Bulgaria

This guide to Bulgaria, familiar as a destination for its cheap skiing and Black Sea beach resorts, covers several aspects of the country: its ethnic Turks - and their newly accessible mosques; environmental issues; the murkier aspects of communist rule; and how the dramatic changes of recent years have left their mark on this Iron Curtain country. This book is aimed at all visitors to Bulgaria, whether backpacking on a shoestring, taking a de-luxe art tour or visiting on business. The 27 maps, including 18 town plans, show the latest, post-communist street names. Detailed practicalities give a rundown on hotels, restaurants, transport and red tape, including connections to Greece and Turkey. The guide also gives advice on how to see off hustlers and bureaucrats, and how to deal with a society in rapid transition. It covers Bulgarian life and culture, both traditional and modern - from village festivals to contemporary music and humour. There is a also a specially commissioned article on Bulgarian music by musicologists and broadcasters Simon Broughton and Kim Burton.