Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent collapse of the Eastern Bloc, many westerners have enjoyed exploring the many little charming cities, picturesque villages, and imposing mountains skirted by thick Grimm-Brothers' forests. Such an example is Bulgaria, which encloses the grandeur of its past and an unforgettable landscape and several Black Sea beaches frequented by thousands every summer.
Once a relatively untouched place by foreign visitors from outside the Warsaw bloc, and despite being compact, Sofia is nevertheless a charming place lined with many cobbled streets flanked by Belle Époque rococo buildings, cafes, pubs, fine restaurants, enchanting gardens, and vibrant nightlife. Many of the city's landmarks are within walking distance, an advantage many travelers favor. There's, for instance, the striking Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the city's vibrant center—the impressive Vitosha Boulevard strewn with hundreds of charming cafes, fine restaurants, and trendy shops all under the watch of imposing Mount Vitosha.
Like Sofia, the city beats with vibrant life, and more so as it is the leading summer destination of many Eastern and Western European travelers. Varna is Bulgaria's primary port city and a beach resort at the Black Sea's shores, with many high-end hotels and exciting attractions flanking its pretty seaside boulevards.
