THE BULGARIA PLEASURE

A growing number of people choose Bulgaria as a tourist destination. It is visible not only from the official statistics and the buzz in the large cities and the popular resorts, but also in the fact that it is no longer a rarity to meet foreign tourists even in the most remote corners of the country.

Bulgaria abounds with places, experiences and stories that win the attention of the foreign and local tourists. Diversity is its strongest point. Bulgaria has a wonderful sea and clean mountains, where it is equally pleasurable to ski and to trek. The millennia-long history of the country, which gathers together the heritage of ancient and modern peoples, is visible in a large number of sites that make unforgettable impression. The beauty of the traditional architecture is irresistible, regardless of whether it is in the cosmopolitain Plovdiv or the cosy Koprivshtitsa, and the folklore music will hardly leave anyone untouched. All of this is combined with an active city life that meets all the requirements of the modern tourist. Let's not forget the food – the consensus is that Bulgaria is one of the places where one can easily overeat, several times per day.

Bulgaria, however, has a lot more, like the hundreds of mineral springs making it a blessed destination for spa and balneological tourism. Even the Ancient Romans were charmed by this particularity of the region, and centuries ago they turned them into a balneological tourism destination.

Choosing where to go in Bulgaria is difficult: you have so many options! The list is long: the lively Sofia, Varna and Burgas; the charming Belogradchik Rocks; the mystic Rila and Bachkovo monasteries; the traditional architecture of Veliko Tarnovo; the joy of conquering some of the peaks of the Rila and the Pirin mountains, of hearing an authentic bagpipe in the Rhodope, of looking Nestinari dancing on live embers in the Strandzha, of exploring the Yaylata Plateau on the north Black Sea coast and to meet the rising sun on some of the wonderful beaches of the south Black Sea coast...

Yes, the opportunities look almost endless, particularly when we have in mind that Bulgaria offers something different for each season of the year. But when we make our choice for the next place to visit, we shouldn't forget as well the chance to indulge into a luxurious or unique experience. That is why we should carefully decide where we will stay during the amazing experience, called a "holiday in Bulgaria."

Maxi Park Hotel & Spa, Velingrad: Exclusive spa experience

Velingrad is the part of Bulgaria, which presents you with unique opportunities to improve the condition of your spirit and body with the healing waters of 80 mineral springs in the incredible atmosphere of the Rhodope mountains. Maxi Park Hotel & Spa (Velingrad, 30 Nikolay Hrelkov St, phones: +359 2 492 1888, +359 878 218 888, www.maxivelingrad.com) for its part is the place to choose for your Velingrad vacation. Spread on an area of 18,000 sq.m, Maxi Park Hotel & Spa is the newest and most modern 5-star complex in the resort. Located among a thick fir forest in the highest part of the town, the complex is a sanctuary that provides you with the comfort of luxuriously furnished rooms with own terraces and restaurants serving quality organic food, as well as with countless opportunities for spa pleasures. The hotel's spa centre has outdoor and indoor mineral pools, a pool with Dead Sea salts, a Finn, Russian and cedar sauna, a contrast pool, and so many spa procedures that you will have difficulties to try all of them in a few days. For its youngest guests, Maxi Park Hotel & Spa has created several children's corners, and for the whole family there is an eco path.

Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel: The new mineral water destination

Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel (Banya village, Razlog municipality, phone: +359 887 510 164, www.hotsprings-spa.com) is only an hour-and-a-half's drive from Sofia and from the Greek sea side. At this mountain complex you will discover Alpine architecture and a professionally designed and well thought out Spa zone and Мedical center. Here the natural power of mineral water unites with the latest technologies and equipment for physio, hydro, kinesi, and balneo therapies. All of the 138 rooms and apartments at the hotel are spacious and beautiful, and the views – they are simply gorgeous. If you find yourself wondering if the slopes will be well groomed for your ski adventures, you can leisurely watch the lights of the snowcats moving about in the mountain while you take a swim in the outdoor hot mineral water pool. During the day play tennis, go for a horseback ride, hike the trails, or train at the gym. Be sure to allow time to taste the delicious wines and quality foods offered by local producers, and to learn more about the millennial Bulgarian history. If you do have to work after all, the hotel has an excellently equipped conference hall with 150 seats. At Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel, for the first time in Bulgaria, you will find all of this at one place.

Holiday Inn Plovdiv: The pleasure to return

Ancient and modern, innovative and rich in tradition, Plovdiv is a city where one returns often and with pleasure. Today there is yet another reason for a planned or improvised trip to the city – Holiday Inn Plovdiv (109 Vasil Levski St, reception: 032 20 33 33, www.hiplovdivhotel.com). Comfortably located close to Trakiya Highway and the Plovdiv International Fair, and with an easy access to the centre, Holiday Inn Plovdiv is the first Open Lobby Holiday Inn in Bulgaria, providing its guests with the opportunity to relax with friends, a cup of aromatic coffee or a cocktail, in front of the TV or with a book, while staying in touch with the friendly, cheerful staff at the reception desk. The hotel has been specifically designed and built to meet all international safety standards, and the rooms' walls are soundproof. The guests at Holiday Inn Plovdiv enjoy comfortable rooms, including ones adapted for people with special needs, free WiFi coverage in the whole hotel, a modern gym, relaxing sauna and a restaurant with excellent cuisine.

АТМ Sinemorec: The sea is yours

Do you love waking up with the rising summer sun, shining over the vastness of the sea, and to get to sleep under the tender murmur of the waves? If the answer is yes, then АТМ Sinemorec Hotel (+359 889 209 556, www.sinemorec.atm-ahtopol.com) is your place. Located in Sinemorets, one of the loveliest parts of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the hotel is only a few minutes away from the marvellous Butamyata Beach. АТМ Sinemorec offers one- and two-bedroom apartments equipped with air conditioning and kitchenettes, and most of the flats have vista to the sea. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and bars around the hotel. Sinemorets is distinguished for its small village resort tranquility and has some of the most beautiful bays and places in the area.

Home'n'Roll by NIDO: A different type of vacation

Some prefer to spend their vacation at a hotel, others are dedicated to the simplicity of the camper, and those who want to have their holidays far from the big resorts but without sacrificing any comfort, choose the mobile home Home'n'Roll by NIDO. The concept is new for Bulgaria, but is enjoying a growing popularity around the world. A mobile home is a small, yet true house, that can be placed wherever you want to enjoy all comforts of home without loosing your touch with nature. Home'n'Roll is a true masterpiece. On only 38 sq.m it finds enough space for two bedrooms, a kitchenette, a dining room, a wardrobe, and a bathroom for four-member family. The home is equipped with everything needed: from the furniture and the appliances to the installations. You can use it all year round. The house is equally suitable for installation at a camping, or in an out of town property, and is for people for whom the words "comfort" and "close to nature" go together perfectly well. The classical model of Home'n'Roll has its own chassis for transportation, triple glazing and aluminium frames on the windows, and galvanised roof, but if the client wants, there are more basic solutions. The decision is yours, the comfort is by NIDO. Your new mobile home is at the NIDO's showroom on Sofia, 1 Andrey Lyapchev Blvd.