BULGARIA
Bulgaria is a beautiful country, with a sprinkling of mountains, it is small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendor, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality. Situated in the south east of Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is not as much a tourist destination as its Greek and Turkish neighbors to the south are. This despite the popularity of its Black Sea resorts, which are scenically captivating with their fine sandy beaches, sunny climate and safe seas and wonderfully inexpensive too. Bulgaria ranks as the 15th-largest country in Europe.
Although better known for its sea resorts, the essential character of the country is to be found in its spectacular mountainous regions. The six very different ranges vary from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests, harboring thermal springs and mineral spas, and valleys where the air bears the fragrance of flowers and herbs. The Valley of Roses lies in the heart of the country
and is one of the largest producers of rose oil in the world, giving root to Bulgaria's soubriquet, 'Land of Roses'. At the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city, Sofia, boasting a great number of architectural monuments and museums. The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a spectacular setting for ski resorts, as well as the famous Rila Monastery. 
Crossing the entire country is the Balkan Range, a 329-mile (530km) chain that offers some of the best hiking in Europe. As varied as the different mountain ranges are the people who dwell in them, with distinctive customs, crafts and colorful festivals, folklore, religious beliefs and speech. Small picturesque villages welcome guests with typical warm-hearted Bulgarian hospitality, sharing age-old traditions and traditional cooking, and a delight in their pastoral environment.
Bulgarian musical tradition is long-standing and can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. National folk music has a distinctive sound and uses a wide range of traditional instruments, such as gudulka,, kaval and tupan. This music is composed and created by sounds which cannot be described with words or expressions. The only thing you can do is just to stop and listen the voice of our nature and identity captured in the music.
Yogurt , lukanka, banitsa, shopska salad, lyutenitsa and kozunak give Bulgaria a distinctive cuisine.
Most dishes are oven baked, steamed, or in the form of stew. Deep-frying is uncommon, but grilling — especially different kinds of meats — is widely practiced. Oriental dishes such as moussaka, gyuvech, and baklava are also present. Bulgarian cuisine is also noted for the quality of dairy products.
Language: Bulgarian is the official language, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Currency: The official currency is the Lev (BGN), which is divided into 100 stotinki. The Lev is tied to the Euro at a fixed rate of EUR1 = 1.955 lev
Foreigners should be aware that a shake of the head means 'yes' and a nod means 'no', although allowances are often made for visitors; it is useful to clarify the answer verbally to avoid confusion!!!
