For Immediate Release       
For more information contact:

Carolyn Walters Fox
800-464-9255/802-244-1387
carolyn@countrywalkers.com

Anna Stancioff
Hawkins International PR
212-255-6541
Anna@hawkpr.com

Waterbury, VT (March 2007) – Paris, London, Berlin, Melnik. Melnik? The name doesn’t exactly slip off the tongue. But during the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the tiny town near Bulgaria’s border with Greece was the place for gold leaf tobacco and potent red wine. Today, it’s one of the many undiscovered yet rewarding destinations awaiting travelers on Bulgaria: Cultural Crossroads, a new walking tour from Country Walkers of Waterbury, Vermont.

Few tour operators offer itineraries to Bulgaria – pity, because there’s so much history and natural beauty to discover. With fairytale backdrops waiting at many turns, a walk through Bulgaria takes in one of the Continent’s most ancient cultural crossroads, where Thracians, Romans, Slavs, the Ottomans and even the Eastern Bloc have left distinctive marks. A landscape of impressive variety yields dramatic mountain ranges and fertile valleys, wildflower-laden meadows and evergreen forests, striking rock formations and mineral springs. Winemaking continues in ageless vineyards, while traditional customs meld with modern vibrancy and proud membership in the European Union. All within a territory about the size of Virginia.

With summer crowds and summer heat on the way out, September 2007 will be a fine time to explore Bulgaria with Country Walkers.

Bulgaria: Cultural Crossroads: (8 days, 7 nights) September 2, 2007

Bulgaria’s most celebrated UNESCO site, the Rila Monastery, as a backdrop, Country Walkers NEWEST European walking tour progresses from the ancient capital of Sofia to Melnik, the country’s smallest burg. Trails twist through woods, and through towns of traditional architecture. The well-preserved past is revealed at many turns: the Rozhen Monastery (c. 1217); the National Revival homes of Shiroka Lûka (founded in the 1300s); and the Roman amphitheater and 19^th-century architecture of Plovdiv, a trade center between Europe and the Orient. The Valley of the Roses beckons even while not in bloom. And Tryavna, an old craftsman town, is a “living museum” studded with cultural landmarks. Whether ambling down quaint streets or hiking the stirring countryside, experienced, local guides provide “insider access” on Bulgaria: Cultural Crossroads a trip not to be missed. Starting at $2,598 per person.

For more information or reservations for Bulgaria: Cultural Crossroads, please contact (800) 464-9255, or www.countrywalkers.com.

Country Walkers, based in Waterbury, Vermont(www.countrywalkers.com) was established in 1980 and is the world.s premier small group walking tour provider. Country Walkers offers well-crafted itineraries for walking, snowshoeing, family, women.s adventures, and private vacations. All trips highlight superb cuisine, outstanding tour guides, and authentic accommodations.

First Choice Holidays PLC is a leading international leisure travel company. It operates from 17 major source markets, has 8 million customers and 72 brands. For more information visit First Choice Holidays PLC (www.firstchoiceholidaysplc.com).