I’m Kalin Mihaylov, an architectural designer with a deep admiration for traditional Bulgarian architecture and the quiet magic of rural life. In 2010 I discovered an abandoned house in the neighborhood of Karashka. It was built in 1921—weathered, half-collapsed, forgotten—but when I first saw it, I didn’t just see ruins. I saw a story waiting to be told again. I saw heritage that deserved to be preserved. And I saw a home.
What inspired me to buy and restore this old house wasn’t just its structure—it was its soul. As someone who works with design, I have always believed that the most beautiful spaces are those that are in harmony with nature. This house, with its stone base, wooden beams, and thick whitewashed walls, had layers of history in every crack. Bringing it back to life felt like a calling.
Karashka is not just a vacation home. It’s a place where time slows down. Where mornings are quiet except for the birds, and windows open to views of green hills of the most beautiful part of Central Balkan National Park . Where the roof is still covered in old stone tiles, and the barn now serves as a communal space for guests to share meals or simply sit and breathe.
What makes it special for guests is that it’s real. There’s no artificial “rustic style” here—it’s the real countryside. I kept very carefully the original materials and layout wherever possible, and every decision was guided by respect for the traditional way of building. Guests, especially those from places like Germany, Belgium and Spain often tell me they find something deeply grounding here. They come looking for authenticity and leave with a deeper sense of connection—not just to Bulgaria, but to a slower, more meaningful rhythm of rural life.
But it’s not just the house that makes Karashka magical—it’s the landscape. The house sits on the edge of the Balkan Mountains, and the views are simply stunning. From the garden or even through the windows, you can see endless rolling hills covered in forest. On clear days, the horizon stretches into layers of green and blue, peaceful and untouched.
The area is also full of wildlife. Deer, wild boar, foxes, and even eagles and bears are part of the natural rhythm here. If you’re lucky and quiet, you might spot them while drinking your morning coffee or walking the nearby trails. The biodiversity in this region is one of its hidden treasures, and it adds a real sense of harmony and wonder to every stay.
Being a host, for me, is not about offering accommodation—it’s about sharing a story. I welcome every guest not just into my house, but into a piece of my life’s work and passion. Each time someone sits under the old grapevine, explores the woods, or rests in the wooden barn, I feel like I’ve helped them experience something rare and honest.
Karashka is a place to disconnect, but also to rediscover. And I’m grateful that through it, I can give a second life to an old house—honoring the principles of sustainable architecture—and offer my guests a chance to feel something unforgettable.