts anyway; in Crete people are very social and you will soon discover the snowball effect that this will have on you.
Keep the last couple of days to ease off; it's time to rest next to the swimming pool with plenty of reading, drinking and socializing with other people. Try to compare your experiences with theirs and see what difference this will make. I can definitely guarantee you that when you go back home you will talk about your holiday for the rest of the year. And maybe think of coming to stay in Crete for longer periods of time.
Both Mal Keenan & Kostandinos Papahatzis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mal Keenan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Make Money Online and Public Relations. Mal Keenan is owner of an apartment in Bansko having invested in the area in 2005. For more info on spending your summer holidays in Bansko, Bulgaria visit: