More than beaches: travel tips for Bulgaria

Bulgaria has a mere eight million inhabitants, but 237 monasteries! That's actually not surprising. Some 1,100 years ago, Bulgaria was the cradle of Orthodox Christianity. Bachkovo Monastery, for instance, was founded in 1083. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in southeastern Europe, and also quite an experience for non-Christians.

Although Sofia, too, is more than a thousand years old, Bulgaria's capital presents itself as very young and green. There are countless parks that play a large role in daily life, green spaces where city-dwellers can spend time, free of charge and outdoors. The park in front of the National Theater in Sofia is a popular meeting place.

Sofia isn't exactly blessed with sights, but this bronze statue cannot be overlooked. It's 8.8 meters tall, weighs 5 tons and is composed of 160 pieces. She was a gift from the mayor to the city in 2001. Since then, she's been a topic of discussion. But whether you find her beautiful or not, she is definitely a new landmark in Sofia.

Bulgaria was occupied by the Turks for five centuries. The large mosque that is the only remnant of Ottoman rule is a reminder of that. The mosque was built in the 16th century and is still used as a place of worship.

The national monument on Shipka Pass commemorates one of the most important battles in the fight for liberation from Ottoman rule. In 1878, with support from Russia, Bulgaria was able to regain its independence. Shipka Pass leads over the Balkan Mountains at an elevation of 1,200 meters and affords a wonderful view of countryside.

The Balkan range is, at 600 kilometers, the longest mountain range on the peninsula of the same name; it divides Bulgaria into north and south. The old Bulgarian capital, Veliko Tarnovo, is in the north. The location of this city overlooking the Yantra river is breathtaking in itself, and the old town center is utterly charming.

The 60-meter vaulted ceilings in the Devetashka cave near the village of Devetaki are among the most spectacular natural sights in Bulgaria. In 2011, an action sequence for the Hollywood film "The Expendables 2" was shot here - unfortunately with the result that the cave's bat population decreased by 75 percent. In the meantime the bats have returned and conservationists' minds been set at rest.

Like Rome, Plovdiv was built on seven hills, but Bulgaria's second-largest city is much older - 8,000 years old, in fact. Thracians, Romans and Ottoman Turks have left their mark here. Modern urban life mixes with the rich heritage of history. Cafés and restaurants, shops and galleries add to the city's easygoing atmosphere.

This ancient marble theater is one of the loveliest legacies of the Romans, built under the emperor Trajan at the turn of the second century AD. Audiences of up to 7,000 people watched ancient tragedies and comedies here. Nowadays the old columns still form a magnificent setting for concerts and theater productions.

The charming buildings in Plovdiv's old town are relatively new. Wealthy merchants built them in typical Bulgarian style shortly after the national revival in the 19th century. Each new house strove be more beautiful than its neighbor, and they still adorn the cobbled lanes of the old town.

You should definitely travel to Bulgaria in 2019, because this year Plovdiv is a European Capital of Culture. And while you're there, be sure to take the opportunity to look at the other sights in this Balkan country, because Bulgaria really shouldn't remain a well-kept secret any longer!