Holidayhomes in Bulgaria

Bulgaria a republic in eastern Europe which is coming up, both in terms of tourism and economy. It lies on the Balkan peninsula with the Black Sea to the east and the Danube River to the north. Besides the original Slavic inhabitants of the area there was also a large group from Asia. In the 14th century they were conquered by the Ottoman Empire. From the late 19th century they had their own government and increasing independence. In 2007 Bulgaria joined the European Union. Traditionally Bulgaria has been an agriculturally-oriented country, but during the communist regime, industry rose sharply. Machine building, metallurgy, chemicals, textiles and electronics are important branches of industry. Today, 20% of the income is derived from agriculture. The Balkan Range cuts through the land from west to east. North of the mountains, to the Danube, there is a plateau with fertile soil. South of the Balkan region a light Mediterranean climate prevails. The rest of the country has a continental climate which means hot summers and severe winters. In summer, temperatures in the interior average 27 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees on the Black Sea.

In recent years Bulgaria has become more popular with tourists. The country has worked very hard to attract tourists, who originally were very suspicious of Bulgaria. In the beginning, only Eastern Europeans and Turks visited the country but increasingly tourists from western Europe have been arriving. The main tourist area is the Black Sea coast. Here you will find large modern apartments, the Rose Valley, the cities of Karlovo and Sopot and lots of natural beauty. The government has protected a number of the old districts. Many folk traditions have been kept alive in Bulgaria and there are many museums (Thracian art) and monasteries which are also a major attraction. Bulgarian music is very popular and has influenced many types of music.

Bulgaria attracts tourists who come each year to enjoy nature, the beach and the sea. The main resorts are Golden Beach, Albena, Sunny Beach and Djuni. Spas have grown enormously in recent years. The smaller coastal towns are also seeing more visitors. Resorts such as Sozopol, Obzor, Pomorie, Vlas and Nesebar are excellent places to enjoy the Bulgarian summer. During the summer there are direct charter flights from Amsterdam to Varna and Bourgas. You can also get a scheduled flight (with stopover) to one of the two airports on the coast.

Bulgaria has a lot to offer winter skiers. In particular, Pamporov and Borovetz are well-known resorts. With extensive slopes and great snow it is a good alternative to France or Italy. In recent years, the ski resort of Bansko has also been very popular. It has a modern lift. At this moment Bulgaria is working on a new track near the village of Dobriniste. Skiing in Bulgaria is very worthwhile! Bulgaria is mainly mountainous and thus a great place for hikers. You can make several trips, including with a guide.