The Republic of Bulgaria is situated on the south eastern part of Europe and in the north eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The River Danube is a natural boundary to the north. The north eastern boundary divides the Dobrudzha Plain between Romania and Bulgaria. To the south east it neighbours Turkey and to the south west, Greece. The west side borders Serbia and Macedonia, with the Black Sea to the east. The Black Sea coastline stretches for 378km and offers close connection with Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. Bulgaria covers a territory of 111,000 sq.km. The landscape varies from sea level to 2925m above sea level. The country is dissected by the Balkan Range, the longest in the country. It is 500km long and 50km wide with its highest point the 2376m Botev Peak.  To the north lies the Danube Plain, to the south - the Rose Valley and further south the 200km long Thracian Lowlands. The highest mountain Rila (2925m) is to be found in the south western part of the country, as are the Pirin (2914m) and Rodopi (2191m) mountains. One-third of Bulgaria's territory is covered with mountains and forests. 

Access to Bulgaria is easy by air, with scheduled flights available to capital city Sofia and Varna throughout the year. Where necessary a short internal flight will make the transfer to Varna airport. In addition, holiday charter flights can be taken direct to Varna, during summer season. Three hours and fifteen minutes is the average flight time if travelling from the UK direct to Varna. The airport is no more than a twenty minute car journey from the city centre. 

Also called "The Pearl of the Northern Black Sea Coast" Varna is Bulgaria's second largest city with a population of 350,000. In summer Varna attracts tourists. The architecture is more interesting than in other coastal towns, especially in the city centre, which consists of a large pedestrian walkway, surrounded by numerous shops, cafes and restaurants.

As the summer capital of Bulgaria, during the peak season Varna turns into a centre of entertainment and cultural events, including various festivals. The beach is situated along the northern part of the town separated by a huge park, which descends down to the sea and to the largest harbour in Bulgaria. There is a wide range of Museums, Churches, Cultural Institutions and sights to see. 

Most parts of Bulgaria can be placed in the moderate climate zone, with some Mediterranean influence. The average daily temperature by the sea during summer high season is 28-30 degrees and 18-20 degrees at night. The sea water temperature reaches 22-25 degrees.

It will take you back dozens of centuries to Pliska, Preslav and Veliko Tarnovo - the seats of the first Bulgarian khans, czars and kings; to the stone carving of the Madara Horseman; to the Thracian Gold Treasures; to the breathtaking murals of the Kazanlak Tomb and the church in Boyana; to the quiet wisdom of the Rila Monastery and to the towns of Koprivshtitsa, Melnick and Zheravna - Renaissance legends of wood, stone and color.The Bulgarian lands are ancient crossroads. It remembers many ancient civilizations and great peoples which wrote the pages of its turbulent history: bronze and iron spears and arrows, ruins of palaces and cities, wise words carved on rocks and stone columns, written on parchment and leather.
 

The Thracians bequeathed  the famous tombs near Kazanluk and Sveshtari, the unique gold treasures from Panagyurishte and Rogozen. The Hellenes built the beautiful coastal towns of Apollonia, Anhialo and Messambria, and Romans - ancient Aescus, Nikopolis ad Istrum and Nove. Huns, Gothes and Averas later passes through our lands. Around the mid-7th century the Slavs came from the north across the Danube and reached as far as the Black Sea and the Adriatic. They were followed by the Bulgarians of Khan Asparouh...

In fact, there were only three states in Europe in 681: The Western Roman Empire, BULGARIA, and The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium)...

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