About Sofia:
Sofia - “It Grows but Does not Age”
The city of Sofia is the capital of Republic of Bulgaria. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the outskirts of the mountain massif Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of the country.
It is considered to be one of the oldest capitals within the European Union. In Sofia is situated the biggest orthodox cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula.
The city’s history, culture, entertainment, conference and exposition sites, as well as an airport with two terminals, make it preferred destination for different types of events.
Interesting historical and cultural sites near Sofia:
Boyana Church: UNESCO site, 1259
Rila Monastery: UNESCO site, 10th Century;120 km from Sofia
Bansko: Historical site and top ski resort; 160 km from Sofia
Melnik: Historical site, famous for its wineries;176 km from Sofia
Kovachevica: Historical site; 185 km from Sofia
Belogradchik Rocks: Natural Rock Formation; 185 km from Sofia
Leshten: Historical site; 198 km from Sofia
Plovdiv - At the heart of ancient Thrace and the Valley of the Roses
Plovdiv is the second biggest city in Bulgaria. Archeologists have found evidence that the city is older than Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople and that it dates back to the 7th Millennium BC.
Plovdiv is situated only 125 km away from the capital and has two motorways coming in or near the city. Plovdiv also has an international airport, which serves many tourist charter flights and is considered to be substitute for Sofia’s airport if necessary.
Interesting Historical and cultural sites near Plovdiv:
Asenova Fortress: Strategically significant fortress during the Middle Ages; 20 km from Plovdiv
A lot of wineries in this area
Bachkovo Monastery: Second largest monastery in Bulgaria; 28 km from Plovdiv
Hissarya: Roman Settlement; 40 km from Plovdiv
Starosel Complex: Within the complex there are 6 Thracian tombs; 47 km from Plovdiv
The Wonderful Stone Bridges: Natural stone formation; 80 km from Plovdiv
Koprivshtitza: Important center during the liberation from the Ottoman Turks; 80 km from Plovdiv
Kazanlak tomb: UNESCO site, 4th-3rd Century BC; 108 km from Plovdiv
Valley of the Roses and the Rose Festival; 108 km from Plovdiv
Perperikon: Sanctuary of Dionysius; 140 km from Plovdiv
Varna - The sea capital of Bulgaria
Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria. The city has a port, an airport and a motor way coming in the city. There are numerous entertainment and cultural places to be visited in Varna which makes it proffered destination by millions of tourists annually. In Varna is built a Palace of the Sport that hosts different competitions and contests every year.
Interesting historical and cultural sites near Varna:
Stone Forest: Unique geological phenomena; 18 km from Varna
Balchik: Ancient Greek settlement and beautiful palace with botanical garden; 30 km from Varna
Kaliakra: Natural and archeological resort; 60 km from Varna
Shabla: Ancient Roman fortress; 78 km from Varna
Kavarna: Greek settlement from 5th century AD, 98 km from Varna
Mussel Factory: The best place for the lovers of fresh mussels, 98 km from Varna
Sveshtari Tomb: UNESCO site, first half of the 3rd Century BC; 151 km from Varna
Bourgas - Bourgas and the Sea:
The forth largest city in Bulgaria, it is important tourist and sea port center. It is а successor of Roman and Byzantine settlements. Great variety of hotels present perfect opportunity for rest and entertainment. There is international airport near the city. Bourgas is considered the center of the South part of the Black Sea seaside.
Interesting historical and cultural sites around Bourgas:
Nessebar: One of the oldest settlements in Europe and UNESCO site; 74 km from Bourgas;
Sozopol: Old Greek colony, named after the Greek God of Beauty Apollo; 42 km from Bourgas.
Veliko Tarnovo - Capital of the Second Kingdom:
Veliko Tarnovo is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. Veliko Tarnovo was the strongest Bulgarian fortification of the Middle Ages and the most important political, economic, cultural and religious centre of the empire. In the 14th century Tarnovo claimed to be the Third Rome based on its preeminent cultural influence in the Balkans and the Slavic Orthodox world. Tzarevetz, one of the most attractive tourist sites in the city, is a mediaeval stronghold which served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress and strongest bulwark, housing of the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and is a popular tourist attraction. Late night audiovisual show is carried out there, telling the story of the fall of the city under Ottoman rule. It is located 242 km of Sofia and 229 km of Varna.
Interesting tourist sites near Veliko Tarnovo:
Arbanassi: Unique architecture site from the 16th-17th century; 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo
Gabrovo: Old merchant center; 45 km from Veliko Tarnovo
Ethara open-air ethnographic museum: Visitors could be taught how to perform traditional Bulgarian crafts. 53 km from Veliko Tarnovo
Bojentzi: Historical heritage site; 60 km from Veliko Tarnovo
Tryavna: One of the Renaissance centers of the region; 65 km from Veliko Tarnovo
The Madara Horseman: Medieval stone relief, UNESCO site, early 7th century AD; 153 km from Veliko Tarnovo
Pliska: The first capital of the Bulgarian Kingdom; 164 km from Veliko Tarnovo
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