Sofia, Bulgaria is not the first on everyone’s list, but it definitely should be on the list. My visit was in the winter time for a 5-day trip, which was the perfect white getaway from the beautiful Mediterranean. Sofia is a smaller city but even in the winter time there is still lots to do and see. Like:

• The German Christmas Market that is held in the Alexander Battenberg that is from mid-November to mid-December has just what you’re looking for whether it be the sweetest of gift, both cute or edible or a savory snack with some mulled wine to keep you warm.

• At the National Opera & Ballet in Sofia they present a variety of shows throughout the Christmas and winter season along with the international classic The Nutcracker.

• The Mall of Sofia is not necessarily an attraction to see but it is a wise activity in the winter time as it keeps you warm and allows you to look at all the boutiques and shops.
• Vitosha Mountain, located about 20 km away from the city center, is great in the summer and winter for hiking and ski/snowboarding as it is the closest mountain to the city center for such activities. Sadly, I did not get to snowboard on this particular mountain but it was still a beautiful scenery from Sofia Center.
• Sofia is populated with many museums throughout the city, the best and most interesting of those being Sofia History Museum and the National Museum of Military and History.

• And lastly the beautiful architecture throughout the city can be seen in its major landmarks such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Theater Garden and the old bath house that currently houses the Sofia History Museum.

It isn’t just about the activities to be done in Sofia, it’s also the people that make the experience that much more enjoyable. Bulgaria closeness to Greece make it one of the friendliest places for Greeks to travel as many Romanians speak Greek as well. So every restaurant and bar we visited on my trip had delicious food and friendly service. The only bad experience that we had was when one night was decided to visit a club in town called The Tiffany Club; bad service, over priced drinks and overall a terrible experience. This one bad experience however did not cloud my overall opinion of Sofia, I would definitely revisit Bulgaria and all the wonders it has to offer.