Sofia Hotels, Bulgaria

An undiscovered jewel, Sofia looks set to join Prague as one of Eastern Europe's hippest capitals. Its many historical landmarks attest to its complex, fascinating history as part of the Byzantine, Ottoman and Soviet Empires. It used to be on the Silk Route from China and this perhaps explains its exotic atmosphere - familiarly European in some respects but overlaid with an enticing flavour of the Orient. More and more high quality hotels are being built every year, yet prices remain remarkably low. Now is the time for the budget conscious traveller in search of original destinations to visit this intriguing city as it throws off its difficult past and reaches out to the rest of Europe. [...more]