In an article published in The Guardian on Sunday, Kate Eshelby argues that there is much more to Bulgaria than the cheap beach and ski holiday packages the country is best known to foreign tourists.

Eshelby takes the readers on a trip to north central Bulgaria, drawing attention to the less known parts of the country, which are charming for their mountainous scenery, monasteries, cuisine and traditions.

The capital Sofia, a city possessing multiple layers of history, ranging from its ancient Roman ruins to its gold-domed Eastern Orthodox churches and Stalinist architecture, is the starting point of the trip.

From Sofia, the author heads to the Central Balkan National Park containing the largest protected beech forest in Europe and a rich fauna represented by wolves, bears and golden eagles.

Apart from the natural attractions, the central part of the Stara planina mountain range has also many cultural sites to offer, such as the charming mountainous villages of Oreshak and Chiflik. Oreshak is known for its ceramic industry, while Chiflik is famous for its hot mineral springs and open-air pools.

The richly decorated Troyan monastery and Cherni Osam museum with taxidermed animals are two other tourist attractions in the area.

There is much more to discover in the nearby towns of Lovech and Veliko Tarnovo and the village of Arbanasi. Lovech has a medieval fortress as does Veliko Tarnovo, which used to be the capital of Bulgaria in the Middle Ages, while the Nativity Church in Arbanasi impresses with its floor-to-ceiling frescoes.

Read the full article here.