EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
Travellers wishing to add a bit of surprise and intrigue to their city-break wish-lists this year could do far worse than to consider Plovdiv. Built across seven hills and laying claim to the title of ‘oldest inhabited city in Europe’, the Bulgarian town has a lively arts scene that sees it crowned European Capital of Culture 2019, along with Italy’s Matera. The Old Town, home to a Roman theatre and colourful, creaky 19th-century mansions that house museums and galleries, is the main draw, but focus is increasingly shifting to Kapana (visitkapana.bg). There are several days’ worth of bars, cafés and restaurants to be investigated in the district, and its cobbled streets host a regular stream of events, from outdoor cinema and street parties to photo exhibitons and live bands.