Bulgaria, located on the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, was under Ottoman rule for 500 years. It emerged in 1878 as a monarchy, and then, after the Second World War, fell (quite happily) under Soviet rule for another 50 years. Now a member of the European Union (since 2007), it is a fascinating country to visit and closer to the UK than you might think; increasingly cheap flights to Bulgaria take only three hours.
Not yet in the eurozone, Bulgaria offers great value for money for those seeking sun on the Black Sea coast, skiers searching for fresh snow in Bansko and second homers hoping to pick up cheap property. There are airports in Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv, Burgas and Gorna Oryahovitsa.
The country has ancient cities with Unesco-listed attractions (including Kazanluk Tomb; the Ivanovo Rock Churches; and Rila Monastery), a slow and laid back way of life, and wild landscapes (Rila, Rhodopes, Balkan and Pirin Mountains), and Sofia, its charming, green and open capital.
One thing to remember before searching for Bulgaria flights, is the locals' habit of shaking the head for yes and nodding for no.
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