Planning a trip to Rhodope

Getting There & Getting Around

Seeing the best this region has to offer involves traveling up roads that are effectively cul-de-sacs. You will have to accept a fair amount of doubling back as you travel east to Pamporovo, one of Bulgaria's top three ski resorts, before heading north to Plovdiv. The only tourism bureau is in Shiroka Luka, which has the efficient Rhodopi tourist center (tel. 03030/233; www.bulgaria-trips.info/Shiroka-Laka/Shiroka-Luka.html; daily 8:30am-noon and 1-6:30pm) servicing the region. Staff provides you with maps and recommendations on places to stay, as well as more information on the annual kukeri carnival held every March, and the International Bagpipe Festival (www.gaidaland.com).