 Bulgaria is famous for its many monasteries and museum towns, most of which are located in scenic mountain settings. The country also boasts nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the many national parks are ideal settings for those who like the outdoors.
 Museum towns
Melnik is well-known for its wine cellars, architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th century and the nearby Rozhen Monastery with its skilfully carved altar, stained-glass windows, icons and murals. Bansko, at the foot of Pirin Mountain, is home to the Holy Trinity Church featuring carved ceilings and murals and houses with high stone walls that look like monasteries.
 National parks
Pirin National Park is located on the highest slopes of the Pirin mountain range. The landscape here is home to ancient pine forests to crystalline lakes and limestone rocks. The park gives sanctuary to many rare plant species, including the almost extinct Edelweiss and also has nearly 180 glacier lakes. Rila National Park in the south-west covers almost half of the Rila mountain range and is famous for its seven lakes and its monastery dating back to 900 AD. At Vitosha National Park, just outside Sofia, visitors can see many different kinds of butterflies, wolves, bears and wild cats.
 Rila Monastery
Located 121kms from Sofia, this ancient monastery contains a huge collection of murals, woodcarvings, coins, old weapons, manuals and bibles written on parchment. Most of the early 900 AC architecture was destroyed in a fire and the existing buildings date from the 19th century, except for the 14th century Khrelio’s Tower.
 Rose Valley
In May and early June, this picturesque valley is magically transformed when the roses open their beautiful petals en masse. At this time of year, the Festival of Roses is celebrated in many of the region’s towns. Visitors can see rose picking rituals and folklore exhibitions. The Museum of Rose Production is located in Kazanluk. The valley of Kazanluk has numerous archaeological and historic treasures from Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Thracian origins.
 Sofia
The ancient capital dates back to the 4th century BC and boasts a variety of architectural styles including Greek, Roman, Bulgarian, Byzantine and Turkish. There are also many theatres, museums, opera houses and art galleries. Alexander Nevski Memorial Church was built to commemorate Bulgaria’s liberation from the Turks in the Russo-Turkish war at the end of the last century.
 Turnova
This town is home to many fine examples of 18th and 19th century houses built in the National Revival style. Many of them look as if they grow out of the steep slopes that flank the river. The Preobrazhenski Monastery is not far and the open-air folk museum at Etar, near the town of Gobrovo, is worth a visit.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Bulgaria is home to nine of these. The Thracian Kazanluk Tomb in the Valley of Roses features perfectly preserved 4th century murals. The Sveshtari Tomb, near the town of Razgrad, was built 2,300 years ago on behalf of a Thracian king. The Madara Horseman is a rock carving of a horseman stabbing a lion with his spear and dates back to the early Middle Ages. Boyana Church, near the Sofia suburb of Boyana is famous for its murals, such as replicas of icons from Constantinople. The Ivanovo Rock Monasteries extend for over 5kms and are made up of cells, chapels and churches hollowed out from the rocks by 11th to 14th century hermit monks. The 7th century fishing village of Old Nessebur is near Sunny Beach and features timber fishermen’s houses and almost 50 Byzantine churches. Rila Monastery and Sreburna Lake are home to unique fauna and wildlife, including the rare Dalmatian pelican.
Top Things to Do
 Cruise the Danube River
A river cruise on the Danube gives travellers the opportunity to discover the art, music and history of the Danube valley as well as the spectacular scenery. One of Europe’s main rivers, the Danube flows through seven countries on its way to the Black Sea. At wine harvest time, Danube Wine Cruises are on offer.
 Go on a hike
Bulgaria is home to 35,000kms of marked trails. It is easy to arrange trips lasting from one to two weeks through the wild mountains. Knowledgeable guides are available and mountain chalets, guest houses or camps offer rustic but charming lodging.
 Ski at Borovets This World Cup venue is in operation from November until April. Located just 72kms from Sofia in the Rila Mountains at an altitude of 1350ms, it is Bulgaria’s oldest and largest mountain resort.
 Indulge in a spa
Bulgaria has many mineral water spas. The healing properties of the country’s mineral waters have been recognised and used for centuries. Famous spa resorts and centres are the towns of Sandanski, Velingrad, Hissaria and Kyustendil, as well as the resorts at Albena, Golden Sands and Pomorie.
 Swim in the Black Sea
With half the salt content of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea has over 370kms of shoreline with sandy beaches and plenty of attractive resorts can be found on the Black Sea Riviera.
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