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BULGARIA - KNOWN AND UNKNOWN
The world is full of interesting and beautiful places, but some of them are rather off the beaten track. To many people Bulgaria is still a land to be discovered, and when they do discover it, they may well reproach themselves for not having done so before.
Bulgaria has a truly unique natural environment - striking topographic variety within a relatively small compass, scenic landscape with an abondance of rivers, lakes and mineral springs, and rich plant and animal life. Combined with the remarkable cultural, historical, ethnographic and architectural diversity, this will arguably make Bulgaria one of the most popular tourist destinations.
The favorable climate and diverse environment have created conditions for human settlement on this territory for thousands of years. One of the earliest civilizations that flourished in the Bulgarian lands in the 6th - 5th millenia BC created the world's oldest gold treasure discovered to date - the Varna Golden Treasure.
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The recent sensational discovery of the Holy City of Perperikon - an ancient town, cult centre and a mediaeval fortress, near today's town of Kurdjali - proves that the region has been inhabited ever since the Thracians (6th - 5th millenia BC). |
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Perperikon, the biggest Thracian megaliths in the Balkans, saw its first heyday in the 2nd millenium BC, which coincided with the peak of the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations.
The quest for the Temple of Dionysus which lasted for more than a century was finally resolved in 2002 on the territory of Perperikon. |
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This is the only place in Europe and maybe in the world, where the separate civilizations did not destroy one another, but fitted into and developed on the basis of the preceding ones.
There are many different places of worship in the Bulgarian lands. Most of the Thracian sanctuaries are on sites with special power of their own.
Among the most famous are the Thracian tombs in Kazanluk and Sveshtari (both UNESCO sites) as well as the Valley of the Thracian rulers near Kazanluk.
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The recently discovered Thracian cult centre in Starossel (near Plovdiv) is the biggest in Southern and Eastern Europe with the largest temple mausoleum. It has been compared to the burial town in Mycenae.
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The numerous Thracian fortresses throughout Bulgaria were eventually incorporated into the Roman defense system. The Roman fortresses, in their turn became the basis of many of the thousands of fortifications of the mediaeval Bulgarian Empire.
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Few countries in the world have such a rich and varied cultural and historical heritage.
The country's more than 230 museums display many invaluable objects that testify to the advanced culture of their creators.
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Currently, the UNESCO List of World Heritage includes 9 Bulgarian sites - 7 cultural monuments and 2 natural reserves, all of them recognised for their exceptional value.
More than 160 Bulgarian monasteries preserved the Bulgarian spirit throughout the centuries. Unique and most visited are Rila Monastery and Ivanovo Rock Monasteries, both UNESCO sites.
The Bulgarian Renaissance towns - Veliko Turnovo, Old Plovdiv, Koprivshtitza, Tryavna, Melnik, Bozhenzi and many others give the possibility to feel the Bulgarian spirit and offer excellent conditions for cultural tourism. Whole quarters with houses have been declared heritage parks. Self-taught masters have built remarkable houses, clock towers, bridges, public drinking fountains and wells.
The Bulgarian folk art and lifestyle still amaze experts.
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The traditions of Thracians, Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians have been kept alive in many families and passed from one generation to another.
Customs, rituals, costumes and songs alternate from region to region.
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Specific and diverse, they are united by Bulgaria's long history and have preserved the Bulgarian identity over the centuries.
Element of pagan rituals have survived in folk costumes of mummers and fire-dancers. Today, Bulgarian folk rites and customs are re-enacted at festivals and song competitions.
Brief demonstrations of traditional production activities in our lands - wine, attar of roses and crafts (pottery, woodcarving, embroidery, etc.) are offered in the Etura open-air ethnographic museum near Gabrovo, in Kulata ethnographic museum in Kazanluk, in Old Plovdiv, Bansko and many others.
The best way to see, feel, touch and taste all the above is to visit Bulgaria.
The team of AltoursBG is at your disposal.
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Our 'Get to know Bulgaria' escorted cultural tours
will acquaint you with some of the most impressive places in Bulgaria, some of them internationally known and unique:
- Alexander Nevski Cathedral - with the world's richest icon collection in its Crypt;
- Rila Monastery - the most visited site in Bulgaria, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List;
- Thracian golden treasures and traces of mankind's oldest civilization with the world's oldest crafted gold;
- Old Bulgarian capitals - testimony of the greatness and glory of the Bulgarian spirit;
- Famous museum towns - architectural masterpieces from the Bulgarian Renaissance.
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FEATURED TOURS:
10 days / 9 nights GRAND TOUR
8 days / 7 nights STANDARD TOUR
4 days / 3 nights BRIEF TOUR
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Special departure tours JOIN-A-SMALL-GROUP:
19-Jul-2008 - 8-day program
18-Oct-2008 - 8-day program
Price per person for a group of 5 tourists: EUR 695.
16-Aug-2008 - 10-day program
15-Nov-2008 - 10-day program
Price per person for a group of 5 tourists: EUR 875.
Superior accommodation, knowledgeable tour guides and many extras...
Guaranteed departures for min 2 persons:
March - November - (daily).
Special discounts apply for tour groups of min 6 persons.
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You will be charmed by the Bulgarian culture, folklore, wine and breath-taking scenery.
Tour operators, travel agencies or corporate clients, please, ask
tour details or email us.
If you are private traveler(s), please, ask
tour details or email us.
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