TESTIMONIALS
Chris and Cheryl 2008
We have just returned from Bulgaria at the weekend and we had a fantastic time with Michelle and Rob at Orchard Stables on July 11th for 2 nights. Cheryl and I both were looking forward to our weekend with them and it was a weekend we will both look back on with great memories. Nothing was too much trouble and we were both made part of their family. Our first port of call was into the village were we met the friendly locals and chilled out with a refreshing beer after arriving in from Sunny Beach. When we arrived with Rob, Michelle had laid on a very nice buffet lunch for us before we headed out for the afternoon.
The "Mayors House" which Michelle and Rob own is stunning. Set in the heart of the magnificent Stara Planina mountains with unspoilt views all around and a lovely garden area in which you can relax. Our room was very nice and comfortable and we woke to a fully cooked breakfast.
The horse riding experience offered at Orchard Stables is unique and personal, the scenery in the mountains and trails is breath taking in this very unspoilt region of Bulgaria. We went through rivers, mountain trails, villages and stopped for refreshments and the weather was fantastic. We also did off road jeep driving which was great fun and mountain biking through the mountain trails and along with a great evening out in Veliko Tarnovo where we had a very nice meal overlooking the famous view of the fortress and houses overlooking the gorge. Following our meal we went to a nice hotel with a panoramic view of the Veliko Tarnovo “Lazor Light Show”.
The following day, Cheryl and Michelle went horse riding and I followed with their eldest son Tom on the mountain bike which was great fun. After conquering our way through the trails we were all rewarded with a very nice picnic under the shade of a tree after an energetic morning through the mountains. Following our picnic we set off and stopped by a natural “Laundrette”. I have never seen anything like this and was amazed. Fully water powered by the river, we saw the locals rugs getting washed in big wooden circular drums powered only by the river. It was a unique set up which was very memorizing to watch. After a stop for drinks next door, we passed a lovely monastery by the river where the horses played in the water, kicking the water around their feet much to the amusement of the people on the bridge overlooking them who took lots of photographs.
To our surprise our second night was spent in a great hotel which was at the end of the days horse riding and mountain biking. The swimming pool on-site was very welcome. We had a really nice night here with a nice evening meal and the following morning we made our way back to the “Mayors House”.
Quad Biking is also available along with many other activities, so you can make your stay as diverse as you wish. On our way back to our apartment in Sunny Beach we took in the tour of the Shipka pass and went up the tower here and then to the Russian Church in Shipka. After a great weekend, we really enjoyed finishing off on our way home, seeing these beautiful places and along with everything we got a great feel for the rural life in Bulgaria.
We both highly recommend “Orchard Stables” and we really want to thank Michelle and Rob and their two son’s Tom and Olly and also my friend “Monty the dog” for making us feel very welcome and giving us a wonderful experience.
We will see you all soon,
Chris and Cheryl
"August 20, 2007
Dear Michelle, Rob, Tom & Ollie,
Thank you for a wondurful weekend.
You all are fantastic hosts. Our family truly enjoy ourselves on your lovely farm. The rides were awesome and adventurous. thank you so much for allowing the kids the help around the stables. They both really love horses and all the fury animals. We hope to visit again.
Blessings
The Fortners, Deborah, Robert, Alex & Ray"
."Many thanks for making ourselves very welcome here. Many of us dream of doing what you are doing.....You unlike a lot of people are living your dream and you have made it possible for people like us to share an insight. Take it easy as I am sure you will, Sandra."
"Thank you so much for a really special week we have loved our time here and will definitely return, the house was lovely and welcoming. It is the most beautiful setting and a fantastic place for a holiday, but what has made it most special is meeting and making friends with such warm and lovely people, Jo, Dave, Sam and Ben"
"Didn’t notice we were on a mountain (feeling on such a high) such a lovely place with lovely people, the horse riding was an amazing experience and made the week extra special, Thanks guy's for making us all so welcome. Jeff, Maria, Ellie and Ben."
"This was my first time in Bulgaria and I can honestly say that I doubt it will be my last. The views were great and the accommodation was very pleasant (the summer kitchen was a good little bachelor pad). The nights out with Sam and Rob and Michelle were great fun. I'll have to return at some point. See you again Andrew."
Jo, Dave, Sam & Ben: Well its the end of another amazing week, and oh my god we've bought a house!! Thank you all so much for your help in doing that, we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you again for the lovely rides, maybe next time we'll be buying a horse! We loved sharing Sam's 18th with you, I'm sure he will remember it for a very long time. The evenings we spent in VT with you were great fun, I'm sure Andrew will remember his night with Rob and Sam with great fondness. LOL (that's lots of love) Jo David Sam & Ben. See you in February!"
"Had a very sunny day for November and fantastic ride through the hills and woods and the ride was easy enough for less experienced but interesting for all riders. I'll be back thanks Michelle & Rob."
"The scenery was fantastic. Rob and Michelle were very friendly and very helpful. I was made to feel comfortable dispite never having riden before, Helena & Jane."
""The most memorable image for both of us will be that of the horses rounding the bend on the way back to the house silently bathed in golden evening sunlight, just the sound of the hooves and a wonderful feeling of tiredness but of total contentment, although we visited many places in Bulgaria we were never happier than been back at the Mayors House“........Anne Clarke."
""It's our last riding day, and how much we will miss those beautiful rides! The week has gone much too quickly, unfortunately! Thank you so much for your warm welcome, your wonderful hospitality, all your hard work to make us feel comfortable and at home, for the fantastic rides, the food, the company, the laughter and simply a wonderful week in your beautiful house. We will miss you all, Michelle, Rob, Tom, Ollie, Monty, Goran, Alisa and all the other lovely horses and four legged creatures. We hope Maya will have a beautiful and healthy foal-there is still a small chance to see it born, but I’ve given up hope now! Bulgaria is stunningly lovely, more than I’ve imagined. You have found a truly magical spot here in Devetatsi! I will never forget the clear star-lit nights and the bright blue skies day after day. Thank you for a wonderful holiday! Dagmar + Zara xxx 20/7/07.PS: We'll be back hopefully soon"."
"What a fantastic holiday. The accomodation was lovely in a very relaxing setting - we didn't hear a car for days it was wonderful. This was our second visit to the Mayor's House and we will definitely be returning next year. For a relaxing holiday you couldn't ask for more. We were made to feel very welcome and left as friends."