Plovdiv is one of the reasons that Europe is the civilization it is today, this is because of its rich and colourful past that dates back to over four thousand years before the birth of Christ.

If you were to visit Plovdiv today you would see the remnants of times gone by dating back thousand of years to the times of the Thracians then the Romans.

Culture and History

Thracian Tombs
In the small village of Starosel in the northern region of the Plovdiv province you will find a huge collection of Neolithic and Thracian monuments showing the richness of the Thracians who lived in the region. Starosel also boasts a large temple with a mausoleum form the Thracian period.

Roman Theatre
If you travel to the city of Plovdiv, the capital of the Plovdiv region, you will find an exquisite Roman theatre dating back to the first century. This Roman theatre holds seven thousand spectators and was built under the orders of the Roman Emperor Trajan.

What is really impressive about this Roman theatre is that it lay undiscovered for centuries, maybe even over a thousand years, until the 1970′s when a freak landslide uncovered the remains. Time was dedicated to excavating and preserving this wonderful Roman monument and today it is in such good condition that it is still used for concerts and theatrical performances during the summer months.

Asenova Krepost
This medieval fortress found outside the city of Asenovgrad dates back to around the eleventh century and then built on by the famous Bulgarian tsar Ivan Asen II; this fortress has become synonymous with the struggles of Tsar Asen II against the Byzantine Empire.

Found high above Asenovgrad in the mountains its not hard to see why this amazing building is so special.

Bachkovo Monastery
Founded in the eleventh century and located seven miles south of Asenovgrad the Bachkovo Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bulgaria.

This religious relic from the past is still used by monks of the Eastern Orthodox faith today and is a must for anyone who is interested in religion or history.

Summary
Plovdiv is a place unknown to many yet carries more culture and history than many of the most well known cities of the world. If you are looking to build on your knowledge of history or wish to find out more about the culture of Eastern Europe, Plovdiv is the place to visit.

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Bulgaria weather can be cold in the winter and very hot during the summer. The perfect time to plan your holiday to Bulgaria is starting in April. Up until June, the weather is still comfortable and you will find many things to do. However, September offers beautiful fall colors and not as much congestion because tourists are heading home. The Black Sea is still warm enough to swim and enjoy the white sandy beaches. If you enjoy skiing, then you will want to head to Bulgaria in December. The months of July and August will be hot, but you can still enjoy Bulgaria beaches and attractions.

If you want some exciting things to see, make your holiday to Bulgaria exciting with a stop in Varna – this absolutely a must see for everyone who is planning a visit to Bulgaria. The Petrified Forest is a point of interest. It is an amazing place to visit and explore. Then plan to visit the history museum and the Roman Spa, which is a ancient ruins that is said to be biggest in all of Europe. Then you can visit the Aquarium and Black Sea Museum, which is amazing to see. While you are at the Aquarium, you can see the Dolphinarium, which is a show with the dolphins playing games, jumping and singing.

Next, plan your holiday to Bulgaria to include a stop in Plovdiv to see the sights. There are some extraordinary things to see and do. Visit the Ethnographic Museum before walking around the city to see Roman ruins and the historical houses. The amphitheater is still being used today and is has some amazing architecture. Take some time to view the area from the lookout at Nebet Tepe. The top of the mountain is a great place to sit and watch the surroundings. Nebet Tepe is the place you will want to take some time and maybe have a picnic lunch.

Next on your itinerary for your holiday to Bulgaria should be a stay in Sofia. Sofia is a big place with so much to see and do. You explore, dine and enjoy the nightlife. There are no laws for closing times and bars stay open all day and all night if the owners have a crowd. There is always somewhere to continue the night if one place closes. The local bars usually close around midnight and that is when the nightclubs open up for the rest of the night.

You really need to take some time to see how the nights are in Sophia. They never have trouble and people drink all night. It is amazing since the liquor and drink prices are so affordable. Plan your holiday to Bulgaria and enjoy everything there is to enjoy. See the old churches, visit the museums and see the history of the city everywhere you go. Take a day to visit Vitosha Mountain for a fantastic view of the area. Bulgaria has many things to do and if you need a little relaxation, sit by the hotel pool and enjoy the nice warm sun.

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Bulgaria is a beautiful country located in the Eastern Europe on the western side of the black sea. The country is located in such a way that it is surrounded by Romania to the north, Greece to the south, Serbia to the North West, the Republic of Macedonia to the South west and Turkey to the south east. Since Bulgaria is close to Turkish straits means the key land routes from Middle East to Europe and Asia pass through Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is a very lovely country you are locked in magnetism once you see the sheer beauty of this country. For accommodation point of view you Bulgaria hotels are available in cheaper rates as well as at economical prices. Hotels in Bulgaria are available in cheaper hotels, discounted hotels, budgeted hotels and luxurious hotels.

Attractions in Bulgaria

• There are many attractions in Bulgaria that are fascinating aspects like the Dead Sea an ideal destination for people in summers. People can soak up the sun and enjoy the azure blue water of the sea. As well as the mountains such as Pirin, Rila, Balkan and Rodopa are the winter destinations but can still be visited in summers as the proper hill destination.
• You can also go to the capital Sofia and enjoy while seeing all the tourists attractions by seeing there. For example St. Alexander Nevski, the central universal shop and the parliament.
• Plovdiv is a renowned city and dotted with Roman theatre serving as a background.
• Every traveler should visit Rila Monastery it is a state of the art beauty. The northern sides of Bulgaria are dominated with rich agricultural fields. That looks very picturesque.
• While in the northern side of Bulgaria you can see the old capital of Bulgaria that is Veliko Tarnovo which is a must sight to visit if you are exploring the historical aspects of Bulgaria. All inclusive hotels are present in Bulgaria and it is up to tourists to decide in which hotel to go for.
• Rozhen Monastery: There is bus service from Melnik then about 800m walk to reach Rozhen village. The tourists visiting hours are 07:00 to 21:00.This top of hill monastery was constructed during the 13th century but most of the monastery was completed during the 18th century. People here seek for solace and peace that is barely found in today’s cities.

If you do not understand or speak the language you can very well look for a restaurant as by looking the sign of”PECTOPAHT” sign. You can be an adventurous and look for food and dessert that is not been tasted and eaten by you before. Even though figuring out the menu would still be an adventure in itself. But sometimes basically in tourist areas there is a bit difference the menu card rather the dishes names are deciphered into English so that the tourists will not face any problem in reading out the dish’s ingredients.

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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:
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