Bulgaria Rises on the Travel Radar

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

Bulgaria is in vogue! And it's no surprise. This extraordinary country has plenty to offer travelers while still being able brag about not being inundated with mass tourism. Bulgaria has much more than you might imagine; beaches and resorts by the Black Sea, the lovely Sunny Beach, museums, churches and orthodox monasteries, vibrant cities such asSofia, Varna or Burgas, mountains with first-class ski slopes, endless paths to delight ramblers, etc.

In summertime, the Bulgarian coast is a paradise for those who love the sun and partying; its beaches are comparable to those of the Mediterranean. Beautiful sandy coves, urban beaches, large vacation complexes… There is something to suit all tastes! And at nighttime there is no lack of party atmosphere; vibrant restaurants, bars and nightclubs at every turn are the norm. If you are looking for something more peaceful you will also find charming small coastal towns with cobbled streets, pretty churches, wooden houses and a fascinating history. An example of such a charming town is Sozopol, with its narrow stone streets, or Nesebâr with its medieval church ruins.

The Rila Monastery is the jewel in the country’s crown; it is situated in a peaceful forest-covered valley to the south of Sofia and was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1983. It was created in the 10th century as a solitary refuge and grew before being rebuilt several times as the years passed; it is considered a masterpiece of the 13th century Bulgarian Renaissance.

In the heart of the country you will find Veliko Târnovo, a majestic old city of the tsars and the Bulgarian capital in the Middle Ages, which offers an intriguing mixture of antiquity, fantastic stores and nightlife. This university city on the banks of the river Yantra is a popular destination for travelers from both within the country and abroad, who enjoy the intriguing light and sound spectacle that is projected on the spectacular Tsarevets fortress, a solid medieval citadel, every night.

In the capital, Sofia, you will enjoy wonderful museums and gardens. The city is the cultural heart of the country and the venue of many museums and galleries which range from old-school collections to modern expositions.  There is something for everyone: archeology, religious art, natural history or socialist realism; the variety is wide. To escape the urban hustle and bustle you can head to any of the many parks in the city. The vast and pleasant Borisova Gradina, with its shaded paths and small cafés, is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll and is fantastic for children due to its open spaces and play areas.

The alternative to Sofia is Plovdiv, an elegant student city which is great to explore on foot. This is where, for example, the best art galleries in the Balkans are found, where you can get to know the top contemporary Bulgarian painters. As any good university city worth its salt, Plodiv is full of restaurants, alternative bars (particularly in the fashionable Kapana area), elegant nightclubs and all kinds of places where you can take in a show.

The most famous ski resorts in Bulgaria are at the top of the Pirin Mountains, in the south of the country: Bansko and Borovets. Bansko is famous for its long and steep slopes (the highest is at 2500 m) and its vast ski resort, where you can experience adventures while off-piste, too. The slopes of the traditional Borovets resort, past Mount Musala, to the north, also reach 2500 m and, although they are less challenging, there is plenty to do outside of skiing for those who love excitement.

Bulgaria is a genuine paradise for tourists, mountain climbers and lovers of nature. A vast network of marked-out paths and cabins allow ramblers to enjoy the country’s rich and varied landscapes. Unspoiled Alpine forests, lakes, cascades and streams are waiting to be explored.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts boasts a fantastic complex in Sunny Beach with all the equipment needed to offer its clients some wonderful vacations in Bulgaria with sun and sand guaranteed.”

from our blog PassportTo...