Veliko Turnovo is a city found at the north central region of Bulgaria, situated on the river Yantra, which is a right tributary of the Danube, as well as winds through the elevations of Turnovo and the hills of Trapezitsa, Tsarevets, and Sveta Gora.  It is located 241 kilometers northeast of Sofia.  The city has a population of 101,815, and serves as the administrative center of the Veliko Turnovo province.  This picturesque Bulgarian town is well-known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, where in, many visitors are attracted to its unique architecture.

Veliko Turnovo is one of Bulgaria’s oldest settlements with a history stretching for over five millennia.  Found in the town and its outskirts are traces of settlement dating back to the late Paleolithic to the Bronze and Iron Ages.  During the middle ages, between the 12th and 14th centuries, Veliko Turnovo grew into the strongest Bulgarian fortification of its time.  It was also the most important political, economic, cultural, and religious center of the Byzantine Empire.  By the end of the 14th century, the town was captured and burned by the Ottoman Empire, burning down medieval Bulgaria, towns and villages, monasteries, and churches.  The town, however, became the center for the struggles for liberation against the Ottoman rule.  The Turnovo uprisings failed to free Bulgaria, leaving the town and the rest of present-day Bulgaria under the Ottoman rule until the 19th century.  The first constitution of the Bulgarian state, liberated in 1878, was ratified by the first National Assembly who had convened in Veliko Turnovo.  The ratification of the Turnovo Constitution resulted in the transfer of Parliament from Tarnovgrad to Sofia, where it remains today as the Bulgarian capital.

Sofia is the capital city of the Republic of Bulgaria, where it is found at the western region of the country and at the foot of the mountain massif Vitosha.  It is the largest city in the country, with a population of 1,346,665 that is spread over a total land area of 1,349 square kilometers.  Sofia also serves as the administrative, economic, cultural, and educational center of Bulgaria.  The city is found 130 kilometers northwest of Plovdiv, 340 kilometers west of Burgas, and 380 kilometers west of Varna.  It is also situated less than 200 kilometers from the borders of three countries, namely Kalotina, on the Serbian border, at 55 kilometers; 113 kilometers from Gyueshevo, on the border with Macedonia; and 183 kilometers from the Greek Border at Kulata.

The city is situated at the northern foot of the Vitosha Mountain, sprawled over the Sofia Valley, and surrounded by mountains on all sides.  Ancient major roads that connect the Adriatic Sea and Central Europe with the Black and Aegean Seas pass through the city.  Also crossing the city are several low rivers, including the Rivers Vladaiska and Perlovska.  Flowing near eastern Sofia is the Iskar River in its upper flows.  Mineral and thermal springs are found in abundance in the city.

Borovets is a popular mountain resort situated on the northern slopes of Rila Mountains, in the Bulgarian province of Sofia.  It is located 12 kilometers from Samokov, 73 kilometers from Sofia, and 125 kilometers from Plovdiv. Known as Chamkoriya until the middle of the 20th century, it is the oldest winter resort in Bulgaria with its foundation dating back to 1896.  It was originally established by Bulgarian kings as their hunting grounds at the end of the 19th century.  It subsequently developed into a modern ski resort that features an average network of ski runs along the slope of the Rila Mountains, budget and luxury hotels, haute cuisine restaurants, and lively bars, cafes and shops.

Set amongst the stunning scenery of the atmospheric pine forests of the Rila Mountains, and with snow conditions among the best in Eastern Europe, skiing is undoubtedly the foremost attraction that Borovets has to offer its visitors during the winter months, and beyond.  Snow permanently covers the slopes of Borovets for more than 1.5 meters thick from November to May.  During January, the temperature drops to -4°C.

Situated up the Rila Mountains at 1,350 meters, Borovets features three ski centers with the highest skiing area set at 2,560 meters.  First of the three is the Central Borovets, which starts from an altitude of 1,337 meters up to 1,780 meters.  Yastrebetz, the second ski center, has an altitude of 1,340 meters up to 2,369 meters, while the last of the three, Markudjik, has an elevation of 230 meters to 2,550 meters.

Bansko is a Bulgarian town and ski resort situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains along the southwestern region of the country.  The ancient town of Bansko is situated close to the Glazane River at the north-northeastern foot of the Pirin, right below the highest and the most breath-taking part of the mountain.  Bansko’s name was hailed from “ban”, the Old Bulgarian word which translates to “master”.  Sofia is located 160 kilometers away from Bansko, 6 kilometers away from Razlog, and 5 kilometers away from the village of Banya.  The town is home to approximately 10,000 residents, nestled among cobbled streets, old-style wooden taverns, and national monuments.

Through the years, the once mainly stockbreeding and traveling merchant community has developed into a winter and summer tourism center in the region.  The picturesque surroundings, the numerous lakes, and the old pine forests make the area an ideal site for recreation.  Bansko has grown in international popularity due to the annual Bansko Jazz Festival, as well as the annual Bansko pop-star concert that features top pop artists.

Although it has existed for no more than ten years as a ski resort, Bansko has excellent features and ideal settings, setting it as one of the most best developed ski and winter resorts in Europe.  It is set high on the Pirin at 925 meters above sea level, with its skiing area located at 2,000 to 2,600 meters. The highest peak in the Pirin Mountains is Virden at 2,914 meters.  It has excellent snow conditions, with great snow cover of at least 2 meters from the months from December up to May.