WINTER RESORTS:
The Pamporovo resort is the sunniest of all Bulgarian mountain and ski ones, and there the gentle slope of the mountain makes the ski tracks to vary in difficulty, thus comforting both beginners and expert skiers. It is located at 1 650 metres altitude at the foot of the Snezhanka peak. The climate is phenomenal - mild winter with one hundred and twenty sunny days, and at the same time you can enjoy durable and thick snow cover! Skiing season is open from the mid-December to mid-April. The Pamporovo resort is a modern ski resort, sited in the heart of the Rhodopa mountain. Its unique climatic conditions make it attractive not only in winter, but in summer too.

The Borovetz resort boasts over forty diverse ski tracks in immediate proximity to twelve hotels and four villa settlements, only 73 km away from the city of Sofia. The skiing season is open from November to May with snow cover thickness of 1,5 metres. It is located at 1350 metres altitude amidst century-old coniferous forests in the Rila mountain, at the very foot of the peak Mussala (2925 metres high) - the highest one on the Balkan peninsula. The resort is the oldest and largest ski resort in Bulgaria. Its ski tracks are quite diverse in difficulty and purpose, while the twelve hotels and four villa settlements offer a variety of entertainment and excellent conditions for a pleasant vacation. The resort is easily accessible. There are one indoor and one open-air swimming pool, saunas, fitness clubs,tables tennis club, billiards tables and a bowling hall. The chief attraction are the folklore nights, coupled with Bulgarian wine tasting and indigenous traditional local meals.

The charming historical town of Bansko, nestled in the dale between the Pirin, Rila and the Rhodopa mountains, presents enormous opportunities for tourism and vacation all the year round. Today, Bansko is the pearl in the crown of the Bulgarian tourism. This enthralling original town is situated along the valley of the Mesta river, surrounded by the above-mentioned three mountains. Especially the Pirin mountain, crowned with the 2 914 metres high peak Vihren, poses as a magnificent Alpine background for the town. The climate of Bansko is strongly influenced by the mountain and is characterized by short summer and long winter. The typical local stone and wood houses nowadays are converted in cozy little taverns and small family hotels. Although Bansko is vastly popular for its excellent conditions for skiing, mountaineering and climbing, it also has to offer rich history and culture, with some one hundred and fifty monuments in its vicinities.

The town of Chepelare is a quiet little town with a ski lift of its own and a ski track of five kilometres, with plenty of small private hotels and taverns. It is situated in the picturesque valley of the Chepelarska river, only 80 km away from the city of Plovdiv. The town has the highest altitude of all towns and cities in Bulgaria - 1 140 metres. It is being said, that here the air is the most clear of all the towns and the sunshine is longest too. The town of Chepelare also boasts more authentic Rhodopean atmosphere.

The Malyovitza (1 700 metres in altitude) resort is a Alpine-type high-mountain tourist complex. The National Central Mountaineering School and the camping site, along with the ski grounds and the two lifts are of particular interest to the visitor. The resort has a hotel, ski tracks and lifts, ski wardrobe and all the necessities for ski sports. Here the snow cover stays for a long time. It is the local precipitation that determines whether one can ski in May. But this enchanting place is deep in the hearts of the mountaineers. The Malyovitza resort is situated some 40 km away from the one in Borovets, but is undoubtedly smaller than it. Nevertheless the scenery is just splendid!

The town of Hissarya ( population of 9308, 364 metres altitude) is situated in Central Bulgaria, in the southern parts of the Sredna Gora mountain, near the renowned Rose Valley. It is a prominent balneological resort, one of the biggest in Bulgaria. The low mineralization waters of Hissarya are curable for many common diseases and maladies.

Apriltzi is a small town, sited on the foot of the middle Stara Planina mountain. It has a population of 4700. It has a rich and interesting history, and is set in an incredible scenery and boasts great number of landmarks. In particular the landscape is enthralling. The immediate proximity to the mountain, coupled with good hostels and private rooms attract a lot of tourists. Apart from that, it is a starting point for a lot of tourist routes through its beautiful vicinities and a good number of alpine tours in the mountain with different level of difficulty. Consequently, the importance of the town of Apriltzi as a winter resort is growing year after year.

The town of Velingrad is situated among the picturesque landscape of the Western Rhodopa mountain at 800 metres altitude and is the biggest balneological resort in Bulgaria. The huge abundance of mineral water springs, together with the comfortable and modern baths, along with the superb scenery and mild climate attract 200 000 tourists a year. The biggest natural resource are of course the springs, spouting water with 26-28 degrees centigrade warmth. There are 16 open-air and indoor swimming pools and baths with mineral water. If you happen to be for the fun here, you will probably enjoy going for a row or paddling the water wheel in the lake of Kleptuza - which happens to be the largest Karst lake in Bulgaria, a rare natural phenomena, or just idly stroll the beautiful park surrounding the lake.

The village of Dobrinishte is the most famous balneological resort in the Pirin mountain, only 6 km away from Bansko. It is one of the largest Bulgarian villages, well-known for its mineral springs from ancient times. The village possesses 17 springs, spouting hot water with a temperature of 30 to 43 degrees centigrade and with low mineralization. It is generally recommended for balneological and climatological treatment of various ailments, but the proximity to the well-equipped ski tracks of the Bezbog and the wonderful Alpine scenery make it a perfect centre of mountaineering and skiing. The village has several taverns and bars, as well as a swimming pool, filled with mineral water.

The town of Sandanski is sited on the foot of the Pirin mountain, along the valley of the Sandanska Bistritza river, and lies at altitude of 224 metres. The population of the town is 27 631. It is most attractive mainly for its mineral springs with water's temperature from 33 to 83 degrees centigrade. Here the winter is extremely short and mild, while the autumn is warm and lasts longer.

The village of Yamna is situated several kilometres away from the town of Etropole and an hour's ride from Sofia. Nestled in the foots of the Balkan, it attracts a lot of visitors with its crystal-clear air and picturesque landscape.

BLACK SEA - SUMMER RESORTS:

The Golden Sands / Zlatni Pyassatzi / resort offers excellent opportunities for a true vacation with lots of entertainments, sports and many new acquaintances. The resort is located 18 km to the north of the town of Varna, and is by far the largest resort on the Northern Black Sea coast. Sited entirely on the territory of the national park "Zlatni Pyassatzi", all of its hotels are scattered in the midst of a beautiful forest with rear trees in it. Apart from the enormous list of water and beach sports one can practise, which are organised by the different hotels, the resort has a lot of indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sport and fitness centres, open-air kindergartens, balneological centres, riding grounds, tennis courts and mini golf courses. The number of hotels is approaching 61, mostly three star ones, but there are three villa resorts. Of course there are mineral waters of good quality, and a number of fitness centres and baths around them.

The Sunny Beach / Slantchev Bryag / resort is located 42 km away from the town of Bourgas and 434 km to the east of Sofia. It is the largest resort of all summer ones in Bulgaria, boasting more than 100 hotels with a total capacity exceeding 30 000 beds. In the summer the resort is swarming with tourists, and the numerous flower beds and huge parks provide some tranquillity and cool air in the hot season. The many casinos, discotheques, night clubs with cabaret shows offer all the varied opportunities for an interesting night life in it. The resort also has two camping sites and many other places for entertainment.

Duny /Dyuni /is a luxury villa resort, located some 40 km to the south of the town of Bourgas, in the middle of a large bay near the Black Sea. The complex architecture combines several styles, supplementing each other, and providing true Mediterranean and typical Bulgarian atmosphere of the place. Luxurious and expensive as it can be, especially for the individual tourists, this resort offers a great number of attractions and wonderful conditions for a good vacation. The three kilometre long beach of the resort is as fascinating as the hotels scattered around it. In the north corner of the beach there is a small quay, forming a secluded bay perfect for windsurfing and yachting. The complex has several swimming pools, seven tennis courts and many other facilities and services. The bay of the resort has natural protection from the north winds, which makes it a great place for all water sports.

The town of Primorsko is a climatic resort and a popular centre for youth tourism. It is located 5 km away from the village of Kiten, and 55 km away from the town of Bourgas. The main landmark of the resort are its attractive, winding sand beaches - the longest and most beautiful in the region. It is really a piece of heaven on earth for numerous tourists, seeking refuge from the tedious work in the summer in its numerous hotels, hostels, private rooms, holiday homes and camps. All of the town's surroundings are covered with rich deciduous trees, now turned into a beautiful park with a lot of alleys and an old oak forest. The relief of the town of Primorsko is unique in its splendour and beauty. The two long beaches are surrounded by a dunes' belt. While the centre of the town is densely built, the International Youth Centre and the coast are inviting for a stroll with unforgettable panoramas.

The village of Sinemoretz is the southernmost point of the Bulgarian Black Sea coastline, and quite beautiful too. The village lies in the heart of a splendid national reserve, encompassing the valleys of the Veleka and Resovska river. The scenery of the place is simply enchanting. Only here you can enjoy the unique combination of between sea, river and forest. You will immediately capture the fresh air, tranquillity magic of this place. Here the sand is exceptionally clean, and the water is comfortingly warm and crystal-clear water. This beach alone has lifeguards and is always kept clean. Several small restaurants offer good meals.

The resort village of Kranevo is located between the the Zlatni Pyassatzi resort and the Albena resort, and boasts a wonderful beach, many small family restaurants and hotels. It is some 20 km away from the town of Varna. The coast of Kranevo is high and extremely beautiful, with small plots of vineyards and villas scattered along it. The village is famous for the abundance of recreation camps for pupils and students, whence it is popular with children. The village offers unique combination of flowing mineral water, fresh air, clear sea water and wonderful beaches.

The village of Tzarevo occupies the south-eastern part of Bulgaria and is 60 km to the south of the town of Bourgas. The village is an administrative centre of a county by the same name, which turns out to be one of the most attractive in the Bourgas province, due to the huge number of places of interest. The unmatched combination of sea, mountain and rivers with exotic vegetation provide limitless opportunities for tourism of various types - hunting, eco-, yachting, hobby and photo tourism. There are three beaches and two camping sites in the village - one is called "Nestinarka", the other one "Bulgarka".

The town of Nessebar is one of the oldest towns of Europe, and is beautifully situated an a tiny peninsula in the Black Sea, 37 km away from the town of Bourgas. The local beach is considered the best of all the beaches along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Today the town is one of the most attractive sea resorts in the country. The old town of Nessebar is proclaimed a cultural reserve of world importance and intrigues an unbelievable number of tourists. There are forty one churches in the town. Not all of them managed to preserve their initial grandeur, but nevertheless in their present state are magnificent too.
The road, which runs along the coast to the north of the Slantchev Bryag resort in the direction of Elenite villa resort, passes through the tiny village of Sveti Vlas, nestled in a picturesque neighbourhood. Nowadays Sveti Vlas is rapidly expanding, due to industrious and enterprising people, creating small wonders in the form of hotels, boarding houses, villas and restaurants, dispersed along the coast and the nearby hills. The panorama to the bay of Nessebar and the open sea from the village is overwhelming.

The town of Sozopol is the oldest ever town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coastline, 34 km to the south of Bourgas. It is sited on a picturesque rocky peninsula. The charming atmosphere of the town with its two beaches and especially the 19th century houses, giving the place the additional romantic air, has turned it into a preferred destination for many. A long walk along the narrow cobbled streets will transfer you to a time long gone by. The peculiar architecture of the houses from the Bulgarian Revival period in the town is of special interest to all the visitors.

MONASTERIES:

The Aladzha monastery is one of the many rock monasteries of the Middle Ages, found in north-east Bulgaria. It is situated in a marvelous forest area, 17 km away from the town of Varna. The monastery was supposedly founded in the tome of the First Bulgarian Kingdom, being very active during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and the first centuries of the Turkish yoke. Its church is richly decorated, as is customary with the Eastern Orthodox churches.

The Rozhen monastery is one of the few medieval monasteries, which have been preserved almost all their initial appearance at the time of their creation, with authentic architecture and grand murals. It is situated 6 km away from the town of Melnik, near the village of Rozhen, on the crest of a high hill, overlooking the peaks of the Pirin and Belassitza mountains. One can be allowed to stay overnight at this place, and the cozy little taverns in the village of Rozhen serve traditional Bulgarian food and the famous home-made Melnik wine.

The Zemen monastery is one of the oldest Bulgarian monasteries, a treasured monument of culture and craftsmanship. It is sited on the bank of the Struma river, where once there was a medieval Bulgarian town with fortress. It is located 76 km to the south-east of Sofia. In architectural aspect the monastery is a phenomenon on the Balkan peninsula. Along with that the old mural paintings are of extraordinary value, being composed of two layers, one from the XI, the one from the XII-XIV century. The paintings of the church founders are of special interest as the oldest of all and extremely valuable. Nowadays the monastery has undergone a restoration, fortified and is guarded as a national monument, part of the Bulgarian cultural and architectural heritage.

The Troyan monastery is the third largest in Bulgarian, a stavropigion, i.e. put under the direct jurisdiction of the Bulgarian Synod and one of the world-famous Christian monasteries. It is located 10 km to the south-east of the town of Troyan. It is conceived, that the monastery was founded around the year 1600. Apart from church paintings, the monastery is safeguarding a huge collection of various artefacts of the Bulgarian traditional applied arts and crafts, thus it is gradually turning itself into a centre of traditional Bulgarian handicrafts and arts.

The Rila monastery is the largest complex of monasteries on the Balkan peninsula, and the most fascinating too. It is situated at 1100 metres altitude, in the north-western part of the Rila mountain. The monastery was founded in the X century A.D. by Our Reverend Father Saint John of Rila, the celestial guardian of the Bulgarian people, and revived in the XIII - XIV century A.D., but its full restoration started at the beginning of the XIX century A.D. Then the housing complex and the church " The Holy Virgin" were built. In the four-storeyed housing wings there are four hundred cells, four chapels, guest rooms for the worshipers, the monastery kitchen (magernitza) with original structure. The icons and murals from the XIX century A.D. are of particular interest to all visitors.

One of the most intriguing monasteries in Bulgaria - the "Seven Altars" monastery is situated at the upstream of the river Gabrovnitza river, in the western foot of the Stara Planina mountain. Its real name is Osenovlak monastery "Our Holy Mother of God". The diversity of the icons and paintings clearly shows, that in the "Seven Altars" monastery different icon-painters from various parts of the country were invited to decorate the its church. Today the buildings of the monastery have undergone a restoration to their original appearance from the time of the Bulgarian Revival.

The Bachkovo monastery is situated on the left bank of the Chepelarska river in the western part of the Rhodopa mountain, only 1 km away from the the village of Bachkovo. It is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and the second stavropigion in our country. Founded in 1083 by a prominent Byzantine statesman, of Georgian origin. Its museum is home to a very rich collection of church plates, icons, manuscripts, incunables and the sword of the crusader Friedrich Barbarossa. The surroundings of the monastery are enchanting also.

The Basarbovo monastery is the only active rock monastery for men in Bulgaria. It is situated in the canyon of the Lom river in the Rousse parish district, and in it there are
three hundred rock premises, forty of which were churches. Some of the dwellings are natural, others made by monks