Don't know of anywhere personally, but I would look at the Govedarci area. It's a picturesque area with river and access to the Rila National Park, with hiking trails for all standards.
To be near a lake or stream, you need to be outside Borovets. Only river I've seen there is when the snow melts and water runs down the main road
But it's worth pricing up accommodation in Boro itself as a comparison. Think you'd find restaurants will still be more expensive than those in villages near Boro.
If you do go SC, there's a large supermarket, Billa, on the left as you enter Samokov Town from Boro
If you google for info on the area, try looking at Malyovitsa, it's the most poplular place in BG for high mountain hiking. It's a bit further on from Govedarci but there's also some lower hiking trails through beautiful scenery.
I have still to see a Rila Brown Bear and I personally prefer to see the scenery from the back of a horse or a mountain bike but there is so much choice ...
If you do go SC, there's a large supermarket, Billa, on the left as you enter Samokov Town from Boro
If you google for info on the area, try looking at Malyovitsa, it's the most poplular place in BG for high mountain hiking. It's a bit further on from Govedarci but there's also some lower hiking trails through beautiful scenery.
I have still to see a Rila Brown Bear and I personally prefer to see the scenery from the back of a horse or a mountain bike but there is so much choice, I'm sure you'll have a great time.
Have a friend with a chalet which sleeps 17 in samokov town it is really nice stayed there last june, nick and his wife marianne make you feel so welcome he even picks you up from airport if required e-mail him [email protected]