Business card of Bulgaria. Sights of bulgaria

The variety of climatic conditions and geographic zones has made Bulgaria one of the best places for recreation. On a relatively small territory of the state, you can find more than 50 resorts, while the tourism business in the country continues to develop rapidly.

Summer holidays in Bulgaria

The length of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is about 415 km, of which 130 are beaches inviting with warm sand. All-inclusive holiday lovers should consider the following resorts: Albena, Golden Sands, Sunny Day, Sunny Beach, St. Constantine and Elena, Elenite, Nessebar, Riviera, Sozopol, Dyuni (for connoisseurs of windsurfing and other outdoor activities), Obzor , Mermaid.

For those who prefer an economical and relaxing family vacation, spending time in Kranevo, Pomorie, Chaika and Byala is perfect. And for connoisseurs of "wild" and contrasting holidays, Bulgaria has prepared two small resort towns - Balchik and Primorsko, where the mountains descend directly to the sea. It is worth taking into account that you will have to look for equipped beaches here, and housing is mainly represented by three-star hotels, but for little money.

Winter holidays in Bulgaria

The presence in the country of two mountain ranges at once - Pirin and Rilla-Rhodope - determines a wide selection of ski resorts for every taste. The average length of the season is about 120 days, from December to April. There is quite enough snow in the mountains of Bulgaria - the average thickness of the cover is 1-2 m. And mild and relatively warm winters (the average winter temperature in the mountainous regions does not exceed 9 degrees below zero) provide a comfortable stay and the possibility of a long stay in the fresh air.

The main ski resorts near Sofia - Vitosha and Borovets - allow you to fully enjoy all the delights of a holiday in the mountains: modern lifts, steep and not very steep slopes, breathtaking landscapes. Travelers visiting Plovdiv can go sledding or skiing in Pamporovo, Banya or Chepelare. Also in demand among experienced tourists are such resorts as Semkovo and Razlog.

Wellness holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is famous for its hot (thermal) mineral springs, appreciated by the most ancient inhabitants of Europe. In combination with clean air - mountain or sea, water spouting from underground can not only have a healing and preventive effect, but is also an excellent addition to the treatment of many diseases.

Bulgarian sources have the maximum healing effect on the musculoskeletal system. You can improve your health in any sanatorium in the country, but Chiflik, Hisar, Troyan, Devin, Kyustendil, Pavel Banya, Vyrshets are recognized as the best.

Holidays in Bulgaria

Tourists are popular with the Surva International Festival (Survaki), held annually in the city of Pernik, near Sofia, on the last Saturday and Sunday of January. Surva is a variety of fairs, theatrical performances, folk games and festivities, ending with a crowded costumed parade. In recent years, this event is rapidly gaining popularity not only among European tourists: more than 6,000 guests from all over the world come to take part in traditional ceremonies.

In the small town of Yambol, in late February and early March, an annual colorful festival with a masquerade procession takes place - Kukerlandia. It is believed that reincarnations in images of evil spirits scare away evil spirits. Whether this is true or not is unknown, but an unforgettable experience for tourists is guaranteed.

The arrival of spring in Bulgaria is celebrated noisily and cheerfully. Interesting folk traditions are dedicated to this event: on March 1, as a sign of good wishes and protection from misfortunes, everyone ties symbolic red and white ribbons - martenitsa - to each other.

Rich in all sorts of cultural events and May. From the 8th to the 13th, the largest fair in the country is organized annually in Plovdiv, which attracts craftsmen from all over the country. On May 18, Bulgaria celebrates the International Day of Museums, in honor of which the doors of the exhibition halls are open for visitors all day long. Numerous theatrical performances and open-air concerts are also organized as part of the event. The last week of May is famous for the beginning of the Rose Festival (every year the dates of its holding change slightly), which is held in the city of Kazanlak in even years, and in Karlovo in odd years.

Along with the careful preservation of traditions, the Bulgarians are open to everything new. So, on July 1, Julai is noisily celebrated on the Black Sea coast - a holiday that arose in the 80s of the 20th century thanks to the hippie movement and named after the song "July morning", which was performed by the then popular group Uriah Heep. Julai is celebrated with dancing, fun games, and, of course, endless listening to your favorite song.

The Day of the Navy of Bulgaria (the second Sunday of August) is celebrated in all seaside cities, accompanied by ship parades and a solemn oath of allegiance to the motherland by sailors. The entire previous week, which is called "Marine", is full of concerts, performances and other festive events.

On September 1, the city of Sozopol becomes the center of cultural life in Bulgaria, in which Apollonia starts that day. All 10 days of the international festival are accompanied by art exhibitions, performances by musicians of various genres, dance competitions and literary evenings.

National cuisine of Bulgaria

Bulgarians have a fondness for a variety of meats, vegetables and herbs, and among their favorite cooking methods are long boils and stews. You need to be prepared for the fact that the traditional dishes of this cuisine are spicy and quite fatty. Those who want to get to know the local culinary traditions better should definitely taste:

• gyuvech - meat stewed with vegetables in a clay pot;
• meat or fish cooked on a skar (Bulgarian grill);
• sach - fried platter of meat, vegetables or a combination thereof;
• chorbu - rich, thick soups from different ingredients.

Bulgarian national fermented milk products deserve special attention - brynza (sirene) and, in fact, sour milk (sour milk). Cheese is added to almost all dishes of national cuisine, especially salads, stewed or baked vegetables, meat and fish. Kiselo Mlyako is a dressing for salads, a base for sauces or an independent drink, a glass of which will come in handy more than ever after a day full of impressions.

Bulgaria is a country of vineyards, so you can taste local wine in any restaurant. Also, in almost any such institution, you can try rakia - fruit vodka based on apples, grapes, apricots or peaches, or mastic - aniseed vodka.

Money of the Republic of Bulgaria

The official currency of the state is the Bulgarian lev (BNG), consisting of 100 stotinki - an analogue of our kopecks. Within the framework of the Currency Council, lev quotes are inextricably linked to the euro exchange rate (1 € = 1.95 BNG), which minimizes possible speculation at exchange offices. In mid-February 2016, 1 Bulgarian lev cost about 44 rubles, but the exchange rate will have to be clarified before traveling to the country. In everyday life, in addition to the lev, American dollars and euros are also often found, but they are not accepted everywhere, so a reasonable tourist should always have some national banknotes with him. Cashless payments are widespread only in large cities, which again indicates the need to always have cash with you.

Currency exchange is best done at the United Bank of Bulgaria and other official points, but in no case should you use the services of money changers, as there is a very high probability of being deceived. Rubles are not accepted at all points, so the best option is to stock up in advance with the necessary minimum of levs or euros. At the same time, it’s not worth exchanging too much money, because Bulgarian banks have a problem changing levs back to dollars, this can only be done with a limited amount when leaving the country, moreover, at an unfavorable exchange rate.

Paperwork

Applying for a visit to Bulgaria is a simple matter and, in comparison with other EU states, inexpensive. Free entry into the country is allowed for multiple Schengen holders or those who have a national visa to Romania or Cyprus. If there are none, you will have to collect a simple package of papers and spend from 3 (urgent) to 7 (regular) days to apply for a national visa to Bulgaria. Independent processing of documents through the consulate in Moscow until recently cost about 55 €, of which 35 € is a consular fee, about 20 € is a service fee, but from January 1, 2016, the consular fee has been reduced to 10 €. Children under 16 years of age receive a visa free of charge.

A detailed list of documents and the cost of their execution can be found on the official website of the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow www.mfa.bg or by contacting the consulate by phone +7 499 143 62 30 (Monday-Friday from 15.00 to 17.00). Also, when processing entry documents, you can use the help of travel agencies.

Accommodation in Bulgaria

A wide selection of good cheap hotels has long been one of the main advantages of Bulgaria in the field of tourism. Bargain hunters don't have to look far for a room at a low price, while lovers of a more comfortable stay will not be disappointed either: first-class hotels in cities and beach resorts offer no less amenities than in any other country in the world.

When planning a trip to Bulgaria or any other country, it is important to take care of accommodation in advance. You can try to independently rent a room or apartment directly from the owners. But you should think about it in advance, at least a couple of months before the planned trip: Bulgaria has a crazy demand for housing, especially during the season. The choice of hotels is wide in almost all cities of the country: for every taste and budget.

In general, this is one of the cheapest tourist countries in Europe. A double room in hotels in small resort towns, such as Kranevo or Pomorie, will cost an average of 30 leva per day (about 15 euros). Accommodation in hotels of more popular resorts depends on the number of stars, for example, a double room in 4-star hotels will cost about 200 leva per day. The price of a detached house on the seashore ranges from 60-80 leva. When looking for accommodation in Bulgaria, you can use the services of trusted travel companies or our website, this will help you avoid scammers and guarantee acceptable living conditions.

Camping in Bulgaria is not the best choice, as nowhere but the Black Sea coast there are real facilities for campers in this way. Contact the Bulgarian Tourist Office in Sofia (tel.: 02-987-97-78) for more information. "Wild" camping is illegal.

Hostel

In Bulgaria, there are many good cheap youth-type hotels with shared bedrooms for about 20 leva per night or even less. The best of them are busy during the high season, so advance booking is recommended.

Transport

Public transport is represented by buses, trolleybuses, trams and the only metro line in the country, located in Sofia. Transport does not run around the clock, so the schedule must be clarified immediately before traveling to Bulgaria. Travel documents are sold at stops, at newsstands or directly from the driver. It is important not to forget to compost the tickets, otherwise you can get caught by the controller and then you will have to pay a fine of 1 lev.

If you have an international driver's license, you can rent a car. It will cost about 30-60 leva per day, but you should take into account that the roads in the country's provincial towns leave much to be desired.

Taxi

Bulgarian taxi drivers once had a reputation for real robbers. Now, thanks to legislation, all cars are metered and drivers (at least in Sofia) are required to issue checks. This does not mean that tourists are never "bred" for extra money; this happens sometimes. But if you keep your cool and always use a taxi with the name of the company (“Yellow Taxi”, tel.: 02-911-19; “Euro Taxi”, tel.: 02-910-33; “Sofia Taxi”, tel.: 02- 974-47-47; OK Supertrans, tel.: 02-973-21-21 in Sofia), the trips will be amazingly cheap. Don't expect the drivers to speak English, but you can ask the concierge at the hotel or the waiter at the restaurant to call a taxi for you.

The railway network is well developed, tickets are cheap, and trains run on time, albeit rather slowly. Even express trains with optimistic names InterCity and Expres do not live up to expectations. The fastest of the five daily trains from Sofia to Varna takes eight and a half hours. If you want to make train trips, it is better to do it at night in an inexpensive sleeping car (spalen). Buying tickets can be a time-consuming process: don't expect help from the cashiers. It is best to buy tickets at the Wasteels office, to the left of the entrance to Sofiyskiy railway station.

Bus and taxi

Bulgaria has developed intercity bus service, which is indispensable in small mountain villages and towns remote from busy highways. Traveling by this type of transport will cost a tourist an average of 9 leva per 100 km. A convenient way to get around is a taxi, which in Bulgaria is easily recognizable by the yellow color of cars and the characteristic checker.

Having spent an unforgettable vacation, you always want to please your loved ones with cute gifts and take something for yourself as a memory of a pleasant vacation. Fortunately, the choice of souvenirs in Bulgaria is very large.

With presents for the beautiful half of humanity, things are as easy as shelling pears - be sure to purchase natural Bulgarian cosmetics based on rose extracts. All kinds of creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos and much more can be found not only in the vicinity of the Rose Valley, but throughout the country. Elegantly packaged, these gifts will appeal to every woman.

Men, most likely, will appreciate souvenir alcohol: brandy, cognac or wine, infused according to the best traditional recipes, will allow you to touch the national spirit of this people.

Rose jam is a delicious souvenir from Bulgaria, sold in almost any grocery store. The characteristic pleasant taste will remind you of this hospitable country for a long time.

Sharena sol is a favorite seasoning of the Bulgarians, which is salt mixed with spices. It goes well with any dishes, has an unusual and aesthetic appearance.

Tablecloths, napkins, small rugs woven from the finest sheep's wool and decorated with ethnic embroidery are an excellent gift that can add zest to the interior. But for such souvenirs, you will most likely have to go to small villages at the foot of the mountains.

Handmade wooden and ceramic dishes with ornate patterns will appeal to any housewife, while thick-walled earthenware pots are suitable for preparing stews and vegetables - perhaps even according to recipes from the Bulgarian cuisine.

Also in Bulgaria, at almost every step you can buy classic souvenirs: magnets, key rings, T-shirts, small figurines, etc. The only advice for tourists is to try not to postpone the purchase of gifts until the last day: at airports and train stations, their cost is significantly overpriced, and the choice is limited.

The customs service of Bulgaria is quite loyal, so there are no significant restrictions on the export of goods, except for the standard ban for all countries on the transport of weapons, illegal drugs or flammable substances, as well as items of historical value.

Cloth

Bulgarians have little prejudice about clothing, but note that local women cover their heads when they enter a church or cathedral, although foreigners are not required to do the same. If you are invited to a Bulgarian home, you must take off your shoes or at least offer to do so.

Bicycles for rent

Cycling is not popular in Bulgaria and there are almost no cyclists in the cities. In ski resorts such as Vitosha, Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets, mountain bikes can be rented from large hotels for about BGN 20 per day, leaving a credit card as a deposit. Large hotels on the Black Sea coast also offer bicycles for rent.

Car rental

In order to see the best in Bulgaria, it is recommended to rent a car for one or two days, but this is relatively expensive: prices start at about 120 leva per day. However, gasoline is cheap. All major car rental companies have offices throughout the country, including Varna and Sofia airports, and you can rent a car at most major hotels. Roads are generally in poor condition and nighttime travel can be dangerous.

Another possibility is to rent a car with a driver. To do this, it is better to approach a taxi driver in a big city, ask if he is free, and then agree on a price. You are unlikely to be refused, and you can find a common language for about 100 leva per day, plus the cost of gasoline, food and accommodation.

Driving

In Bulgaria, right-hand traffic, although in rural areas such rules are at best overlooked. If you brought a car to Bulgaria, you need to have a driver's license and proof of international insurance coverage (green card) with you.

Those who have forgotten to do this can buy insurance at the border. Your passport will be stamped confirming that you arrived by car. If you try to leave the country in any other way, you will have to explain what happened to the car.

Getting around in big cities is no worse or better than in most other countries, but outside of cities, things are different. There are only two real motorways in Bulgaria: Sofia - Plovdiv (partly) and Sofia - Pravets, and both have tolls. Other roads between cities are mostly two- or one-lane. Roads are generally poorly signposted, so stock up on a detailed map or navigator. The road surface is uneven and there is not much lighting everywhere, so be careful at night. As you drive through villages, beware of random gypsy carts and unattended animals. The speed limit is 60 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on open roads and 120 km/h on motorways, although Bulgarians pay little attention to this.

Information for the disabled

Bulgaria is making huge strides towards comfortably accommodating travelers with disabilities, but getting around remains difficult. Sofia is ahead of the curve: there are simple wheelchair ramps in many public squares, museums and other places of interest, as well as metro stations. There are many hotels on the Black Sea coast where disabled tourists can be taken care of. In mountain resorts and in other cities, things are more complicated.

Health and medical care

• For those who do not know who the Gabrovites are. Gabrovians are residents of Gabrovo, a region of Bulgaria. Judging by the anecdotes, some of them are big misers. Overthrift and greed are the main themes of jokes about Gabrovites. Gabrovets was selling boiled corn near the entrance to the bank, and soon collected a large sum of money. At the end of the season, an acquaintance asked him to borrow ten leva. “You see, friend,” said the seller, “when I opened the tray here, we signed an agreement with the bank so as not to compete. The bank pledged not to sell the corn, and I pledged not to lend money.

• What is no longer famous? humor is dead?

• humor about residents

• The Gabrovites were unsurpassed misers!

• Jokes about Gabrovites)

• I'm not a dinosaur, but I know that humor fairs)))

• Tailless cats.

• Uncle.. Humor..

• "Golden Sands"

• resorts and wine

• Such a sunny brandy

• tomatoes, the language is similar to Russian (there is such a joke: Bulgarian is Russian spoken by small children) they say “no” - they nod their heads (lower their eyes), “yes” - they turn (to the one they want to hear)

• Fruits and vegetables are very tasty in Bulgaria. In many countries fruits and vegetables taste like plastic.

• Resorts, ecology, high quality of natural products, affordable standard of living.

• bulgartabak

• golden sands, cold houses, traitor people.

• brothers like prostitutes

• There is a country, but there are no Bulgarians. They are Turks.

• famous for the fact that we once freed her from Turkish slavery, but then she behaved like a whore, it would be better not to send our soldiers to die.

• ugh, creatures.

• When we were in Bulgaria, we went to the market in Varna and shouts from everywhere: Bulgarian banana, Bulgarian banana! I think that for a banana, it turned out that they call melon that way)).

• I think - everything is the same - the same srach, the same weeds and inexplicable love for alcohol!

• Grapes are growing, you could see in the photo, Bulgarians sometimes communicate on the grape website

• I was once interested in real estate in Bulgaria. There are cheap village houses, and all these houses are characterized by knocked-down poles such as a canopy over the yard, that is, over the summer, the grapes completely entwine this entire "canopy", it turns out a shade with bunches of grapes. Approximately so.

• Let the Bulgarian invite me to his real Bulgarian dacha, I will look with pleasure.

• I was in Bulgaria and even in a real Bulgarian village on an excursion. Bulgarians are very good, kind, hardworking people, but they live like ours, everything is different, mostly not very rich. Therefore - vegetables, grapes, fruit trees, flowers of course

• Bulgarian pepper.

• I can definitely say that he has cucumbers and tomatoes there. I remember back in Soviet times we had a full ass in the provinces with food. Having our own meat processing plant in the city, we never saw sausages. And we went to St. Petersburg by train. they brought a jar or two of Bulgarian pickled cucumbers with tomatoes for their sausage. They were small, unlike ours - 5 cucumbers in the whole jar ..

• I personally really liked Bulgaria. Famous "brands" of Bulgaria: Monument "Alyosha", Shipka, the famous Gabrovo with a museum of humor and laughter, I really liked the town of NESSEBAR (located on an island near Sunny Beach) - old small streets, peace, beauty and silence. Dancing on coals - in a restaurant (national show in Gabrovo). For lovers of "active recreation" - brandy "Slynchev Bryag" and "Pliska". And, of course, the famous resorts - Sunny Beach (Burgas) and Golden Sands (Zlaty Pyaski, Varna). And the prices will pleasantly surprise ( much cheaper than Europe.) Have a nice trip and new experiences!

• hospitality, sea, antiquity, wine and rose oil))

• "Golden Sands"

• resorts and wine

• with its resorts, golden sands, good climate and the hospitality of its people

• Such a sunny brandy

• In addition to the above, if we talk about gifts, then Bulgaria is famous for roses, they are added to various dishes, such as Turkish delight, and rose oil is also popular, which is actively used for cosmetic purposes. For example, my Bulgarian shampoo "Damascene": the smell is pleasant, and the effect will please.

• rose oil ... perfumery based on this) there is nothing more interesting in principle) in any case, I did not find it for myself)

• yeah, there's nothing special about it. rose oil if only..

• Ostrovsky, I think everyone is a famous person!

• It is named after the Bulgarian revolutionary, and there is also the Church of Peter and Paul with golden domes, well, very beautiful!!!

• Associated with summer and relaxation.)

• the name of a not unknown poet!

• Named after the famous doctor.

• In spring and autumn, impassable and impassable mud!

• Too smooth, the trucks have not rolled over for a long time ... with gingerbread)))))

• Godzilla passed by

• It has a huge shopping and entertainment center with more than 1,000 shops and cafes.)

• named on the anniversary of the 800th anniversary of Moscow, next in honor of Sofia Kovalevskaya))

• that I live on it))

• a lot of russians :)))))))))))))

• In addition to my mother, with whom I live (and sometimes travel together), there are no more relatives, so this problem is not worth it. I bring magnets and some snacks to work. A magnet is a must, even if the place runs out)))

• They asked for water from the KMV))) They secured it!

• You won’t believe me, but I don’t bring anything to anyone! As well as myself - I feel sorry for the time for shopping ... And no one is offended and no one is waiting for gifts from abroad - everyone travels by themselves.

• Plates, tea, mama spices, ceramics

• Ceramic vases, plates, coinage, canvas bags depicting places of rest.

• Mostly cups, local sweets, coffee.

• I collect figurines of piglets, respectively, I look and try to bring them from those countries, they are food. Just returned from Greece - brought 21 pieces. And relatives - also in their interests.

• I have three directions - coins, bells ... and lately - wristwatches)

• magnets are sacred - for myself and my mother (the only thing I collect is magnets from my travels))) For my husband's mother - a plate on the wall (they already have a whole wall of these plates))) Dad sometimes orders motorcycle equipment, because in Russia some things are worth unreasonably expensive. Well, everything else depends on the circumstances. I don’t carry a lot, I don’t drag rubbish))

• No magnets anywhere. Well, this is how relatives can be offended)) Plus, we also try to bring sweets. We always bring something, mostly wooden, to the "memorial wall". For example, an elephant from Thailand or the Mayan calendar from Mexico, masks of pagan gods..

• We bring various figurines, balls with snow, and various foreign sweets.

• Approximately the same as Ersh. Plus, we have friends who are collectors (someone collects bells, someone collects coins from different countries, etc.), so I'm looking for souvenirs for them based on their interests.

• We often bring magnets to ourselves. And so we usually carry few gifts. Only toys for children and something tasty (beer, wine, sweets), otherwise you can buy everything in Russia, and it’s hard for us to carry suitcases, we’re without men (((

• Mostly local delicacies, cosmetics .. and I don’t even bring magnets for myself ..

• Oh, yes, everywhere the standard set. Lace, silver, icons, ceramics. In all countries. I bring you something delicious. Olives, cheese, jamon, rose jam, coffee, tea, sweets, smoked fish, butter, and other local products. Aromatic oils, perfumes and alcohol from duty free, locally produced soaps, all kinds of cosmetics, fragrances for linen, bath products. National clothes, slippers, hats, harem pants, overalls, beads, earrings, a nose ring and a leg bracelet. And something the area is famous for. Murano glass candy, Kyiv cake, Scandinavian-patterned mittens, Tatar chak-chak, amber jewelry, Pavlovo Posad shawl, Wedgwood porcelain, ebony figurine. And my relatives bring me from all countries and cities - figurines and pictures of cats.

• it all depends on where we are going))) but since we have been going to Bulgaria for two years in a row, everything has been calculated for a long time: for whom gloves, for whom a bag, for whom cream)))

• Calendars with local landmarks, plates and mugs with local views.

• There are 16 kilometers from Zolotye to Varna, there are many different shops - a lot of everything from rose oil, pottery and embroidery are quite original. in general, I think you will definitely find something interesting))

• I was there during the Soviet era. The resort was very good - the sea, the sun, the people were friendly, the food was delicious ... You can bring national Bulgarian souvenirs - hand-woven napkins and products from this linen, leather purses 9 suitable for mobile phones), but ceramics are especially good - this is nowhere else no (you can buy whole sets, and individually cups, vases, plates, etc.). Warmly recommend!

I think that for me, as for most middle-aged people born during the Soviet era, the name of this country invariably gives rise to nostalgic associations, including the intoxicating smell familiar from childhood in a bottle of rose oil kept in my mother’s closet, wooden boxes of fruits and vegetables kindly grown on the plantations of the union state and languishing in fruit and vegetable bases, and, of course, the word “abroad” that enchants the ears of the Soviet layman, which, by the standards of that time, was valued so highly in the circles of ordinary Crimean and Sochi holidaymakers.

By the way, the first memories of this Balkan country began with a large encyclopedia book "My Bulgaria", found by a curious child on a shelf at the age of nine.

Then the history textbook told me that with the end of the landmark Soviet period in the history of Bulgaria, the times of active economic recovery had passed, perestroika and democracy had safely passed the Bulgarian community as well. The iron curtain has fallen, opening to people the boundless expanses of the globe, parallels and meridians accessible to every suffering traveler, alluring exotic resorts. Does this mean that sunny Bulgaria has sunk into oblivion and has been completely forgotten by the Russians? No. On the contrary, our compatriots seem to have been captured by a wave of nostalgia for “those” times when unpretentious resort joys made a person happy.

Five years ago, when I went to Bulgaria for the first time, I did not see the former deserted shores, only in some places I met old pensions of a socialist type, like the skeletons of an extinct mammoth, unexpectedly peeking out from under the permafrost. Modern Bulgaria is a hospitable country of the Balkan Peninsula, which attracts tourists from all over Europe with an optimal combination of service, prices and a large number of attractions.

The summer resorts of Bulgaria are considered large and small cities of the southeastern coast overlooking the Black Sea: Pomorie, Albena, Varna. But do not think that life in Bulgaria stops in winter, this small country is also proud of its winter ski resorts, such as Pamporovo. Fans of outdoor activities can easily visit the Bulgarian mountainous regions during the winter holidays, combining active holidays with peace and enjoyment of beautiful landscapes. Bulgaria also occupies the prestigious third place in the world in terms of the number of mineral springs after Japan and Iceland.

It seems to me that the main charm of Bulgarian resorts, both winter and summer, is that they are able to satisfy the needs of any vacationer: a young student adventurer, a respectable family man, an experienced savage traveler, and even a prudent pensioner. You can relax in this country at any time and on any budget, you just need to correctly calculate your financial strategy.

Visa and border crossing

Russians who are going to visit Bulgaria are primarily concerned with the question: do they need a visa to enter its territory for visiting tourists, there is an agreement at the state level on visa-free entry for Russians. The situation is heated up every now and then by discussions popping up on the Internet, containing statements from the first persons of the Bulgarian government that visas for Russians are about to be canceled. But, as they say, things are still there.

Officially, since 2007, Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union, therefore, if you are not a citizen of an EU country, you can enter Bulgaria only with a visa issued in advance (not at the border). Therefore, the answer to the sacramental question is still disappointing: the Russians will have to obtain tourist visas to Bulgaria in the same way as before. The only concession is that now you can enter the country using the Schengen, which, however, should also be taken care of in advance.

Apply for a visa yourself or through an agency

So, there are two ways for the future Bulgarian tourist: to apply for a visa on your own or to entrust this business to an intermediary - a travel agency or a travel agency. I want to make a reservation right away, I am entirely a supporter of the second option.

Before my first visit to Bulgaria, out of ignorance, I was faced with obtaining permission to visit the country on my own, which automatically added bureaucratic difficulties to me as a tourist: it turned out that documents are accepted only through the consulate and only for a few hours a day, all the necessary papers must be collected in a certain sequence, it is possible that you will have to stand in a queue for many hours, and as a result, apply the third time. Please note: if you do not book the entire tour, but plan to go “savage”, that is, rent accommodation on the spot, you will be asked to provide a certificate from the bank stating that you have at least 500 € in cash (for a short visit to the country) ) or at least 50 € for one day for one person (for trips over 30 days).

Documents for a visa to Bulgaria

When applying for a visa, Russians submit a completed application and two photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm. Since 2016, it is mandatory to take out medical insurance when traveling abroad.

Now about the price of the issue. If you apply for a visa on your own, you will need to pay a consular fee of 35 € (about 1,540 rubles) and a service fee of 836 rubles. Thus, the entire visa will cost 54 € (about 2370 rubles).

Much more optimistic is the situation with obtaining a visa through an intermediary company. You give the necessary documents, pay the required amount and ... that's it! If you find an inexpensive company, then it will cost 50 € (about 3200 rubles).
Compare both options, weigh your financial capabilities and the reserve of the nervous system and go ahead! Do not forget to take your children with you, because if they are under 6 years old, then a visa is issued free of charge! Personally, I always follow the path of least resistance, entrusting the paperwork to competent persons.

Rules for import and export in Bulgaria

The rules for the import/export of goods and currency from abroad are quite democratic: it is only necessary to declare at the border the amount over 2500 €. In my memory, tourists have never been checked, they have not verified the declared amount with what you are actually carrying. A short list of drugs, chemical weapons, ammunition and products that deplete the ozone layer is prohibited from being imported into the country. If you don't have any of these, the green corridor is open for you!

How to get there

The convenient location of Bulgaria in the south-east of Europe makes it extremely attractive for Russian tourists. Today, Muscovites and residents of St. Petersburg are offered a choice of several ways to get to the Bulgarian brothers: by plane, train or car (plus a ferry). Residents of other cities will no longer be able to directly get to Bulgaria, so their flight and train options necessarily include a transfer.

By plane

The easiest way to travel to Bulgaria is by plane. For the past three years, this is exactly how I get to my summer cottage. There are four international airports in this country:

• in the capital city of Sofia,
• in the city of the central part of Plovdiv,
• in Varna,
• in Burgas.

Therefore, regardless of the time of year and the resort, you will be able to get to your destination from the airport. Optionally, you can choose a regular flight operated by Aeroflot and Bulgaria Air, or a charter flight by Yamal and iFly. In addition, in addition to a direct flight, there is a route with a transfer in one of the European cities (in this case, the ticket price may be 30–50 € lower). There are direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Sofia, Burgas and Varna. Tourists from other cities will have to make a flight with a transfer in one of the capitals or in Moscow / St. Petersburg to get to Bulgaria.

How to save money on flights

After joining the European Union, Bulgaria has become a center of international recreation for European youth, and therefore European low-cost airlines such as WizzAir, Aer Lingus, Smart Wings, Condor and EasyJet fly there. Airfare varies greatly:

• From the time of year: during the season, the price of tickets increases greatly (from 40-50 € in May or October to 350-400 € in July-August).
• From the date of booking the ticket (again, you can save about 200–300 € by taking tickets at least six months in advance).

If you are planning a summer vacation in Bulgaria and want to stay here for the velvet season, check with the travel company in advance which city you will have to fly from, because starting from October, flights from Burgas to Moscow and due to the closing of the season stop. In any case, the flight to Bulgaria does not last long (about 2-3 hours), and therefore it is very comfortable, almost like going to the country, only by plane.

You can get acquainted with the prices and schedule of air flights to Bulgaria.

By train

Until 2014, it was possible to get to Bulgaria by train by buying a ticket for the Moscow-Sofia route that ran all year round (No. 59/60). From May to October, a wagon was attached to the train, following to Burgas.

For the first two years, it was in this eccentric way that I came to Bulgaria. I felt like a nobleman who went “to the waters”: shaking in a compartment, looking out the window, boredom, in a word. For example, it was possible to get to the summer resort of Sunny Beach in such an old-fashioned way for about 150 €, after spending three days in a compartment. After the events that took place in Ukraine, this train was canceled, so today lovers of leisurely travel by rail can only get from Russia to Bulgaria with a change in Budapest. I can’t say that this fact greatly upsets me: I am not a fan of trains, and you will agree that three days in a compartment is too specific a pleasure.

By train to Bulgaria from neighboring countries

In addition to Russia, Bulgaria has rail links with the nearest countries: Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia. Personally, I have not yet used such a means of transportation, but I have seen the offices of the Rila agency at railway ticket offices and at all major stations selling international tickets from Bulgaria. In addition, Bulgaria is a member of major European railway alliances: City Star, InterRail, Balkan Flexipass, Rail Plus, within which you can buy a ticket and travel around Europe within the framework of uniform tariffs at a discount. The programs can be found on the website of the Bulgarian Railways.

By bus

Until 2014, a comfortable bus "Moscow - Burgas" ran from Moscow (from the Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station) throughout the year, the ticket price was 124 € one way and 198 € and 218 € round trip (up to 30 days and more 30 days of stay, respectively). However, I clarified that today, due to the situation in Ukraine, the route has been canceled for an indefinite period. I confess that in this way I would not have dared to go to Bulgaria: a long road, still seasick, what good. And yes, there is virtually no savings.

It is more difficult to get from St. Petersburg by bus: due to the distance (about 56 hours), there is no regular route, this service is offered only by tour operators who make organized trips to Bulgaria.

Bus service in Bulgaria itself is developed at a fairly high level. In addition to Romania, the bus will take you to any of the nearby countries: Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, as well as to more distant European countries - Hungary, Albania, Austria, Germany and France. Each city has a bus station where you can buy a ticket, the price of which varies from 20 to 150 €, depending on the direction and distance.

By car

Car tourism is popular among families traveling, so Bulgaria can be reached by car, the distance from Sofia to Moscow is 2360 km. Sofia is separated from Istanbul by 563 km, from Bucharest - 379 km, from Belgrade - 387 km, and from the Greek Thessaloniki this distance will be 318 km. Getting to Bulgaria through Romania, do not forget to apply for a transit visa through this country. If you want to avoid this, you should use the ferry from Ilyichevsk to Varna, which I will write about below.

In addition, if you want to travel while in Bulgaria, this can be done, since the country has the following automobile border crossings with neighboring countries: Turkey, Romania, Macedonia, Yugoslavia.

In recent years, due to the political situation in some neighboring countries, the details of your car trip should be planned in advance, going around the territory of Ukraine. It is possible, for example, to travel through Belarus, Poland and Romania:

• approximate travel time will be 36 hours (2800 kilometers);
• the journey begins from the A107 highway (on and);
• further details (gasoline costs, border crossing, communication with customs officers) for lack of my own experience, I recommend reading in the reports of amateur motorists that can be found on the Internet.

By ferry

For Russians who want to get to Bulgaria by water, the Varna-Ilyichevsk ferry line operates, transporting those who wish every week, the cost of a one-way ticket includes accommodation in a cabin with three meals a day and is about $ 70. For more information on timetables and ferry prices, please visit the website of the regular ferry company.

There are large ferry crossings across the Danube with Romania. The most popular among tourists is the bridge connecting the Bulgarian city of Vidin and the Romanian Calafat.

The ticket price is 3 €, and if the car is transported, then the cost is already 23 €. In addition, a port tax of 2€ is paid separately. This method of arrival is suitable, in my opinion, for motorists who travel the distance to Bulgaria by private transport.

Tourist regions

Bulgaria is a country with a rich history. Almost every city has attractions and highlights of various kinds (see the chapter "Top attractions"), looking at which you can combine active, useful, and passive, relaxing types of recreation.

Conventionally, I would divide the space of the country into three regions:

You can navigate the prices for tours to the winter and summer regions of Bulgaria by.

As a fan of independent travel, I book hotels on, and check if there are better offers anywhere. You can find out about private offers for renting apartments and apartments.

Top cities

Top attractions

Bulgaria has an ancient history, so there is something to see here. It all depends on your preferences. I will try to divide the top attractions in Bulgaria into large blocks, which is called “by interests”.

Ruin

Despite the ironic word, these are my favorite sights! Wandering around the places where cities and settlements were thousands of years ago is such a pleasure! But not for everyone.

So, there were many ancient cities on the territory of Bulgaria, I suggest to feel the spirit of antiquity in the following places:

natural attractions

What is created by nature is often amazing. Picturesque valleys, dense forests, stone sculptures, winding caves, centuries-old sand dunes - all these natural monuments have retained their unique appearance, which is definitely worth seeing:

Cities of Russian military glory

The military history of Bulgaria is closely connected with Russia. I am glad to think that the Russians more than once helped the Slavic brothers cope with the invaders. The pages of Bulgarian textbooks tell about the valiant warriors who set foot on this land.

Religion

Bulgaria, like Russia, professes Orthodoxy, on its territory you can see many churches and monasteries worthy of attention. I was surprised that the attitude towards religion among the locals is still rather formal: they let you into the temple without a headscarf, they allow you not to bother with your appearance. The subtext seems to be: "Religion is in decline, so come on in, at least someone." It is sad to see that in the half-empty churches and monasteries the only visitors are Russian tourists who have come here on purpose. Nevertheless, religious architectural monuments look quite dignified.

Summarizing

In addition to iconic, well-known sights, Bulgaria has tens of hundreds of other equally interesting places. Museums, churches, lakes, seaside parks, caves - no matter where you travel, you will certainly find something interesting for yourself.

Weather

The climate in Bulgaria varies from temperate continental (close to central Russia) to Mediterranean. Because of this, as a rule, Russians in Bulgaria do not have serious acclimatization.

In general, the ratio of the seasons in the country is familiar to us.
The summer tourist season opens in April and lasts until September. But the most comfortable for sunbathing and swimming are June, July, August and September. The air temperature at this time averages +27–30 °C, and the water temperature is kept at +24–26 °C.

It should be remembered that the weather in June and September is still changeable: sunny hot and rainy cloudy days alternate. But there are still a lot of tourists at this time.

Fans of winter holidays in Bulgaria are expected from December to April.
In addition, a number of hotels in the country provide year-round recreation and an indoor heated pool with sea water. There are two truly off-season months in Bulgaria: October and November. For summer holidays, it is already cool at this time, but for winter, on the contrary, it is too early. The average temperature for months in Bulgaria can be viewed on the Internet.

Moving around the country

Bulgaria is a small country, but with a developed infrastructure. Roads, railway lines, sea routes - once strong ties with the countries of the socialist camp made it possible to build everything necessary for comfortable movement.

The main modes of transportation are bus, car and train.

Bus

In my opinion, one of the most comfortable ways to travel around the country is the bus. There is a central bus station (avtogara in Bulgarian) in every city. One of the major carriers in this direction is the M-bus company, which operates flights to all parts of the country, as well as beyond its borders, you can familiarize yourself with the schedule and directions of the company.

Due to the small size of the country, traveling by bus is convenient and allows you to see passing cities from the window. By the way, this is also the most popular type of transport in the country: it accounts for about a third of all transportation.

Automobile

Independent tourists can rent cars (from €25 per day and more) and travel around the country in just a couple of days. Again, the compact size of Bulgaria allows you to roll into a neighboring state in one day, and return home in the evening.

There are a lot of companies offering car rental, just go to a search engine on the Internet, compare prices and choose the best option. For example, you can see the cost of car rental.

Train

For lovers of rails and sleepers, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the detailed routes of communication in Bulgaria, choose the appropriate route, check the schedule on the Bulgarian Railways website and enjoy the journey! The only disadvantage of such a movement can be considered only the possible insufficient comfort of trains left over from socialist times.

And everything else is extremely convenient!

Underground

Tourists vacationing in Sofia should appreciate the metropolitan metro.

Of course, it cannot be compared with Moscow, but it is quite possible to ride along the only branch connecting the city center with its western part.

Liner

Lovers of leisurely cruises should appreciate sea transportation. It will be possible to travel within the country only on small motor ships, and the company Ukrferry, already mentioned in the chapter “How to get there”, which offers ferry flights from Russia, Ukraine and Romania, will help to go on a large liner to a neighboring country.

Connection

There are no problems with communication in large cities and famous resorts: all public places, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, city squares and even taxi salons have free Wi-Fi. Just find out the password (if any) and connect to the network. The quality of the Internet is average, there are no high speeds, but it is quite possible to view mail and viber. On the territory of hotels, the Internet is usually better, there is a more powerful router, so, most likely, it will even be possible to make a Skype call with the house.

If you want to communicate with Russia, be sure to get a local SIM card. Perhaps one of the largest mobile operators is Vivacom. According to the latest information I received from a representative of this company in the office, the most advantageous package is 5€ or 10 lev (let me remind you that this is approximately 400 rubles), which includes a SIM card with a Bulgarian number, 25 minutes of conversation with Russia and 1 GB of internet. With further replenishment of the account, a minute of conversation with the motherland will cost 0.4 €, or 30 stotinki (about 14 rubles). SMS is not included in this tariff.

Language and communication

Bulgaria is a South Slavic country, so the official language of the country is Bulgarian, which is somewhat close to Russian. The same Cyrillic letters, the same pronunciation with slight nuances (for example, the Bulgarian letter Ш is read as [ШТ]). At the very least, there should not be a sharp language barrier, in which, in principle, to understand what the interlocutor is talking about upon arrival in the country should not be.

In addition, in large resorts, hosting guests from all over Europe, Bulgarians have learned to speak all languages, including English, so if you can’t find a common language in Russian, feel free to switch to English, then everything will be clear.

However, it is probably worth remembering a few phrases in Bulgarian, because everyone is pleased when you respect the native language of the place where you have arrived. So, an impromptu Bulgarian mini-phrasebook for all occasions:

• Saying hello or goodbye to the locals is very simple: just say "hello!" and "chao!".
• Ask about the price of the desired Kolko Struva product?
• You can admit to the absence of something with the very sweet word “nyama”, in particular, in the absence of money, lower your eyes sadly, spread your arms and say “nyama bet”. If at the same time you take a deep breath, you may be fed a bun - the Bulgarians are sympathetic and kind people.
• By the way, agreement and disagreement with the interlocutor is expressed by the usual words “yes” and “no”.
• After dinner at a restaurant, ask for the bill by saying "Smetkata, pray."
• Do you want to be polite? Give thanks for everything, even for the most insignificant service, with the words “thanks” or “merci”.
• If it comes to getting to know the locals, you can find out about the name of the interlocutor like this: “How are you?” For an even closer acquaintance, use the phrases “Genen si ste?” (Are you married?) and “Is she married?” (Are you married?).
• When looking for the place you need (post office, stop, museum), you can clarify “where is it ...?” For example, when searching for a stop, ask the question “Where is the spirit?”
• If you need to ask about the availability of something, ask: “Do you…?”
• Approving what you are shown / told, say “Hareswa mi” (I like it), but if something does not suit you, tell the interlocutor “Ne mi haresva” (I do not like it).
• At the end of my mini-phrasebook, I want to remind you that Bulgarians are very optimistic, they do not like to lose heart, therefore, with the most common phrase in the Bulgarian language, “everything is good” (everything is fine), you will cheer yourself up and your interlocutor.

As for communication, there are no differences from the Russian-speaking conversation, with the exception of one, but very significant: affirmation and denial are directly opposite to what we are used to. It is customary for Bulgarians to nod if they want to say “no”, and shake their head from side to side if they want to say “yes”. When I first went to Bulgaria, I thought it was a joke. But after talking with the locals, I was convinced that this is the way it is. Believe me, the cheerful nod of the interlocutor in response to the question "Is there a toilet here?" will confuse you, because it means that it is not there!

The situation has become even more complicated in recent years, when, due to the many tourists, the real Bulgarian customs and mentality have slightly shifted towards European standards. Therefore, in response to the nodding and shaking the head of the Bulgarian interlocutor, it is better to ask again: “Is there a toilet?”, “Is there a bank here?”. Let him speak with words.
And the last advice: it is better to address questions to Bulgarians over 40-50 years old: the generation of people who were born in socialist Bulgaria studied Russian at school without fail. Therefore, it is usually easier to negotiate with them somehow.

Features of the mentality

Originally Bulgarians are simple-hearted and kind people. Predominantly rural life made them conscientious and sympathetic workers, and living in warm latitudes added slowness and slowness to nature. True, the low level of development of the economic situation in the country and the annual abundance of tourists made the Bulgarians more prudent and mercenary. It is sad to see how in a place filled with tourists at every turn they offer taxi services, electricians, plumbers, workers. Seeing that you are a tourist and need something, they will immediately name the price for which they will agree to help, although they could do something for free without being at a loss.

Egregious in this sense for me was the case of visiting the shopping and entertainment center "Burgas Mall Gallery", located about 40 km. from the popular summer resort "Sunny Beach". Having missed the free bus that goes back and forth once a day, we were left without a ticket and asked the driver of such a bus to take us with him so that we could at least get back safely. And the driver of the free bus, who had several (!) empty seats in the cabin, looked at our frankly naive tourist faces, said: “OK, but it will cost 5 lev,” and then looked around again and added: “This is from one person. From two it will be 10 lev. Well, what can I say? Just imagine that in Moscow you pay the driver of a free bus to let you sit down and drive to Auchan! At that moment, I remembered the hero of the Gaidai film, saying the catchphrase: “Three hundred and thirty. To each!"

I repeat once again, in their hearts the Bulgarians are very responsive, they were simply spoiled by the thirst for easy money and a large number of tourists who are ready to pay for everything. And another feature that I don’t like about Bulgarians is optionality. Of course, not everyone. But delays in everything are the norm for them. A bus late for half an hour, a taxi that didn’t come to pick you up on time, the forgetfulness of a plumber promising to fix a tap – these little things sometimes make up a not very attractive portrait. But, again, this is not universal. I personally communicated with local residents, who were distinguished by both conscientiousness and punctuality. So that's where it gets lucky.

Food and drink

In my opinion, traditional Bulgarian cuisine is a kind of hybrid of Russian and Mediterranean.

Food

The all-Slavic love for potatoes, side dishes, first courses is also present in Bulgarian cuisine. So soup lovers will like both hot Bulgarian stews in meat broth and a cold version of Russian okroshka - tarator (soup of kefir and cucumbers with herbs).

Hot dishes are traditional Russian potatoes, rice, beans served with meat or fish. Bulgarian cuisine is quite spicy and contains mainly grilled dishes, so if you are on a diet, choose stews from the menu. For example, when you see the inscription “strangle the greens” on the menu, do not rush to get scared, these are just stewed vegetables, which means that not a single carrot was seriously injured in the preparation of this dish. By the way, the locals are very fond of grilled bell peppers seasoned with cheese - worth a try!

The Mediterranean flavor of Bulgarian cuisine is due to the presence of a large number of fish and dishes from it, olive oil, vegetable salads. The classic Bulgarian version of the appetizer is Shopski salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, onions, butter). A special feature of Bulgarian cuisine is brynza (siren).

It is made from all types of milk (cow, sheep, goat and even buffalo) and absolutely all dishes are seasoned with it. Brynza differs from the traditional yellow cheese in our understanding - kashkavala. If the menu says the word "sirené", be prepared, the dish will be with cheese. You can relate to this in different ways. I know both ardent lovers and people who are indifferent and even hate cheese. But remember, cheese is the pride of Bulgarian cuisine, so be prepared to eat it to the last crumb on your plate. Once I asked not to add feta cheese to the Greek salad (because Bulgarians put feta cheese there instead of feta cheese), so the waiter was seriously offended by me.

Everyone who comes to Bulgaria joins not only wonderful cheese, but also unusually tasty tomatoes. In Bulgaria, the so-called "pink" tomatoes grow well.

In appearance, they are not so attractive, they may seem green, unripe, but their taste is divine! Juicy, sweet, fragrant - you should definitely try them!

Almost all kinds of fruits and berries we love are grown in Bulgaria. In July you will find the season of sweet raspberries, pears and apricots (caisia), in August you will taste ripe grapes, melons, peaches. Figs and kiwis also flourish in these latitudes. But what you should not try in Bulgaria is typical northern berries: blueberries, blueberries, blackberries. I was surprised to find that most Bulgarians do not know what cranberries are. Therefore, if you see them on the counter, then these will be imported berries sold at exorbitant prices. Quite exotic fruits, such as pitahaya, pomelo, grapefruits, pineapples, bananas, coconuts do not grow in Bulgaria, the climate is not the same, but in large supermarkets you will certainly find fruit foreigners brought from abroad.

The drinks

As for drinks, Bulgaria is famous for its winemaking, it is a country of huge vineyards, locals distinguish wines from different regions by richness of taste and aroma. True, most of them are dry and dry, so some seem sour. Lovers of sweet dessert drinks should not despair, you can find a variety of liqueur wine by looking at the cherished inscription semi-sweet on the bottle, which means semi-sweet. The sweetest thing I tried in Bulgaria was Cahors. Also a good option for those who are sick of the sour grape flavor.

Stronger lovers should definitely try Bulgarian vodka - rakia.

In Bulgaria, it is insisted on plums, apples, apricots and grapes. In addition to a strong degree, it has a pleasant fruity taste. Bulgarian varieties of cognac have also been known since Soviet times - brandy "Pliska" and "Sunny Beach".

These drinks have been made for almost half a century and are distinguished by the same quality of taste. I recommend trying them too.

Especially for non-drinkers, I can advise my own option: add brandy to strong black tea. Trust me, it's very relaxing.

Summarizing

In general, food and drinks in Bulgaria are in large quantities and for every taste. You just have to understand that having become a popular country and having European-class resorts, Bulgaria, in addition to the traditional one, diversifies its table with pan-European dishes: on any menu you will find sandwiches, pizza, french fries, spaghetti. Of course, this is just a tribute to the pan-European brotherhood, which Bulgaria was lucky enough to enter almost ten years ago. And for tourists, this is also a fallback option: didn’t you like cheese or lamb? You can eat it with Quattro Formaggi pizza and wash it down with cola!

5 dishes worth trying

The hit parade of Bulgarian yummy from me looks like this:

What you need to know about shopping in this country

As in any large country, goods in Bulgaria are divided into three main categories:

• Expensive, branded items (most often, clothes and interior items imported from Italy). It is difficult to say that the prices are clearly favorable, but if you wish, you can find products at the price of Italian outlets (for example, in one of the stores in Burgas, I saw cute leather belts from the Italian brand Cocinelli for 40-50 euros)
• National goods are usually produced in Bulgaria or Turkey. They have an average price segment, optimal quality.
• Cheap Chinese goods: toys, beach accessories. As a rule, they are inexpensive, they also serve for a short time, one season at best.

My advice is this: for clothes and cosmetics, it is better to go to the mall. But look for food and alcohol in large supermarkets. Of course, Bulgarian shopping cannot be compared with Italian (connoisseurs and lovers of Italy will understand me), but, you see, it is always pleasant to buy European-quality items with a decent discount of 50 or even 70%.

The best cities for shopping

In my opinion, the main thing to know about cities for shopping in
Bulgaria, is the principle to choose "Cities" with a capital letter. In the sense that small towns and resort villages are very rarely suitable for shopping. Everything that is worth bringing from Bulgaria, in my opinion, is produced at large plants and factories, which means that it is delivered first of all to large stores and supermarkets, and only then it is brought to small shops and shops. Therefore, buying the same thing, overpaying double or even triple the price is simply ridiculous. The best cities where you can profit from interesting and inexpensive souvenirs are, in my opinion, Sofia and:

What to bring from this country

Despite the relatively small territory of the country, the closeness to the Slavic mentality and a rather modest level of economic development, you can bring a lot of pleasant, fragrant, tasty and even intoxicating things from hospitable Bulgaria:

Nuances

When choosing gifts, remember: the maximum allowable weight of luggage and hand luggage at the airport is 23 and 10 kilograms, respectively. From personal experience I can say that you can take 3-4 bottles of alcohol calmly.

And, of course, in any large store you will be issued a tax-free return. This is usually indicated by signs at the entrance. A trifle, but nice. You can get a tax-free refund at Burgas Airport, at the tourist information point (near entrance No. 2).

Vacation with children

The temperate mild climate of Bulgaria is very comfortable for both adults and children to stay in this country. When choosing a resort, you can take into account the health of the child in order to choose the best option for relaxation.

Suitable resorts

The resorts of the northeast and southeast of the country, known since Soviet times, are ideal for relaxing with the whole family:

In these cities, to this day, there are many children's health camps, boarding houses, campsites. In addition, almost every major hotel (4 stars and more) has an animator hired to organize an entertainment program for visiting young tourists.

Advantages

There are many advantages of holidays with children in Bulgaria:

• Comfortable two-hour flight. Even if you are flying with small children, this travel time is acceptable.
• The temperate climate ensures that the warm season and the high season in Bulgaria coincide with the summer months, when most children have holidays. Most likely, there will be no severe acclimatization in this country. It is better to relax in Bulgaria with children in July - August. The air temperature at this time of the year reaches +29–34 °C, water temperature +24–26 °C. Starting from August 20, the weather begins to change: more cloudy days appear, rains begin.
• In most of these cities, sandy comfortable beaches are provided with both umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as free areas for vacationers. In addition, every 50–100 meters there are booths of rescuers on duty. There are few wild beaches in these places, so the rest will be as safe as possible.
• Warm gentle sea. There are no sharp cliffs, rocky bottom and dangerous whirlpools on Bulgarian beaches. Entry into the water is extremely convenient for those who are just learning to swim. The sea is clean, jellyfish and algae come only during high tides (about a couple of days a month).
• Healthy organic food. Most Bulgarian fruits, vegetables, meats and cereals can be safely eaten by children, as they are grown in a clean, non-industrial region.
• Bulgarian summer resorts meet modern safety requirements, hotels are equipped with year-round security and round-the-clock duty.
• No language barrier: employees of the vast majority of hotels speak good Russian, so they can always help, and in extreme cases they will call someone who does it perfectly (such people are always somewhere nearby), and then the problem will be 100% solved.
• And finally, entertainment. In an effort to attract tourists, Bulgaria has gone to great lengths for all sorts of swings and carousels. There will definitely be a place to go with a child: little robbers will like a pirate water park with steep slides, active kids will be able to jump on a trampoline, take pictures with their favorite cartoon characters, curious explorers will be able to travel with their parents on a jeep safari, and little fashionistas will have a photo shoot in beautiful dresses. So there can be only one advice to parents: prepare your wallet, because there are a lot of temptations on the coast, and they are located so temptingly that no one can resist them.

disadvantages

I can name only one of them: it is possible to catch the so-called rotovirus infection. It is quite difficult, especially in children, so I recommend taking medicines for this disease with you in the first-aid kit.

Security

Bulgaria is a fairly safe country. The order and observance of laws on the streets of cities and resorts is ensured by the police: gendarmes in uniform ply public places from time to time, so you don’t have to fear for your life, I would not call this country a criminal one.

The only trouble that tourists who come to Bulgaria may encounter is a meeting with the so-called ethnic gypsies. This is a special social stratum in Bulgaria, living by its own rules.

For the most part, they do not work and make a living by begging for money from everyone they come across. In such a situation, it is better to simply ignore the beggars (they can be both children and adult women and disabled men) and move on without paying any attention to them. The gypsies themselves understand the powerlessness of their position in society, so they will definitely not bother you much.

As for thefts at resorts, several times I heard from other tourists about cases of theft of valuables and money on the beaches. Pah-pah, but I personally have never come across this, although I often go swimming, leaving things unattended. True, I don’t take money, documents and expensive electronics there, which I advise you to do.

Popular types of scams

I have not seen very sophisticated methods of fraud in Bulgaria. Rather, small tricks that use the inattention and gullibility of tourists, for example:

5 things you definitely shouldn't do

I can’t name cardinal prohibitions, but things that I definitely don’t recommend doing are as follows:

5 things to do in this country

I hope that with my article I convinced you that holidays in Bulgaria are useful, interesting, tasty and, moreover, not very expensive. Once again I will repeat the idea said in the introduction: regardless of age, marital status, taste and cultural preferences, you will be fine in Bulgaria. It is comfortable, because much here is like in Russia (and something even like in the USSR), but still, this is already the European Union. Holidays in Bulgaria will definitely not be in vain if you manage to do five extremely important things:

Summarizing

In conclusion, I would like to say: while relaxing in Bulgaria, do everything that your soul asks for. Even if it is highly immoral, local authorities are humane towards tourists, on whom the country's economy depends. At best, no one will pay attention to this, and at worst, they will give you a warning and let you go in peace. This is how the modern resident of the Balkan Peninsula Bulgaria lives: with one foot in the glorious past with a historical heritage and rich traditions, and the other so eager to get into modern Europe with a decent level of economy, service and tourism.

Nearby countries

Now a little more about where you can go from Bulgaria.

Balkan Brotherhood

I call this collection of countries the "Balkan brotherhood": ancient history, arid hot climate, historically developed passion for agriculture. Even the attitude to life among these peoples is somewhat similar: slowness, slowness in business, a completely different sense of the passage of time. But at the same time, remember the films of the real Balkan - Yugoslav Emir Kusturica (whoever has not seen, I highly recommend for acquaintance, for example, his film "Black Cat, White Cat")! This is a real ball of incredible events, fireworks of emotions and a fountain of passion! And all this in an ordinary village among silent sunflowers under the blue cloudless sky of the Balkans!

Where to go

Resting in Bulgaria, I always find time to get out to one of the neighboring countries: sometimes joining an organized excursion group, and sometimes on my own going on an exciting trip to one of the Balkan neighbors. If you are going to visit, do not forget to apply for a double-entry visa (or multi-visa) in advance, so that at the end of the trip you will be allowed back into the country. So, where exactly should you get from Bulgaria:

1. . Seeing the ancient ruins of the old city with your own eyes, admiring the architectural monuments and feeding the black swans in the Herastrau National Park with bread - all this, or the city of joy, as the Romanians themselves call it.
   But the most popular attraction in this extremely poor country is Bran Castle, located 30 kilometers from the city of Brasov. Remember the chilling story of the vampire Dracula? So, according to legend, it was in this castle that a demonic creature lived, hunting people at night.
   The cost of a two-day trip to Romania will cost tourists 100 € (200 lev). By the way, due to the distance of the road and the high fees for entrance tickets to museums, this is the most expensive excursion program offered in Bulgaria.
2. . Among tourists living in Bulgarian Sofia, the option of spending a weekend in fraternal Serbia is extremely popular. Only 12 € (24 leva), four hours of travel, and you are in a quiet city or Pirot (depending on where you decide to go). Admire ancient fortresses, wander through the native streets of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, and when you get hungry, appreciate the quality and low prices of Serbian food.
   The cuisine is similar to Bulgarian: mostly grilled fish and meat with vegetables. Unpretentious and very tasty! Another plus: Russians do not need a visa to stay in this country. Unmarried women should remember that the demographic situation in Serbia is extremely favorable for dating a serious continuation: according to statistics, there are more men than women, and they all yearn to find family happiness. They love and appreciate Russian girls, by the way. And just as Orthodox as we are.
3. . “I have never been to the Bosphorus,” wrote Sergei Yesenin, and the Russians have a great opportunity to visit Istanbul, one of the most beautiful cities in this Muslim neighbor Bulgaria. Resting in the southeastern part of the country, be sure to take the time to go here: the road will take only five to six hours, and there will be a lot of impressions. I still remember this magical city spread out on the Bosphorus!
   Soaring mosques, the cry of a muezzin flying over the waves, delicious dondurma ice cream - I have never seen such a fabulous oriental city anywhere else! A bus ticket here will cost about 80 € (160 lev), and a trip organized by the agency for two days will come out about twice as expensive. In the light of recent political events, travel to Turkey is temporarily closed to Russians, but I really hope that the situation will be resolved in the near future, because it is very, very sad to lose the opportunity to see a beautiful city that stands at the turn of two countries of the world, Europe and Asia.
4. . The main places of tourist voyages to Greece from Bulgaria are a city in the northern mainland of the country, the noisy port of Kavala, from where you can take a ferry to the green island of Thassos, lost in the Aegean Sea.
   You can get to this wonderful country both from the capital Sofia and from the southeast coast. All you need is to check the train schedule of the Bulgarian railways and... set off towards ancient Hellas! A ticket for a comfortable train will cost from 10 € (from the coast) to 15 € (from Sofia). Monitoring hotels in Kavala, I deduced the average price per night, it is about 72 € (5000 rubles). Choosing an organized trip to Greece, which, in my opinion, is more economical, be prepared to pay an average of 105 € (210 lev) for a two-day stay. Do not forget to take care of the Schengen visa in advance, as it is an EU country.

Summarizing

Although a trip to a neighboring country is often quite an expensive expense item, I advise you to spare no expense and go to at least one place. These are such vivid impressions! It's like several small trips inside one!

Money

Despite joining the European Union, Bulgaria, in addition to the universal euro, retained its own national currency. She is considered the Bulgarian lev (BGN or lv. in the designation).

The standard exchange rate of the Bulgarian lev to the euro is 1.95. This means that 100 € is worth 195 BGN. The ratio of the lev to the euro is thus, relatively speaking, 2:1.

The exchange rate of the lev to rubles is approximately 0.256–0.268, depending on the season and the resort where you change. This means that for 1000 rubles you will be given 25.6 or 26.8 leva, or 1 lev is a little less than 40 rubles.

To mentally translate Bulgarian prices into euros, you just need to divide the price by two, and to get the same amount in rubles, multiply by 40. This method helps a lot, because psychologically, seeing prices of 2.3, 4 leva, people think that everything is cheap , but multiplying and comparing this with prices in the homeland, as a rule, they stop rejoicing.

Where to exchange money in Bulgaria

You can exchange money in Bulgaria:

In such places, not only rubles and euros are exchanged, but also all major European currencies, in some points you can buy Israeli shekels.

However, tourist popularity, as well as the thirst for simple economic profits, have led to the fact that in the summer, during the so-called "high season" (July - August), the real exchange rate of the lev ranges from 1.90 to 1.95. This means that in a well-known resort you will be offered to change 100 euros for 190 leva, and in a large city (especially if it is unpopular among tourists) for 195. Banks offer an average optimal option: from 1.92 to 1.94 depending on the location .

Card settlement

All major stores and restaurants accept both cash and international cards Visa, Maestro, Mastercard for payment. In this case, there will be no large commissions and double overpayments, the price will remain the same based on the rate of 40 rubles for 1 lev. In some stores, in the absence of Bulgarian leva, they are ready to accept the euro out of the kindness of their hearts. But as far as I have seen, the Bulgarian brothers do not accept rubles anywhere.

Therefore, advice with currency for tourists can only be this: if you are traveling to Bulgaria for the first time, especially to a large resort, and you don’t have Bulgarian leva in stock, prepare in advance small banknotes with a face value of 5, 10, 20 €, then when exchanging in the first one that comes across point way (believe me, this is unlikely to be a profitable course) your losses will be minimal. When you reach your destination, find the bank with the best rate and change the principal amount there. And you will be happy!

Prices in Bulgaria

Finally, I would like to say how the current crisis has affected prices in Bulgaria. A few years ago, before the fall of some currencies, the ratio of the lev to the ruble was different: 1 lev cost about 20 rubles. In this scenario, the vast majority of prices for goods and services seemed cheap. So it was. Let's say a bottle of good champagne for 1 €, or 2.5 leva according to our money, cost only 50 rubles! It was the time of cheap alcohol, fruits, cheeses, clothes, services, etc.

However, after the fall of the ruble and other upheavals in the European economy, prices rose noticeably. And today, most products and services are not cheaper, if not more expensive than we are used to. Smoking lovers will obviously not like the fact that a pack of cigarettes, which in Moscow costs 2 €, or 150 rubles, in Bulgaria will cost you about 5.7 €, or 400 rubles. Alas, the days of super cheap prices are over, but perhaps the situation will change, and we will again rush to the Bulgarian brothers for the warm sea and cheap products.

The Bulgarian fairy tale says that when God is in a good mood, he paints the world with three colors - yellow, blue and green. Undoubtedly, the country of Bulgaria is one of the masterpieces of the Almighty, here there is an abundance of all three colors. Blue sea and cloudless sky, endless yellow sandy beaches. And how much greenery in Bulgaria!

Another Bulgarian fairy tale tells that when God distributed natural treasures to people, the Bulgarians came last. They were very busy, because they worked hard, and they got nothing. (You can also add that the Bulgarians are very slow by nature.) God praised the Bulgarians for their diligence and gave them a little bit of everything from paradise.

Beautiful stories that are very similar to the truth. Bulgaria is a true paradise on our planet!

Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula and borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, and Greece and Turkey to the south. But historians say that Bulgaria is the only country in the world that borders itself on all sides. The country lost a lot of its lands as a result of the aggressive wars of its neighbors. This fact only confirms the idea that Bulgaria is a real paradise on Earth, which many dreamed of owning, as well as the fact that the Bulgarians are peaceful and good-natured people.

Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe where such a variety of natural landscapes can be found. About 30% of the country's territory is occupied by plains, also 30% falls on mountain ranges, and the rest is foothills. The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), Rhodope, Rila and Pirin create Bulgaria's reputation as a real mountain power.

Even if there is a completely flat landscape outside the car window, then there are mountain peaks on the horizon. The highest point in Bulgaria is Mount Musala, the height of the mountain is 2925 meters above sea level.

There are many rivers in Bulgaria, but they are all small and shallow (we do not take into account the spring period, when they can turn into giant streams and sweep away everything in their path.) Many rivers have reservoirs. The only navigable river that flows along the northern border of Bulgaria is the Danube. Mountain rivers are surrounded by canyons, some of them are equipped with ecological paths with bridges and stairs for tourists. There are hundreds of waterfalls in Bulgaria, the highest of which falls from a height of 124.5 meters.

260 lakes in Bulgaria, one more beautiful than the other.

Bulgaria is famous for its variety of summer and winter resorts. Holidays in this hospitable country attract tourists from all over Europe.

Bulgaria has magnificent sandy beaches; for cleanliness, they are awarded the famous "blue flag" from year to year. Healthy temperature conditions, low salinity of the water in the Black Sea, the absence of dangerous representatives of flora and fauna make the Bulgarian coast one of the most attractive places for recreation and permanent residence.

In winter, ski lovers are invited to the comfortable slopes of well-equipped resorts.

In modern Bulgaria, there are many cities that, in terms of comfort and service, can compete with the leading resorts in Europe. One of these places is the town and the largest yacht port on the Black Sea, Marina Dinevi.

In the mountainous regions of Bulgaria there are many healing and mineral springs. At the moment, there are officially 110 different resorts in the country. A network of 3 national parks, 10 natural parks and 97 nature reserves has been created. Bulgaria has 260 lakes and a huge number of small rivers. It is impossible to describe the air of Bulgaria, they need to breathe in order to understand how clean and fresh it can be!

Who in the world has not heard about the famous Bulgarian roses? There are few of these. But few people know about the fact that thousands of white swans hibernate on the coast of Bulgaria in winter! Swans from northern European countries and ... pensioners fly to Bulgaria for the winter.

For lovers of cultural values, Bulgaria offers to see a huge number of monuments. Of the 911 monuments of culture and natural phenomena under the protection of UNESCO, nine are located on the territory of Bulgaria.

The largest city in Bulgaria is the capital Sofia with a population of about 1,400,000. The second largest is Plovdiv, with a population of about 350,000. The third place went to the seaside capital Varna, the number of inhabitants of Varna is approaching 350,000. The fourth place is Burgas with a population of 305,000 people.

The numbers make Muscovites smile. In general, not many people live in Bulgaria. Deer and bears often live in huge reserves on a considerable territory. In Bulgaria, they try not to build residential buildings higher than 5 floors - they save on elevators, and there are enough territories for building in this country. That, probably, is good for Bulgaria - the whole power of civilization has not yet reached here. Small quiet cities, and a quiet quiet life in them.

But the most important wealth of the country is the Bulgarians themselves, amazingly cheerful and hospitable people. The country of Bulgaria is considered one of the poorest in the European Union, but this is fully compensated by the generosity of the Bulgarian soul and low prices for absolutely everything.

Bulgaria surprisingly carefully preserves its rich national traditions. On holidays, the streets and squares sound good and everyone from young to old dances! In Bulgaria, ancient monuments are at every step, they harmoniously coexist with modern resorts and hotels. Folk music sounds in restaurants, tourists who come to rest enthusiastically learn how to dance horo and go to the village to watch dancing on coals.