The thing that most struck me about Bulgaria is that you can go almost anywhere, (in the countryside) as long as you use common sense and show respect.
And it is so beautiful, it's how I imagine England was 50+ years ago, before we ruined it.
Some parts of the UK are equally beautiful I know, but for the most part they are privately owned and off limits to most people.
I am fortunate enough to have travelled widely, to many nice places, but I fell in love with Bulgaria and it's people almost immediately.
Every country has it's problems, social and otherwise, but Bulgaria to me is a once in a lifetime opportunity for my wife and I to fulfill our dream of a peaceful, affordable, stress free retirement.
Not perfect, but as near as we are ever going to get I think.