Bulgaria

The Boyana Church complex - located on the outskirts of Sofia - is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Bulgaria's most important tourist attractions. The first of the three buildings that make up the Boyana Church complex was built in the 10th century, but it is the second building - constructed in the 13th century - that is the obvious tourist draw card.Containing frescoes painted in 1259, the second Boyana Church building is nothing less than the site of the most important collection of medieval eastern European art in the world. The paintings, which conform to a Byzantine aesthetic, are almost perfectly preserved and offer visitors a rare insight into the long, proud history of Bulgarian art and culture. The church complex also houses the National Museum which boasts a rich collection of historical and cultural artefacts. It is recommended that visitors hire one of the professional guides available to give them a tour of the church and museum as they greatly enrich the experience.

Address : ул. Боянско езеро 3, 1616 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Website : www.boyanachurch.org

Just 13 miles (about 20km) west of Varna, Pobiti Kamani (the Petrified Forest) makes for an interesting and worthwhile daytrip. The origin of the stone columns - which measure up to 23 feet (seven metres) in height, and 10 feet (three metres) in girth - remains a mystery, with geologists holding differing opinions about how they were formed.Regardless of their origin, however, Pobiti Kamani's columns are unique, and make for a fascinating, photo-filled excursion from Varna. Needless to say, visitors and locals come up with their own, more mystical explanations for the phenomenon, and many feel that it is a magical place.Occupying an area of 27 square miles (70 sq km), the Petrified Forest is a wonderful place to spend the day, exploring the strange terrain, and enjoying a picnic in the sun. It is best to go in April or early May, when the weather is idyllic, but even if it is not sunny the landscape will intrigue visitors. You have complete freedom to wander about the area at your leisure and it is a great excursion for the whole family.

Address : Varna Province, on the road between Varna and Sofia.

Situated in the highest reaches of the Pirin Mountains, Pirin National Park encompasses rugged alpine peaks that rise 8,202ft (2,500m) into the atmosphere with more than a hundred glacial lakes spread at their feet. The magnificent landscape is made up of old forests, waterfalls, caves and areas of limestone that are home to near-extinct flowers like the edelweiss and Pirin poppy. Boasting an abundance of rare and endemic species of plants and animals, this unique national park is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural and National Heritage Site.Alpine mountaineering and skiing are popular activities in Pirin, as is hiking. The park boasts numerous, well-maintained hiking trails which wind through stunning scenery. There are also little wooden huts with bunk beds for hikers to sleep in on the trails. The hiking trails are generally pleasantly uncrowded but if you want to spend the night in one of these rustic huts then it is best to book it in advance. The popularity of the park with outdoor enthusiasts, together with the cultural heritage of the surrounding mountain settlements and stunning scenery, make Pirin National Park an attractive tourist destination which usually rates highly on a Bulgarian travel itinerary.

Website : www.pirin-np.com

The biggest and most famous of Bulgaria's monasteries is situated in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountains and is one of the most significant monuments on the Balkan Peninsula. Rila Monastery was founded by a hermit, St John of Rila, in the 10th century, and eventually became a monastic complex that played an important role in the spiritual history of medieval Bulgaria.Having survived fire, abandonment and plunder, the monastery fascinates visitors with its exquisite architecture, rich murals and icons and valuable museum collection, including old manuscripts, jewellery, textiles, church treasures and a library containing thousands of books. The Rila Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see attraction for anybody visiting Bulgaria.Photography is not allowed inside the Monastery, and although the monastery does provide shawls to borrow for those who are underdressed, it is best to go prepared in respectful and conservative clothing when you visit this religious site.

Address : 2643, Bulgaria.

Website : http://www.rilamonastery.pmg-blg.com/Home_page_en.htm

Transport : There is regular bus transport to the monastery from the town of Rila

The rotunda church of St George is considered to be the oldest building in Sofia, dating back to the 4th century, and is situated amid the remains of the ancient Roman town of Serdica. The St George Rotunda is famous for its exquisite architecture and layers of medieval frescoes that were discovered under a covering of plaster.The church currently functions as a museum and the magnificent dome is protected by UNESCO. It is located in a square enclosed by the Presidential Buildings and this makes the contrast between the ancient and the modern quite striking. There is a fair amount of information on the history and significance of the site available at the entrance, which is worth reading. There is a pleasant restaurant next door to the site where you can enjoy a meal with views of the church, and if you linger for a while you might well see the guards marching by.Visitors must ensure that they are dressed appropriately and conservatively as people with bare arms or legs will not be allowed entry into the church.

Address : bul. Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov 2, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Rising above the capital city of Sofia, Vitosha Mountain is one of the symbols of the capital and is the most visited mountain in Bulgaria. Starting where the suburbs end, the whole mountain has been designated a national park - the oldest in the Balkans - and is home to deer, bear, wild boar, fox and a variety of rare birds. Vitosha is known for its 'stone rivers', or moraines, piles of huge rounded granite boulders carried and deposited by glaciers thousands of years ago, as well as for its restorative mineral springs.Vitosha is popular during all seasons and the well-known resort of Aleko is the most established winter ski resort in the area, offering modern hotels and ski facilities within easy reach of the capital. Although you could spend a good portion of your holiday enjoying this mountain and staying in its resorts, you can just as easily head up the mountain for a hike one afternoon and experience some beautiful views of the city below. There is a cable-car and several bus routes which can take you part of the way up Vitosha. There are several great picnic sites to enjoy if the weather is good and an excursion up the mountain is a lovely activity for the whole family.