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), Bradts Bulgaria offers a comprehensive guide to this increasingly popular country, location of Provadia, Europes 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 Neseburs harbour. Bradts Bulgaria also offers better coverage of the countrys compelling natural history than any other guide.New for this edition are greater coverage of outdoor activities and adventure trips, a fresh perspective on Bulgarias 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 worlds 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 Bulgarias participation in the European rewilding scheme. From Plovdivs 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, Bradts Bulgaria is the ideal companion for a perfect trip.

Bulgaria Travel Guide - Travel information and expert advice featuring Sofia accommodation and highlights, Ruse, Plovdiv, Nesebur peninsula, Koprivshtitsa, Thracian Plain, Black Sea coast, and Pirin and Rhodope Mountains. Also covering festivals, ancient history, wildlife, birdwatching, national parks, Neolithic and Ottoman archaeological sites.

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