Nestled north of the Balkan range in Central Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is situated 250 km northeast of Sofia, 7 km southwest of Gorna Oryahovitsa, 85 km east of Lovech, and 105 km southwest of Rousse. Veliko Tarnovo is an intriguing destination – a medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom with more than 7000 years of history, spectacular museums, monasteries with unique murals, palaces and towers, distinctive architecture with houses stacked above each other on the steep hills, divided by Yantra river into different quarters, thriving modern nightlife and lush natural surroundings. Veliko Tarnovo is not only a grand city to explore, but also a crossing point of high-class transport lines, carrying national and international traffic. Travelling onwards to the Valley of Roses from Veliko Tarnovo, involves one of Bulgaria’s most scenic mountain routes – E85 which heads towards the impressive Shipka Pass just above Gabrovo, then drops down towards Bulgaria’s rose capital, Kazanlak. From Veliko Tarnovo to Rousse the transfer takes about one hour and a half along E85 northbound. From Varna airport to the old capital of Bulgaria, the transfer takes 2 hours and a half via highway A2, E70, and after a left turn along E772 to Veliko Tarnovo. From Sofia/airport take E79, then A2 towards Varna, and after a right turn on E83 and again right turn on E772 continue east to Veliko Tarnovo.
