Our trip through the Baltics and Eastern Europe continued to deliver in Bulgaria. Amazing places, buildings, happening and vibrant cities, great food and lovely people. There was plenty of history with walls, tombs and mosaic floors dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. These were underneath a much younger church (only 500 years or so), that was built on top of the previous three. There was a whole Roman city (ruins) uncovered by subway development, beautiful green fountain parks and so much more to see (and that was just Sofia).
We visited the number one tourist attraction in the country, Rila Monastery, which looked pretty cheesy in internet pictures but delivered in real life (no photos allowed in the sensational inside), and stayed in the nearby town which was covered in grape vines, all the locals contributing to the collective.
Veliko Tarnovo was sensational, built atop and around three huge gorges and a eye-catching centre piece, the Monument to the Assen Dynasty (the Tsar statues on horses and pillar). The town has it's own citadel that was once the capital of Bulgaria (actually twice) and was a beautiful place to walk around and soak up, with the most sensational views.
Finally, Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria with less than 200 permanent residents, but a big heart. Wine country, wee town, surrounded by the most amazing cliffs.
Feel like we've underdone Romania and Bulgaria a little and are quite sad to leave. However, part three is due to begin in Greece, and we are looking forward to seeing our besties, so we are off again.
