Bulgaria Holidays 2012

Image by Kiril Havezov

Bulgaria is a country in the Balkan Mountains near the Black Sea. To the north is Romania, Greece to the South, and Turkey alongside it's southeastern border. It's one of the most exotic holiday destinations in Europe for 2012, with sandy warm beaches, ancient cathedrals and churches, skiing, and much more. Luckily, it's not (yet) a particularly popular tourist destination as of 2012, so you won't have to deal with too much crowding.

Bulgaria is divided into Five regions, and each has something to offer an adventurous traveler no matter their tastes.

Northwest Bulgaria

Northwestern Bulgaria is Bulgaria's Gate to the West, and here you will find the capital of Sofia, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Most tourist traffic goes through Sofia, as it features many green parks, bars, discos, and well voer 200 historical landmarks and architecture; if you want vibrant nightlife or history, Sofia is the place to visit.

Central Northern Bulgaria

Central Northern Bulgaria has cities along the Danube, vast forests lining the coasts. Rousse is known as "Little Vienna"; here you will find the Sexiginta Prista Castle, The House of Caliopa, The Pantheon, and the Theatre which have stood the test of time. You will also find many good restaurants and cafes in the city centre. Gabrovo is in the Balkan Mountains, where you can find many affordable (Pamporovo has a ski school + lift + ski hire for about 90€ for three days) and posh ski resorts in the larger towns.

Northern Thrace

Northern Thrace is dominated by the Maritsa River, and here you can see many ancient Thracian sites. Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second largest city, which is great for shopping. You can also see the ancient ampitheater, and see Bulgarian Revival style homes all over the city. The Bachkovo Monastery is also a great stop, and about an hour away from the town centre.

Black Sea Coast

The Black Sea Coast is covered in resort towns, not frequented often by travelers. If you want a spot on the beach that is quiet and warm, it's a good place to visit. Burgas is a good place for shopping with good prices and interesting local goods. Varna is a resort town, with a vibrant nightlife that can get a little wild in the summer. The Varna Archaeological Museum houses some of the most interesting pieces of history for Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Mountains

In the Bulgarian Mountains, you'll find many national and nature parks. These include Central Balkan National park, Nature Park Bulgarka (lots of nature, hiking, and photo opportunities), Pirin (great for hiking in the summer) and Rila National Park.
While in Bulgaria, keep in mind that crime is low but some of the infrastructure is shoddy. Keep in mind safety precautions that you would take in London or any other major big city in Europe, and watch your step, as many people have fallen down holes in the middle of the night.