Bulgaria: Cultural Crossroads

To explore Bulgaria on foot is to walk one of Europe’s most ancient cultural crossroads. The intriguing
legacies of the Thracians, Romans, and Slavs line the way in architectural marvels. The region’s more
recent history as part of the Ottoman Empire and the Eastern Bloc also adds to the rich character of this country, tucked into a multi-faceted corner of southeastern Europe. Bulgaria is actually one of Europe’s oldest countries—officially recognized in 681 A.D.—and its cultural diversity is complemented by a mild climate ideal for walking. The country’s small territory is graced with man-made and natural treasures. Your adventure leads you through a landscape of astounding variety—dramatic mountain ranges, rolling countryside, fertile valleys, endless wildflower meadows, evergreen forests, timeless vineyards, rock formations, and mineral springs. The journey also takes you through time as you relive the complex history following the cultural emancipation of the Bulgarians.  Traditional dress, songs, dances, and crafts evoke the unique spirit and style of the local people. Impressive edifices—Roman ruins, active Orthodox monasteries, churches, mosques, and 19th-century National Revival architecture—create an inspirational setting for celebrating a remarkably well-preserved past. Yet Bulgaria is thoroughly alive with modern bustle and proud of its new membership in the European Union.
    Your cultural immersion in Bulgaria is complete, thanks to the warm welcome you receive in small,
family-run inns, a 19th-century noble’s house, and contemporary-style hotels, each with distinctive charm and comfortable amenities. Homemade meals celebrate the country’s cultural bounty and thriving land, defining, once again, a truly, uncompromisingly Bulgarian experience.

Country Walkers is pleased to announce that this tour received the prestigious ’50 Tours of a Lifetime’ 2008 award from the editors of National Geographic Traveler.