Mountains are not the only scenic destination for holiday-making in Bulgaria. Dobrudzha has been inhabited since ancient times and offers unique opportunities for tourists to get in touch with Thracian culture, to visit the Thracian tomb at Sveshtari (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), to walk along the solitary rocky coast of Yailata or see the Aliani sanctuary of Demir Baba Tekkesi.

The old Bulgarian capitals of Pliska and Preslav are also worth visiting. Another well-known fortress is Kaliakra at the coast, still whispering the legend of the 40 maidens who preferred to die rather than abandon their faith and, so, they braided their hair together and jumped from the cliffs into the sea. Equally impressive is the ancient relief carved out of rock called the Madara Horseman, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The north-east is also famous for its rock monasteries, like Aladzha near Varna and those on the Shumen Plateau. The palace in Balchik, built at the turn of the 20th century, combines Renaissance and oriental styles of architecture. It has a magnificent botanical garden with cacti brought from various parts of the world.

Museums offer a fresh perspective on history. Varna exhibits the oldest worked gold in the world (4200 BC) and artefacts from the largest neolithic mound at Durankulak. The museum in Kavarna keeps interesting exhibits from ancient and medieval times, which were discovered during aquatic archeological excavations. There is a lot to be seen in Turgovishte, Tutrakan and Razgrad as well.

The wealth of nature here is as generous as the history. The two nature parks, Shumen Plateau and Golden Sands, provide opportunities for diverse cultural and recreational entertainment. Cape Kaliakra is one of the best sites for underwater archaeology. The Srebrna biosphere reserve, located near Silistra, has 160 protected bird species nesting there. It is part of UNESCO World Heritage. Bird-watching is also propitious at the lakes of Shabla and Durankulak. The nature phenomena called Pobitite Kamuni (“The Driven-in Rocks”) emerged as a result of weathering over 50 million years.

Along the Black Sea coast dotted with secluded bays and cliffs, there is the only real steppe in Bulgaria, where land meets the sea — from the cape of Shabla, Kamen Bryag, the wild beaches of Durankulak, Yailata and Rusalka, all the way to Kavarna and Tuzlata to the south.

There are several recreational areas along the coast, including the curative mud baths at Tuzlata and Sveti Konstantin, or the old royal residence of Euxinograd, which is also famous for its wine and traditional style of brandy (“rakiya”). Varna, the “sea capital” of Bulgaria, attracts visitors with its dolphinarium, aquarium, the ancient Roman baths and its seaside garden, which is perfect for strolling.

Fishing enthusiasts will discover numerous places along the River Kamchiya and at the dams in the region, on the lakes of Varna and Beloslav, and along the northern coast.

As to cuisine, one should not miss tasting the Smyadovo sausage, which gourmets can try with the unique wormwood wine from Osmar, called “pelín”. Connoisseurs of white wine can enjoy the vintages of the wineries in Shumen, Russe and Veliki Preslav or go wine tasting at the specialised restaurant in Varna.