Since its escape from yoke of communism, Bulgaria has struggled to join modern world. It became a member of NATO in 2004 and is due to join European Union in 2007. With Black Sea to east, Romania to north, Serbia and Macedonia to west, and Greece and Turkey to south, it's a country that retains a charming mixture of old and new.

The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia. Almost completely rebuilt after bombings of World War II, its city centre has a weird and wonderful mix of architecture; right down to a yellow-brick boulevard. North of Sofia is Balkan range, Bulgaria's longest mountain chain, which flows down to Danube. For sun and sea, Black Sea coast offers some of best in rest and relaxation at affordable prices. The southern section of coast is home to picturesque bays, spacious beaches, dunes and a warm sea.

There are no words to describe phenomenal rise in property prices taking place in Bulgaria's tourist areas. Some developers have seen their tourist property complexes rise in value in excess of a colossal 100% in a year! Even if spread across board, it still averages out to a sizeable capital growth of 35%. But why this discovery after all these years?