A ROAD TRIP IN BULGARIA- BEST CITIES TO VISIT

Bulgaria offers a wealth of stunning landscapes, cultural heritage and vibrant coastal towns. I got a chance to explore this Eastern European country thanks to my work as I was shooting here for a Channel 4 series and it involved a lot of driving! I managed to clock nearly 4000km in 14 days.

I started off in Sofia, but later on headed eastbound towards Veliko Tărnovo, followed by the coastal towns of Varna and Burgas (my faves with their easy beach lifestyle).

SOFIA

Sofia is the capital city. It does have a bit of a 'post-Soviet' vibe (to be fair, it's changed hands many times over the centuries), but there's some impressive highlights which are worth seeing. I visited the iconic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a stunning Orthodox church that dominates the city's skyline, especially the interiors are a real treat. I also spent an afternoon simply strolling through the centre, filled with big boulevards, plazas and some great vibrant cafes.

Credit: https://snl.no/Sofia_-_i_Bulgaria

Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Downtown_Sofia_Boby_Dimitrov_1.jpg

The journey through the Bulgarian countryside is a mix of rolling hills and quaint villages, though you'll also spot some mountainscapes in the background (yes, you can ski in Bulgaria in the winter) . Talking of road trips, let's discuss the roads. Well, the infrastructure is OK (motorways are fine, but it does get bumpier on the local roads, so beware) . Also there are soooo many speed cameras, probably the most I've ever seen in any EU country. Plus they've got quite a bit of sneaky mobile cameras, which are randomly placed on top of cars parked by the road. Bulgarians tend to not care about these (especially those driving their S class Mercedes), but.. just sayin'!

VELIKO TARNOVO

I was based a few nights at Veliko Tărnovo, about 2,5 hours east of Sofia. It used to be the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Veliko Tărnovo (or 'VT' as some call it) has a dramatic setting, perched on cliffs overlooking the Yantra River. You can go for a hike around Tsarevets Fortress, an architectural marvel that was once the seat of Bulgarian royalty. And the centre has a lot of great bars and restaurants, so plenty of choice after a hard days work!

VARNA

Heading more east, I visited Varna. It's a popular coastal city situated on the Black Sea known as the "Sea Capital" of Bulgaria. Varna boasts beautiful beaches and a lively seaside atmosphere. They've got cool beach bars, so when it's warm and sunny it really does feel like Greece, Italy or even somewhere more exotic .

For more good beaches head towards Burgas. On the way there, I also spent an afternoon in Nessebar, an ancient settlement more than 3000 year old, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

BURGAS

Burgas beach bars provide the perfect blend of sun, sea, music and refreshing drinks - all for a good price! That's another thing worth mentioning - Bulgaria is very cost-effective for travels. It's around 4 or 5 euro for an Aperol Spritz at the top beach bars, so not too bad, and food is usually between 5-10euro per head. That's another reason why the clientele is quite young here and I spotted a lot of digital nomads around.

Throughout your trip, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in Bulgaria's diverse and flavorful cuisine. I recommended banitsa, a delicious pastry filled with cheese or spinach, and kebapche, grilled minced meat seasoned with spices. For seafood lovers, the coastal towns offer an array of freshly caught delights, from grilled fish to succulent mussels and shrimp. Pair your meals with Bulgarian wine, which has a rich tradition dating back thousands of years, or try rakia, a potent fruit brandy that is a popular local spirit.

So if you're looking for a well priced sunny holiday in Europe, Bulgaria provides an inviting and fun experience. No wonder it's become a magnet for young people seeking a getaway on a budget (and the fact that we film here a lot more these days also proves how popular it's becoming!)