Page 29 - Eastern Europe

Downtown
Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
Gateway to the Orient
At the gateway to the Orient between Europe and Asia, the Bulgarian Republic is a small Balkan country located on the Black Sea. A secret land still little known to tourism, this piece of land has an heteroclite culture of Slavic, Persian, Ottoman and Greek influences. From the coast and its golden beaches in the east to the mountainous region in the south, via the Rhodope Mountains and the Danube in the north, Bulgaria has a whole host of natural gems. Inland, the country hides many architectural treasures as evidenced by the small authentic villages, monasteries with colorful frescoes, and Romanesque and Byzantine ruins. We give you 5 good reasons to discover the best of Bulgaria by sharing a Zen stopover in the Bulgarian mountains with fellow travelers who look like you!
Opulent nature
There is no doubt that the Bulgarian mountains are a true green setting, crossed by two immense mountain ranges: the Balkans - from Serbia to the Black Sea - and the Rhodope massif, on the border with Greece. On the south side, immense plains run along the Danube, which forms the border with Romania. Between scattered forests, fertile plains, caves and canyons, rivers and strings of lakes; nature is everywhere. Here and there, towns and villages stand proudly, showing off their architectural riches.
Amazing architecture
In Bulgaria, we are also enriched by a rich and mixed culture, through the mix of civilizations that have influenced the buildings. The sumptu- ous Rila Monastery with its colorful frescoes - a former tenth century hermit house - is a characteristic emblem. Hidden in the heart of a high wooded valley, it is one of Bulgaria's most famous masterpieces. And that's not all. Sofia, the capital, conceals a most surprising architectural ensemble. Between tradition and modernity, of Slavic culture in the colors of the East, the architectural capital of Sofia is discovered through an incredible panoply of monuments such as the magnificent churches Svéta Nédélya and Boyana, the Russian church of Saint- Nicolas, the Alexander cathedrals -Nevski and Sainte-Sophie, without forgetting the sumptuous National Theater.
Great wines!
Bulgaria is also a wine tradition, the country has had renowned winer- ies for decades. They extend f rom the Black Sea coast to the edge of the Danube, and to the Thracian plain in the north. Of course, we do not miss the famous aperitif eaux-de-vie very present in the country: Rakiya and Mastica among others. But in terms of wines, the country offers a nice panoply of whites (Misket, Madara, Dimiat) and famous and very tasty reds, including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Be careful, however, backpackers, consume in moderation!
Why Bulgaria?
For prices and other details visit www.holidayswithdowntown.com 29