April 2013
The seventh edition of Sofia Blues Meeting, the only event dedicated entirely to blues music and blues culture in Bulgaria, takes place at Sofia Live Club on 15 April. Doors open at 8pm (NDK, Sofia, tel: 088 833 1193, sofialiveclub.com).

January 2013
The cold weather is perfect for visiting the National Art Gallery, which has an outstanding collection of Bulgarian masters, as you'd expect of the country's premier art institution. Exhibitions are regularly devoted to Bulgarian art and artists (1 Prince Alexander Batenberg Square, nationalartgallerybg.org).

April 2013
The perfect place to enjoy the spring sunshine and great outdoors is Pancharevo Lake, which lies about 15km from Sofia, on the main road to Samokov. Have a go at canoeing and kayaking, spread out a picnic, and breathe in the fresh lakeside air.

January 2013
If you enjoy ice skating, head for Borisova Garden - the Ariana Lake becomes an ice rink during winter.