The region of Montana is situated in the north-eastern part of Bulgaria. Its population accounts to 55 thousand people. Near the region flows the Ogosta river with all of its charm, attracting many tourists. The region has a very favourable climate, especially in the towns of Berkovitza, Varshetz, Lom and Chiprovtzi. The town of Varshetz is one of the most attractive and often frequented national resorts, sited on the northern slopes of western flank of the Stara Planina mountain. Its geographical location positions it as a climatic resort, situated over a huge diorite-granite rock, with unmeasurable quantity of hot mineral water in its depths. The local climate is moderate continental with some mountain influence, the winter is mild with a lot of sunny days and the snow cover lasts approximately 60 days. The spring and autumn are warm, with cool summer. The town is situated at 400 metres altitude, at the foot of the “Todorini kukli” peak. Here many factors determine the development of different kinds of tourism. The hot mineral water cures a lot of diseases. In the mountain above the town there are several well-marked tourist tracks. Several recreational spots can be found here: the waterfall near the Zanozhene residential district, the vicinities of “Byalata voda” and “Zeleni del”. The prerequisites for an unforgettable vacation are all here: the picturesque spots, hot mineral water and the tennis courts. Here you can also explore numerous business opportunities. The population of the county of Varshetz is relatively small - only around 10 thousand people and consists of the following settlements: the town of Varshetz as the administrative centre, and the villages of Gorna Byala Rechka, Gorno Ozirovo, Dolna Byala Rechka, Dolno Ozirovo, Draganitza, Spanchevtzi, Stoyanovo, the Cherkaski and Klisurski monasteries. The town of Lom is located at the right bank of the Danube river. Its harbour is in fact the old estuary of the Lom river. The town is an important transport centre for north Bulgaria. The harbour of the town is situated at the crossroads of old trading routes and was created some 170 years ago. Its very position and the convenient land roads radiating in every direction to the south of the Danube river turns the town into a major transport hub not only in the region. The harbour quickly gains in popularity and is an attracting centre for various goods and merchants from the north-western part of the Danubian plain. Today the harbour of Lom is the crossing point of two major European routes – E04 and E07 (known also as the Cretan route), and in fact is the shortest way from Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Danube river and their convenient link to Central and Northern Europe. That is why regular shipments of goods from and to Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are taking place at the Lom harbour. The town of Chiprovtzi is distinguished for its delightful scenery, a typical example of which is the Chiprovtzi waterfall, at the foot of Stara Planina mountain. The Chiprovtzi county is sited at the northern foothills of the western part of Stara Planina mountain. It is encircled by the rivers Lom and Lopushanska Ogosta, and to the north-east borders at the Shiroka Planina mountain. The town of Chiprovtzi is located at 450 metres altitude and faces east. The most favourable season is autumn, while the winter is mild and the summer is cool. The town is 45 km away from Berkovitza and 35 km from the town of Montana. The county has one town – that of Chiprovtzi, and the villages: Martinovo, Zhelezna, Beli Mel, Chelyustnitza, Gorna Kovachevitza, Mitrovtzi, Gorna Luka, Prevala and Ravna. The geographical position, the favourable climate, beautiful scenery and the historical heritage determine the ever-growing interest of national and foreign tourists in this part of north-western Bulgaria. Here one can find good prerequisites for different types of tourism. There are perfectly maintained tourist tracks in the high mountain, well-marked walks, many picnics and outings are organized, a visit can be arranged to the Mishin kamak cave near the village of Gorna Luka, and in the vicinity of village of Prevala there is a wildlife reserve, while in the surrounding villages the eager tourist can have a taste of the local traditions and customs. The county of Berkovitza is located in the north-western part of Bulgaria, some 90 km away from the Sofia when taking the Petrohan mountain pass. The county has 20 settlements – the town of Berkovitza as the administrative centre, and the following villages: Barziya, Zamfirovo, Borovtzi, Gaganitza, Mezdreya, Bockilovtzi, Kostentzi, Komarevo, Pesochnitza, Balyovitza, Bistrilitza, Kotenovtzi, Leskovetz, Chereshovitza, Perlichevo, Yagodovo and Slatina. The town of Berkovitza is known as an ancient settlement, or in old Bulgarian “gradishte”, meaning inner town of the Bulgarian kingdom. The environment of the county favours the development of different types of tourism, along with the splendid scenery, lack of big industrial polluters, its tranquillity and the many sport facilities, such as ski tracks and lifts, water pools, numerous sport grounds and tennis courts. The healthy local climate with total absence of dry summer winds or cold winters, the mild and sunny winter and cool summer are all major prerequisites for full recreation and rest.
