DISCOVER BULGARIA ulgaria is a beautiful small country, located in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. The Bcountry offers perfect conditions for tourism due to its sea, winter and health resorts, as well as numerous historical and cultural sites. There are 4 seasons – snowy winter, green and fresh spring, golden autumn and warm and sunny summer. The country boasts with welcoming sea, passable green mountains, hundreds of mineral springs, picturesque lakes, and crystal clear small rivers. Each season offers a large variety of colours, scents and sensations, which make Bulgaria a wonderful and desired destination all year round. It is even harder to describe in just a few words the thousand-year old history of this small coun- try. Being located at the very important crossroad between Europe and Asia, Bulgarian lands have been populated since the very ancient times. Thracians, ancient Greeks, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Bulgarians and Turks – all they have left their footprints. The oldest pro- cessed gold in the world, dated 6,000 years ago has been found here. The hundreds of Thracian tombs are unique artifacts of material and intellectual culture. There are numerous Greek, Ro- man and Byzantine monuments of the ancient times and early Middle Ages. Bulgarians have inherited and enriched this culture, main- taining and developing it further. They have given to the world their calendar, the first alphabet of the Slavic language, invented by the Holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, translation of the Holy Scriptures into Old Bulgarian language, Madara Horseman. The folk art has preserved until today the brightness of folk customs, songs and crafts. Bulgaria is rich in beautiful, green resorts with precious mineral waters, balneologic and physiotherapeutic clinics, sanatoria, polyclinics, beach- es and swimming pools and last but not least – modern hotels, offering comprehensive relaxation. Bulgarian health resorts combine exceptional climate and abundance of mineral springs. The climate is 2 continental and Mediter- ranean, however without the harsh storms of North- ern Europe and Sahara heats typical for the Medi- terranean countries. The combination of mineral springs and therapeutic mud is quite favorable for treatment, rehabilitation and relaxation all year round. Bulgarian mineral waters have various chem- ical composition, mineral- ization, temperature, gases Seven Rila lakes and microorganisms. Bulgaria ranks second in europe after Iceland in the number of the mineral springs, providing all types of mineral water that exist in the nature. the opportunities for cli- matic treatment and balneotherapy have been used in the past. flourishing thracian settle- ments have been established around mineral springs. Romans have established the large settlements of Diocletianopolis (Hisar), Dezudava (Sandanski), Ulpia Pautalia (Kyustendil), Serdika (Sofia) and many others. the emperors trajan, Septimius Severus, Maximilian and Justinian have built up balneotherapeutic centres. Bulgaria is among the world leaders in terms of variety of herbs with exceptional medicinal proper- ties. This enormous capital of natural factors, com- bined with contemporary hotels and health centres provides an excellent opportunity for all year round treatment and health maintenance. Some of the largest balneological centres are San- danski, Velingrad, Hisarya, Pomorie, Kyustendil, Kostenets, Devin, Sapareva Banya, Varshets, etc. The country is also known for its highly quali- fied personnel, excellent accommodations, and di- verse programs and services that include massage, baths with mineral water, pearl baths, reflex thera- py, traditional needle therapy, medicinal exercises, acupuncture, laser therapy, acupressure, paraffin treatment, apitherapy, phytotherapy, mud treat- ment, aroma therapy, anti-stress programs, dieting programs and programs for losing weight, balneo- cosmetics, sauna, solarium, fitness, and medical cosmetics. All of this can be combined with various tourism programs, allowing visitors to explore Bul- garia’s cultural heritage, folkways, and traditional cuisine. Sapareva Banya geyser 3 10 REASOnS tO VISIt BULGARIA More than 550 known sources with 1,600 thermal mineral springs and curative mud deposits, that is 40% of the total in Europe Up to 300 sunny days per year – placing Bulgaria among the sunniest countries in Europe The Black Sea – with sparkling rip- ples, long sunny days and welcoming climate from late May to late Septem- ber with average sea temperatures of 25ºC, beaches with fine golden sands, and modern resorts. The Black Sea coast is also one of the best Spa areas in the country where the combina- tion of sea climate, mineral baths, hot springs, and curative mud adds to the possibilities of treatment and holiday the Black See coast enjoyment. Superb wines with the oldest history – In fact, Bulgaria is the oldest documented wine produc- ing region in the world. Viticulture and wine producing in the lands of present-day Bulgaria are dat- ing back to 6,000 BC. It is only in Bulgaria, that the wine of the an- cient Thracians is still produced and drunk – the full-bodied red Mavrud. The Mavrud vine grows only in this region of Bulgaria and nowhere else. Delicious and healthy cuisine, made with fresh organic products – The variety in Bulgarian cuisine is based on the long history of the country, as well as on the long-lasting migrations of the tribes that founded Bulgaria more than 1300 years ago. Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, the bacterium re- sponsible for giving Bulgarian yoghurt its unique flavour and consistency exists only in Bulgaria. Countries like Japan and China, import this unique bacterium in order to maintain the real Bulgarian flavour and characteristics of the yoghurt they produce. According to scientific research, Bulgarian yoghurt contributes for longer lifespan and help people remain in good health well into old age. 4 thousands of acres of rose-oil plantations – the world’s perfume and cosmetics industry could not do without the Bulgarian attar of roses – the Bulgarian oleaginous rose yields 80% of the world’s produc- tion. 2,000 flowers are needed for just 1 single gram of the precious attar of roses which is more expen- sive than gold! An original Bulgari- an technology for rose planting was gradually developed and adopted as a general practice in the past. no other cultivation method has been able to preserve the character of the rose almost unchanged for over three centuries. the Rose festival is held every year in the end of May and the beginning of June in the town of Kazanlak and the nearby villages, located in the Valley of the Roses. 7,000 years of culture and history – Visiting the his- torical landmarks of Bulgaria you can experience the aes- thetic joy of becoming acquainted with the artifacts of past generations which are important part of the world civiliza- tion. With more than 40,000 cultural and historical monu- ments Bulgaria ranks third in Europe, only after Greece and Italy, for the number of its archaeological monuments. Panagurishte treasure Rich culture and traditions – Customs, rites, national costumes, and songs are specific to each region, but are united by the 13-century history and have helped the preservation of the Bulgarian na- tional spirit throughout the centuries. Bulgarians are skillful with textile, clay, wood, stone, and metal. The customs exceed the number of 11,000 – a plenitude of rituals accompanying Bulgarian peoples’ lives from the cradle to the grave. Infinite hospitality – Enjoy contacts with friendly and welcoming people. You will find that hospi- tality is one of the distinctive qualities of Bulgarian people. Do not be surprised if you find Bulgarian people readily helpful, warm and welcoming. Affordable prices – The cost of living in Bulgaria is significantly lower than other European countries. Shopping here is a must, with everything from the latest fashions to Bul- garian handicrafts sold at reasonable pric- es. Visit an outdoor market for a taste of local life, where you can taste fresh fruits, nuts and herbs. High standard dentists and surgical treatments, cosmetic surgery and medical tests are all good investments be- cause of the much lower prices than such services in other European countries. 5.