Catching up on BG Travels: Razlog 2011

Mountain view east from resort outside Razlog, Bulgaria

We were lucky in November 2011 to visit Razlog, Bulgaria to attend a faculty retreat for the Economics department.  I should probably say I was lucky, as Mark had to attend meetings and I read, worked on my knitting, and generally enjoyed myself.  By all accounts of the Economics faculty though, their meetings were productive so we were all happy.

Razlog is a small mountain valley town in Bulgaria close to the more popular ski destination Bankso. The resort outside of Razlog is possibly very active during the ski or golf season, but in early November it is a modern day ghost town. A casualty of the financial crash and the vacuum of British investments, most of the hotels here are in varying states of completion. Despite the majestic vistas, the place feels more like a set of a post-apocalyptic horror flick than a vibrant ski/golf community. The pictures of the completed buildings below give the sense of what it could be if situations turn around.

Signs of recently renewed construction seem to suggest that there is still hope for this area.  We had intended to visit Razlog during ski season, but with the worst winter in 50 years we tired quickly of cold and a ski vacation did not sound fun.  Hopefully this year the weather will be good for skiing but not miserable in Blagoevgrad and then we can visit again and report back on any changes.

View looking west..Razlog in the valley