Bulgaria Holidays & Holidays in Bulgaria
Very much an up – and – coming destination, Bulgaria's emergence from oppression has seen an abundance of visitors to this lively, historically influential and wonderfully culturally mixed ‘new' European country.
Why not indulge in its vivid past and visit the most ancient artefact of Bulgaria, the Roman Spa of Varna, before romancing alongside the nirvana of the Bourgas Lake. Afterwards, why not enliven your break in the Danube mountains, accessible via the Borovets resort of Plovdiv, itself a luxurious skiing resort equipped with only the best restaurants and hotels. Finally, take memories of Bulgaria home with you, and shop ‘till you drop in the huge TSUM centre, in the northern Sveta Nedelia Square of central Sofia, Bulgaria's thoroughly modern, vibrant and exciting capital.
Whatever you choose to do, Bulgaria will accommodate you and your curiosity, with more than a pinch of enthusiasm and gusto!
View all our holidays to Bulgaria
Bulgaria Holidays - Fact & Figures
Bulgaria is part of Europe and is currently home to just under 7.5 million patrons. It has a total area size of just under 111, 000 sq. km, and its eastern and southern coasts are lapped by the Black Sea. It shares borders with Romania, Greece, Turkey, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro.
Bulgaria Holidays - History
Bulgaria as a country was formed in the late 7 th century when The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants to form the first Bulgarian State. In the centuries that followed, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to gain control of the Balkans, and by the end of the 14th century the country was besieged and conquered by Ottoman Turks. Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878, but alas, having fought in the side of the Nazis during the two World Wars of the early 20 th century, it became encapsulated as part of the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. In more recent times Bulgaria's Communist rule ended in 1990, following the successful instigation of a democratic ruling party. This has seen the country gradually reform for the better, turning around its problems with inflation, unemployment and crime, working towards it's current state, that of a prospering holiday destination ‘uncovered' from Communist rule. Today's Bulgaria sees a rapidly changing economic and political climate, which has seen it enter into negotiations to become a member state of NATO and the E.U., processes which are currently underway in this adventurous and fresh thinking country.
Bulgaria Holidays - Bourgas Attractions & Sightseeing
Situated near the wonderful, sun drenched Bourgas Bay, the magnificent town of Bourgas basks in a warm and pleasant sunshine, which reflects off the shimmering Black sea along the coast. Look out for Atanasovsko Lake to the north and Bourgas Lake to the West, both of which make for incredibly romantic hotspots in which to lose yourselves in enchanting notions in.
Indeed, Bourgas as a region has flourished over the last decade or so; tourism has increased spectacularly to this warm and gentle yet modern and accommodating patch of the southern Black Sea.
Other than the vast sea, Bourgas attracts eager explorers thanks to such commodities as St. Cyril's and Methodius's Cathedrals, which are equally decorative and pristine, and the impressive Armenian Church, a place of high religious and tourist value. For those of you looking for a more ‘classical' venture through Bourgas, stop off at the Philharmonic orchestra and the towns grand art gallery. Coupled with a vast array of excellent cafés and restaurants, Bourgas really gives Bulgaria a sense of belonging in the 21 st century in terms of modernity alongside Europe's other established major cities.
Other sights to keep an eye out for whilst in Bourgas include the Natural – Scientific museum and the invigorating Bourgas mineral baths, renown for their healing properties and ideal for unwinding in after a long day's sightseeing.
Bulgaria Holidays - Nessebur Attractions & Sightseeing
To the North of Bourgas lies Nessebur, a quite unique city, as it is in fact a small, picturesque peninsula attached to the Bulgaria mainland only by a long, narrow isthmus. Beginning civilised life as a Thracian settlement over 9,000 years ago, it was eventually captured by the Bulgarians in the 7 th Century. Divided quite prominently, Nessebur is split between the old town, which encompasses much of the regions culture and history, and the new town, with it's charming cobbled streets and narrow roads.
Indeed, Nessebur's charm shines through should you wish to take a stroll around its enchanting streets and squares – look out for period wooden houses, courtyards and taverns along the romantic cobblestone streets. Also adorning the district are an assortment of medieval churches, bestowing their beautiful facades across the town, reflecting the ancient Slav and Greek Orthodox communities that have been so influential to the area over the years.
Bulgaria Holidays - Varna Attractions & Sightseeing
One of Bulgaria's largest towns, Varna is known as the Seaside Capital of Bulgaria, curving in tiers around Varna Bay, making for a truly picturesque and tranquil beach resort.
As well as being home to a splendid beach, Varna hosts some wonderful cultural and artistic aspects, such as a range of art galleries, museums and theatres, though it's dominating landmark is the 19 th century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, a must see for aspiring history buffs.
The grand Roman Spa in the centre of Varna stands proudly as the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700A.D. A wonderful cosmopolitan vibe can be felt throughout this port town, as it bustles with trade and people of all nationalities plying their wares and spinning a web of far – flung languages. What's more, the town feels physically warm, due to the Mediterranean - esque red tiled roofs of the towns central houses and buildings holding the heat of the beating sun. In tandem with this, Varna is the gateway to a series of nearby beach resorts, including the much – vaunted Golden Sands and Albena retreats.
Finally, look out for the splendid nature reserve at Kamchia and natural rock formations casting awe – inspiring shadows along the Balchik coast.
Bulgaria Holidays - Shoumen Attractions & Sightseeing
The ancient city of Shoumen sprang up from a convergence of old Roman and Byzantine fortresses, which, when combined, offer a marvellous array of sightseeing artefacts, most of which are so precious, they are listed by UNESCO as world heritage sites.
Indeed, the districts of Pliska and Veliki Preslav are littered with wonderful sites of historical interest, including the Bulgarian Troy and the ancient Madara Horseman, both of which are extremely revered sites and well worth a considered look.
Bulgaria Holidays - Turnovo Attractions & Sightseeing
Building on its strength as a industrial hub in the 18th and the 19th centuries, Turnovo is now home to many premises of cultural and educational importance, not least the Turkish konak (town hall), which has overseen the many of Bulgaria's Grand National Assemblies over the years.
Within the city of Turnovo stands the town of Tzarevets, a town that until recently hid evidence of its glorious Bulgarian Tzar dynasty past from the public gaze, as many remnants of archaeological and historical importance lay buried or hidden by modern buildings. Fully restored, many ancient artefacts now sparkle throughout the town; lavish mosaics, handcrafted statues and paintings by European masters can now be found strewn throughout the streets of this lovely town.
Bulgaria Holidays - Gabrovo Attractions & Sightseeing
A wonderful place to come and chill away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Gabrovo offers its visitors a splendid assortment of flora and fauna all across it's beautiful landscape. Offsetting the natural beauty splendidly is the magnificent architectural and ethnical hub of Etur, a unique – open air museum which is home to many artefacts of vast local cultural importance, tracing back the roots of Gabrovo's civilisation via an assortment of paintings, statues and ornate artefacts.
Bulgaria Holidays - Kazanlak Attractions & Sightseeing
Although you may consider it quite a morbid curiosity, Kazanlak is home to the lavish Thracian tomb, which itself is part of a larger Thracian necropolis. A testimony to ancient Thracian burial rites, the main tomb houses a plethora of exquisite paintings across its 40 square metres, which themselves are Bulgaria's best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period.
After its discovery in 1944, the tomb itself was carefully covered by a special protective construction, aimed at preserving the valuable paintings inside. To compensate for the sealing of the actual tomb from the public gaze, an exact replica of the tomb and its decoration was commissioned nearby, allowing visitors to see as close as possible the tomb in it's intended state without disturbing the contents in their precious state.
Bulgaria Holidays - Sofia Attractions & Sightseeing
The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia is your archetypal modern European city, bustling with 21 st century verve, style and culture.
Within Sofia, the main sights of concern are concentrated on Aleksander Batenberg Square, Narodno Sabranie Square and Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard - the area paved with yellow bricks. The best shopping experiences can be had at the Vitosha and Stamboliski Boulevards and in the underpass of the National Palace of Culture. Indeed, the grandest shopping affairs can be endulged at TSUM, just north of Sveta Nedelia Square, which is considered one of the most comprehensive shopping stores in Bulgaria. Offering everything from locally crafted fares to modern electronics, even the most reluctant shopper will find something to tickle their fancy here. Away from shopping, a wide range of historical and artistic galleries are opening up all the time throughout Sveta Nedelia, offering locals and tourists alike a splendid cultural ceremony, illustrating Sofia's glorious past and present social philosophies. Mix in a humble pinch of open – air street market, selling locally produced fruit and vegetables, and you have yourself a bustling, vibrant Capital the equal of many other more established ‘traditional' European ones.
Bulgaria Holidays - Plovdiv & Borovets Mountains Attractions & Sightseeing
Huddled in pine woods almost 1400 metres high in the Burovets mountains towards the Eastern side of Rila, the relaxing resort of Borovets makes for a wonderful tranquil retreat which at the same time offers it's surrounding peaks to skiers and extreme sports enthusiasts.
Wonderfully beautiful, the clean, crisp air will enliven your soul, and the high - class restaurants, bars and hotels give a real sense of exclusivity and pristine quality. Indeed, Borovets is the perfect battery recharging exercise ahead of an excursion to Plovdiv, the most Southern city in Bulgaria, and home to some simply stunning classical and artistic artefacts. In particular, look out for an array of quaint Byzantine churches, mosques and Bulgarian National Revival buildings. The Roman theatre is a grand, exuberant experience, bustling with history lovers, whilst the town itself is littered with monuments which reflect the Greek, Turkish and Armenian historical eras which have formed this unique city.
Bulgaria Holidays - Weather
It may come as a surprise to many, but Bulgaria has an extremely palatable temperature and climate through the months of may to September, where conditions are comparable to those of Mediterranean countries, whilst conversely, winters are cool and snowy. This allows Bulgaria to be a very versatile location in terms of what it can offer holidaymakers – ideal sun bathing conditions in the summer, and an excellent skiing and extreme sports environment in the winter. Snowfalls an average 20 – 30 days a year in the Mainland, 200 days a year in the Northern Danube Mountains, the main mountain range and skiing district of Bulgaria. Lowest temperatures are typically –2°c in January, highest 25°c in July, whilst the Black Sea often heats to a comfortable 27°c.
Archers Direct Touring Holidays, Cruises & Resort Holidays
For a world of holidays that won't cost you the earth, you've come to the right place. From escorted coach tours and train tours to resort-based beach holidays to cruises and short breaks. From Europe to the USA & Canada to Bulgaria, we have getaways to suit everyone – all featuring the amazing value that only direct booking can offer. Year round holidays (summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays) include January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December. We fly from the following UK airports: London airports – Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport, Luton airport & Stansted airport as well as Birmingham airport, Bristol airport, East Midlands airport, Edinburgh airport, Glasgow airport, Manchester airport & Newcastle airport.
