Ancient and medieval fortresses, “mad” for- ests, reedy lagoons teeming with wildlife, haunting monuments to socialist urban plan- ning, Europe’s oldest rock monasteries, kay- aking expeditions and feasts with the river’s offerings, charming guesthouses and unfor- gettable encounters with locals, tucked-away museums—the Danube’s Bulgarian stretch offers that and much more. You can even see the coastline through the eyes of an ancient Roman customs officer, me- dieval archer, or a prehistoric hunter-gatherer! The Danube’s beauty is celebrated in the Bulgarian national anthem, and although far lesser known than “Blue Danube,” Bulgarian composer Diko Iliev’s “Danube Horo” is a fitting tribute to the river’s grandness. (Play it at your own risk: the piece may cause an uncontrollable urge to break into dance!) Recognizing the region’s potential, the Amer- ica for Bulgaria Foundation invests in local initiatives promoting natural and cultural her- itage tourism in the country’s Danube basin and all of the Bulgarian North. Some of the initiatives are already underway, so why not plan your next getaway along the “Danube so bright and blue”? Kudelin, Vidin Region This village near the Bulgarian-Serbian border is known mainly for being a starting point for Dunav Ultra — a 460-mile cycling route connecting the Bulgarian Northwest with the Black Sea coast and running mostly along the
length of the Danube River. (Dunav is the Bul- garian word for Danube.) Route developer and entrepreneur Boris Begamov first traversed the route as a personal endurance challenge, reflected in the “ultra” part of its name: his goal was to cover the distance of nearly 460 miles in under 48 hours. The more he got to know the side roads, layered history, and di- verse communities along the river, however, the more captivated he became. This is why, over the past decade, he has been working to uncover the region’s enormous tourism potential. Dunav Ultra is a recipient of an Innovation of the Year award from the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism, and Dunav Ultra’s annual endurance challenge in September is an important part of Europe’s cycling events calendar.
Uncovering the 100 Dunav Ultra Sights will stimulate all your senses and take you on a unique journey through time and space.
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