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