Winter festivities in Bulgaria

Travellers thinking of heading away for a mid-season break might want to fly to Bulgaria for the Saint Dimitri's Day celebrations.

On October 26th, Bulgarians mark the onset of winter - Saint Dimitri is associated with the turn of the seasons - with a range of different events and festivities, most of which seem to include vast quantities of food and a lot of folk dancing.

The day signifies the start of the traditional engagement and wedding season in Bulgaria, meaning that there may be many more parties to attend over the following months than during the rest of the year.

Typical dishes served on Saint Dimitri's Day include some form of poultry with vegetables, giving visitors an ideal opportunity to sample some traditional Bulgarian fare.

Of course, there is much more to Bulgaria than this popular saint's day; the country is dotted with spectacular monasteries, churches, tombs and mountain landscapes, while the capital, Sofia, is a potential destination for a short city break.

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