Bulgaria Holiday Tours

Once ruled by the Ottoman Empire and then the Soviet regime, Bulgaria hasn’t always been a prime tourist destination. Today though, discerning Eastern European explorers are learning that Bulgaria’s relaxing Black Sea Coast and the lush valleys of the River Danube or River Struma match any rural European retreat.

Beyond the striking mountains and vast green stretches, there is also much history and culture to grasp. Bulgaria’s capital Sofia features the Neo-Byzantine style Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world and a popular attraction due to its impressive size and striking structure. While indulging in the many parks and street bars in Sofia, also make time to visit the legendary mediaeval Baba Vida Fortress, which stands today in almost perfect condition and is the only entirely preserved mediaeval castle in the country.

If you like Baba Vida you’ll love Belogradchik, a fairytale town at the foot of the Balkan Mountains which is famed for its weathered red sandstone in fantastic formations; covering an area of over 50 square miles, the Belogradchik Rocks are one of the natural wonders of Bulgaria.

Rousse is Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city and a walk along Rousse’s lively pedestrian zone, known for its 19th and 20th century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, will give you plenty of photographic opportunities. Varna’s Archaeological Museum is also worth an outing, as it’s home to the oldest gold treasure in the world.

As you travel between the sleepy towns and dynamic cities of Bulgaria, look out for rainbow painted monasteries and pretty timber-framed cottages peeping out of the rolling hills which embody the gentle rustic culture of Bulgaria.