Bulgaria is a beautiful country, with great mountains for both winter sports and summer walks; it is small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality. Situated in the southeast of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is not as much a tourist destination as its Greek and Turkish neighbours despite the popularity of its reasonably priced Black Sea resorts, which are scenically captivating with their fine, sandy beaches, sunny climate, and safe seas.

Although better known for its sea resorts, the essential character of Bulgaria can really be found in its spectacular mountainous regions.

At the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city, Sofia, which is home to a great number of architectural monuments and museums.

As varied as the different mountain ranges are the people who dwell in them, with distinctive regional customs, crafts, festivals, and folklore adding colour to the Bulgarian landscape. Small, picturesque villages welcome guests with typical, warm-hearted Bulgarian hospitality, sharing traditional cooking and a delight in their pastoral environment.

Bulgaria's history is displayed across the country in its old towns, ancient Thracian relics, decorated churches and monasteries, and in the rustic settlements that have preserved the traditional beliefs of its people. One of the country's biggest assets for visitors is its variety, but whatever aspect one chooses to explore, there is always the assurance of a warm welcome.

Arriving to Bulgaria from within Europe is simple thanks to the number of growing low cost airlines offering cheap and frequent flights to Bulgaria now. You can fly there from most European capitals, using national or legacy airlines which fly into the country's main gateway, Sofia.
The national airline is Bulgaria Air, which flies from domestic destinations within Bulgaria to Sofia and onwards to many European capitals. Alternatively you can take low cost airlines like Easyjet, Wizzair or Ryanair.

If coming outside Europe, there are very limited direct connections. So a transit stop will be required in some major European city normally.
Another option in getting to Bulgaria is by Bus or train from other countries. If you're travelling around and don't want to spend lots of money on plane tickets then getting Eurolines coaches is the best answer.  You can more info on routes and prices at Eurolines.bg

By train you can reach Sofia from neighbouring counties.Cities like Belgrade, Istanbul, Bucharest, Athens, Ljubljana, or Vienna have direct services to Sofia.

Within the country, public transportation is somewhat still old fashioned when compared to other cities. However since Bulgaria is now part of the European Union it's improving its transport infrastructure. Sofia has a good and reliable public transport system, however, the rest of the country can offer limited services when in smaller cities.

Travelling domestically you will find plenty of busses and trains linking other cities. It's not expensive to travel by them and tickets can always be bought on the day of departure costing the same as bought in advance. 

Dinner is a social occasion, with traditional music and dancing in many restaurants, especially in resorts and in some Sofia eateries. Food is hearty and good. Meals usually start with a salad, from which there are many to choose from on the menu. There is a wide variety of national dishes, as well as Western European standard dishes. There are many attractive folk-style restaurants and cafés throughout the country.

Specialities include: Tarator , cold soup made from cucumber, walnuts and yoghurt. Shopska salata, huge salad starter with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and white cheese. Kavarma ,individual casseroles of pork or veal, onions and mushrooms. Surmi, stuffed vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with meat. Kebapche, small, strongly spiced, minced meat rolls. 

As for drinks: Coffee is very popular, specially served espresso style. Infusions, made from herbs and dried leaves, particularly lime. White wines include Evksinograde, Karlouski Misket and Tamianka. Heavy red wines include Mavroud and Trakia. As for liquors, mastika (aniseed spirit, usually diluted) and rakia (local brandy) are local favourites. 

Arriving to Sofia from the airport is easy. Sofia Metro Line 1 connects Sofia Airport to the city centre and provides direct connection from the airport to the large residential complexes in close proximity. The trip takes 18 min. There is also public busses (84 and 384) which connect to the city, depending where you go it might be a good option. You need to buy tickets at the airport terminal before boarding the service. 

Once in the city, Sofia is easy to walk around if you stay within the city centre. But if you need to get public transport, it's very handy and reasonable. To download the below map follow this link: Sofia Transport Map. 

There is a a lot of culture to discover in Sofia, however, there is also scenery and nature and it's very popular as a sport's destination. 
The highlights of the city are summarised below:

• Saint Sofia Basilica, founded during the reign of Justinian (reign 527-565), is one of the oldest churches in the capital. It was the city’s major church during the Middle Ages, and under the Ottomans it was used as a mosque. Very close to Saint Sofia is The Memorial Church Saint Alexander Nevsky, now one of the city’s most recognisable symbols. This church was built in 1912. Its bell tower rises to a height of 53 meters, and houses 53 bells, the heaviest weighing 10 tons. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sofia, the church can hold roughly 5,000 people.
  
• The oldest church in Sofia is the Saint George Rotunda. It is thought that the church was built in the 6th century, during the reign of Constantine the Great. Also on the outskirts of the city, you can find the Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church. In 1979, the building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  
• There is hardly another city in all of Europe that has so many noteworthy Christian, Islamic, and Jewish monuments so close together. In the immediate vicinity, other historical remains are preserved, such as the municipal baths, the marketplace, and The Holy Sunday Church. Adjacent to this church is the Theological Seminary, which houses The National Historical and Archeological Museum. Other points of interest in the city include The Lion Bridge, The Eagle Bridge, The Russian Monument, The Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Banya Bashi Mosque, and the monument to Vasil Levski.
  
• On the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha, in the Boyana District, you will find the The National Museum of History, with its collection from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum has one of the largest collections anywhere, with over 700,000 items of cultural importance. Close to the museum is The Boyana Church, one of the Bulgarian monuments that is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Opportunities for sport and recreation in the capital are many and varied, outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, modern gymnasiums and sports halls, and parks. During the winter, the ski resort on Mount Vitosha is a favorite with skiers and snowboarders alike, and during the summer it is a favourite place for hikers and picnickers. Mount Vitosha borders on The Vitosha Natural Park, which is the oldest nature reserve on the Balkan Peninsula. There are two ski centers on Mount Vitosha. There are a total of 29 km of ski runs on Vitosha, and the longest is 5 km. The maximum vertical drop is 780 meters. The slopes are suitable for both experienced skiers beginners.