Under $100: Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Ploydiv, Bulgaria, isn’t often at the forefront of most travelers’ minds, but it’s a wonderful alternative to visiting Sofia if you find you only have a day to explore one city in Bulgaria. The second-largest city in the country is a great mix of local culture mixed with city life.

For breakfast, forgo the restaurants and opt for something simple at your hotel or hostel. There aren’t many places open too early in Plovdiv, and you’ll want to get a quick start to the day.

Your first stop should be the Roman Stadium, a fortified theater on the northern side of town that is one of the largest Roman pieces of architecture in the Balkans and once played host to numerous plays, events and gladiator battles. A hiking tour of the grounds is free.

Next up, check out the Archeological Museum. It holds one of the world’s best collections that showcase the evolution of mankind from prehistoric ages to modern times. The entrance fee for adults is roughly $3.

For lunch, have a meal at Grazhdanski Klubb, a small eatery tucked away off a side street that serves some authentic local cuisine. Meals here run a bit high, so prepare to drop around $20 for a meal.

Plovdiv has a reputation for some pretty spectacular works of wall art, as graffiti is not illegal here, so do yourself a favor and take a walking art tour of the city in the afternoon. You can find these trips easily for around $20 to $30 a pop.

Take the rest of the afternoon to explore the shops around Old Town, the oldest part of the city, which holds some pretty wonderful architecture. Walking around is free, of course, but save a few bucks to spend on trinkets here and there. Roughly $20 should work for gifts and souvenirs.

For dinner, head to Hemingway, Plovdiv’s most popular restaurant. You’ll throw down around $30 for a meal, but the food is certainly worth it.