Bulgaria in Eastern Europe is bounded to the north by Romania, to the east by the Black Sea, to the south by Turkey and Greece, and to the west by Serbia and Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea. The land is covered with forests and rivers. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe, and heavy falls of snow in winter are virtually guaranteed in the mountain ski resorts, considered to be some of the finest in Europe.
Dating back to the fourth century BC, the capital Sofia has buildings in many architectural traditions including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Turkish. The city boasts notable theatres and museums, opera houses and art galleries. The Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera resorts, with their wide bays and golden beaches, are ideal for family holidays. National dishes include cold yoghurt soup with cucumbers and peppers or aubergines stuffed with meat. Some restaurants offer folk dancing, and opera is performed at the State Opera House in Sofia. There are several nightclubs in Sofia and other major towns and all resorts.
