A graduate of the American University of Bulgaria and a true party animal, Violet Farah has first-hand tips on how to make the most of your day in town.

Studentski Grad in Sofia is a dormitory for the capital city’s university students. Literally translated, its name means Student City. But if you want to go to a real student city, take a trip south of Sofia. Less than two hours and slightly more than 100km away is the town of Blagoevgrad.

Blagoevgrad houses the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) and the Southwestern University (SWU), giving the town an impressive student population. So if you are a party animal, Blagoevgrad is the place to visit. There are options for retro lovers, techno lovers, alternative lovers, chalga lovers, karaoke creative types and plain and simple drinkers.

The must-see places include Underground 1, once known as the favourite spot of AUBG students. The club features alternative and hit tracks. Make sure to try some of the cocktails, a number of which are the creation of Underground bartenders, making them unique to the club. It also offers a wide selection of shots, also not to be missed.

What makes Blagoevgrad an excellent spot for club lovers is that everything is within walking distance. If you get bored with one club, move on to the next. Xtreme, The House of Underground and Elephant are three other suggestions for those into trance, hits and alternatives.

Pop folk addicts experience the oriental shake vibe in Opium, connected to Xtreme by an underground tunnel, so a switch of styles is as easy as going down the steps.

During the day, once you have dealt with your hangover and sleep deprivation, Blagoevgrad boasts sightseeing opportunities. The old part of town, Varosha, was artificially modelled to resemble a traditional Bulgarian village. It has one of the most beautiful churches in town, architecturally resembling Rila Monastery. There are many artisans’ shops in Varosha and visitors can watch the crafts people at work.

Bachinovo is the town’s park. The alley follows the path of the Strouma River and in a short while a visitor has a sense of being far away from any urban settlement. The alley ends in front of Vodenitsata, the most famous mehana (tavern) in Blagoevgrad and top of my list for lunch or supper.

If you manage to sample all of Blagoevgrad’s must-sees and get bored with them, take a 30 to 40 minute bus ride to visit Bansko ski resort. Although Bansko is best known as a winter destination, the town is quite lovely during the summer.

Bansko is also a museum town and has managed to preserve the old, traditional look of some of its districts despite the various new building projects. The town features various museum-houses, permanent exhibitions and churches.

When you get tired of walking around, stop at any of the central mehanas. Though a bit over-priced, they offer a wide selection of traditional dishes and typical surroundings and music.