As part of the European Union (and on its cheaper side), this small country in the Balkans is visa-free to many nationalities and its beautiful landscapes and beaches are worth a visit. While there's much to be seen in big cities and busy resorts, my favorites are smaller towns and quiet villages, which have a special charm.
1. Bojentsi
Probably my favorite place in Bulgaria, part of the UNESCO heritage (and for good reason), Bojentsi left quite an impression on me. It's an old traditional village that was turned into an architectural reserve. That means most of the buildings were nicely preserved and some were even repurposed into guesthouses and inns for tourists. The pavements in the village are all cobblestone, as well as the steps; the architectural style is completed by verandas, impressive stone-plate roofs, white walls, stone fences and ceiling woodcarvings. The green hilly surroundings add to the charm.
2. Veliko Tirnovo
Once the capital of the second Bulgarian empire, the town lives around the old fortress of Tsarevets that was thriving in the 14th century. The medieval architecture attracts crowds; rightfully so, as the views of the Yantra river and the preserved fortifications are wonderful.
3. Balchik
Balchik is a small town and seaside resort on the Black Sea. The town was also under Romanian administration several times in history, before and between the two World Wars. The Balchik Palace was the favorite summer residence of Queen Mary of Romania and the place where she very literally left her heart (in the sense that it was her dying wish to be kept there). Her heart stayed in Balchik after her death and later taken to Romania to become a museum exhibit. Leaving this somewhat eerie story aside, the sea, the hills and the Balchik Palace with its gardens complete the slightly run-down charm of the place, which inspired many painters over the years.
4. Kaliakra
Cape Kaliakra is a nature reserve that lies on a narrow headland on the Black Sea, where the coastline becomes steep and rocky. On a good day, you can spot dolphins jumping in the waves and rare birds resting on the ruins of the medieval fortress of Kaliakra. What I especially liked was the turquoise-blue color of the water - a shade I have not seen on the Romanian side. This place is full of stories, most reflecting the political and social turmoil of the ages and the dangers posed by the Ottoman Empire. Some people talk about 40 Bulgarian maidens who preferred to jump off the cliffs and die, rather than being taken by the Ottomans. Another legend says this headland appeared as Saint Nicholas was running - also from the Ottomans - and God made this piece of land longer and longer for him. Others talk of Lysimachus (whose ancestor is believed to be Alexander the Great) who ran to Kaliakra with a stolen treasure.
5. Dalboka
Close to Kaliakra, there's Dalboka, a mussel farm and restaurant on the very shore of the Black Sea, a little distance from nearby towns. I'm not really a seafood fan, but even still it's lovely to sit right there by the water. Seems to be always full in the summer time; nonetheless, it manages to feel tranquil and the general atmosphere is cozy. Not to worry; even though Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, they have menus in other languages as well, English and Romanian included. Bon Appétit!