Bulgaria

Fully updated for this third edition by expert author Annie Kay (for over 10 years Chairman of the British-Bulgarian Society and a part-time resident of Sofia), Bradt's Bulgaria offers a comprehensive guide to this increasingly popular country, location of Provadia, Europe's oldest prehistoric town. Detailed background information is combined with everything from tips on the best hotels and mehanas to hiking through the Rila Mountains in search of brown bear or simply strolling around Nesebur's harbour. Bradt's Bulgaria also offers better coverage of the country's compelling natural history than any other guide.

New for this edition are greater coverage of outdoor activities and adventure trips, a fresh perspective on Bulgaria's burgeoning music scene and nightlife, significantly increased coverage of food and wine – including winery tours, the local grapes, and some on-site restaurants and hotels – plus the benefit of new contributions from locals sharing their inside knowledge of local towns. Also covered are improvements to infrastructure and new attractions such as the Historical Park, the world's largest history park near the Black Sea city of Varna, offering an interactive trip in time going back thousands of years.

Bulgaria has a history and culture as rich and diverse as its landscape. From the gold-domed churches of Sofia to the picturesque National Revival houses of Koprivshtitsa, mountain monasteries to medieval fortresses and ancient rock formations, the country boasts an eclectic mix of traditions and architecture. Recent archaeological discoveries are detailed in this new edition, along with Bulgaria's participation in the European rewilding scheme. From Plovdiv's UNESCO-listed Old Town to the frescoes of Rila Monastery, skiing to eagle spotting in Pirin National Park, elegant Ruse to the deserted beaches of the Black Sea coast, or the former capital of Veliko Turnovo to the famous mountain town of Koprivshtitsa, Bradt's Bulgaria is the ideal companion for a perfect trip.

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, Archaeology, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Maps, Tour operators, Activity and special-interest holidays, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, LGBT travellers, Travelling with a disability, Toilets, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Shopping, Museums, churches and historic sites, Arts and entertainment, Sport,

Photography, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Sofia

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Sofia

Chapter 4 The Southwest

In the Rila Mountains, Blagoevgrad, Bansko, The far south, Kyustendil

Chapter 5 The Northwest

Iskur Gorge, Vratsa, Vratsa to Vidin, Vidin

Chapter 6 Central Stara Planina and the Danube Plain

Towards Stara Planina, Pleven, Lovech, Troyan, Around Troyan, Gabrovo, Around Gabrovo, Veliko Turnovo, Around Veliko, Turnovo, East towards Veliki Preslav, Veliki Preslav, Shumen, Around Shumen, The Ludogorie, On the Danube

Chapter 7 The Valley of the Roses and Sredna Gora

Sredna Gora, East towards Kazanluk, Kazanluk, Stara Zagora, Nova Zagora, Sliven, Yambol, Around Yambol

Chapter 8 Plovdiv, the Rhodopes and the Thracian Plain

The old road from Sofia to Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Into the Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo, Momchilovtsi, Smolyan, North and west of Smolyan, South from Smolyan, Smolyan to Kurdzhali, Kurdzhali, East of Kurdzhali, Haskovo to Svilengrad

Chapter 9 Strandzha, the Black Sea Coast and Dobrudzha

In the Strandzha Mountains, The southern coast, Sozopol, Burgas North of Burgas, Sunny Beach, From Sunny Beach to Varna, Varna, The coast north of Varna, Balchik, Kavarna, North of Kavarna, North of Kaliakra, Dobrudzha

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Glossary

Appendix 3 Further Information

Index