| Forget your lingering doubts from | | | | coming of spring. |
| Bulgaria´s Communist past and you will be | | | | |
| surprised and excited by the modern holiday | | | | Late March Mummer's Celebrations. This is an |
| attractions Bulgaria now has to offer. | | | | ancient and popular custom. Dressed in |
| | | | colourful costume, men wearing masks perform |
| Nestling on the banks of the Black Sea, with | | | | ritual dances with which they protect the |
| Romania to the north and Greece and Turkey to | | | | stockmen and farmers from evil spirits. |
| the south, and with its ancient historical | | | | |
| connections with Russia, Bulgaria comprises | | | | Mineral Spa Resorts |
| an eclectic mix of all these nations, making | | | | |
| it a rich and diverse cosmopolitan country | | | | Yet another tourist attraction in Bulgaria, |
| with a strong cultural heritage. | | | | and one that people travel to from far and |
| | | | wide to reap their health benefits: |
| Although not yet as visited as its Greek and | | | | |
| Turkish neighbours, Bulgaria boasts | | | | The Black Sea resorts at Sveti Constantine, |
| stunningly untouched landscapes, beautiful, | | | | Pomorie and Albena are famous for their |
| safe sandy beaches and a multitude of tourist | | | | healing mud. The best known Black-Sea spa |
| attractions ranging from sports to history | | | | centers are: Dobroudja Hotel at Albena |
| and culture. This, combined with great value | | | | resort, Ambassador Hotel at Golden Sand |
| for money and welcoming people, completes the | | | | resort, Riviera Holiday Club, Sunny Day and |
| most peoples' formula for a perfect holiday | | | | Grand Hotel Varna at St.Constantine resort |
| destination. | | | | and Pomorie Hotel in the coastal town of |
| | | | Pomorie. |
| Bulgaria has received heavy investment from | | | | |
| the World Bank to modernize its entire | | | | Other treatment spas are located at: |
| infrastructure, which has vastly improved | | | | |
| tourist facilities here - it is small wonder | | | | - Hissarya - 22 mineral springs for the |
| that tourism in Bulgaria have increased by | | | | treatment of urological and liver diseases |
| some 50% in the past four years. | | | | |
| | | | - Sandanski - for bronchial asthma |
| Getting There | | | | |
| | | | - Velingrad - for conditions of the |
| Bulgaria is only a short flight from the UK, | | | | respiratory tract and disturbances of the |
| (2 ½ to 3 hours - great for you and the | | | | locomotory system, neurological disorders, |
| kids) and has connections from many UK | | | | gynaecological complaints, mild forms of |
| airports. | | | | diabetes and obesity |
| | | | |
| Flights arrive at one of four international | | | | - Kystendil - for conditions of the bones, |
| airports: Sofia (SOF), the largest of the | | | | joints and tendons, disorders of the nervous |
| airports, Varna (VAR), Ploudiv (PDV) for | | | | system, cardiovascular diseases, disturbances |
| charter flights to the ski resort of | | | | of the reproductive system and sterility |
| Pomparovo, and Burgas (BOJ) for domestic | | | | |
| flights and for summer charter flights to the | | | | Monuments and Museums |
| Black Sea resorts. | | | | |
| | | | The abundance of cultural and historical |
| Visas | | | | monuments, including ancient Thracian, Greek, |
| | | | and Roman sites, makes Bulgaria the perfect |
| If you plan to limit your stay to 30 days | | | | destination for history lovers. Many of the |
| within a 6-month period and you are a citizen | | | | cultural monuments in Bulgaria are listed |
| of the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, | | | | under the protection of UNESCO's World |
| or Austrialia EU countries visas are | | | | Heritage List. |
| unnecessary. | | | | |
| | | | Here are some of the many sites to choose |
| Vaccinations | | | | from: |
| | | | |
| There are no vaccinations required to enter | | | | Archaeology sites: Nikopolis ad Istrum |
| Bulgaria. | | | | (early Byzantian town), Tsarevets Fortress |
| | | | (ancient capital of Bulgaria), The Deaf |
| Tapwater is safe everywhere in the country. | | | | Stones (megalithic stones), The Bukelon |
| | | | Fortress (on the Turkish border), The |
| However, a vaccination for tick born | | | | Thracian tomb (made before Roman times), |
| encephalitis is advisable, especially if you | | | | Sboryanovo reserve and Perperikon (the Sacred |
| will be hiking, biking, or camping. This | | | | City) |
| vaccine is not given in the US, so US | | | | |
| citizens should take other precautions | | | | Architectural Monuments: Veliko Turnovo |
| against ticks. | | | | (ancient capital), Baba Vida Castle |
| | | | (medieval, with views over the Danube), |
| Where In Bulgaria? | | | | Pleven Panorama (one of the biggest in the |
| | | | world), Arbanassi (15th century settlement), |
| Beach Resorts | | | | Tryavna (Renaissance cultural city), Mustafa |
| | | | Pasha bridge (built 1529 and still intact), |
| Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday | | | | Guiness Book of Records statue (in Haskoyo), |
| resorts on the Black Sea. | | | | Bojentsi (typical 19th century dwellings) and |
| | | | Staro STefanovo architectural reserve (100 |
| The major resorts are located at: Albena, | | | | cultural monuments from beginning and mid |
| Golden Sands (the largest seaside resort | | | | 19th century) |
| where 22 brand new hotels are currently under | | | | |
| construction), St. Konstantin, Varna (known | | | | Churches and Monastries: Aladja Rock Monastry |
| as the sea capital and Bulgaria's third | | | | (early middle ages), , Bachkovo Monastry |
| largest city), Elenite, Sunny Beach (the | | | | (founded 1083), Cherepishki Monastry (14th |
| third largest resort) and Bourgas. | | | | century), Saint Dimitar (2 churches in |
| | | | Godech), Balsha Church (semi circular |
| These offer all you need for a relaxing and | | | | church), Sokolovo Monastery (founded 1832) |
| enjoyable holiday: comfortable hotels, | | | | |
| sunshine with pleasant temperatures around | | | | Museums: National History Museum (Sofia), |
| 26°C in summer, white, non-tidal beaches, | | | | National Museum of Military History (est. |
| water sports and plenty of entertainment as | | | | 1916), Museums in Bourgas, Sliven and Yambol |
| well as historic sites. | | | | region, Steamship "Radetzky" (floating museum |
| | | | to commemorate the life of revolutionary and |
| For extra entertainment, modern aqua parks | | | | poet, Hristo Botey) and the Mausoleum - Tomb |
| can be found in Golden Sands and Sunny Beach. | | | | of Prince Alexander 1 Battenberg (first |
| | | | prince of Bulgaria) |
| There are several nudist beaches in Bulgaria. | | | | |
| They are located: | | | | Getting Around |
| | | | |
| - between Albena and Kranevo - after Gergana | | | | Road travel has been greatly modernized in |
| Hotel in Albena | | | | anticipation of EU membership in 2007 and in |
| | | | line with development of the country's |
| - Golden Sands resort - past the yacht port, | | | | infrastructure. |
| in front of Glarus Hotel | | | | |
| | | | One-way bus passes cost between € 0.80 |
| - Kamchia - the widest nudist beach on the | | | | (£0.57) and € 1.60 (£1.15) |
| Bulgarian Black sea coast and a famous nudist | | | | depending on the distance travelled. |
| | | | However, the conventions for bus travel vary |
| - Destination. | | | | from city to city. In Sofia, you can |
| | | | purchase intercity tickets in advance which |
| - Bourgass - north of the town after the | | | | will be punched at the time of boarding. But |
| Burgas Hotel, direction Nessebur (new town) | | | | in other cities, you pay per ride. |
| near the saltpans of Bourgas. | | | | |
| | | | If you plan to travel between cities by bus, |
| - Sozopol - south of Harmanite beach | | | | look for private bus companies, whose buses |
| | | | are newer, cleaner, and faster. |
| Ski Resorts | | | | |
| | | | Taxis cost around €.0.20 (15p) for a |
| Did you know Bulgaria is a now a highly | | | | pickup and roughly € 0.30 (20p) per mile |
| desirable ski location, with some of the best | | | | after that. There are no extra charges for |
| value skiing and après-ski available in | | | | additional passengers. |
| Europe? | | | | |
| | | | Trains around Bulgaria can be slow. |
| The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin | | | | Timetables are difficult to come by, so you |
| mountains form a spectacular setting for the | | | | may have to go to the train station to plan |
| ski resorts. | | | | you trip. Should you need a sleeper car, for |
| | | | example between Varna and Sofia, book in |
| The highest peak is Rila with its Musala | | | | advance to ensure you get one. |
| peak(2925m). | | | | |
| | | | Food |
| The season begins in mid-December, extending | | | | |
| through to April in many locations. The main | | | | Bulgaria's cuisine is influenced by its |
| ski centres are: at Bansko (the most | | | | neighbouring Balkan countries of Yugoslavia, |
| developed of all the resorts but also | | | | Greece and northern Turkey. |
| retaining a rich history and culture), | | | | |
| Borovets (the largest, with 40 km of piste), | | | | Traditional food includes Bulgarian bread, |
| Pomparovo (highest point is 1,926 m), | | | | pickled vegetables, salads, soups, stews, |
| Chepelare (picturesque and near to the | | | | casseroles, stuffed vegetables, kebabs, spicy |
| longest Bulgarian ski run, "Mechi Chal (5,200 | | | | sausages and cheese dishes. Yoghurt is very |
| m) and Vitosha (set in a National Park and | | | | popular and eaten most days. In fact, |
| overlooking the capital city of Sofia). | | | | Bulgaria is said to be the home of yoghurt |
| | | | and Bulgarian yoghurt is thought to have |
| Trekking and Local Culture | | | | curative properties. |
| | | | |
| If you wish to fully experience the true | | | | Meat, fish and vegetarian dishes are served |
| character of the country, you will need to | | | | with rice or bulgar wheat. Vegetables include |
| venture away from the resorts to where the | | | | aubergines, beans, cabbage, carrots, corn, |
| locals live. | | | | courgettes, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, |
| | | | onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and |
| Crossing the entire country is the Balkan | | | | olives. |
| Range, a 435-mile (700km) chain that offers | | | | |
| some of the best hiking in Europe. A popular | | | | Favourite desserts are pancakes, baklava, |
| location for easy trekking is Rodopi where | | | | baked apples and fruit: apricots, |
| you can hike amid beautiful forests. For | | | | blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, |
| more strenuous walking, base yourself in the | | | | melons, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, |
| mountain villages of Jeravna or Kotel in the | | | | pears, plums and quinces. |
| centre of the Eastern Balkan mountains or go | | | | |
| to one of the three National Parks at Pirin, | | | | Traditional alcoholic drinks are "rakiya" (a |
| Rila or Central Balkan. | | | | fruit brandy, often made of plum), wine and |
| | | | "boza" (a type of beer made with millet). |
| The six very different mountain ranges vary | | | | Non-alcoholic drinks include coffee, tea, |
| from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green | | | | juices, buttermilk and mineral water. |
| slopes and forests, harbouring thermal | | | | |
| springs and mineral spas, and valleys, rich | | | | As with most activities in Bulgaria, going |
| with Balkan flora and fauna. | | | | out to a restaurant is great value for money. |
| | | | A breakfast may set you back € 2.50 |
| The mountain dwellers have their own | | | | (£1.75) and a typical 3 course lunch a |
| distinctive customs, crafts, colourful | | | | mere €5.00 (£3.50)! |
| folklore, religious beliefs and speech. They | | | | |
| welcome guests with typical Bulgarian | | | | Conclusion |
| warm-hearted hospitality, sharing age-old | | | | |
| traditions and cooking. | | | | If you are looking for a holiday destination |
| | | | where modern attitudes and amenities are |
| Despite its numerous tourist attractions | | | | still perfectly balanced by quaint |
| Bulgaria is a poor country and many, many | | | | traditional values, look no further in your |
| people live under the poverty line. The | | | | quest for the ideal holiday home than |
| villagers mainly live off self-sufficiency | | | | Bulgaria! |
| and preserve almost everything they produce, | | | | |
| even meat. | | | | Holiday homes in Bulgaria still represent |
| | | | great value. Many investors are jumping onto |
| Festivals and Customs | | | | the band wagon so as not to miss out on an |
| | | | opportunity to enjoy repeated holidays skiing |
| 14 February - Vine Growers' Day. This ritual | | | | in the winter and sunbathing in the summer, |
| originates from the ancient Thracians and is | | | | meanwhile watching the value of their |
| called "Triffon Zarezan". It is connected | | | | investment grow before their very eyes! |
| with the return to work in the vineyards and | | | | |
| is officially celebrated by vine-growers, | | | | What is more, many off-plan purchases are |
| wine makers and vintners alike. | | | | accompanied by guaranteed rental agreements |
| | | | which ensure you make extra money from your |
| March 1 - Martenitsi. On this day the | | | | investment for the time that you are not |
| Bulgarians give to their relatives martenitsi | | | | using the property. With year-round tourism |
| - tasseled red and white thread. White is a | | | | on the up, your chances of maximum occupancy |
| symbol of health and strength, red is for | | | | are high, provided you choose in the right |
| longevity with wishes for health and | | | | location. |
| happiness. The festival is connected with the | | | | |