Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in Europe, situated along the two banks of Maritza river and nestled in between seven hills. It is a contemporary of Troy and Mycenae, and older than Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople. Plovdiv is the biggest administrative center and the most important city of the historical region of Upper Thrace in Southern Bulgaria, famous for its ancient and diverse culture and millennial history. The town is located 150 km from Sofia (via highway E80/A1), 19 km from Assenovgrad, 102 km from Smolyan and 90 km from Stara Zagora. To reach Plovdiv from Burgas take highway E773/A6, turn right towards Stara Zagora and take highway E80/A1. To reach Plovdiv from Svilengrad take route 8 passing by Harmanli. A major tourist center, Plovdiv lies at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains, and most people wishing to explore the mountains choose it as their trip's transfer point, especially to the sunniest Bulgarian ski resort of Pamporovo.
