Bulgaria Holidays, Flights & Travel Guide
The complete Bulgaria travel guide - Bulgaria
holidays & Bulgaria flights.
Top destination guides for Bulgaria
holidays;
Sofia Holidays
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Bulgaria Holidays
and Travel Overview
Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous
country, small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic
splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and
hospitality. 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.
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.
Although better known for its sea resorts, the essential
character of the country is to be found in its spectacular
mountainous regions. 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'. At
the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city,
Sofia, boasting a great number of architectural monuments and
museums. 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. Crossing the entire
country is the Balkan Range, a 435-mile (700km) chain that offers
some of the best hiking in Europe. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Tourist Offices - Bulgarian Tourist Authority, Sofia: + 359
(0)2 987 9778 or www.bulgariatravel.org
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Entry Requirements
for Bulgaria Holidays & Bulgaria Travel
Visitors must have proof of sufficient
funds or onward or return tickets in addition to other documents
needed for the next destination. Valid health insurance is
required. All visitors to Bulgaria must register as foreigners at a
local police station within five days of arrival. This registration
is usually done as a matter of course through the hotel or
accommodation establishment. Visitors are advised to check this, as
a dated registration slip has to be submitted when leaving the
country. Immigration and entry regulations are very strictly
enforced. Passports of all visitors should be valid for at least
six months on entry for those requiring a visa, and three months on
entry for visa exempt nationals other than those from EU countries,
whose passports must be valid for period of
stay.
- For Australians -
Australians do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a
period of up to 90 days within a six-month period. A passport valid
for at least three months after entry is required.
- New Zealanders do not require a visa for a maximum
stay of 90 days within a six-month period. A valid passport valid
for at least three months on entry is required.
- Citizens of the USA do not need a visa to visit
Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period.
Passports must be valid for at least three months after
entry.
- Citizens of the USA do not need a visa to visit
Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period.
Passports must be valid for at least three months after
entry.
- UK passport holders, endorsed British Citizen, do not
need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days in a
six-month period. Passports should be valid for the period of
intended stay. Other UK passport holders require a visa and a
passport that is valid for at least six months.
Currency of Bulgaria
The official currency is the Lev (BGN), which is
divided into 100 stotinki. The Lev is tied to the Euro at a fixed
rate of EUR1 = Lv1.955. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations.
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. 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. A receipt called a
bordereaux is issued when exchanging currency,
indicating the amount that will be given, and it must be kept until
departure. Not all banks accept travellers cheques and those that
do usually charge a 5% commission. 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. There are ATMs in the
main cities and at Black Sea resorts.
Bulgaria
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The country dialling code for Bulgaria is
+359, followed by the relevant city code. The city code for Sofia
is (0)2. Bulgaria offers a direct dialling service to 58 countries,
which can be reached by adding the prefix 00 to the country code
(e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Calls to countries that cannot
be accessed by direct dialling must be placed through an operator
at 0123. Betcom or Bulgarian Telecommunication Company phone booths
require a special card available from kiosks. Telephone offices are
also available and are attached to post offices. Bulgaria is one of
the few countries in Europe that has no peak or off-peak call
times. The country has mobile GSM operators, and several Internet
Service Providers. Internet cafes are on the increase in the big
cities.
Bulgaria
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to Bulgaria, irrespective of age, do
not need to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g
of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine; 50g of perfume
and 100g of eau de toilette; and gifts. Prohibited goods include
arms and ammunition; narcotics and
pornography.
Bulgaria
Holidays - Tipping Information
Tips of 10% of the bill are customary in
restaurants, while hotel porters and taxi drivers expect the change
to round up the bill. With non-metered taxis you needn't add a tip
to the fare you agreed on beforehand.
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Bulgaria Holidays Guide
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