Opportunities to get fit and let off steam at the same time in Bulgaria are widely available. Prices are reasonable compared to those in Western Europe. Tennis clubs abound, all offering instruction, with squash also increasing in popularity. All cities have gyms that also offer sessions with instructors focusing on aerobics, tae bo, dance and callisthenics, to name just a few. Most centres also offer other services like sauna, massage and solarium. Prices vary from one fitness club to the next, depending on the equipment available, instructors and location. Most major hotels have their own health centres, offering fitness and sport opportunities, as well as cosmetic and aesthetic procedures. Outdoor sports are big here: skiing, snowboarding, climbing, mountain biking and paragliding in the fantastic mountain ranges, kayaking in the rivers, and at the Black Sea you can choose between diving, windsurfing, waterskiing and other more extreme sports. Golf is also entering in a big way, with three courses already opened and a whole array of new ones under construction at the Black Sea and the mountain resort of Bansko.
Useful info
Golf touring
A game that has been existing for at least six centuries and has almost 100 million followers all over the world, still hasn't gained popularity in Bulgaria. There are three functioning golf courses – two in Ihtiman and Sliven – both.....| Read more
Pedal power
Awakening to the sounds of birdsong and running water, you rub your eyes and glance out the door of your tent. You are greeted by yet another beautiful day, dazzling in its perfection. You rise, emerging from your tent with a sleep-dazed smile a.....| Read more
Bend it like Bikram
The mind is like a drunken monkey, Swami Niranjan-ananda had said, it constantly jumps here and there. Amidst ringing phones, the steady traffic through the front office and the chatter of colleagues, I remember the voice of my yoga teacher sayi.....| Read more
I like motorcycles, driving, rambling in the countryside, going to bazaars, relaxing in the sunshine ... read more
What`s on in Bulgaria
Theatre
Bollywood What: dance When: May 8, 7pm Where: Sfumato Theater-Workshop, 2 Dimitar Grekov str.
Cultural Institutes
Jiri Stach: Natura Magica - The Absurd Universe of Jirka Stach (photographer of the year 2006) What: Photography When: Until May 9 Where: Czech Cultural Centre, 100 GS Rakovski Str, Sofia
Zofia Fortecka, Magda Fortecka What: Gold Legends, exhibition of painting on glass When: Until June 5 Where: Polish Institute, 12 Veslets str
One World International Documentary Festival What: Film festival at the Czech Cultural Centre, Dom na Kinoto, Institut Francais, Polish Institute, Bulgaria-Korea Multimedia Hall at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) When: May 7 to 11 Where: Czech Cultural Centre, 10 GS Rakovski str
Art
ART POSITIVE 2008: FRAGMENT What: exhibition with the participation of 14 Plovdiv artists When: Until May 25 Where: Centre for Contemporary Art - Plovdiv arttoday.org
Museums
The Third Bulgarian Kingdom 1878-1946 What: Presentation of objects related to the Treaty of Berlin, Interim Russian Government, Founding Assembly, Unification of Eastern Roumelia and the Kingdom of Bulgaria and more When: Until 2009 Where: National Museum of History, 16 Vitoshko Lale Str, Boyana, Sofia
Opera and Ballet
Ta Traviata What: opera by Giuseppe Verdi When: May 9, 6pm Where: Varna Opera Theatre, 1 Nezavisimost Sq, Varna
Live Music
Music + Fashion What: Sofia DJs spin house, techno, tribal and drum and bass rhythms When: Every Friday and Saturday Where: Capasca, 80 Vitosha Blvd
After Business Club What: weekly mixers When: Wednesdays, 8pm Where: Chillout Bar & Dinner, 5 Triaditsa Str
LOVECH PARTY FEST 2008 What: concerts of Dr. Alban, Ace of Base, Ja Rule, Maxi Jazz will spin with 3D/DJ AnneMiek Trio, WASP and Twisted Sister. free entrance to all concerts When: May 6 to 11 Where: Lovech
MAYDAY FESTIVAL What: MAYDAY FESTIVAL - with Ignite, Born from Pain, Death Before Dishonor, Burn the 8 Track, Smut, BFDM, Brothers in Blood, Melekh, A-moral When: May 5, 4pm Where: 4KM Party Centre, 111 Tsarigradsko Chaussee
World Beat Nights What: Indian night - includes special meditation with mantra singing two hours before the party When: May 9, 10.30pm Where: Club Pulse, 50 Tsar Samuil str
expat news
Theatre
Cultural Institutes
Art
Museums
Opera and Ballet
Live Music