:: CUISINE ::
Because of its geographical position and long history Bulgarian cuisine is a mixture between the best parts of the Slavonic, Greek and Turkish cuisines. National specialities include: Shopska salad (sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and parsley topped with grated sheep's cheese); and tarator ( a cold soup of chopped cucumber, walnuts and yogurt) perfect for hot summer days. White sheep's cheese baked with eggs is another favorite. Other typical items on the menu include kebapcheta (minced meat rolled into sausage shapes and grilled), kavarma (individual casseroles of pork or veal, onions and mushrooms), shishkebab, stuffed vine or cabbage leaves and moussaka. Yogurt too, tastes better in Bulgaria, its country of origin

:: CUSTOMS ::
The Bulgarian race has kept its unspoiled traditions for centuries despite the ups and downs of history. The colourful folklore festives and customs are extremely attractive for the visitor.
Some of the most famous are masquerade games called 'kukery', the celebrating of 1th of March, known as 'Baba Marta' or 'Grandma Marta', and the 'Nestinarstvo', which is one of most mysterious phenomena in Bulgarian history and folklore.

:: MUSIC FOLKLORE ::
Bulgarian poetic folk art originates in ancient times and has a centuries-old history. The first preserved records of the existence of folk singers and songs derive from the 9th and 10th centuries. Most of the folk songs date from the 17th century. Folk songs are an expression of the Bulgarian way of life through the ages, resulting from the historical and social fate of the country, from its experience and popular customs. Bulgarians enrich the folk songs with their best qualities - diligence, honesty, steadiness, loyalty, wit and love of freedom. The songs grow from the inner needs of the creators to give expression of their thoughts and experience. They are sung on sad and joyful days - in the fields, in the meadows, on working-bees, playing the Bulgarian ring dance, called HORO, in the gathering places of the rebels - called HAIDOUTI. Their creators are the folk singers - people with poetical and musical talent. The songs as well as the fairy tales, riddles, proverbs and sayings are a product of joint creative work. As the folk songs were spread by word of mouth they changed and had many versions. Since the books were not easily accessible to the working people, folklore and songs were the source of their experience, wisdom and knowledge. According to their subject Bulgarian folk songs are ritual songs, labour songs, customs songs, historical, heroic and songs about the Haidouti.

:: BULGARIAN WINES ::
The Thracian tribes worshipped the god Dyonissios as the patron of wine. With the establishment of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD the Bulgarians inherited the experience and the traditions of the local population in the cultivation of grapes and wine-producing. The winery that was found in the region of Preslav dating from the 7th to 10th century AD is a testimony to that.

Today, grape growing and wine production play an important role in the Bulgarian economy. The wine industry contributes to the steady development of rural regions and infertile areas, maintains the ecological balance, and encourages the appropriate and efficient use of the country's resources.

There are numerous types of grapes and wines. The great number of sunny days in the southern parts of the country favours the red wine species, and in the North the white wine ones.
Red Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon from Svishtov, Sliven, Yambol, and Oryahovitsa; Mavrud from Assenovgrad and Perushtitsa; Merlot from Stambolovo and Sakar; Gamsa from Pleven, Suhindol and Novo Selo; Wine from Melnik.
White Wines: . Traminer "Khan Krum" from Preslav and Shoumen . Aligote from Lyaskovets; . Misket from Straldja; » . Sauvignon Blanc from Targovishte; . Chardonnay from Rousse and Slavyantsi . Rose from Bourgas . Muskat from Pomorie and Varna