Things to see and do Sofia

It is the country's largest library with a fund of one million books and periodicals, including a rich collection of ancient Bulgarian books, historical documents of the National Renaissance, an impressive collection of maps, portraits and photographs, notes and records. Having overcome the very rigid registration and borrowing formalities, it is a valuable tool.

This includes a collection of rare books of Bulgarian, Slavic, classical and modern European editions dating from the th to the th century.

All services are in English.

The official tourist office is quite useful for obtaining practical and diverse information about the whole of Bulgaria: maps of the country and the main cities, information and brochures on places to visit throughout the country, on current cultural and sports events, transport, timetables, etc. Take this opportunity to ask your questions, especially if you are going to less touristy areas. Good reception in English and good listening skills.

The Bulgarian Association of Hoteliers-Restaurateurs (BAHR) is a professional organization supporting the development of the hotel and restaurant industry in Bulgaria. Founded in 1993, it awards annual prizes for the best achievements in hotel and restaurant management. It also organizes the annual "Best Chef of BHRA" competition. In collaboration with the municipality of Veliko Tarnovo and "Tsarevgrad Tarnovo", it is behind the first international tourism fair "Cultural Tourism" in Bulgaria, which has been held since 2004 in the city of Veliko Tarnovo, the cultural capital of the Balkans. The association has regional structures throughout the country, and works closely with public bodies and tourism organizations in Bulgaria. It takes part in major national and international tourism fairs and exhibitions, and organizes seminars and training courses to enhance the skills of its members. The association's website, www.bhra-bg.org, is a popular source of information on Bulgarian tourism.