Exploring Bulgaria: The Erasmus Destination for Students

Summary:

Bulgaria can be an excellent choice for a student exchange program like Erasmus+ for several reasons:

Quality Education: Bulgaria hosts several high-quality universities offering a wide range of study programs in English and other languages. Studying in Bulgaria can provide quality education at a much lower cost compared to other European countries.

Rich and Diverse Culture: Bulgaria has a rich history and culture with a blend of Eastern and European influences. Exchange students can explore its cultural heritage, visit historical sites, and experience unique local festivals and traditions.

Stunning Nature: Bulgaria is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, including mountains, Black Sea beaches, rivers, and national parks. This provides students with opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and water sports.

Strategic Location: Bulgaria is situated in southeastern Europe, making it an ideal starting point for exploring other European countries during vacations or long weekends.

Proximity to Other Eastern European Countries: Bulgaria shares borders with several Eastern European countries, facilitating travel and exploration of a diverse and fascinating region.

Affordable Cost of Living: Bulgaria is known to be one of the most budget-friendly countries in Europe in terms of accommodation, food, and transportation, making it easier for students to stay within a budget.

In conclusion, Bulgaria offers a unique combination of affordability, quality education, and a rich cultural and historical background, making it an attractive destination for students wishing to participate in exchange programs like Erasmus+.

DiscoverE+r | Veliko Tarnovo... a city in the Middle Ages

Bulgaria is not a very big country, but it has a curious variety of landscapes and corners. You can get to know the shores of the Black Sea or the origins of present-day Bulgaria, as well as drink good wine or discover what traditional costumes are like.

This time we are going to discover Veliko Tarnovo. So that you can locate yourself, it is in the north-eastern part of the country, very close to the border with Romania. To get to this beautiful town you can go by car, by train or by bus; If you don't have a car, the fastest option is the bus. Go to the central bus station in Sofia, very close to the centre, and buy a ticket at the ticket office. The price per trip is 17 leva and you can pay in cash or by card. At the bus station, you have different places to eat or drink.

Ready for the trip? After approximately three hours of travel, you arrive at the Veliko Tarnovo bus station, which is located on the outskirts of the town, a 30-minute walk from the old town and which is the most beautiful part of the town.

Ideally, you would spend one night in town to give you time to see everything for two days. On these two days, you can visit the town simply by walking and visiting its different churches and bridges. You only need to follow the main road, at the end of this is the Tsarevets fortress, the main attraction of the town. Beyond the fort, there are a couple of churches next to the river.

As a recommendation for lunch, dinner or a drink, the Malkia Inter bar, with constant movement, a different decoration, innovative cuisine and affordable prices. Another option is Shtastliveca, possibly the most famous restaurant in Veliko Tarnovo. The food is excellent and daring, but the attention is lousy. Likewise, if you want to eat something different, it is a wise option. To have a coffee and breakfast some sweet Samurai Specialty Coffe Shop, a specialized place, with good service and a good breakfast.

Beyond the recommendations for eating and drinking, the most important is that you simply walk looking at the streets, houses and typical places. Veliko Tarnovo has a great tradition of craftsmanship. An inexpensive destination where you will feel like in medieval times.

DiscoverE+r | Heading for the Borovets mountain

Bulgaria is a country where you can find mountains wherever you go. The perfect place for mountaineers who love nature. Some of the best-known routes or peaks are the 7 Rila Lakes, the peak of Musala or Cherni Vrah, the closest to Sofia. However, there are many other options, in this case, we are talking about Black Rock in Borovets, in the Rila mountains.

How to get from Sofia to Borovets? We head to the South bus station, at the Joliot Curie metro station. There we take a bus to Samokov for 4 leva, they leave all day. After an hour and a half, approximately, we will have reached Samokov, a small mountain town. From Samokov to Borovets there are two options: bus or taxi. The last bus leaves at 5:30 p.m. (information for October 2021), so if you don't get to catch the bus, you will have to take a taxi for approximately 20 leva.

In Borovets you have to sleep one night, in Booking, you can find very cheap options out of season since Borovets in ski season receives a lot of tourism. In low season you can find an apartment for 70 leva for 4 people. In the town, there are not many shops, so if you want something specific to take to the mountains, you better buy it in Sofia or Samokov.

The Black Rock route is very simple, with no long climbs or dangerous areas. A route that can be done with family or friends and that will not take you more than 3 and a half hours, depending on how many stops you make to take photos. Where does the route start? You must go to the Hotel Festa Winter Palace, and follow the route on the right bordering the hotel. At this point, you can already find a route sign.

All the way you find signs, so it is almost impossible to get lost. After an hour and a half you arrive at Black Rock with incredible views. Legend says that during the Ottoman Empire prisoners were brought to this point and pushed into the abyss.

Once at Black Rock, you can follow the route to go around the mountain or go back the same way. We did not choose any of the options, we went up, then we skirted the river until we found our way again. A route is not recommended if you do not take someone who is very well oriented in the mountain and you are not willing to get completely dirty.