Golf is also becoming increasingly popular with the development of numerous new courses, including a championship course, luring golfers to experience Bulgaria. Elsewhere, the bustling capital, Sofia, has a history that goes back thousands of years with many archeological sites that display its diverse past. The city is thriving since the downfall of the communist regime and this is evident in both its ongoing development and the regeneration and the attraction of business from multinational companies.

Economy: Bulgaria's economy has undergone massive improvements since the fall of communism in the early 1990s. The economy is currently growing by around 6 per cent annually, and is showing no signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future. Last year the country attracted 3.5 billion euros in foreign investment, with 35 per cent of this money coming from the tourism and real estate market. This year foreign investment levels are expected to top 4 billion euros. 

Climate: Bulgaria's climate varies dramatically depending on area. On the coast temperatures average around 12oC for a year, hovering around the 16–22oC mark between May to September. In Sofia, the average yearly temperature is a more temperate 10oC while the summer months also tend to be slightly cooler, averaging between 14–20oC. In the mountains temperatures for the year are lower still at approximately 9oC, but even there, summer temperatures in excess of 20oC are fairly common. 

Accessibility: There are frequent direct flights from various UK airports to Bourgas and Varna on the Black Sea coast, and the capital, Sofia. Flight times vary between three and three-and-a-half hours. While there are currently no low-cost airlines servicing Bulgaria from the UK, this is expected to change sometime in the near future.

Tourism: Last year, figures from the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute revealed that 4.3 million tourists visited the country – 392,000 of whom came from the UK, a 12 per cent increase on the 2005 total. The Bulgarian government has set an ambitious target of attracting eight million tourists this year.

Homes market: Nationally, the prices of homes at the end of 2006 showed a 14 per cent increase on 2005. The key areas of Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv – Bulgaria's three-largest cities – showed an increase of 9 per cent and Bourgas, on the Black Sea coast, an increase of 8 per cent. The first quarter of 2007 showed an overall price increase of 9 per cent.

Homes on the coast of Bulgaria
The 354-kilometre stretch of Black Sea coastline on the eastern side of Bulgaria had  been a holiday hotspot for residents of the former Eastern Bloc long before Western Europeans began visiting the area following the fall of the Iron Curtain. It was housess on the Black Sea coast especially in the resorts of Golden Sands and, particularly, Sunny Beach which first tempted overseas buyers to invest in the Bulgarian real estate market.

Resort: Helios Beach, Pomorie
Due for completion in July 2007, this development of homes is made up of studio and two-bedroom apartments, and is designed around a central inner court which will house landscaped gardens and a swimming pool. All homes will have a terrace – some roof-top – as well as full air-conditioning and a choice of furniture packages. There will also be a covered car park with 157 parking places. The development itself will have a restaurant with sun terrace, a shopping arcade with 13 shops and a work-out centre with a fitness room, sauna and massage treatments. Aside from being located on the beach, the apartments are close to the picturesque town of Pomorie, while Bourgas International Airport is only eight kilometres away. Pomorie itself is popular with outdoor enthusiasts with sailing, fishing, water skiing, bowling, tennis, mini-golf and horse riding all close by.

Professional's opinion:  Pelle Langli, of Emerging Real Estate: "In my opinion, Helios Beach Apartments represent the best value property you can buy on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Right on the front-line and only a stone's throw from the beach, these apartments have great rental potential. On top of that the developers have a good track record in hotel construction and management and enjoy established relationships with the major tour operators.
Prices: Prices start at approximately 70,000 euros.

Resort: The Vineyards, Nessebar
This five-star resort in Aheloy near Nessebar, a town which is steeped in history with narrow cobbled streets and timber-built houses and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a gated development. Set amongst rolling hills and offering great views, it features apartments, villas and a small hotel complex. The resort includes a spa and fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and beauty salon. Once completed, vineyards will be planted in the four acres surrounding the site – hence the resort's name – and there will be an opportunity to experience grape picking, winemaking and, of course, wine tasting. Additionally, because The Vineyards occupies part of the historic site of 'The Battle of Aheloy' a government supported museum is being constructed by the developers to educate people about one of the biggest battles in Europe at the time.

Professional's opinion: Caroline Polychronopulos, Knight International: "The area of Nessebar has plenty to offer, is popular for beach holidays, but there is also plenty to see for those seeking history and culture. However, choose your homes investment carefully. There are a lot of homes in this part of Bulgaria being developed at the moment, many similar in style, size and quality with not a lot to choose between them. Opting for higher end homes, on a unique development, in a great location will, in the long term, be more attractive to tour operators and holidaymakers alike.
Prices: from 46,000 euros including notary taxes (stamp duty equivalent) and VAT.
Accessibility: The airports of Bourgas in the south and Varna to the north, both served by the UK, ensure that reaching most destinations on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast is not too problematic.
 
Homes in the mountains of Bulgaria
In recent years more attention from overseas has been focused on the ski opportunities in Bulgaria's three main mountain resorts – Bansko, Pamporovo and, to a lesser extent, Borovets. The major resort at the moment is Bansko, located two hours south of Sofia, in the Pirin mountains. In 2003/04 Bansko was subject to a multi-million pound investment helping to make it the most modern of Bulgaria's mountain resorts. However, Pamporovo, in the Rhodopi mountains, is currently having approximately 215 million euros invested in it to bring it up to Bansko's standard.

Resort: All Season Resort, Bansko
All Seasons Resort is a development of studio and one-bedroom apartments set in a developing area of Bansko. The resort offers great views, leisure facilities, and decent rental prospects. The All Seasons Resort is an off-plan four-star development offering homes which are approximately 350 metres from the main gondola lift and close to the Glazne river. A five-minute walk will lead to bars and restaurants in the Bansko old town, and a championship golf course is under construction roughly five kilometres away. The development also boasts 450 square metres of facilities on the lower ground floor. These include an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam room, and a jacuzzi and massage area. The building will also feature a basement ski closet for easy ski storage, and a bar and international restaurant.

Professional opinion: Regan Sloan, Bulgaria Forever: "Bansko is the leading ski resort in Bulgaria and has the infrastructure to cope with the developments being built. The 65 kilometres of ski runs are excellent and the beautiful location ensures that there will be a busy summer season, especially with the new golf facilities being built. The old part of town is beautiful and is what sets the resort apart from others in Bulgaria; I see the main building in the resort being finished by the end of 2009 which is when Bansko will truly flourish as an exceptional place to visit and investors will reap the rewards."
Prices: From 46,689 euros.

Resort: Pine Lodge, Pamporovo
The Pine Lodge consists of 34 apartments, each with individual storage areas. There is a Spa Centre in the building accompanied by: jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, shock showers and a massage service. There is also a restaurant and bar around 50 metres  from the complex and a minibus service will be on hand to transport owners and guest to nearby towns, shops, ski lifts, etcetera. The development is located amongst in secluded pine forests, at an altitude of 1,400 metres. It is situated approximately 570 metres from ski lift 4 – handy for owners who want to hit the slopes as often as they can.

Professional opinion: Christophe Gater, New Estate,
"The breathtaking scenery of the Rhodopi mountains has acted as a catalyst for investment in this Swiss-style ski resort. "Chosen specifically for its natural beauty, Pamporovo is a long-established traditional ski resort where clusters of buildings are separated by pine trees and ski runs. "Although often regarded as the number two resort when comparing with arch rival, Bansko, it is certainly no more than two or three years behind, and looking at prices today don't you just wish that you bought in Bansko two or three years ago?"
Prices: From 39,245 euros.

Accessibility: Bansko is currently around a two-hour drive from Sofia airport, while Pamporovo is closer to three. However, it is currently being rumoured that budget airline Ryanair may start operating a service to Plovdiv in 2008, from where you will be able to reach Pamporovo in around an hour and a half.

Sofia
With a population of 1.2 million, Sofia is the largest city in Bulgaria and the country's political, cultural and economic heart. In recent years Sofia has blossomed into a very
'westernised' city, and is now fare more synonymous with a typical Western European capital then one of the former communist Europe.  The centre is compact and pleasant, with wide boulevards cutting through neighbourhoods of apartment buildings, while there are parks and leafy squares with lots of lively open-air cafes in the summer.  

Resort: Z7 Development
The Z Properties complex will be a new residential and administrative building. The construction of this building, which is located in the Mladost 4 area of the city, is due to get underway soon. Situated in an attractive area near the Sofia Business Park, and close to good communication and travel amenities, the building contains eight floors of residential  one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, the smallest of which covers an area of 35 square metres. The office part of the construction, which takes up a further two floors, has a separate entrance. The development also comes with parking and spacious communal areas.