Sofia, Bulgaria – A Pleasant Pace

Take it slow and savor Sofia with family or friends.

- By Kristy Alpert

Flanked by the ski resort-studded Balkan Mountains and situated directly downwind from the fragrant pine forests of the Vitosha mountain, Sofia’s gorgeous landscape and strategic location between Asia and Europe put it at a crossroads where business and pleasure intermingle effortlessly. In recent years Bulgaria’s capital city has ranked as one of the top 10 best places in the world for startup businesses, and the onslaught of new tax exemptions for businesses looking to invest in the country make it an attractive option for many corporations to begin operations within the city.

Sofia is among the 15 largest cities in the European Union, yet it remains one of the most affordable. Many 5-star accommodations go for less than $200 a night, and dinners range from multicourse tasting menus with celebrated chefs to kid-friendly cuisine in bistro-chic outdoor spaces. People come from all over Europe to indulge in Sofia’s famous mineral waters, some of the most pristine springs in the world, yet the city offers its prized resource for free through municipal drinking fountains. The most famous are located in the park adjacent to the Central Mineral Bath building where locals line up every morning with jars and water bottles in

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