We visited Bulgaria recently with two of our very good friends. Our visit took place whilst on a River Cruise on the Danube River. We really enjoyed our Bulgaria Travel experience. Our cruise also took us to Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and Romania. In contrast to the other 3 countries, Bulgaria and Romania are slightly less developed and less affluent! Notwithstanding, both countries are unique. Further, their people are very friendly!!
We sincerely hope that you enjoy reading our Bulgaria Travel Blog!!
About Bulgaria
Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe. It is situated in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Bulgaria has a square area of 111,000 square kilometers. The country’s landscape is extremely varied. To clarify, it consists of large plains and lowlands, low and high mountains, valleys and lovely gorges. Further, the climate of Bulgaria is temperate, with four clear seasons.
Bulgaria has a population of approximately 7.8 m people. The country’s land area is 111,000 square kilometers. Sofia, the capital, has approximately 1.2 million residents. It is the largest city in Bulgaria. The other main cities and towns are Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Stara Zagora, Ruse and Pleven.
The Many Bulgaria Travel Opportunities For Travelers
Although Bulgaria is a relatively small country. However, it has a lot to offer to all travelers. Importantly, it offers Bulgaria Travel enthusiasts many popular holiday spots and hidden gems. The country has a huge variety of different sightseeing opportunities, for example, monasteries, medieval fortresses, Thracian tombs and much more!!!
Facts That Makes Bulgaria Travel Interesting
- Bulgaria has not changed its name since it was first established 681 AD.
- The oldest gold treasure in the world was found in Bulgaria.
- Bulgarians shake their heads to mean yes and nod for no.
- The Bulgarian folk song “Izlel e Delyu Haydutin” was sent into deep space on board the US Space Probe, Voyager I.
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, the bacterium that is responsible for giving Bulgarian yoghurt its unique flavour and consistency, can be found only in the Bulgarian air.
- The Bulgarian army has never lost a single flag in battle.
- John Vincent Atanasoff, a physicist and inventor of Bulgarian descent, invented the first electronic digital computer.
- Nearly one third of Bulgaria is covered in forests.
Facts About Bulgaria Continue
- Most of the rose oil produced in the world are from roses grown in Bulgaria’s “Rose Valley”. Importantly, this oil is used in producing most perfumes.
- The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is the oldest Slavic Orthodox Church.
- Cyrillic is the third official alphabet of the EU. This occurred in January 2007 when Bulgaria became part of the EU.
- The Bulgarian Air Force developed the first air-dropped bomb in Military History. It was used in October 1912 during the first Balkan War.
- Stefka Kostadinova won the high jump of the World Championships in Rome with the sensational jump of 2.09 meters. Amazingly, this record still stands to date.
- Another world record is held by Yordanka Donkova in 100 meters hurdles.
- In 1976 UNESCO declared the ancient Bulgarian calendar as the most accurate in the world.
- Rayna Kasabova was a Bulgarian air force pilot and the first womаn in the world who participated in a military flight.
- Vanga was a famous Bulgarian prophetess. Interestingly, most of her predictions have come true.
The Beautiful Bulgarian Town of Pleven
We arrived at the small river port at Nikopol on the 5th day of our Danube River Cruise. After a leisurely breakfast, we drove across the Danubian Plain to the beautiful town of Pleven. Pleven is surrounded by thousands of acres of parks and forests.
The Story Of The Great Siege Of Pleven
The town is famous for the major siege in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877. Amazingly, it took 5 months for the joint Russian and Romanian army to finally take the town. The battle at Pleven was very decisive. Consequent to this battle, the Ottoman Empire collapsed! As a result, Bulgaria was restored and Romania gained independence.
We first visited the Pleven Panorama which told us the story of this battle through moving photographs and canvasses. Our guide did a great job taking us through the exhibits and telling tell us all about it. It certainly was a very educational experience for all of us.
Walking Tour Of The Old Town Of Pleven
We then went for a walking tour in the Old Town of Pleven. All of us enjoyed the tranquility of the pedestrian-only streets of the Old Town. We enjoyed visiting the St. George Chapel Mausoleum, a memorial to the soldiers killed during the siege. The town also has many other museums. The orthodox church we visited there was extremely beautiful.
We ended the walking tour with a visit to one of the many wayside cafes in the Old Town. Here, we enjoyed a drink and watched the beautiful people of Bulgaria go about their business!!!
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Our Excursion In The Countryside Around Rousse
Our next stop on our Bulgaria Travel itinerary was at the city of Rousse. Rousse is known as “Little Venice” for its wealth of fine 19th-century buildings. We first did a very enjoyable scenic drive around the city, taking in all the wonderful sights of this great city.
The City Of The Czars - A Beautiful Bulgaria Travel Location
Next, we drove about 2 hours before arriving at one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful cities called Veliko Tarnovo. It is also known as the “City of the Czars”. Further, it was the former capital of Bulgaria. This city is located in the midst of a most beautiful rugged landscape close to the Yantra River. We visited the quaint little Old Town, clustered on three hills, with houses stacked on steep sided valleys. It was great to walk along the narrow cobbled streets lined with tiny workshops where we watched copper pots being beaten and wooden utensils being skillfully carved.
The Nativity Church
Our next stop, a visit to the famous Nativity Church, was one of the many high points of the day! We were dazzled by the many intensely colored frescoes inside this church. The five chambers in this old church are covered with these kaleidoscopic frescoes dating between 1632 and 1649.
It features a pantheon of saints and moving depictions of Mary and Christ. Further, the lower walls depict grisly scenes of hellish damnation. By contrast, Christ himself is shown beaming lost souls out of the mouth of the Beast. Last but not least, one should not miss the amazing wooden iconostasis, intricately carved by Tryavna-school artisans.
We all then ate a packed lunch from the ship, which we had at a very cosy little restaurant. After a much needed rest, we embarked on the afternoon part of our excursion!!
Bulgaria Travel Continues In The Picturesque Village Of Arbanassi
Our Bulgaria Travel adventure continued when we reached the village of Arbanssi, set high on a plateau. During the Ottoman times this village had been a thriving commercial center. During those times, this area used to be full of caravans crammed with wares. Amazingly, these caravans had been bound for distant places such as Italy, India and Russia.
We enjoyed a walk in the old pedestrian area of the town. There were many souvenir and handicraft shops in this area, with the occasional cafes in between. Here, we managed to do some shopping for the folks back home.
On our way out of Arbanassi, we made a photo stop at the outskirts of the famous Tsarevets Fort. The remains of a once impregnable fortress complex stands on this hill. Inside these walls are the ruins of the Tsar’s Palace which includes the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God.
The Amazing Ivanovo Rock Churches
Lastly, we visited the Churches of Ivanovo. This is a fascinating complex of chapels and monasteries hewn into the solid rock. A few of us hiked up the mountain to visit one of these churches called the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Rock Church. This church had been built in the 12th century. Most importantly, frescoes dating back to the 14th century had survived the passage of time. These frescoes are exquisite and historically significant. Consequently, this area is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List!!
Visit To Vidin and Belogradchik
Sailing on the Danube River is so exhilarating!! We sailed into the port of Vidin in Bulgaria, having sailed past some beautiful countryside. It was exciting to know that on one side of the ship was Bulgaria, and Romania was on the other.
The Magnificent Belogradchik Rocks
Today our Bulgaria Travel excursion took us to the medieval town of Belogradchik, which is about a one hour drive from Vidin. As we drove past this rugged wilderness, we encountered some breathtaking scenery. Amazingly, the horizon was suddenly dotted with huge sandstone cliffs. These cliffs were in a spectrum of orange, red and yellow. Apparently, these cliffs had eroded into huge bizarre shapes, over the ages.
We did a hike up a mountain to see a medieval fort. There were rock formations in all shapes and sizes all around us. This area is known as the Belogradchik Rocks. They cover an area of 35 square miles and have rock formations reaching as high as 600 feet. Many of these gigantic natural sculptures are named after people and objects they are thought to resemble. Further, some others are associated with colorful legends.
Visit To Baba Vida Fortress
We were all grateful to get back into our coach after the uphill trek to see the fort. Our next stop was at the Baba Vida Fortress.
The Baba Vida Fortress is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in southeastern Europe. It is located along the banks of the Danube. This strategic location has been fortified and fought over since Roman times. While not as large as some of the other old fortifications in the region, it is historically the most important castle in Bulgaria. Its excellent state is due to its superior masonry. In addition, it has not been threatened since the 14th century. Today it is maintained as a museum. Consequently, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria outside of the capital.
Our Bulgaria Travel Guide To Sofia The Capital
Visitors feel like kids when wandering the streets around Sofia. It is similar to a kid playing hide and seek. Amazingly, one never knows what one is going to find around the next street corner!!
Sofia Parks
The center of Sofia have some really great green spaces. Notably, two of them deserve more attention.
Park National Palace of Culture can be found at the end of Vitosha Blvd. It’s a pleasant place to chill. Interestingly, there are two things of real interest! Firstly, a weird futuristic monument that just looks crazy. This is because it’s about to collapse any minute. Secondly, the National Palace of Culture – a great example of Socialist Modernism style, home to some cultural institutions.
The other park, the Knyazhenska Garden, is where you will find some Soviet monuments at its best. Alongside this park is a skate park. Funny fact, in 2011, one of the monuments got painted overnight and soldiers were transformed into comic books characters.
Take The Free Walking Tour
Triangle Of Religious Tolerance
A Few Other Places Of Interest In Sofia
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Vitosha Mountain
The Sofia History Museum
The Saint Sophia Statue
More Bulgaria Travel Tips
The Many Ski Resorts in Bulgaria
Bulgaria Travel comes alive with visitors at winter time too. It is now an increasingly popular ski destination.
Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are the three major resorts in Bulgaria. However several hidden gems also provide beautiful mountain scenery and basic ski equipment.
Bulgaria is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a unique take on classic seasonal pursuits. With heavy snowfall until June on the highest peaks, it is perfect for both beginner ski runs and challenging slopes. Add to that affordable prices and beautiful wintry landscapes. It’s no wonder Bulgaria is seducing visitors from all over the world.
Sunny Beach on the Black Sea is one of many beach areas in Bulgaria. It is is famous for its long stretches of soft, sandy beaches that slope into the Black Sea. Further its numerous tourists enjoy its lively nightlife.
The golden beaches stretch for eight kilometers along the coast. It offers the perfect spot to spend time soaking up the sun and taking a swim. The beaches in the area are clean and are sheltered from the elements. Consequently, the sea is perfect for swimming. The many hotels along the coast are also reasonably priced and family-friendly. This is the place to visit if you want to spend a few days relaxing in the sunshine and exploring the surrounding area, such as the ancient town of Nessebar.
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The Beautiful Beaches Of Bulgaria
Taste Bulgarian Cuisine - A Must For All Travelers To Bulgaria
If you’ve eaten a lot of Turkish and Greek food, you may find they share some similarities with traditional Bulgarian food. What makes Bulgarian food unique is the beautiful balance between meat, yoghurt, cheese, and vegetables that work perfectly for the Bulgarian climate.
Banitza
This traditional Bulgarian pastry is something you’ll find across the country at bakeries, coffee shops, canteens and bus stations. Its buttery, cheesy, goodness is highly addictive. Further, this snack goes very well with coffee. It is prepared by stacking up layers of filo pastry dough with butter and traditional Bulgarian cheese, before it is baked. If you’re on a diet, you’ll definitely overshoot your calorie limit with a couple of Banitza. However, it is worth it!!
Lukanka
If you’re looking for a quick snack or appetiser in Bulgaria, your best bet is to grab a roll or slice yourself some Lukanka. A traditional salami, Lukanka is the Bulgarian variant of the Italian soppressata. Lukanka is great as a snack, to eat with veggies or with cheese over drinks. The salami is a mix of meat and fat, cured with spices and herbs before it is cased and dried out. Every region in Bulgaria has its own unique way of making Lukanka. Curiously, some even patent their local Lukanka at the Bulgarian patent office!
Shkembe
Bulgarians love soup and salad. The shkembe is a traditional Bulgarian soup made from tripe. If you look at a Bulgarian cookbook, chances are ‘Shkembe’ will be one of the first recipes you come across. For the uninitiated, tripe is, of course, the thick stomach lining found in the bellies of cattle. This traditional recipe is made by boiling cut or minced tripe for several hours with paprika, milk, and oil. Apparently, the more the paprika the better the shkembe.
Meshana Skara
The Meshana Skara is the holy grail of Bulgarian food, especially if you love meat. The mixed grill includes the classic kebapche, and other meats like kyufta and skewers of pork meat and pork steak.
Cafes and restaurants usually serve meshana skara with fries on the side, the lyutenitsa paste. Of course, you gotta wash the meal down with a beer!
Best Time To Travel To Bulgaria
Bulgaria has a typical continental climate marked by long, hot summers and bitterly cold winters. The best time to visit this beautiful country is during the summer months, between June and September. However, if you’re visiting for the ski resorts that open in the winter months, December to March is the ideal time frame.
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