The World’s Most Picturesque Ski Destinations for a Winter Escape Revealed

Vatra Dorne, Romania

Shoulder-season travel is on the rise, with travel reports showing a 50% year-on-year increase. And with ski seasons extending well into April, these escapes are increasingly popular among those looking beyond the traditional peak period - whether or not you’re any good on the slopes.

To find out where the most visually spectacular winter destinations lie, the experts at TouchNote gathered and analysed thousands of Street View images at ski destinations around the world, using AI-powered image scoring to reveal the most breathtaking winter landscapes in 2026, whether you ski or not.

Romania takes first place for the most stunning ski landscapes, study reveals

Topping the rankings with a commanding 9.7/10, Romania emerges as the study's standout country, outscoring Switzerland despite the latter's global reputation as a ski powerhouse.

With an average elevation of 975m across its top-performing destinations, the Carpathian Mountains deliver serious alpine drama. The image analysis placed Romania's resorts consistently among the highest-scoring for natural scenery, with forested mountain backdrops and unspoiled valley settings helping the country pull clear of the field.

Its highest-scoring individual destination, Miercurea Ciuc (83.11), sits at the foot of the Harghita Mountains in the heart of Transylvania's Székely Land, a region where the peaks rise sharply above a compact, characterful town largely unknown to international visitors. Second is Vatra Dornei (82.20), the so-called Pearl of Bukovina, a historic spa town set where four Carpathian ranges converge, combining ski terrain with some of the most atmospheric mountain scenery in Eastern Europe.

Val Müstair, Switerland

Joint second with 9.4/10, Switzerland earns its place through the sheer drama of its remote high-altitude destinations. Val Müstair, in the secluded Lower Engadin valley of Graubünden, was the only destination in the entire study to receive a perfect scenic score of 100/100, with lifts reaching 2,700m and powder conditions to rival anywhere in the Alps. Neighbouring Albula/Alvra (96.59) sits on the celebrated route between St. Moritz and Davos, favoured by ski tourers for its solitude and sweeping terrain.

Bulgaria shares that second-place position and boasts the highest average elevation of any country in the study at 1,490m. Its top destinations are rooted in the Balkan Mountains: Shipka (67.53), near the historic Shipka Pass, offers forested ridges and sweeping valley views, while Chiflik (67.39), close to the Beklemeto ski area, sits within reach of panoramic sightlines across the Troyan Balkan, Sredna Gora, Rila, and Rhodope Mountains.

Both Italy and France place fourth scoring 8.5/10 for their destinations' natural beauty, but surprisingly, neither country's top scorers are their expected famous resorts.

Italy's highest-ranked destinations sit in the Apennines: Ventasso (75.41) in Emilia-Romagna offers skiing in a quieter, more authentic setting, while Lagonegro (55.72) in Basilicata brings winter sport to the deep south at over 1,600m, a dramatic, remote location that sits entirely off most travellers' radar.

France, meanwhile, finds its scenic best in the south, according to the analysis. Le Caire (96.06) in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence scores among the highest of any destination in the study, its rugged Provençal landscape offering something altogether wilder than the groomed slopes of the grandes stations. Asco (94.59) goes further still, a ski station set in Corsica's granite mountain interior, where the island's peaks meet proper winter conditions in near-complete isolation.

Kutchan, Japan

Craig Law, Head of Marketing and spokesperson for TouchNote, added: “When we think of skiing, our minds usually think of the usual hot spots: the snowy peaks of France, Italy, or Switzerland, but the data shows there are some really underrated locations out there. Seeing Romania and Bulgaria appear before classics such as Italy or France can be surprising, but Eastern European landscapes are often overlooked in favour of what we usually consider to be “picturesque”.

Thanks to unconventional destinations featuring in the top five of our ranking, we’re happy to show that skiing in beautiful locales doesn’t have to be a financially exclusive activity. After the Olympics, we are seeing a surge of interest in the sport, and this shows that you can go somewhere more affordable and still send back a postcard with some breathtaking views.”

We really hope you find this release useful. If you do end up using it, we would very much appreciate a link to https://touchnote.com/uk/postcards/.

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/

Kempinski Hotels unveils its White Glove Service

Part of the amenities in all guest rooms will be mini hand sanitisers as well as guest masks. While hotel teams obviously have to keep their distance to the guests of at least 1.5 metres, all furniture in public areas has to be rearranged to keep social distancing rules for the convenience of guests. 

Enhanced cleaning plans are provided by hygiene products supplier Diversey through wall charts and online guidelines to visualise step by step the flow of disinfection and cleaning of all hotel areas. 

Sanitising stations will be spread throughout each hotel, key cards will be disinfected before and after usage, cloth towels in public toilets will be replaced by one-time-usage disposable towels and professional air purifiers will provide clean and fresh air. 

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group and now comprises a portfolio of 76 five-star hotels and residences in 34 countries. 

New properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas and in the pipeline.

Kempinski Hotels has unveiled its White Glove Service to meet highest level of service and guest comfort during and after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Website: www.kempinski.com

Thailand extends visa-on-arrival fee waiver

The Government had approved the extension of the visa-on-arrival fee waiver for citizens of 20 countries for another six months, until 31 October 2019. 20 Countries, namely Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China including Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The Top 10 Gorgeous Bridges in the World

1.) Infinity Bridge

There's something magical about bridges. They're often incredible feats of engineering and design. They're meant to connect people and places that would otherwise have to exist separately. Crossing a bridge is a singular experience. You're neither here nor there, but hanging in the middle. You could be suspended over a river, hang in a valley, or climb a huge mountain.

Society also ties a lot of symbolism to bridges. They make us think about transition, connection, legends, and journeys.

Here are the top 10, found all over the world. Some of them are small, some are huge. Some are pinnacles of cutting-edge engineering technology. Some are ancient, but have stood the test of time. Some are deceptively simple, and some are incredibly intricate. Take a look!

1.) Infinity Bridge, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom
This pedestrian and cyclist bridge features asymmetrical arches. It won numerous awards for its design, engineering, and eco-consciousness.

2.) Moon Bridge

2.) Moon Bridge, Taipei, Taiwan
This bridge is perfectly paired with the still waters in DaHu ("Big Lake") Park in Taipei. Even though the park is near to the city's industrial complex, you'd never be able to tell from here.

3.) This Little Wooden Bridge
Tiny bridges like this can pop up anywhere if someone decides they need to get from point A to point B. They're charming, to be sure, but be careful on them!

4.) Puente Nuevo, Ronda, Spain
This huge bridge connects the two parts of the city of Ronda, and took 42 years to build, beginning in 1751. The chamber over the central arch was used for a variety of nefarious purposes, including as a prison and a torture chamber.

5.) Moon Bridge

5.) Moon Bridge, Ferrara, Italy
This take on the Moon Bridge features an illumination from underneath, creating a glowing crescent in the reflection.

6.) Dyavolski Most, Ardino, Bulgaria
Another "Devil's Bridge," this Ottoman bridge was built in 1515. Today it can be seen from one of the country's hiking trails. It's only 11 feet wide.

7.) The Banpo Bridge, Seoul, South Korea
The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is the world's largest bridge fountain, and recycles water from the Han River. The water shoots out about 43 horizontal meters.

8.) Animal Crossing Bridge, Netherlands
Animals need to get over things, too. Wildlife crossings are bridges just for animals, helping them navigate the world safe away perilous humans (and their cars). These bridges allow animals to get from one place to another without the danger of getting hit.

9.) Pont de Singe, Tatton Park, England
The name means "Monkey Bridge," and this was created for a biennial celebration by French artist Olivier Grossetête (who translates to "big head"). The bridge is suspended by helium balloons here. It was "theoretically" strong enough to hold a person, but the park didn't take the chance.

10.) San Juan de Gastelugatxe

10.) San Juan de Gastelugatxe, Bermeo, Basque Country, Spain
This islet is connected to the mainland by way of a spindly bridge. The tiny island features a 10th century hermitage for monks, and possibly the Knights Templar.

Lonely Planet reveals the world’s best hotels 2014

Mihir Gahr, Rajasthan, India

Lonely Planet is launching its first ever collection of the world’s best places to stay. Its network of expert authors, arguably the planet’s most well-travelled group of people, have scoured the globe to find the most Extraordinary places to stay, the Best Value accommodation and the top Eco retreats. A panel then selected their 10 top picks in each of the three categories.

Extraordinary: Lonely Planet’s authors are always on the lookout for experiences which will create exceptional and memorable moments for travellers, and accommodation is no exception. Included in the cut of the 10 most unique places to stay are Saugerties Lighthouse in New York State and the Gibbon Experience Treehouse in Laos.

Best Value: Having visited thousands of hotels, hostels and guesthouses Lonely Planet’s authors know good value when they see it and they understand how important it is to travellers. Old Plovdiv Guesthouse in Bulgaria and Oztel in Rio de Janeiro were two of the places that they found to offer the most bang for your buck.

Eco: Travelling responsibly has always been at the core of Lonely Planet and with this in mind our authors strive to find the most eco-friendly accommodation. From the nominations, the judges selected 10 outstanding eco places to stay which had made impressive strides to minimise their environmental impact and contribute to their local communities. Chole Mjini in Tanzania and Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru, two of the best in the world according to the panel.
LonelyPlanet.com Editor Tom Hall was part of the expert panel who selected the finalists, he said; “We’re delighted with our first ever list of top hotels. This collection is one of a kind we believe, as it is put together by the most well- travelled people on earth. At Lonely Planet we’ve been giving recommendations to travellers about where to stay for 40 years. Our guidebook authors provide their honest opinion and never take freebies in exchange for positive coverage so you can trust in our reviews.”

Lonely Planet’s website has over 80,000 author reviewed hotels, as well as curated lists of the best places to stay in more than 650 destinations.
A full list of winners follows. Find out more about each of the winning hotels, including author commentary, at:
www.lonelyplanet.com/extraordinary-hotels
www.lonelyplanet.com/best-eco-hotels
www.lonelyplanet.com/best-value-hotels

THE WINNERS

EXTRAORDINARY

1. Mihir Gahr, Rajasthan, India
2. Planet Baobab, Gweta, Botswana
3. Prendiparte B&B, Bologna, Italy
4. Qasr Al Sarab, UAE
5. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, TAS, Australia
6. Free Spirit Spheres, British Columbia, Canada
7. Taskonak Hotel, Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
8. Thonga Beach Lodge, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa
9. Saugerties Lighthouse, New York state, USA
10. The Gibbon Experience Treehouse, Bokeo Reserve, Laos

Best Value

The Backpack, Cape Town, South Africa

1. The Backpack, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Sydney Harbour YHA, Australia
3. Inkosana Lodge, Champagne Valley, Drakensberg, South Africa
4. Old Plovdiv Guesthouse, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
5. Hotel Gruner Baum, Glorenza, Sudtirol, Italy
6. Oztel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
7. Fauzi Azar Inn, Nazareth, Israel
8. We Hostel Design, Sao Paulo, Brazil
9. Hotel Hotel Hostel, Seattle, USA
10. On the corner, Kolomyya, Ukraine

ECO LIST

Lapa Rios, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica

1. Lapa Rios, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica
2. Bulungula Backpackers, South Africa
3. Chole Mjini, Chole Island, Mafia Archipelago, Tanzania
4. Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Aguas Calientes, Peru
5. EcoLodge Chepu Adventures, Chiloe, Chile
6. Maison Anglaise, Taroudant, Morocco
7. Earthship Rentals, Taos, New Mexico, USA
8. Dana Guest House, Jordan
9. Nuli Sapi, Papua New Guinea
10. Baikaler Eco-Hostel, Listvyanka, Russia

Sofia and Hanoi Ranked as the Cheapest Cities for Travellers Worldwide

In a recently published survey by TripAdvisor on 49 destinations, Sofia of Bulgaria were ranked as the cheapest cities for travellers worldwide. Hanoi has been rated as the second cheapest city for travellers among 49 surveyed destinations just after Sofia of Bulgaria.

The result is based on the total cost of one night stay in a four-star hotel, a dinner for two with one bottle of wine and two-way taxi fee for the distance of 3.2km.

The average cost in Hanoi is US$176.14, compared to US$158.42 in Sofia. Meanwhile the most expensive city is Oslo with US$581.08.

Hanoi has just welcomed the 2.5 millionth international visitors. It has set the target of attracting 2.8 million foreign tourists next year.

TripAdvisor Proposes the Best Ski Destinations in Europe this Winter

Bansko in Bulgaria offers the best value ski destinations for European travellers this year, according to an annual cost comparison study released by TripAdvisor’s TripIndex.

A day on the slopes, a meal, beer and an overnight stay in a hotel in Bansko will set you back £104.34, less than one-quarter the price of the most expensive destination for a ski break which is in Courchevel, France costing £432.42.

The results were taken from TripAdvisor’s TripIndex Ski 2013, an annual report that compares the cost of a ski break in 41 key ski destinations in Europe, taking into account the cost of one night’s hotel accommodation, one day’s ski pass, one day’s basic ski hire, a meal and a bottle of beer this ski season (15 December 2013 – 15 April 2014).

While Bansko is the best value destination, this year, Andorra takes the lead as the most affordable country, laying claim to four destinations in the top 10 best value list. France and Switzerland emerge as the costliest countries, each home to four of the ten most expensive resorts.

When it comes to hotel prices across the popular ski destinations, Courchevel, France has the most expensive average rate for one night’s stay, coming in at £331.47. For the price of one night in a hotel in Courchevel, travellers can have five nights in a Bansko hotel (£65.54 per night).

Sochi, Russia is the cheapest option for a day on the slopes, with a lift pass costing £21.55 – around two

times less than in St. Moritz, Switzerland which costs £49.74. Bansko offers the best value ski hire – the average cost of a basic package for skis, boots and poles will knock a traveller back £8.96, over four times less than the most expensive, St. Moritz, where the average ski hire is £40.68.

Bansko is also revealed as the cheapest place for a bite to eat at just £3.12 compared with £29.10 in Courchevel. The best value après-ski beer can be found in Ordino Arcalis, Andorra for £1.38, five times cheaper than in Courchevel where a post-ski beverage costs £6.71.

Last year’s TripIndex Ski results announced Mount Etna, Italy as the cheapest destination while Meribel in France topped the most expensive list for 2012.

“Skiing is often considered an expensive holiday, and while it can be, the TripAdvisor TripIndex Ski shows that where you go will have a big impact on how much you spend. In fact, a ski break doesn’t have to break the bank. Eastern European destinations and Andorra offer the best value and for those wanting to stay closer to home, it’s great to see a Scottish ski resort among the ten cheapest destinations,” commented James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesperson.


TripIndex Best Value European Ski Destinations

	Destination	Hotel	Ski Hire	Ski Pass	Food	Beer	Total
1	Bansko, Bulgaria	£65.54	£8.96	£25.18	£3.12	£1.54	£104.34
2	Sochi, Russia	£79.40	£19.65	£21.55	£11.09	£5.58	£137.27
3	Ordino Arcalis, Andorra	£84.19	£13.14	£32.73	£6.92	£1.38	£138.38
4	Arinsal, Andorra	£85.32	£13.43	£32.73	£8.35	£1.64	£141.47
5	Berchtesgaden, Germany	£104.82	£16.51	£22.66	£8.64	£2.66	£155.30
6	Cananchú, Spain	£102.44	£15.95	£30.22	£6.43	£1.68	£156.71
7	Soldeu, Andorra	£111.67	£13.97	£36.93	£6.50	£2.12	£171.20
8	Pas de la Casa, Andorra	£113.05	£13.43	£36.93	£6.09	£1.85	£171.34
9	Cairngorm, Scotland	£101.04	£23.17	£33.17	£12.57	£3.57	£173.51
10	Kranjska Gora, Slovenia	£124.17	£17.35	£25.60	£6.75	£1.99	£175.85

TripIndex Most Expensive European Ski Destination

	Destination	Hotel	Ski Hire	Ski Pass	Food	Beer	Total
1	Courchevel, France	£331.47	£26.86	£38.27	£29.10	£6.71	£432.42
2	St. Moritz, Switzerland	£313.38	£40.68	£49.74	£19.16	£5.60	£428.56
3	Meribel, France	£326.59	£17.57	£39.87	£17.63	£2.73	£404.38
4	Verbier, Switzerland	£282.13	£39.52	£43.61	£18.51	£3.41	£387.18
5	Gstaad, Switzerland	£282.24	£39.65	£42.24	£16.12	£3.53	£383.78
6	Zermatt, Switzerland	£224.13	£35.19	£51.11	£19.64	£4.54	£334.61
7	Ischgl, Austria	£249.20	£31.47	£40.29	£9.79	£3.02	£333.78
8	Tignes, France	£249.41	£19.30	£42.39	£16.22	£3.36	£330.68
9	Val D’Isere, France	£246.52	£18.60	£40.71	£18.13	£2.94	£326.90
10	St. Anton, Austria	£238.63	£32.17	£40.29	£11.16	£3.75	£326.01

AITF 2013 - WHOLE WORLD – ONE EXHIBITION

The traditional trade events of the tourism industry – the Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair, AITF 2013, and the 7th Caucasus International Hospitality Fair, Horex Caucasus 2013 – opened on 4 April at Baku Expo Centre exhibition complex. For over 12 years, AITF has been identifying the trends and ways of development in recreation and travel in the region, setting the tone for a successful year in the tourism sector, and serving as one of the drivers of future growth of the sector. Since its foundation AITF has been conducted with the active support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. AITF’s international prestige is confirmed by the support given from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA). The exhibition is also supported by AzPromo and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs’ (Employers’) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The exhibition has received the recognition of the international exhibition community through the approval of UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry).

The official opening ceremony was attended by the Minister for Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, Abulfaz Garayev, and the Executive Director of ITE Group, Mr Edward Strachan.

In his speech, the minister said that the growing number of exhibitors demonstrated the continued development of tourism in Azerbaijan, and the increased attention paid to Azerbaijan by the world’s leading tour operators. “AITF 2013 aptly reflects the development of tourism throughout the whole of Azerbaijan, and it is no coincidence that the exhibition includes stands from 22 regions of the country with their own tourism offers, each demonstrating the potential for hotels, recreation zones holiday hotels and health resorts.” The Minister noted that the prestige of the exhibition is growing daily. At this exhibition, meetings are held, cooperation agreements signed, and new programmes and prices announced.

Mr Edward Strachan , Regional Director of ITE Group plc, on welcoming the participants of the exhibition, said that AITF 2013 would kick-start the tourist season in Azerbaijan, which was a great way to revitalize the many tour companies in the hotel and service industries. The size of the trade event for the hotel and restaurant industry, Horex Caucasus 2013, which is of great interest to many professionals and business people in the hotel industry, has also increased.

The VIP tour of the exhibition stands was joined by the Minister for Resorts and Tourism of Crimea, Alexander Liev, and the Minister for Resorts and Tourism of the Stavropol Region, Valentina Chentsova, as well as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors, participants, visitors and media representatives.

The second day of AITF 2013 and HOREX Caucasus 2013 was marked by a visit from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Baku Expo Centre. The President viewed the displays from the world’s leading tour operators, international airlines, and manufacturers of equipment for hotels and restaurants, as well as becoming acquainted with the displays from the regions of Azerbaijan. Foreign exhibitors demonstrated to the President the potential of their countries, which are seeking to establish steady business relations with Azerbaijan in the fields of tourism, information and cultural exchange.

251 companies from 35 countries, representing a wide range of tourist services with an emphasis on contemporary trends, were involved in AITF 2013. This year, there were 20 national stands, including those from permanent participants such as Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and Egypt. At the same time, the exhibition clearly demonstrated to its foreign participants the rich tourism potential of Azerbaijan, serving to promote our country as an excellent tourist destination and opening up new horizons for the 2013 tourist season.
The main sections of the exhibition covered airlines, tour operators, hotels, health centres, companies specialized in adventure travel, business travel, sports, eco-tourism, luxury holidays, and implementation of Medical Tourism. An innovation this year was the introduction of a new section entitled “Real Estate Abroad”.

HOREX Caucasus 2013 involved 30 companies displaying their products for the hotel and restaurant businesses and other commercial enterprises. The exhibition has grown by 40% compared to last year and included the following sections: textile design and different interior decoration solutions; hotel cosmetics and perfumery; equipment for professional kitchens from five star restaurants to fast food businesses; restaurant (dining) crockery and glassware; cleaners and modern cleaning equipment; software management for chain restaurants, supermarket equipment and so on.

Bilateral meetings were held between representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and representatives of the line ministries of Stavropol and Crimea, workshops took place, and a twinning-project with the European Union entitled “Capacity building in the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan” was unveiled on the first day of the exhibition. Participants used the exhibition to announce new flight routes and rebate programs, and to give presentations about tourist destinations.

The Tomb of the Thracian King Seuthus III in Central Bulgaria

Tomb of the Thracian King

Just outside Kazanlak, in central Bulgaria lies a tomb now thought to belong to Thracian King, Seuthus III.  

From the outside the tomb looks little more than a massive mole hill covered in grass. In fact all over the flat valley bottom, there are mounds just like this, some large, some tiny, but all similar in appearance and all left over from around the 5th century BC.  It is estimated there are around 1,500 such tombs and thus the area has been renamed the Valley of the Thracian Kings. However, only a handful have been excavated and not all the mounds actually contain the stone-built tombs inside. Many more have been bull-dozed by farmers or raided for the treasurers they may or may not have contained.

Little is known about the Thracian culture, although the opening and exploration of a few of these tombs has revealed various treasures from which assumptions can be made. The tomb of Seuthus III was excavated in September 2004.

Now, the tomb can be reached by a brand new tarmac road, leading to car park by the side of the large mound. On the south side of the mound, an opening has been dug into the side and new glass doors enclose a foyer where pamphlets in both Bulgarian and English can be purchased and where you pay around 4 levs (2 E) per person to enter the tomb itself.

Right in the doorway to the foyer is a large stone. This is the spot where a bronze head of a bearded man was discovered. It had been snapped off a statue and lay propped up by stones at the entrance to the tomb.

From the tomb’s ‘foyer’ a corridor runs for around 13 metres into the centre of the mound where three rooms were found. This corridor had been filled with stones and soil when it was originally found but the roof and walls, which are made of huge square carved granite blocks, show that at some point, a fire had raged through the corridor, blackening the walls and ceiling. It is thought that maybe the wooden support structures where set alight when the tomb was closed.

Tomb of the Thracian King

At the end of this corridor is a small rectangular room with a sloping ceiling. The skeleton of a horse was found this chamber and it is believed that the animal was sacrificed so as to accompany its owner to the next life. In other burial mounds, the skeletons of large dogs have been found and in some, the bodies of young females, possibly wives of the tomb’s owner as it is thought that it may have been an honour to die and be buried with your husband.

The chamber above leads into a small round room with an impressive domed ceiling and through this you enter the burial chamber. This room appears to have been carved out of one enormous block of stone, with a bed or table, carved into the far wall. It was in here that the body of King Seuthus III was found, along with many golden treasures, including a golden wreath and a cup and many other exquisite ornaments. A richly woven cloth covered the floor and the bed. The tomb owner was identified by inscriptions found on some of the items in the tomb. King Seuthus III had built his city, called Seuthopolis not far from the tomb but unfortunately it now lies at the bottom of a large reservoir.

Many of the treasures found are now on display in the museum in Kazanlak. Other tombs are slowly being excavated and a number are to be linked by a tarmac road or trail, leading from one to the other. You can book a private tour of a number of different tombs in the area for around 2 or 3 Euros per person per tomb. The tombs all have different architecture and some have ancient murials on the walls or the ceiling.

For any one interested in ancient history and culture, you should make the effort to visit one or two of these Thracian burial mounds that populate the area around Kazanlak and visit the local museum.

For some good photographs of the excavation and treasures found please visit http://www.kroraina.com/thracia/gk/

*Written by guest writer Rachel Gawith. For more information on visiting Bulgaria and particularly the Kazanlak area visit holiday villas for rent in Bulgaria at http://www.therentalbug.com  and read more about the area and rural cottages for rent. ©2012

An Introduction to Bulgaria - A Diverse Country of Diverse People

Bulgaria offers a diverse range of countryside from majestic snow capped mountains, to flat plains, rolling fields and then the sandy beaches along the southern part of the coast and the more craggy areas to the north. There are numerous lakes and dams, gorges, caves and rock formations. There are many monasteries, ruined fortresses, archaeological discoveries such as the Thracian King Tombs around Kazanlak and the old fortress and temple carved out of stone at Perperikon down towards Kardjhali. Bulgaria has a wonderful diversity of wildlife with wolves still roaming the wooded mountains of the Rila and Pirin areas, wild pigs in the Balkans and hundreds of birds and other creatures in the many nature reserves around the country.

And the people are just as diverse. Visit a rural farming community and you'll see old men herding the goats along the streets, in no rush to go anywhere while old women sit in the shade on benches peeling vegetables or watching the world go by. Cows and sheep roam freely along the sides of the road, watched over by a single shepherd and his dog. These places seem untouched by change and seem not to have moved with the times in stark contrast to the busy, noisy streets of cities such as Sofia or Varna, where young girls parade around in the latest fashions and store windows boast the latest technology.

But that is what makes Bulgaria such an appealing country. You can immerse yourself in the street cafe culture of the cities, sipping coffee all day long or drive just 20 minutes out of the city and be in a place that time forgot, where the fields are still ploughed by horses and vegetables picked by hand.

Of course change will come and slowly these old ways of life will disappear. Many old villages and farming communities are left desolated as the young move to the cities or abroad in search of jobs. But with the recent influx of foreign property investors, some of these villages are going through a revival, houses are being bought for renovation, plots bought to build on. And this has a knock on effect for the village, it can create employment for local builders and tradesmen, mean more custom for the local shop and cafe and so on.

So if you are planning a visit to Bulgaria do not restrict yourself to spending a week in an apartment in Sunny Beach, hire a car and go and explore the diverse landscape. You will not have to travel far. Only 15 minutes inland from the over development and concrete jungle of Sunny Beach, you will find sleepy traditional villages in the foot hills of the Balkans surrounded by vine yards. Or head south and visit the gentle rolling plains and wooded areas leading to the Strandza mountains.

Then you'll get to see the real Bulgaria, the diverse landscapes, the local wildlife, the different ways of life, the different cultures and the fantastic friendly people that will be more than happy to welcome you to their village. 

For more tips and advice on buying property in Bulgaria get yourself a copy of My Bulgarian Property Nightmare: A Cautionary Tale for Would-be Investors. This ebook is full of useful tips straight from a Brit whose first Bulgarian property experience turned into a nightmare. It allows you to see what can go wrong and avoid the pitfalls as I share the benefit of my experience. In this true account you'll learn what can go wrong, what to do if it does and why Bulgaria is still a great choice for people keen to invest, holiday or live there.

*Written by Guest Writer Rachel, who writes for the TheTravelBug Website - Bulgarian Advice and Property For Sale

Historic Monastery in Smolichano, Bulgaria

In the little village of Smolichano in Bulgaria, huddled in the Osogovo mountain, you will come across The Monastery St.Pravedni Yoakim and Anna. This is about 20 km away from the village of Nevestino, the administrative center of the municipality of Nevestino.

The Monastery is one of the most impressing landmarks of the municipality. It was founded in 1895 over the remnants of the medieval church St.Pravedni Yoakim and Anna, burned down a few times. The Monastery has become one of the most incredible places to see in Bulgeria.

Despite its small size, nowadays the monastery exerts a strong emotional influence on visitors with its interesting history and amazing nature. In the Monasteries yard there is a holy spring and a fountain with twelve spouts, representing the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. Near the church you will find a masterpiece of nature, a twelve-meter waterfall, which in winter enchants with its icy beauty and weird shapes.

The centuries-old oak cerris is very impressive. This has been welcoming and saying good-bye wordlessly to many generations of visitors, who have come to admire its majesty.

The municipality of Nevestino is studded with antic settlements, mounds, necropoleis, fortresses and ruins in the scattered villages of Nevestino, Pastuh, Vaksevo, Smolichano, Pelatikovo, and Rashka Grashtitsa. As well as The Monastery St.Pravedni Yoakim, other delighyts to see include the fortress in next to the village of Pastuh, the medieval churches of St Ivan and St. Bogoroditsa in the village of Pastuh, the cemetery next to the village of Murvodol, the church in the village of Vaksevo, and the church of St. Troitsa in the village of Rakovo. Many of these have remained from the Middle Ages.