Bulgaria is a small country, known to few yet filled with amazing destinations to discover - the fact that it's not in the tourist route is a unique place where you can experience the thrill of a true adventurer. Here are 10 reasons why Bulgaria is a to-see list.

Appreciate horo dancing

Horo, a traditional folk dance originated from Bulgaria, is usually performed in circles with hands. There are hundreds of types of horo, each having different ways of performing. Horo is seeing a revival among young people after a period of decline, and now horo classes are popping up everywhere. A class can be joined to master the basics.

Rose Valley: Pick roses

The months of May and June are the ideal time places to go in Bulgaria if you want to participate in the annual Rose Festival in the Rose Valley close to Kazanlak. Kazanlak. Bulgaria is among the major exporters of rose oil in the world and the rose (of Rosa Damascena) is one of the country's national symbols. It is essential to be an early bird if you want to participate in the rose picking.

View dancing kukeri monsters

Instead of the traditional winter carnivals that end in February, Bulgaria has the many Kukeri festivals that are held throughout the country to celebrate the transition of seasons. The participants are adorned by animal skins, horns and teeth. They also make use of heavy bells to create sounds to drive away evil spirits. The biggest Kukeri event is the Surva Festival and takes place in the town of Pernik, a 30-minute drive from Sofia.

Take a bite of tarator as well as other local delights

Everyone has tarator Bulgaria in the summer. The cucumber, dill, and yogurt cold soup is the perfect cure for hot summer days, and can be found in every restaurant and bistro in the country. You don't have to stop there. Bulgarian cuisine is a lot more, such as barbecued meats, fresh vegetable salads, and desserts.

Admire medieval barriers

Baba Vida is among the most well-preserved medieval fortresses of all the relics from the Bulgarian empires. The fortress was constructed on the bank of the Danube River with an impressive view that reaches far beyond the distance. It is possible to walk along the old walls and take a peek from the top, or look into the former prison of the castle.

Take a trip back in time at the Etar Open-Air Museum

There are many museums in Bulgaria however there are certain ones that stand out like the Etar Open-Air Museum. This museum is a street-level reconstruction of an old-fashioned village which includes houses as well as workshops. You can not only observe how life used to be like in the past, but be a part of it by taking part in a crafting workshop and tasting the freshly-baked bread in the bakery.

Scale hill peaks

The Bulgarian mountains are diverse. Some are rocky and alpine (Pirin and Rila), while others are more forest-rich and have softer forms (the Rhodopes). Mussala situated within the Rila Mountains is the highest point and can be reached in just one day from Sofia.

Enjoy the sunrise in a UNESCO-listed town

The Nessebar's Old Town is a UNESCO heritage site. It is home to a variety of photo-friendly locations that you can make use of to set up your Instagram account. The stunning Old Town windmill is a well-known location for sunrise shots. It's located near the entrance to the Old Town and offers a stunning backdrop for your picture.

Discover the mysterious formations of rocks

Stories of young couples being prevented from getting married by their parents, of maidens who leapt off cliffs of giants who threw rocks - these and many more have sparked people's imagination when they tried to find an explanation for how the incredible rock formations seen all over Sofia were created. Stone Wedding and Stone Mushrooms are located near Kardzhali. The Belogradchik Rocks, which are two hours north of Sofia as well as the Stob Pyramids, one hour south of Sofia are two other choices.

The fire dancers are dancing in the dark

The traditional tradition of the Nestinari is celebrated on June 3 each year, just after sunset. Following a variety of traditions, the Nestinari dancers go into an euphoria to dance naked on the Balgari's main square.