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Days like theseOur recommendations for the perfect holiday in BulgariaBulgaria Fly-DrivesFrom £675 pp twin-shareDay 1 - Fly to SofiaSofia boasts a colourful and ancientcollection of churches, mosquesand synagogues in its marvellouslypreserved historical centre.Day 2 - Sofia to MelnikDrive through green forests to whatis possibly Bulgaria’s most famouslandmark, Rila Monastery, whichplayed a key role during the centuriesof Turkish rule, helping to keeptraditional religion and culture alive.Day 3 - Melnik to PlovdivDrive to Plovdiv via RozhenMonastery and admire the ancientmurals and stained-glass windows.Day 4 - PlovdivExplore the Old Town with its mix ofRoman remains, Byzantine churchesand national revival examples.Savour the oriental sweetmeats andsip slivovica, a tasty plum brandy.Day 5 - Plovdiv to TryavnaDrive to Tryavna via Kazanlakand through the Valley of Roses.It is worthwhile stopping at Etar, afascinating open-air museum, whichhas recreated life in Bulgaria duringthe 18th and 19th centuries. Continueto Tryavna, a charming small townwith unique Renaissance architectureset in beautiful countryside.Day 6 - Tryavna toVeliko TurnovoDrive to Veliko Turnovo via ShipkaPass. Stop at Shipka Monastery andvisit Dryanovo Monastery with itswonderful views en route.Day 7 - Veliko Turnovoand ArbanassiExplore this historical town built overa series of precipitous hills divided bydeep gorges and overlooked by themassive, medieval Tsarevets fortresscomplex. Arbanassi is a pretty villagewith more than 90 churches, oldhouses and the magnificent NativityChurch.Day 8 - Veliko Turnovoto SofiaDrive to Sofia via Troyan Monasteryand Koprivshtitsa where you canrediscover the traditions andfolklore of old Bulgaria.SOFIASandanskiMACEDONIA PetrichR O M A N I AD u n a v s k a R a v n i n aIskurB a l k a n M o u n t a i n sStrumaR h o d o p e M o u n t a i n sMestaVitOsumG R E E C EDanubeVidinNoviBalchikLomSvishtovRazgradOryakhovoPazarVarnaByalaPopovoShumenPlevenProvadiyaTurgovishteKnezhaMontanaMidzorVratsaLovech SevlievoVeliko Turnovo2169 mMezdraTroyanGabrovoAytosPomorieSERBIASliven KarnobatBotevgradKazanlukBurgasSOFIANovi IskurKarlovoNovaZagoraYambolGrudovoSrednogorieStaraTsarevoPernikRadomir Ikhtiman BULGARIAZagoraElkhovoSamokovKyustendilDupnitsa Pazardzhik Plovdiv DimitrovgradKharmanliMusalaAsenovgrad Khaskovo2925 mBlagoevgradSvilengradT U R K E YRazlogKurdzhaliGotseDelchevSmolyanRuseTundzhaRadnevoMarilsaArdaMadanMomchilgradSilistraTutrakanDulovoDobrichKamchiyaKavarnaBlackSeaBulgaria - Perfect ForAncient ruins, UNESCO World Heritage sites and national parks aboundin Bulgaria. Historians and those interested in archaeology will find enoughtombs, monasteries, villages and fortresses dating back to the Thracian,Dacian and Roman periods to keep them busy for days. Nature lovers canhead into the stunning countryside for a spot of bird watching, and for thebrave, a bit of brown bear watching too.1971Zhivkov becomespresident andstaunch USSR ally1991New constitution proclaimsBulgaria a parliamentaryrepublic2001Parliament agrees todestroy Soviet-mademissiles ahead of NATOmembership2007Bulgaria and Romaniajoin the European Union1954Todar Zhivkov becomesFirst Secretary of theBulgarian Communist Party1989Zhivkov ousted after Reformsin the Soviet Union inspiredemands for democratisation1994Bulgaria reach theWorld Cup semi-finalin the US2004Bulgaria isadmitted toNATO39Call 020 7666 1244 | www.regentholidays.co.uk | visit your local travel agent