| Bulgaria's capital city of Sofia has been around for | | | | bars until midnight, then head off to the nightclub; |
| quite a while. Depending upon who you believe, it | | | | there are plenty about that offer a wide range of |
| was established anywhere between 7,000 and 3,000 | | | | dance and music styles. |
| years ago by ancient Thracians. What is agreed is | | | | Churches and other religious buildings proliferate in the |
| that it was the thermal springs that proved the big | | | | city, particularly ancient and neo-Byzantine Orthodox |
| attraction and led to the development of a thriving | | | | churches, despite the fact that the majority of |
| metropolis. At 1804ft above sea level the climate | | | | buildings are built post 1945, due to the battering the |
| tends to moderately hot summers and cold, snowy | | | | city took during World War 2. At the end of that |
| winters providing great summer sun, pleasurable city | | | | conflict Bulgaria came under the control of the |
| breaks and numerable ski opportunities depending | | | | communist bloc and Stalinist style utilitarian |
| upon when you visit. As you would expect from such | | | | apartments and factories were built at such a pace |
| an ancient city there is a plethora of old buildings and | | | | that the city expanded into new suburbs and |
| cultural points of interest smattered around Sofia. | | | | attracted many workers from rural areas. But, don't |
| Whether it is the architecture, museums or the | | | | be put off, in the city centre itself you will still find |
| pleasures offered by a modern city that you are | | | | tree-lined avenues with charming little side streets |
| after, you'll find them all in abundance in sparkling | | | | that feature cafes and vast bazaars. There is a |
| Sofia. | | | | relaxed ambience and you'll often find the charming |
| Vibrant nightlife is alive and well in Sofia. Although the | | | | sight of Bulgarian gypsies playing their fiddles on |
| majority of Sofians don't boast massive incomes | | | | street corners. |
| they still love to party! As a result there are a | | | | Lying in the shadow of Mount Vistosha, there are |
| number of great pubs and cafes dotted throughout | | | | plenty of winter ski and other summer recreational |
| the city catering to a wide range of tastes and | | | | opportunities throughout the year, such as hiking, |
| interests. For example, find yourself in Sofia at the | | | | around Sofia. The city itself has undergone a |
| time your favourite football team is playing an | | | | transformation over the last ten years as it moves |
| important game and you needn't miss it, head for | | | | away from the communist influence and tries to |
| Murphy's Irish Bar and catch all the action! And the | | | | establish itself as a modern European capital. You'll |
| handful of 24 hour restaurants that operate in the | | | | find prices very reasonable in just about all aspects; |
| city centre provide respite if you are out between | | | | from drinks to hotel rooms and including shopping! |
| 1.00 and 5.00 a.m. and find that the great public | | | | With over 300 bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants to |
| transport system has closed down for the evening! | | | | choose from you'll find Sofia a vibrant and lively city |
| While in Sofia, do as the Sofians do, and drink in the | | | | to visit. |