The city of Rousse is northeast of Sofia, the capital. Rousse sits on the Danube River and has been an important port for centuries. The countryside and villages we drove through were really, really beautiful. Unspoiled by industry for the most part, and also unspolied by chain stores and highway overpasses and other obnoxious features of urbanization. The rock churches were simply amazing (elaborately painted sanctuaries inside caves, high up in the cliffs). And the FOOD! Such wonderful food—salads, breads, succulent grilled meats, marvelous cheeses and yogurt. The Rousse wines were delicious too.