The Bulgarian lands are ancient crossroads. They remember many ancient civilizations and great people which wrote the pages of their turbulent history: bronze and iron spears and arrows, ruins of palaces and cities, wise words carved on rocks and stone columns or written on parchment and leather.

The Thracians bequeathed us the famous tombs near Kazanluk and Sveshtari, the unique gold treasures from Panagyurishte and Rogozen. The Hellenes built the beautiful coastal towns of Apollonia, Anhialo and Messambria, and Romans - ancient Aescus, Nikopolis ad Istrum and Nove. Huns, Gothes and Averas later passed through our lands. Around the mid-7th century the Slavs came from the north across the Danube and reached as far as the Black Sea and the Adriatic. They were followed by the Bulgarians of Khan Asparouh...

In fact, there were only three states in Europe in 681: The Western Roman Empire, BULGARIA, and The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium)...

A recognition of Bulgarian historical heritage is the fact, that 7 cultural and 2 natural sites have been included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage. Among them are Rila Monastery, which is situated amid one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Bulgaria and Pirin National Park.

One of the main aims of the team, that builds BEFSA's travel programs is to include visits to sites of historical and cultural importance. We should admit that we are facilitated in this by the fact, that there are hundreds of such sites just at the foot of Bulgarian mountains. Apart from Bansko village we may also visit the historical villages Lesten and Kovacevica, the old wine capital - Melnik, Rila and Rozen monasteries. All of them are situated at the foot of Pirin and Rila mountains and one can admire not only their architecture and historical heritage, but also the fascinating views of snow covered mountains. The participants in our programs will also have the possibility to get in touch with the culture of those ancient lands, to taste the delicious cuisine and fantastic red wines, to get acquainted with local people and traditions.