Forest weddings, moussaka alla Argentine, hikes for herbs....a mountain hut with a twist of Nikoleta and Uriel

published on 3/20/24 3:25 PM

Photo: Archive of Nikoleta and Uriel Zunino

The Bulgarian hut with the tastiest food, the youngest hut-owners and the most unusual experiences is located in the Rhodope Mountain and bears the fabulous name "Momchil Yunak" (The brave lad Momchil). Until some time ago, the facility owned by the Municipality of Smolyan was abandoned in neglect. But Nikoleta and Uriel Zunino arrived, rolled up their sleeves, restored it and are now the happy keepers of one of the most attractive and innovative chalets in Bulgaria.

She is 29, he is 34. She is Bulgarian from the village of Momchilovtsi close to Smolyan, he is Argentinian. She has a degree in regional development and he has a degree in sociology. They met the other side of the world - at a bus stop in San Francisco. Nikoleta was just returning from a student brigade in Alaska and Uriel helped her get her suitcase on the bus. Thus their story began. The two traveled around the world for a year and a half, but Nikoleta decided to go home to Momchilovtsi and Uriel followed her.

"This summer we are celebrating 3 years since we have been hut owners and we are noticing more and more interest in the mountain from young people as well, as our mountain is quite easy and accessible, including our hut, which can be reached by car", says Nikoleta. "There are hiking trails around us, and in the summer many people stop by with bicycles. Pamporovo and other huts are nearby."

The Zunino family furnished the chalet with great taste and a sense of the coziness of home. To the children's delight, they take care of dogs, cats and... ponies that will be trained to ride in the mountains. Treks for picking herbs or mushrooms are organized, and since last year the hut has also started hosting...forest weddings.

"More and more people are looking for this type of experience. People want to be close to the real thing, to weave a wreath of forest flowers for the bride, to decorate it with pine branches, with natural materials. And it turns out to work really good.. It's not like in a restaurant where you go to a wedding and just sit at a table. Here people are on the lawn, children are running, everyone gathers around the fire in the evening. This is an unforgettable experience. This year, for the third time, we will be visited by children's camps. And this is our mission because here children learn to communicate with nature. Here they collect berries, have lectures about animals and plants and completely forget about their phones," Nikoleta explained to Radio Bulgaria.

"Momchil yunak" chalet is the winner of the "Hut of the Year – 2023" award in the category for best cuisine. The hit among the guests is the Rhodope patatnik, but also some more exotic dishes, mainly Argentinian, prepared personally by the "master" Uriel.

Check which are Bulgaria’s best mountain huts in 2023

Uriel Zunino talking to RB's Veneta Nikolova

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"We do it with love and try to prepare original dishes, as well as things from the local cuisine, like Rhodope dishes, but slightly modernized", says Uriel Zunino. "We also offer Argentinian food, especially in the summer, when we can also use the barbecue outside, but also Italian specialties and sometimes Asian soups. Guests like our "Argentine moussaka", it's similar to yours. But mostly we emphasize the barbecue, because in Argentina we are famous for our grilled meat. I like the local cuisine, which focuses on home products. People here grow them in their gardens, and as a person coming from the big city, I like it a lot."