Bulgaria is...

... a magical country, built on centuries of history.  The modern day Sofia is a vibrant capitol city with all the amenities of luxury built agains the backdrop of ancient traditions. Interesting colors, smells, friendly smiles, and food make this city a fascinating place to visit.  Outside of the big city, life slows down becoming more simple.  Countless villages dot the mountains and plains throughout the country.  Many picturesque resorts are built around Ancient Ruins from the Roman and Thracian periods.  Mineral baths and spa facilities are very relaxing and rejuvenating.  Wineries have produced excellent varietals for many years, and most food is locally grown, fresh, and plentiful.  Sunflower fields and flower farms are everywhere, and produce first class oils for exporting to be used in the food and perfume industries world wide.  There are abundant pure sources of spring water for drinking in all cities and villages, and ample space and time exists for self reflection and discovery.  Traveling in a more easterly direction from Sofia, you eventually reach the shores of The Black Sea.  Here you will find miles of sandy beaches and several ancient medieval walled cities waiting to be explored.  Fresh fish is caught daily and served in some of the finest restaurants at reasonable prices.  Art Shops, Sweet Shops, and Family Hotels are intermingled between the pedestrian only streets.  It all reminds you of the years of history that has shaped these lands.

Bulgarian lands have been inhabited since the earliest recorded human history by people who were most likely neanderthals.  By 5000 BC a sophisticated civilization already existed and produced some of the first pottery and jewelry in the world.  After 3000 BC the Thracians appeared on the land and were the first civilization to leave lasting traces across the Balkans.  Throughout the period of antiquity and the Dark Ages, this land was occupied by countless kingdoms, including the Persians, Celts, Romans, Slavs and Bulgars.

The Bulgars gave rise to the First Bulgarian Empire which lasted from 681 to 1018.  The Byzantine Empire came to power, followed by the Second Bulgarian Empire which grew to the largest and most successful in the history of Bulgaria.  At this time the empire touched 4 Seas-The Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Adriatic Sea.  It included much of present day Macedonia, Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, and Hungary.  This empire was eventually defeated and occupied by the Ottoman Empire for the next 500 years.  The Ottoman Rule was a very dark and violent time for the Bulgarians, yet they still maintained their identity.  Eventually as the Turkish Rule weakened the Russians came to the aide of the Bulgarians and assisted in defeating the Turkish and liberating Bulgaria in 1878.  The Bulgarian people became a brotherhood nation with their Russian neighbors. 

In the early 1900's through unfortunate circumstances, Bulgaria found itself on the loosing side of both World Wars, and saw its territory reduced by the subsequent treaties, and European oversight.  Following the wars, and under influence from the Russians, Bulgaria adopted a communist ideology, and the Bulgarian Communist Party was formed.  During 50 years of Communism, cities and factories were developed and many monuments and concrete buildings were built.  In 1989 the communist regime changed and democracy was adopted with free elections being held.  Since this time, Bulgaria has joined the European Union, and NATO and has been aggressively adopting Western Culture and mixing it with it's own personality.  Currently there are influences and relics from many of the Kingdoms and Empires found throughout the country.  This makes for a very interesting opportunity to discover and learn about this colorful past, and present culture and its importance in the World's History.