Plovdiv, Bulgaria – A Charming Little Bit of Everything  

I’d never heard of Plovdiv until a month before our visit and thought Bulgaria was just another Soviet backwater.  In truth, Plovdiv was fascinating, vibrant, and an altogether enjoyable stop in the Balkans.  Billed as Europe’s oldest continuously settled city, it’s a working mix of physical landmarks spanning Alexander the Great to the European Union. Known as Philippolis to the Macedonians, Trimontium (Thrace) to the Romans, it’s a walkable city built on seven hills where you regularly interact with reminders of the Greeks, Romans, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Soviets.  Great food, hospitable folk, safe, and affordable as well.   Plovdiv reminded me of what Budapest, Hungary was like 10 years ago before the EU had fully moved in. Bulgaria and Romania are currently following suit.   See it before it’s too late!