http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html Bansko is a traditional town with medieval origins that has recently developed into the best ski resort in eastern Europe. The mixture of old world charm, modern hotels and breathtaking views cater to a variety of tastes. Near Bansko are a number of rich historical sites. Remains of ancient fortresses are situated just a few kilometers away and the Staroto Gradishte site contains Thracian mound hills. South of Bansko is Pirin National Park which, along with the nearby Rila Monastery is a UNESCO world heritage site. The whole area is rich with lakes, waterfalls, caves, trees and historical sites. Bansko is also famous for its natural mineral springs. Apres Ski Many local cafes and bars cater to the Apres ski crowd. Adjacent to the Gondola base station and Ticket office is the Happy End Bar & Restaurant, an excellent venue for a post skiing beer. A short walk down the road (on the way back to Villa Daisy is the Lion Bar offering Sky Sports for anyone needing a 'footie' fix. The Bowling arena in Hotel Strazhite offers a good alternative option. Swimming and Spa facilities are available close to Villa Daisy at Mountan Paradise Hotel as well as at the 5 Star Kempinsky Grand located by the Gondola. Restaurants & Nightlife Bansko taverns (called "Mehana"), offer traditional charm and style. The local Bulgarian cuisine has similarities with Greek and Turkish cooking. Specialities include the Bansko-style kapama, a tasty mix of meats and vegetables stewed in an earthenware dish. A two course meal can cost as little as £6 a head. Beer is only 70p a pint and a local red wine £2.50 a bottle. Many of the local "Mehanas" also offer live folk music. For something less authentic there are several Pizzeria's and Steak Houses dotted around town. The Kempinsky Grand Hotel offers fine Italian Mediterranean dining at the 'Come Prima' and an excellent Pizzeria on the ground floor opposite the Gondola. The Happy End bar by the Gondola base station turns into a night club in the evenings and has live music at weekends. Several discotheques in the center of town offer cocktails and dancing until the early hours, providing a modern flavour to this town of otherwise conservative moods. Shopping Most shopping can be found on the main road leading from the centre of town up to the Gondola base station. Numerous ski shops offer the latest ski equipment and designer ski wear and there are also many Souvenir shops to be found. On Sundays a local market sets up adjacent to the main square selling everything from food and vegetables to souvenirs, housewares and electrical goods. http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#0 f3f32f26-ce2f-4b3e-86e8-2f7c8afc3c50 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Village2/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Village2/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Bansko Rooftops</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#1 e432977e-16e8-42c4-9665-b54232b2d48c http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Village3/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Village3/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The Clock Tower</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#2 dc107c03-2c94-4373-a787-1d3ff2b45ae9 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Lions20Pub/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Lions20Pub/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Lion Pub (Sky Sports)</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#3 02463b8a-7485-44a5-8bce-3e8052304c43 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/HPIM0598/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/HPIM0598/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Happy End</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#4 a6ffe473-81c2-45a6-a6f4-abaffce3fd0b http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Bar1/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Bar1/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Happy End Bar</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#5 b3d60fe7-35b6-4c82-86b6-d7edc97572eb http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/HPIM0467/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/HPIM0467/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Cocktail Bar</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#6 513cee88-9767-4858-9c03-7d20a54e6539 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/HPIM0470/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/HPIM0470/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Casino</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#7 5cdaacb3-b4f5-4a32-b24e-4ec1a698dd54 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/MP%20Pool/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/MP%20Pool/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Mountain Paradise Swimming</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#8 b46ab1aa-9893-45b2-9e48-878c09787eea http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Kempinksi20Swim/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Kempinksi20Swim/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Kempinsky Grand Spa</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#9 86fa1335-c6de-4bc7-8527-c632b8691753 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Monastry50x70/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Monastry50x70/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Monastry 1</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#10 856d7a1c-a54e-43df-b474-8654396ec7a2 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Monastry2%2050x40/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Monastry2%2050x40/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Monastry 2</p></div></div> http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO.html#11 b7afc3f5-5ea2-4bc0-80b7-62ec01c547e2 http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Bansko%20Map/thumb.jpg http://www.ski-bansko.org/ski-bansko.org/BANSKO_files/Media/Bansko%20Map/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_180_14"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Bansko Map</p></div></div>