Búlgaría: STARA PLANINA MOUNTAINS

STARA PLANINA MOUNTAINS also called the Balkan Mountains, stretches from the Serbian border to the Black Sea and splits the country into two parts: North and South Bulgaria. Although the range is not very high with the highest peak Botev at 2,376m, its view is not only scenic and beautiful, but stunning. It is rich in deciduous forests, mainly of oak and beech. The mountains are inhabited by deer, hares, bears, foxes and wild boar. 
 Tucked away in the folds of the mountains and in the beautiful and world famous Rose Valley are a number of small towns - Veliko Turnovo, Arbanassi, Dryanovo, Gabrovo, Bozhentsi, Kotel, Zheravna, Troyan, Tryavna, Kazanlak, Kalofer, Sopot, Koprivstitsa , all steeped in history, lively in the summer and yet sleepy during the cold winters. Breath the crystal clean air, drink safely from the abundance of mineral rich mountain springs and absorb the calmness of life as the locals live and work their traditional crafts from centuries past. Untouched, traditional architecture together with warm open hospitality, the mountains are a welcoming place for any visitor.