As a recent entrant into the European Union, Bulgaria is slowly becoming better known and more widely explored as a result. It's a hugely historic country with an expansive and unspoiled coastline and fabulous winter sports resorts that embodies the best of eastern Europe and which is a thrilling destination for visitors.

If you're a city lover then Bulgaria won't disappoint either - it's capital city of Sofia is historically rich, culturally pure and a young, dynamic city at its heart now that it is benefiting from European Union entry and an increase in employment prospects for its citizens.

If you fly in to Sofia you can spend a few days exploring the city, enjoying the nightlife, discovering its majesty and really getting to know the Bulgarian people before you decide where you would like to expand your vacation.

If you arrive in the late autumn, in winter or early spring you can head to the dramatic and imposing Pirin mountains and visit resorts such as Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo and you will find excellent ski and snowboard conditions, affordable equipment hire and ski pass purchase prices as well as some fabulous powder and brilliant après ski.

Alternatively, if you arrive in Bulgaria from May to September you will want to head for the Black Sea coastline where there are any number of perfectly pristine, Blue Flag beaches, where there are beautiful ancient fishing villages alongside vibrant new resorts such as Sunny Beach, and where you can have a fun time.

Along the coast there is so much for all the family to do and enjoy. There are theme parks and water parks, there are historic castles and museums to visit, there are beaches to comb, restaurants' fare to sample and many friendly and welcoming local people to make your stay a memorable one.

Because Bulgaria is in the European Union now its border rules have relaxed and its visa criteria have eased so that it is now not only easy to take a vacation in Bulgaria, it's possible for many people to take an extended holiday and live and even work in the nation.

If you're thinking about taking some time out and exploring Europe and you want to fund your adventures, why not contact your nation's Bulgarian embassy and determine whether or not you can live and work there for a period of time.

By: Rhiannon Davies
Rhiannon Davies writes about living and property in Bulgaria abroad, to read more about living and property in Bulgaria as well as visiting Bulgaria, check out her site ShelterOffshore.com