Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 40 days
Feedback
20
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Badges (4)
Details
Description
I have bought land and a cottage in the forested Central Balkan mountains to start a new community homestead, my second project in Bulgaria. This place has a pretty stream and beautiful clear spring water. The chance to see bears, wolves and wild boar.
You don't need to go back in time to experience pioneering new untamed lands and begin a traditional (with modern tech) homesteading journey. Join me soon to begin installing hydro electric and building the workshop and barn, timber frame and wattle and daub as practice for the main home.
Animals? Just the border collie for now maybe her puppy friend will come too. I hope to get her geese next spring and eventually sheep.
Accommodation is camping and camp fire cooking. The last part of the journey is 4x4 or by horse or walking.
After 5 years of work away hosting, I have decided for the first 2 weeks you can stay and take 4 days to explore the area, stay for free, but folks need to pay for their own food and just learn from me while I teach you about the area and show you the skills you will need to enjoy living and working here. If you want to stay on after 2 weeks and get stuck in after that, then I will start paying for food in exchange for work :)
For food,
Stews, Currys, barbecues, porridge, sandwiches, pizzas whatever you like!
Days off to explore the culture, go mushroom foraging, hiking, quad biking into the mountains, rock climbing, camping and skiing, caving, mountain biking if you bring the equipment!
Project is on hold while I earn money. The plan is to organise a strong team to start next spring 2026!
My profile is active to chat with like minded people and to start preparing plans.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Van life
Sustainability
Videography
Music
Plant care
Photography
Animals
Carpentry
Blogging
Cooking & food
Gardening
Languages
History
DIY & crafts
Yoga / Wellness
Water sports
Cycling
Dancing
Winter sports
Mountain
Nature
Fitness
Camping
Hiking
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn traditional skills here and interact with the locals, sustainable building, traditional gypsy and nomadic living at camp from an experienced outdoorsman (me Danny) a way of life influenced by the local culture and environment and implement techniques to capture carbon and build soil. Learn the trees and the plants mushrooms and animals.
Help
Help with full pioneering style work. Carpentry and landscaping in a traditional style. Work to build the covered workshop area initially. Maintaining the camp, taking the 4x4 to get supplies from town. Help building the small damn to install hydro electric. Collecting firewood from the forest. Clearing land and sustainable building work with timber and earth and stone.
Preparing food. Visiting the colourful market bazaar. Chopping firewood. Collecting wild fruit, mushrooms and nuts
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
It would be great to have a Bulgarian to teach the language.
Accommodation
Canvas tarp shelter, tipi with two small camp cots and wood stove. Long term Camping conditions and kind of bush craft. Looking for capable and experienced outdoor types of people or just motivated to learn these skills from me :)
What else ...
In this secluded and forgotten mountain valley it's hard to get bored. The landscape and wilderness is diverse if you know what to look for. Visit the limestone caverns and gorges for rock climbing or the rivers for swimming or the forest and highlands for hiking and camping. In the winter I will go exploring by skis with the dog.
If you want to see the city of Sofia it's only an hour and a quarter away by car and there are regular buses.
Bring your own vehicle and you will be greatly appreciated.
Looking for a long term community too.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is 4g in the valley but no only camping and 4x4 access.
Space for parking camper vans
Unlimited space for 4x4 campers. A spring for drinking water and composting toilets are available. Access best in dry weather. 2 wheel drive campers is probably impossible. Will update after I get the digger to work on the track.
Can possibly accept pets
Please discuss as the border collie Mella is territorial against other female dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (10)
I stayed at his place for 3,5 months alone, with his magical doggy Mella, from 6 winter months in total. 🐼✨
From the first message to the last goodbye: the communication with Dan was super easy. He is reliable, supportive (on all levels), super kind and calm.
When he was around he was mostly involved in his garden/maintenance… read more
I felt confident having Ziq to look after things in my absence.
A great hand in the kitchen, he helped massively to collect and process firewood for the winter.
able to turn his hand to any task as instructed with enthusiasm.
He has a great attitude which makes it… read more
Photos
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Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
I stayed at his place for 3,5 months alone, with his magical doggy Mella, from 6 winter months in total. 🐼✨
From the first message to the last goodbye: the communication with Dan was super easy. He is reliable, supportive (on all levels), super kind and calm.
When he was around he was mostly involved in his garden/maintenance… read more
I felt confident having Ziq to look after things in my absence.
A great hand in the kitchen, he helped massively to collect and process firewood for the winter.
able to turn his hand to any task as instructed with enthusiasm.
He has a great attitude which makes it… read more
They put in a lot of… read more
Our dog Zuri had a lovely friend Mella to play with.
Thank you Dan & Olá for the nice stay and sharing your home in the Bulgarien Bush!:)
Lulu & Sven Oscar Bob
They both are skilled and knowledgable in Living the self sufficient dream.
Marius is a hard worker and has incredible technical skills (check out the electronics in his campervan) a scientific mind, he doesn't simply… read more
We learned tons of stuff during the time we stayed with Dan!… read more
you have taught… read more
When we weren't on cool alternative building… read more
They are intelligent, interesting and told excellent stories. They had so much knowledge to offer.
Lance was able to take the time to research and write down his methodologies for rendering with natural lime. Subsequently both were able to… read more
A great chef too. Welcome back anytime. Sad Annie and Jesse didn't stay forever!
Thanks man!
