Bulgaria Travel Guide

Bulgaria Travel Guide
Travel guide to Bulgaria. Up-to-date, useful, with plenty of cheap flight deals, late holiday offers, last minute weekend short city breaks, all inclusive ...

Although better known for its sea resorts, the essential character of the country is to be found in its spectacular mountainous regions. As varied as the different mountain ranges are the people who dwell in them, with distinctive customs, crafts and colourful festivals, folklore, religious beliefs and speech. At the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city, Sofia, boasting a great number of architectural monuments and museums. Betcom or Bulgarian Telecommunication Company phone booths require a special card available from kiosks. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations. Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe that has no peak or off-peak call times. Bulgaria offers a direct dialling service to 58 countries, which can be reached by adding the prefix 00 to the country code (e.g. Bulgaria’s history is displayed across the country in its old towns, ancient Thracian relics and treasures, decorated churches and monasteries, and in the rustic settlements that have preserved the traditional beliefs of its people. By its very nature much of the information in this guide is subject tochange at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they'rerelying with the relevant authorities. Calls to countries that cannot be accessed by direct dialling must be placed through an operator at 0123. Crossing the entire country is the Balkan Range, a 435-mile (700km) chain that offers some of the best hiking in Europe. ElectricityElectrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use.Travel Guide powered by Word Travels, copyright © 2006 Globe Media Ltd. Facilities in local hospitals are basic and old-fashioned and specialised treatment and equipment is not freely available. Food is safe in hotels and restaurants, but street vendors should be avoided. Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, hotels or at one of the numerous bureaux de change, however due to a common practice of misleading rates of exchange it is better to go to banks or hotels to change money. HealthNo vaccinations are required for entry to Bulgaria. If you enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of Leva 8000 or more, you must declare it to customs officials. Internet cafes are on the increase in the big cities. LanguageBulgarian is the official language, which uses the Cirillic alphabet, but English, German and French is spoken in resorts, hotels and restaurants.MoneyThe official currency is the Lev (Lv), which is divided into 100 stotinki. Mains water is chlorinated, but occasionally causes stomach upsets, so bottled water is advised. Major international credit cards are increasingly becoming accepted by tourist hotels, upmarket shops and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agents, but Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. Medical insurance, with provision for emergency evacuation, is therefore vitally necessary. Medical treatment can be expensive and payment is expected immediately. Neither Globe Media nor Cheapflights canaccept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a resultof information contained above. Not all banks accept travellers checks and those that do usually charge a 5% commission. One of the country’s biggest assets for visitors is its variety, but whatever aspect one chooses to explore, there is always the assurance of a warm welcome. Situated in the south east of Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is not as much a tourist destination as its Greek and Turkish neighbours to the south are. Small picturesque villages welcome guests with typical warm-hearted Bulgarian hospitality, sharing age-old traditions and traditional cooking, and a delight in their pastoral environment. Telephone offices are also available and are attached to post offices. The country has two mobile GSM operators, and several Internet Service Providers. The country poses few health risks beyond mild travellers’ diarrhoea. The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a spectacular setting for ski resorts, as well as the famous Rila Monastery and the majestic landscape of the Pirin National Park, a World Cultural and National Heritage site. The six very different ranges vary from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests, harbouring thermal springs and mineral spas, and valleys where the air bears the fragrance of flowers and herbs. The Valley of Roses lies in the heart of Bulgaria and is the largest producer of rose oil in the world, giving root to Bulgaria’s soubriquet, ’Land of Roses’. There are ATMs in the main cities and at Black Sea resorts. This despite the popularity of its Black Sea resorts, which are scenically captivating with their fine sandy beaches, sunny climate and safe seas and wonderfully inexpensive too. Violent crime is rare, but criminal groups target casinos and nightclubs and groups of young pickpockets are active in city centres and the Black Sea holiday resorts. With non-metered taxis you needn’t add a tip to the fare you agreed on beforehand.