A stay at Villa Gella can serve as a base to learn about the ancient Thracian Kingdom, about the legendary Thracian musician Orpheus and the related Dionysian festivals. Rhodope Mountains have always been associated with music: the folklore song Izlel e Delyo Haidutin was sent into space with the 1977 Voyager missions. Today the masters from the Shiroka Laka Music School preserve and share these rich musical traditions. Several festivals are held in the vicinity. Kukeri Festival in Shiroka Laka in early March draws on pagan beliefs to expel evil and bring in prosperity with dances, masks and bells. Orpheus Week at Mount Perelik in July attracts musicians to starlit concert hall built of hay bales amid alpine pastures. Ilinden Festival on the first weekend of August is an open-air competition featuring hundreds of bagpipes and singers. Along with music, wine traditions also date back to Thracian times and form indelible part of any festivity.  A stay at Villa Gella is an opportunity to taste superb Bulgarian wines, visit wineries and learn about local winemaking, as well as taste diverse and scrumptious local cuisine.

More information on Local Festivals