Situated at the foot of the Eastern Rhodope mountain range, Haskovo is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria, dating back to well over 7000 years. You can get a magnificent view of the town from the nearby Hill of Youth which also has perched at the top, the modern 32 metre high statue of Our Lady and the infant Jesus. As you look down from here you can also get a good look at one of the oldest mosques in Europe, the Eski Camii with its unmistakeable slightly inclined minaret.

There is a variety of activites that you can enjoy in Haskovo. In the centre there is the town museum which holds interesting exhibitions throughout the year and if you are here during the end of September you will be treated to the carnival atmosphere of the the annual jazz festival. Then there is shopping! There are shops galore here selling all the latest fashion accessories and much more.

During Turkish rule this place was referred to as the ‘clean town’ and it is not hard to understand why everywhere you go everything seems to look so fresh, including the restaurants; cafes; monuments; statues; right down to the quaint pedestranised streets.

You can stay in a good 3 star hotel in the centre of town for as little as 15 euros per night – if you would like to spoil yourself you can stay in a more luxurious one for about 40 euros a night.

Many international companies have started to invest heavily in Haskovo and property prices, particularly amongst commercial enterprises, have increased considerably. However you can still buy land and property in the surrounding villages that are close to dams, lakes and wildlife, for as little as 9 000 euros.

More about Bulgaria:
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Bulgaria is located on the Black Sea’s western side and is a country located in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, and Greece. As such, it is also a favorite tourist destination not only by the Europeans but also by other nations as well because of the beautiful scenery it offers any traveler, and here are the top 10 cities that is a must-see when you visit Bulgaria.

Photograph by Nick Hutt

1.) Sofia

This is the biggest city of Bulgaria and is also the capital city. This is home to over 250 remarkable landmarks and monuments like the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which is made more famous by the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, and the St. Sofia Church. This is also home to museums featuring artifacts from the Bronze and Stone era.

2.) Plovdiv

This is Bulgaria’s second largest city and is considered as one of Europe’s oldest cities. Here, you can see the Roman Amphitheater as well as the St. Marina Church. It also contains a lot of parks that any visitor can enjoy.

3.) Varna

Recognized as Bulgaria’s thrid largest city, Varna is known for its pristine beaches. It is also very modern as the city has bars and has an active nightlife that makes it one of the favorite spots in Bulgaria. If you want something mellow, there is always the Varna Archeological Museum as well as the Sea Garden and Varna Aquarium and Dolphinarium.

4.) Burgas

Burgas is Bulgaria’s commercial port and the center for oil refinery. This is also known for its Sea Garden Park or Morska Gradina where you can find a variety of plants and flowers. Burgas Bay is also a favorite spot for surfing and flying kites.

5.) Rousse

This city is affectionately called Small Vienna. Anybody who visits here is given a cultural high as he visits a lot of wonderful places like the National Transport Museum as well as the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes. You can also visit the House of Caliopa as well as the Sexiginta Prista Roman Castle.

6.) Vratsa

This sixth largest city offers visitor a magical sight to behold. There is the historical museum that you can visit as well as Sumi, the trade center. As for picturesque places to go to, you have the Vratsata (Mountain Passage) and the Ledenika Cave.

7.) Shumen

Shumen is the seventh city and is a bit modern unlike the first six. It has modern buildings but still retains a small part of the city that houses its older buildings. Here, you can visit the Madara Horseman that was carved along a cliff wall as well as Thracian tombs and Pliska and Preslav (Ancient Bulgarian Kingdom’s capitals).

8.) Veliko Tarnovo

This used to be Bulgaria’s capital during the Middle Ages. This city is rich in historical sites as well as museums. You can also find the ancient castle of Tzarevetz here as well as houses highly influenced by the Renaissance Period.

9.) Sliven

Sliven offers majestic views of its blue rocks. What makes Sliven a favorite tourist destination is that it is a good place to play golf at a very affordable price. So, it is no wonder than avid golfers from all over Europe visit Sliven.

10.) Smolyan

You are going to see a lot of wonderful places in this city as it is one of the favorite cities of many vacationers and those who are simply wanting to relax amidst nature. Here, you can see houses and churches that were built during the 17th to the 19th centuries, among them are the famous Pangalov’s House as well as the Sgurov’s House. You can also find Pamporovo, a ski resort, in this city as well as the planetarium center and a museum.

About the Author
Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV – the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/bulgaria to view or share Bulgaria travel videos.

More about Bulgaria:
Discover even more about what Bulgaria has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of the country here:
http://www.bulgariatravelnotes.com/category/bulgaria-travel/