Varshets (Bulgarian: Вършец, variously transliterated) is a spa town in Montana Province, northwestern Bulgaria. As of 2005, its population is 7,356 and the new mayor is Boryana Boncheva. It is located on the northern slopes of the western part of the Balkan mountains in the small valley of the Botunya River, at [show location on an interactive map] 43°12?N, 23°17?E, 359 meters above sea level. One of the oldest and most popular resorts in northern Bulgaria, it is famous for its curative mineral springs, mild mountain climate, beautiful scenery and a large well-kept park. The town has an excellent tourist infrastructure. There are two spa centres, a polyclinic, numerous rest houses, hotels and also many private lodgings. Varshets has an art gallery, a municipal museum and an Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saint George.

A 2nd century BC bronze sculpture of a Thracian boy found in the vicinity of the town is today a symbol of Varshets. The modern town is linked to Medeca, a Roman and Byzantine site first mentioned in the 6th century AD. Varshets’ existence was also evidenced in 16th century documents. The first state baths in Varshets were built in 1910 and were run by Damyan Ivanov, a balneologist who specialized in Austria-Hungary. The New Baths were built in 1930, and the Sun Garden was arranged in 1934. In 1950, Varshets was proclaimed a national resort.

The Rose Valley (Bulgarian: Розова долина, Rozova dolina) is a region in Bulgaria located just south of the Balkan Mountains, between them and the eastern part of the lower Sredna Gora chain to the south. Geologically, it consists of two river valleys, those of the Stryama to the west and the Tundzha to the east.

The valley is famous for its rose growing industry which have been cultivated here for centuries, and which produces 85% of the world’s rose oil[citation needed]. The extracts are used by perfumeries all over the world. The centre of the rose oil industry is Kazanlak, while other towns of importance include Karlovo, Sopot and Kalofer. Each year, festivals are held celebrating roses and rose oil.

The picking season lasts from May to June. During this period, the area gives off a pleasant scent and is covered with multi-coloured flowers. The gathering process, traditionally a woman’s task, requires great dexterity and patience. The flowers are carefully cut one by one and laid in willow-baskets which are then sent to the distilleries

The Danubian Plain (Bulgarian: Дунавска равнина, transliterated Dunavska ravnina) constitutes the northern part of Bulgaria, situated north of the Balkan Mountains and south of the Danube. Its western border is the Timok River and to the east it borders the Black Sea. The plain has an area of 31,523 km?, being about 500 km long and from 20 to 120 km wide.

The relief of the Danubian Plain is hilly and has many plateaux and river valleys. The climate is well-defined temperate continental with a weak Black Sea influence in the east, precipitation being an average 450-650 mm a year. Important rivers include the Danube, the Iskar, the Yantra, the Osam, the Vit, the Rusenski Lom, the Ogosta and the Lom.

Among the major cities of the region are Varna, Rousse, Pleven, Dobrich, Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, Vratsa, Vidin, Montana, Silistra, Targovishte, and Razgrad.

The Varovitets Monastery, near Etropole was founded in the 12th century and was the most important center of learning in the Northern Bulgarian Lands during the Turkish rule in the 16th – 17th century. The Etropole Scriptorium emerged in the monastery. The monastery was a place where Levski and other revolutionaries hid.

The “St Trinity” monastery is situated at the foot of the Black Peak of the Balkan mountains (not to be confused with the more pupular Black Peak of the Vitosha mountain), about 5km east of the town of Etropole. It is built over a lime rock, where from its nickname of ‘Varovitets’ (Lime Monastery) must come. The surrounding area is perfect for an enjoyable holiday in the open air and a good rest.