BULGARIA Distances, Public Transports Durations. In the past ten years Bulgaria's ongoing, rapid transformation has been nothing short of amazing! Communism is now just a distant memory, as the country has accepted, unconditionally the values of democracy and market economy. In fact, Bulgaria is somewhat of a peaceful exception on a turbulent and ethnically divided Balkan Peninsula. Downtown Sofia is one of the most amazing surprises you will find in Europe today! Essentially, it is a wild, out of control concentration of bars, fancy shops, nightclubs, beer pubs, and disco joints. Nobody really knows if they ever close, as the fun loving Bulgarians keep them busy seven days a week. Walk around the ancient ruins, museums, churches, galleries and restaurants. Eat traditional Bulgarian cuisine (still organic). Then have a peek in small Bulgarian shops and end the day at one of the many night clubs where you can dance until morning. I arrived in Sofia one Friday night in October with a plan to spend most of two weeks visiting Bulgaria's historic villages, riding the rails and rooming in mom-and-pop inns. I was in Bulgaria because I had heard it was cheap, pretty and fun. I started in Sofia only because that's where the airport is. After 24 hours here, I scrapped my plan. No trains, no historic villages. Just Sofia. What captivated me was a lovely, vibrant, stylish city, filled with flowers, fountains, statues, monumental architecture, broad boulevards, richly landscaped parks, good restaurants, friendly people all for a bargain. Prices were a third of what they were at home in Los Angeles, a fourth of what they were in most of Europe.. By Barry Zwick, Special to The Times. Some of Sofia's popular tourist attractions include: The late Roman Church of St George (4th century), situated in the courtyard of the Sheraton Sofia Hotel. The outdoor book-market on Slaveykov Square. The early Byzantine Church of St Sophia, built in the 6th century. The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The tiny Church of St Petka of the Saddlers from the 14th century featuring some fine frescoes. Monument to the Tsar Liberator commemorating Alexander II of Russia. Sofia Synagogue, the largest one on the Balkans. Bulgarian National Historical Museum. The National Palace of Culture the largest multifunctional complex in Southeastern Europe, inaugurated in 1981. Ivan Vazov National Theatre. National Gallery of Foreign Arts. National Archaeological Museum. Sofia Public Mineral Baths, decorated with the finest majolica tiles and completed in 1911. TZUM, Sofia's oldest and largest department store. Sofia's central boulevards paved with Viennese yellow cobblestones. Borisova gradina - Sofia's main and oldest garden, construction of which began in 1884. The Largo, an architectural complex in downtown Sofia which includes the headquarters of many national institutions. National Ethnographic Museum. National Museum of Natural History. Man and Earth Museum. Lady's Market - the biggest open area market in Sofia. Pirotska street - busy shopping street. Graf Ignatiev street - one of the liveliest streets in Sofia. Communist Party Building. Monument Of Unknown Solider. Bulgarian Academy Of Science. Soviet Army Monument. This is the most impressive Bulgarian historical, cultural and religious place, embraced by the majestic slopes of Rila Mountain. It is surrounded by high mountain peaks, covered with centuries-old forests. The nature is so gorgeous by itself that even without the monastery it is well worth going there. Even today there's a palpable sense of isolation, and it's easy to see why John of Rila (Ivan Rilski) choose this valley to escape the savagery of feudal life and the laxity of the established monasteries at the end of the ninth century. To disciples drawn to his hermit's cell, John preached that he who would be chief among you must be as he that doth serve. What began as a hermitage became an important spiritual center after his death, and the Rila Monastery played a major role in Orthodox Christianity throughout the Middle Ages. Every year about a million of pilgrims, tourists, scholars and men of art from different parts of world visit the Rila Monastery to enjoy its beauty and get familiar with the fine art and religious collections. Now they arrive by bus or car rather than on foot or riding a mule, as did the pilgrims in the old days. In 1983 because of its cultural value, the Rila Monastery was put on the List of the World Cultural Heritage Sites. Not many of the world's capitals are blessed with a high mountain massif as their natural decor. Mountain Vitosha is just 20 km (12 miles) away from downtown Sofia. Its highest peak rises to 2290 m ( 7000 feet). Two gondola and a chair lift take up to the ridge which commands a majestic view of Sofia. Walking in summer will take visitors to the cool woods, rippling brooks and sunny meadows strewn with flowers and berries. In winter Vitosha is excellent for skiing, with a good network of lifts and rope-tows, and a renowned ski school. There are two main tourist centres - Aleko and Zlatnite Mostove (The Golden Bridges). The first is at about 1800 m above sea level in the eastern part of the mountain and is one of Bulgaria's biggest ski-centres. Aleko is the starting point of the Bulgarian section of European hiking route E-4. Above it is the huge slope Stenata - the biggest natural ski-track in Bulgaria. Aleko is also the starting point for climbing the Cherni Vrah. The steep climb, at a difference in altitude of approximately 500 m typically takes 1.30 hours, and for those who think it is difficult, there is a lift to Mt. Malak Rezen, from where they can proceed along a flat route and reach the dreamed peak in 30 minutes only. All routes to the peak are marked by high metal pickets or pass by skiing facilities, thus reducing to the maximum the possibility of one getting lost. Still it is not recommended to climb the peak in bad weather! A unique natural phenomenon are the so-called stone rivers (moreni) - piles of huge rounded granite stones along many of the river valleys, reaching up to 2 km in length and 50 m in width. Especially expressive and beautiful are the moreni in the Zlatni Mostove area (Golden Bridges). In old times this was a place where gold was washed out of the sands, hence the name of the place. Zlatnite Mostove is also a starting point to Cherni Vrah (about 3 hrs.), which route passes by one of the oldest and most beautiful chalets - Kumata (1 hr.). White stone walls, overgrown with ivy and wild geranium, fence in gardens full of flowers. Vaulted stone bridges run across the bubbly Topolnitsa river. Heavy, iron-studded gates hide blue, yellow and red houses with verandas, bay windows and eaves and the spacious rooms are lit up by brightly coloured rugs and cushions, carved ceilings and cupboards, copper vessels and ceramics. Architects say that every house in Koprivshtitsa is a work of art. The small town of Koprivshtitsa is reachable in about 2 hours. The town is a true ethnographical museum of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. Koprivshtitsa's charm and ancient spirit has hardly any rivals in Bulgaria, probably except for the seaside town of Sozopol. Yet the two towns' similarities end with their narrow and steep cobbled streets. Koprivshtitsa' old houses are all painted in different vivid colours (yellow, orange, red, blue, green) with their stone walls rising high above the ground. Walls were built thick and high for purely practical reasons - i.e. during the Ottoman rule, this was done in order to prevent Bulgarian women from being beheld by Turkish soldiers. The walls' height was also ensuring that any plots or revolutionary gatherings against the Turkish authorities were not to be heard or seen by the latter. Once being a crafts and trading centre, at present the town of Koprishtitsa lives primarily on tourism with most of its houses being turned into cozy family hotels with welcoming...

| What to do in Sofia |. Downtown Sofia is one of the most amazing surprises you will find in Europe today! You can walk around the ancient ruins, museums, churches, galleries and restaurants. Eat traditional Bulgarian cuisine (still organic). Then have a peek in small Bulgarian shops and end the day at one of the many nightclubs where you can dance until dawn. And for the nature lovers here is Vitosha Mountain Natural Park 20 km away from the city center. BOYANA CHURCH AND NATIONAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM. Great walking tour starting from the hostel is available. For a small fee, we will tour you around everything that is worth seeing in Sofia. Join us to find out more about: Why Emperor Constantine the Great liked to say, Sofia is my Rome? How could Bulgaria save its Jews from the Nazi camps of death? Back to communist times. Why Bulgarian police has Porsche convertible cars? Sofia at the gates between East and West. Or simply do a sightseeing walk by yourselves. Here are some of our Walking Tour highlights: The Central Mineral Baths. National Palace of Culture. Earth and Man Museum. Communist Party Head Quarter. National Art Gallery Ethnographic Museum. Central Military Club. Monument of Unknown Soldier. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Bulgarian Academy of Science. Gallery for Foreign Art. National Theater Ivan Vazov. Sofia City Art Gallery. Archaeological Museum. Serdika Sredets Fortress. Come with us on our unforgettable day trip to the Monastery. If you have to see only one thing in Bulgaria this has to be Rila Monastery. The most impressive Bulgarian historical, cultural and religious place, embraced by the majestic slopes of Rila Mountain. Discover the secrets of more than 8 centuries of history. Make a wish in front of the magical icon of St. Ivan Risky. Rila Monastery is surrounded by high mountain peaks, covered with centuries-old forests. The nature is so gorgeous by itself that even without the monastery it is well worth going there. Even today, there is a palpable sense of isolation, and it is easy to see why John of Rila (Ivan Risky) chose this valley to escape the savagery of feudal life and the laxity of the established monasteries at the end of the ninth century. To disciples drawn to his hermits cell, John preached, he who would be chief among you must be as he that doth serve. What began as a hermitage became an important spiritual center after his death, and the Rila Monastery played a major role in Orthodox Christianity throughout the middle Ages. Every year about a million of pilgrims, tourists, scholars and men of art from different parts of world visit the Rila Monastery to enjoy its beauty and get familiar with the fine art and religious collections. Now they arrive by bus or car rather than a foot or by mule, as did the pilgrims in the old days. In 1980, the International Federation of Travel Writers and Journalists (FIJET) distinguished the Rila Monastery with Golden Apple, the highest award for familiarization and cultural tourism. In 1983, the Rila Monastery was put on the List of the World Cultural Heritage Sites because of its cultural value. Our guides are eager to hit the mountain paths together with you on a great one day hiking adventure. Not many of the world's capitals are blessed with a high mountain massif as their natural decor. Mountain Vitosha is just 20 km (12 miles) away from downtown Sofia. Its highest peak rises to 2290 m (7000 feet). Locals and the tourists come to Vitosha mountain to picnic, gather wild herbs and berries, savour magnificent views or to ski in the winter. The ascent of its highest peak, Cherni Vrah (The Black Peak), has become a traditional test of stamina for hikers. Two gondola and a chair lift take up to the ridge which commands a majestic view of Sofia. Walking in summer will take visitors to the cool woods, rippling brooks and sunny meadows strewn with flowers and berries. In winter Vitosha is excellent for skiing, with a good network of lifts and rope-tows, and a renowned ski school. There are two main tourist centres - Aleko and Zlatnite Mostove (The Golden Bridges). The first is at about 1800 m above sea level in the eastern part of the mountain and is one of Bulgarias biggest ski-centres. Aleko is the starting point of the Bulgarian section of European hiking route E-4. Above it is the huge slope Stenata - the biggest natural ski-track in Bulgaria. Aleko is also the starting point for climbing the Cherni Vrah. The steep climb, at a difference in altitude of approximately 500 m typically takes 1.30 hours, and for those who think it is difficult, there is a lift to Mt. Malak Rezen, from where they can proceed along a flat route and reach the dreamed peak in 30 minutes only. All routes to the peak are marked by high metal pickets or pass by skiing facilities, thus reducing to the maximum the possibility of one getting lost. Still it is not recommended to climb the peak in bad weather! A unique natural phenomenon are the so-called stone rivers (moreni) - piles of huge rounded granite stones along many of the river valleys, reaching up to 2 km in length and 50 m in width. Especially beautiful are the moreni in the Zlatni Mostove area (Golden Bridges). In old times this was a place where gold was washed out of the sands, hence the name of the place. Zlatnite Mostove is also a starting point to Cherni Vrah (about 3 hrs.), which route passes by one of the oldest and most beautiful chalets - Kumata (1 hr). Shopping, Eating, Drinking, Dancing, Shooting, Bowling. Sofia's big fashion stores, small markets and tiny hidden shops in the narrow streets of the city center are hard to resist. The main shopping areas are on Vitosha Blvd. (You have there all the high class shops of the world famous labels - Sisley, Benetton, Pepe,Levi's etc ), Graf Ignatiev Str., Rakovski Str., Pirotska Str. (It has been transformed into a continental style pedestrian area with a variety of shops and street cafes) and all the streets leading-off from them. Our recommendations: NDK Bazaar and Sofia Hall. 45, Ivan Shishman Str. Aladdins cave of colorful clothes and eastern-influenced textiles. They also sell large-format cigarette papers but we dont understand what these might be used for. Open: 10:00 - 20:00, Sunday: Closed. Crafts market around the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Here you can find all kinds of typical Bulgarian souvenir items. Embroidered table cloths, jewelery, lace, Russian dolls, handmade toys, ceramics, wooden items, imitation icons and paintings, as well as so called antiques. They sell everything there, Nazi stuff, Russian Communist times stuff, Bulgarian medals, daggers, etc. from the WW I and WW II periods. Of course, they will swear that whatever they sell is authentic but you never know :). There are also plenty of serious Antique shops around which may hide a treasure or two. Never pay more than what it is worth to you, and check whether you require an export certificate when buying genuine antiques. Our recommendations for souvenirs include: Bulgarian wine, Rakia (the schnapps) sealed in ceramic urns, Bulgarian carpets, Bulgarian rose oil, icons and also some of the famous Troyan pottery especially the earthenware casserole dishes, which make great inexpensive oven to tableware. Slaveikov Square open area book market. With its open air book stalls is a great place to browse and you may well find foreign language books about Bulgaria as well as dictionaries etc. There are also several stalls selling pirated Cd's and software. 15, Graf Ignatiev Str. One of the best of the high-street bookstores, with a good selection of English, French and German paperbacks, art books, and international guidebooks (Eyewitness, Rough Guides and more). Open: 08:30-20:30 except Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00. Graf Ignatiev Str. More bananas than you can shake a cucumber at, and vice-versa. Open: 09:30 - 19:00. Stefan Stambolov Str. Vast open-air bazaar selling flowers, foodstuffs, cheap clothes, broomsticks, spare parts...

 Luggage storage
 Central situation
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Access to internet
 Ironing facilities
 Kitchen
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Mixed dorms
 Parking lot
 Fridge
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 Common room with a TV set