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. The guide 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.