Expatriates Forums in Bulgaria

Tour Bulgaria and its Neighbors On Line (Video + Stills)

IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer — Thu May 28, 2009 6:42 pm

Author: IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 6:42 pm

My recent film “Draculas Neighborhood” presents Balkan highlights from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia.

It includes dictator Ceausescu’s massive palace, fortified churches and the legend of Dracula, Bulgarian Orthodox Church artistic splendor, a Thracian tomb, folk dancing, Belgrade’s citadel, the destruction of Yugoslavia by Milosevic, Sarajevo’s recovery from civil war, and its splendid old town, Mostar’s landmark bridge, the walled city of Dubrovnik, Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, the Postojna Cave, and scenic Lake Bled.

Bulgaria follows Romania, preceding the former Yugoslavia.

“Draculas Neighborhood” can be seen on the web, if you a high speed internet connection. This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.

My video site is:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Video.html

The still photo gallery of all six Balkan countries can be viewed with any modem at:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Page30.html

There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line covering all seven continents. Visit Italy, England, China, Antarctica, Peru, Hawaii, South East Asia, Russia, Mayan Pyramids, American National Parks, Greece, or Turkey; see buffalo, penguins, or polar bears.

The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures at:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/

The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer

BULGARIA TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria Info — Wed May 16, 2007 10:08 am

Author: Bulgaria Info

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:08 am

BULGARIA TOURISM GUIDE

SOFIA & WEST BULGARIA

Sofia

Dating back to the fourth century BC, the ancient capital of Sofia has a wealth of different architectural styles including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Turkish. The city boasts many theatres and museums (including those of archaeology and ethnography), opera houses and art galleries (including the National Art Gallery housed in the former Royal Palace), as well as universities, open-air markets, parks (over 300 of them, including the Borisova Park) and sports stadiums. Visitors should see the extraordinary Alexander Nevski Memorial Church (which dominates the city with its gold-leaf dome), built to celebrate Bulgaria’s liberation from the Turks in the Russo-Turkish war at the end of the last century. The crypt hosts an exhibition of beautiful icons and the choir is excellent and well worth hearing. Other churches in Sofia include St Sophia, which is Byzantine and dates from the sixth century; Rotunda of St George, which dates back to the fifth century and contains 14th-century frescoes; St Petka Samardziiska, which is 14th century, and St Nedelya. There is an archaeological museum housed in the nine cupolas of the Bouyouk Mosque (the largest in Sofia). The Banya Bashi Mosque is also worth a visit. An example of modern architecture is the Alexander Batenberg Square, which contains the Government Buildings and some Roman remains nearby (discovered when an underpass was being constructed), together with a reconstruction of the city as it was in Roman times. Other attractions include the Turkish baths and the markets at Hali (covered market), Georgi Kirkov and Kristal Square (flea market and antique shops).

Rila

Rila Monastery is 121km (75 miles) from Sofia, perched high up on the side of a mountain in the middle of thick pine forests. Rila has a fascinating collection of murals, woodcarvings, old weapons and coins; and manuals and Bibles written on parchment. The monastery itself is notable for its delicate and unusual architectural features. Originally founded in the 10th century by the hermit and holy man, Ivan Rilski, the monastery acted as a repository and sanctuary for Bulgarian culture during the 500-year Turkish occupation from 1396. Fire has destroyed most of the early architecture and the present buildings date from the 19th century, with the exception of the 14th-century Khrelio’s Tower. There is good accommodation in the monastery and a nearby hotel. Rila is an excellent starting place for climbs and hikes in the surrounding countryside.

Other Places

The mountain of Vitosha on the outskirts of Sofia is a National Park with chairlifts and cable cars to help with the ascent as it is approximately 1800m (6000ft) high. Here, the medieval church of Boyana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be seen, with its beautiful and ancient frescoes painted around the year 1200 and thought to be some of the oldest in Bulgaria.

South of Sofia is Blagoevgrad, home of the Pirin State Ensemble (the world-renowned folkloric group), and Sandanski, an ancient spa town and birthplace of the Roman gladiator, Spartacus. Further south still, travellers can visit two of Bulgaria’s museum towns: Melnik is known for its wine cellars, 18th to 19th century architecture and its proximity to Rozhen Monastery with its beautifully carved altar, stained-glass windows, murals and icons; and the museum town of Bansko, at the foot of Pirin Mountain, contains the Holy Trinity Church with its carved ceilings and murals, and its monastery-like houses with high stone walls.

CENTRAL BULGARIA

Plovdiv

Founded in 432 BC and the country’s second-largest city, the museum town of Plovdiv is divided by the Maritsa River and contains both an old quarter and a new commercial section. The old part contains many buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries (and earlier) in typical National Revival style. It is possible to wander along the narrow cobbled streets and see Roman ruins (including an amphitheatre), picturesque medieval houses and 17th-century buildings with their upper sections hanging out into the street and almost touching those opposite. The Archaeological Museum has collections of gold Thracian artifacts, including cooking utensils, and the Ethnographic Museum is also worth seeing, as are the churches of St Marina and St Constantine & Helen.

Other Places

8 km (5 miles) from Plovdiv is Batchkovo Monastery, founded in the 11th century, with some rare frescoes, icons, manuscripts and coins. Batchkovo lies within the area known in ancient times as Thrace (partly occupied by the Rhodope Mountains) and many items of archaeological interest have been discovered, including wonderful gold Thracian objects.

The town of Kazanluk has a Museum of Rose Production and is the centre of Bulgaria’s major export: attar of roses. The valley of Kazanluk itself has countless archaeological and historic treasures – Greek, Roman, Thracian and Ottoman. Veliko Turnovo, ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1187-1393), is another museum town, situated on three hills circled by the River Yantra. It contains extraordinary collections of historic works of art, including church relics. Turnova has many fine examples of houses built in the National Revival style (18th to 19th century), many of which were designed by master builder Kolyo Phicheto and typically seem to grow out of the steep slopes flanking the river. The Preobrazhenski Monastery is quite close, as is the open-air folk museum at Etar, near the town of Gobrovo. The picturesque village of Arbanassi, a museum town located 4km (2.5 miles) from Veliko Turnovo, was a wealthy merchants’ town between the 16th and 18th centuries and is noted for its unique stone-built houses, its two monasteries, St Nikola and Holy Virgin and, in particular, the beautiful murals of the St Elija Chapel. 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Plovdiv, the museum town of Koprivshtitsa is one of Bulgaria’s best-preserved towns, with primary coloured examples of National Revival architecture apparent everywhere. The town is perhaps best known for its Great Koprivshtitsa Folklore Festival, held every four years. Further museum towns to the east of Plovdiv include Tryavna, again with many examples of houses in the National Revival style; Kotel, which is located in a small valley in the Balkan mountain range, and is famous as a centre for carpet making; and the village of Zheravna, in the Eastern Balkan range, containing beautiful 17th-century wooden houses.

THE BLACK SEA COAST

The Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera resorts are ideal for the traditional seaside family holiday. Swimming is generally safe, as even at 150m (500ft) away from the shore, the water is only shoulder-high. Areas where currents are a problem are clearly marked. The Black Sea has half the salt content of the Mediterranean. Some of the sand is pulled by currents from as far away as the Mediterranean, flowing through the Bosphorus and Dardenelles. Special children’s pools have been installed on many of the beaches; swings, slides, playdomes and donkey rides are also available and most resorts offer a wide range of watersports.

There are dozens of attractive resorts on the Black Sea Riviera. St Constantine and Elena Resort is Bulgaria’s oldest Black Sea spa, centred on the Grand Hotel Varna, the largest and one of the most luxurious hotel on the Riviera. Albena, named after a famous local beauty, is situated on the edge of a lovely forest, and is Bulgaria’s newest resort (a showcase and vivid monument to contemporary Bulgarian design), with good food and lively nightlife. Golden Sands, is the largest resort on the Northern Black Sea coast. It has good facilities and probably the best nightlife on the Black Sea Riviera. Sunny Day offers a wide range of beauty and health treatments in two of its four hotels. In a forested setting overlooking the sea, it is only 10km (6 miles) from Varna, the Black Sea capital founded in the sixth century BC, which contains many Roman and Byzantine remains. Sunny Beach is a large purpose-built family resort with beautiful and safe beaches. Close to Sunny Beach is the seventh-century fishing village of Old Nessebur with its wooden fishermen’s houses and its famed four dozen Byzantine churches. The Black Sea port town of Burgas has a Maritime Park and an extensive beach.

WINTER RESORTS

Borovets is a World Cup venue. It is only 72km (45 miles) from Sofia, at 1350m (4300ft) in the Rila Mountains and is the oldest and largest mountain resort in Bulgaria. There, the 2400m (8000ft) Yastrebets (Hawk’s Nest) is a steep, twisting red trail for the advanced skier, in operation from November until April. Seven comfortable, friendly and well-run hotels provide most of the accommodation and there is a village of timber-framed houses (each sleeping six) nearby. In Bulgarian resorts, hotels usually provide most of the nightlife. There is a disco in the Mousalla. There is also a wine bar and some folk taverns (mehana); sleigh rides through the snow are also available.

At Pamporovo, in the Rhodopi Mountains, 85km (53 miles) from Plovdiv, there is one of the finest ski schools in Europe. Pamporovo is also the most southerly ski resort in Europe. The major ski runs start from the top of the 1926m (6318ft) Snejanka Peak.

Vitosha, 1800m (6000ft) high and home of the National Ski School based on the FIS methods, overlooks Sofia. Two of the six ski runs have been approved for international competitions. All the resorts have been purpose-built to blend in with the magnificent natural scenery of mountains and forest. Equipment on hire is modern and well maintained.

The most recent resort is Bansko, a small town in southwest Bulgaria at the foothills of the Pirin Mountain. There are slalom and giant slalom runs available, as well as a 5km- (3.1 mile-) cross-country track.

NATIONAL PARKS

Bulgaria has a number of national parks which abound in rare flora and fauna, bird species (including vultures, eagles and falcons), as well as endangered animal species such as bears, wolves and red deer. Facilities for nature and outdoor enthusiasts have improved in recent years, with different types of accommodation, including small hotels, lodges, private chalets and camping becoming increasingly available. Guided tours or private visits are possible; for some areas, a permit is required. For details, contact the Ministry of Economy ( www.mi.government.bg ).

The Pirin National Park is situated on the highest part of the Pirin mountain range. The landscape varies from the ancient Baikusheva pine forests to crystalline lakes and limestone rocks. Many rare plant species, such as the near extinct Edelweiss, are preserved within the park, which also contains nearly 180 glacier lakes. In the southwest, the Rila National Park covers nearly half of the Rila mountain range and is renowned for its seven lakes and its 10th-century monastery. Vitosha National Park, just outside Sofia, is home to many species of butterflies and offers shelter to wolves, bears and wild cats. The Vratchansky Balkan National Park, in the northwest, has spectacular rock formations, waterfalls and ancient caves. It incorporates the Vratchansky Karst Nature Reserve, whose caves provide a habitat for many species of bats. The Central Balkan National Park, located to the northeast of Sofia and reached via the Troyan Pass, is noted for the Raiskoto Praskalo waterfall – the highest in Bulgaria - and its 50 protected plant species, many of them native to these mountains. The small Sinite Kamani National Park has spectacular rock formations and is home to the royal eagle, long-legged buzzard and the peregrin falcon. The Shoumen Plateau National Park near the town of Shoumen has a varied landscape of thick forests and steep rock formations and is home to the Shumenska Krepost archaeological reserve. Situated near the River Danube close to the town of Rousse, the Roussenski Lom National Park is known for its rich wildlife and fauna. The Strandzha National Park in the southeast is Bulgaria’s largest. It borders the Black Sea and is famous for its oak and beech forests. The nearby Ropotamo Reserve on the banks of the River Ropotamo has a diverse landscape ranging from cliffs and forests to sandy beaches, dunes and swamps; the Arkutino swamp is a shelter for many rare bird species.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Bulgaria has nine UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites. The Thracian Kazanluk Tomb, located in the Valley of Roses near the town of Kazanluk, has perfectly preserved murals dating from the fourth century BC. The Sveshtari Tomb is situated in an archaeological reserve near the town of Razgrad; it was built 2300 years ago for a Thracian king. The Madara Horseman, an image carved into a rock of a horseman piercing a lion with his spear dates from the early Middle Ages (eighth century); it is located on the Madara Plateau in the Danube plain. The 13th-century Boyana Church is located at the foot of the Vitosha mountain in the Sofia suburb of Boyana and is famous for its murals, which include replicas of icons from Constantinople.

The Ivanovo Rock Monasteries near the city of Rousse stretch for more than 5km (3.1 miles) and consist of cells, churches and chapels dug into the rocks by hermit monks who settled there between the 11th and 14th centuries. Old Nessebur is one of Europe’s oldest towns. The 11th-century Rila Monastery is set on Rila Mountain, 121km (75 miles) from Sofia. The Sreburna Lake nature reserve is located near the Danube river, 16km (10 miles) west of the town of Silistra. It stretches over an area of 600 hectares (1482 acres) and is listed for its unique fauna and wildlife, including the rare Dalmatian pelican, the cormorant and the ibis. Thanks to swift preventative measures, the park seems to have escaped unscathed from the recent Danube cyanide spill. The Pirin National Park is a protected area of 27,400 hectares (67,678 acres).

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN BULGARIA / EMBASSIES IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria Info — Wed May 16, 2007 9:51 am

Author: Bulgaria Info

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:51 am

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN BULGARIA

ALBANIA
Embassy of Albania
10 Krakra Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 946-1623
Fax: +359 2 943-3069
E-mail: albania@mail.bol.bg

ARGENTINA
Embassy of Argentina
IWTC, Block 2, Floor 2,
36 Dragan Tsankov Blvd,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 971-2539/ 3791/ 973-3204
Fax: +359 2 969-3028
E-mail: arebulg@techno-link.com

ARMENIA
Embassy of Armenia
11 April 20th Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 952-6046
Fax: +359 2 954-7970
E-mail: armembsof@omega.bg

AUSTRIA
Embassy of Austria
4 Shipka Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 932-9032
Fax: +359 2 932-9032
E-mail: sofia-ob@bmaa.gv.at

BELGIUM
Embassy of Belgium
1 Velchova Zavera Square,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 963-3622
Fax: +359 2 963-3638
E-mail: ambabel@einet.bg

BRAZIL
Embassy of Brazil
19 F. J. Curie Street,
Block 156/1, Floor 4,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 971-9819/ 21
Fax: +359 2 971-2818
E-mail: sofbrem@main.infotel.bg

CROATIA
Embassy of Croatia
18 Krakra Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 943-3225/ 6/ 946-1677
Fax: +359 2 946-1355

CZECH REPUBLIC
Embassy of the Czech Republic
9 Yanko Sakazov Blvd,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 946-1111/ 0
Fax: +359 2 946-1800
E-mail: sofia@embassy.mzv.cz

DENMARK
Royal Embassy of Denmark
54 Dondukov Blvd,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 980-0830
Fax: +359 2 980-0831
E-mail: dkemb_sofia@ibm.net

FRANCE
Embassy of France
29 Oborishte Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 946-0380/ 90/ 946-1579
Fax: +359 2 946-1558
E-mail: press@ambafrance.bg

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
25 F. J. Curie Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 963 4518
Fax: +359 2 963 1658
E-mail: gemb@vilmat.com

INDIA
Embassy of India
31 Patriarch Evtimii Blvd,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 986-7672/ 7772
Fax: +359 2 980-1289
E-mail: india@inet.bg , ambsofia@inet.bg

ISRAEL
Embassy of Israel
1 Bulgaria Blvd,
NDK, Floor 7,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 951-5044/ 6
Fax: +359 2 952-1101
E-mail: embis@mail.techno-link.com

NETHERLANDS
Embassy of Netherlands
38 Galitchitza Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 962-5782/ 85/ 90
Fax: +359 2 962-5988
E-mail: nlgovsof@mbox.digsys.bg

POLAND
Embassy of Poland
46 Han Krum Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 981-5746/ 5382/ 0319
Fax: +359 2 987-2939
E-mail: brh_pl_sofia@bsbg.net

ROMANIA
Embassy of Romania
4 Sitnyakovo Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 971-2858
Fax: +359 2 971-3619
E-mail: ambsofro@exco.net

RUSSIA
Embassy of Russia
28 Dragan Tsankov Blvd,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 963-0912
Fax: +359 2 963-4103
E-mail: rebus@datacom.bg

SLOVAKIA
Embassy of Slovakia
9 Yanko Sakazov Blvd,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 942-9210
E-mail: embassy@sofia.mfa.sk

SWEDEN
Royal Embassy of Sweden
4 Alfred Nobel Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 971-2431
Fax: +359 2 973-3795
E-mail: swemb@einet.bg

SWITZERLAND
Embassy of Switzerland
33 Shipka Street,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 942-0100
Fax: +359 2 946-1622

TURKEY
Embassy of Turkey
80 Vasil Levski Blvd,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 980-2270/ 935-5500
Fax: +359 2 981-9358
E-mail: turksofya@spnet.net

UKRAINE
Embassy of Ukraine
Ovcha kupel,
29 Boriana Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 955-9478
Fax: +359 2 955-5247
E-mail: puvrb@mail.bol.bg

UK
British Embassy
Sofia, 9 Moskovska Str.
Phone: +359 2 933-9222
Fax: +359 2 933-9250
E-mail: britembinf@mail.orbitel.bg

USA
Embassy of the United States
1 Saborna Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 980-5241/ 2
Fax: +359 2 981-8977/ 963-0086
E-mail: irc@usembassy.bg
Website: www.usembassy.bg

VENEZUELA
Embassy of Venezuela
1 Tulovo Street,
Sofia
Phone: +359 2 943-3061/ 3495
Fax: +359 2 943-3010
E-mail: embavenez@mbox.digsys.bg

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN BULGARIA / BULGARIA HOTEL GUIDE

Bulgaria Info — Wed May 16, 2007 9:11 am

Author: Bulgaria Info

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:11 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN BULGARIA

SOFIA

Art ’Otel
ul. Gladston 44,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 980-6000
Fax: +359 2 981-1909
Email: office@artotel.biz
Website: www.artotel.biz

Barcelo Festa Sofia
bul. Bulgaria 83,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 818-9618
Fax: +359 2 818-9628
Email: festasofia@barcelo.com
Website: www.barcelosofiafesta.com

Best Western Hotel City
ul. Stara planina 6,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 915-1500
Fax: +359 2 986-2000
Email: info@sofiacityhotel.com
Website: www.sofiacityhotel.com

Central Park Hotel
bul. Vitosha 106,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 805-8888
Fax: +359 2 805-8787
Email: reservations@centralparkhotel.bg
Website: www.centralparkhotel.bg

Crystal Palace
ul. Shipka 14,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 948-9488
Fax: +359 2 948-9490
Email: hotel@crystalpalace-sofia.com
Website: www.crystalpalace-sofia.com

Grand Hotel Sofia
ul. Gurko 1,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 811-0800
Fax: +359 2 811-0801
Email: reservations@grandhotelsofia.bg
Website: www.grandhotelsofia.bg

Hilton Hotel
bul. Bulgaria 1,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 933-5000
Fax: +359 2 933-5111
Email: reservations.sofia@hilton.com
Website: www.sofia.hilton.com

Holiday Inn Sofia
bul. Aleksandur Malinov 111,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 807-0707
Fax: +359 2 807-0708
Email: info@holidayinnsofia.bg
Website: www.holidayinnsofia.bg

Hotel Anel
bul. Todor Alexandrov 14,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 911-9900
Fax: +359 2 911-9761
Email: reservations@hotelanel.com
Website: www.hotelanel.com

Hotel Downtown
bul. Vasil Levski 27,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 930-5200
Fax: +359 2 930-5300
Email: hotel@hotel-downtown.net
Website: www.hotel-downtown.net

Hotel Sofia Plaza
bul. Hristo Botev 154,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 813-7979
Fax: +359 2 813-7912
Email: office@hotelsofiaplaza.com
Website: www.hotelsofiaplaza.com

Hotel Vega
bul. G. M. Dimitrov 75,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 806-6000
Fax: +359 2 806-6006
Email: sales@hotelvegasofia.bg
Website: www.hotelvegasofia.bg

Kempinski Hotel Zografski
bul. Dzheims Bauchur 100,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 969-2222
Fax: +359 2 969-2223
Email: stay-in-sofia@kempinski.bg
Website: www.kempinski.bg

Olymp Park Hotel & Spa
bul. Simeonovsko shose 110,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 962-0580
Fax: +359 2 962-0589
Email: olymp@maxisofia.com
Website: www.maxisofia.com

Radisson SAS Grand Hotel
pl. Narodno subranie 4,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 933-4334
Fax: +359 2 933-4335
Email: info.sofia@radissonsas.com
Website: www.sofia.radissonsas.com

Residence Oborishte
ul. Oborishte 63,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 814-4888
Fax: +359 2 846-8244
Email: contact@residence-oborishte.com
Website: www.residence-oborishte.com

Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan
pl. Sveta Nedelya 5,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 981-6541
Fax: +359 2 980-6464
Email: sofia.reservations@luxurycollection.com
Website: www.luxurycollection.com/sofia

SkyWay Hotel
bul. Simeonovsko shose 166A,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 819-2100
Fax: +359 2 819-2199
Email: sky@skywayhotel.com
Website: www.skywayhotel.com

Sofia Princess Hotel
bul. Mariya Luiza 131,
Sofia
Tel: +359 2 933-8888
Fax: +359 2 933-8777
Email: reservation@sofia-princess-hotel.com
Website: www.sofia-princess-hotel.com

GETTING AROUND IN BULGARIA / BULGARIA TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

Bulgaria Info — Wed May 16, 2007 7:47 am

Author: Bulgaria Info

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 7:47 am

GETTING AROUND IN BULGARIA

BY AIR

The national airline, Bulgaria Air (tel: (2) 8659 557 or 517 (flight information and reservations); website: www.air.bg), and the national airline Hemus Air (tel: (2) 981 8330 (reservations); website: www.hemusair.bg ) operate domestic services connecting Sofia with the coast and main towns. The journeys from Sofia to Bourgas and Varna can be made in about one hour. Air travel is comparatively cheap, and is only slightly more expensive than rail travel.

BY RIVER

Regular boat and hydrofoil services along the Bulgarian bank of the Danube link many centres, including Vidin, Lom, Kozloduj, Orjahovo, Nikopol, Svishtov, Tutrakan and Silistra.

BY RAIL

There are over 4200km (2625 miles) of railways in the country. Bulgarian State Railways connects Sofia with main towns. Reservations are essential and first-class travel is advised. For details, contact the State Railway Office (3 Ivan Vasov St, Sofia, 1080; tel: (2) 932 5560; website: www.bdz.bg)

Travelling by train is inexpensive, but slower than travelling by bus, and you should mostly use it when trying to reach a city along the two major train routes (Sofia - Varna and Sofia - Bourgas; you can travel both routes overnight). Travelling by train is not recommended as the trains are invariably in poor condition and are rarely maintained.

BY ROAD

There are over 13,000km (8000 miles) of roads linking the major centers; their quality is variable and some main roads have major potholes, plus driving standards are generally poor. Traffic drives on the right. International road signs are used, although roadworks are often not signposted. Night driving can be dangerous owing to poor lighting. Tolls are charged on motorways and main roads out of town, they are charged at EUR 5 for a 1 week vignette and EUR 12 for 1 month. Vignettes can be purchased at ports, border points, Post Offices and DZI bank offices. Additionally, if the vehicle is stolen in Bulgaria, import duty and related taxes must be paid: insurance may be taken to cover this. Speed limits are strictly adhered to: 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (55mph) outside built-up areas and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. In addition, the driver may be banned from driving in Bulgaria for up to three years. The nationwide alcohol limit is 0.05 per cent; on-the-spot fines of between Lv50-150 are imposed for offences. Spare parts are easily available and 24-hour road assistance is available (tel: (2) 980 3308). There are large numerous petrol stations. It should also be observed that car-theft is on the increase in Bulgaria, and all cars should ideally be fitted with alarms and other visible security measures. Car-jacking is also becoming more frequent, usually occurring at night, and with some criminals even impersonating traffic policeman in the process. It is best to drive in daylight.

Bus

There is a good network of buses that are cheap and convenient but with erratic schedule. Travelling from Sofia to major cities in Bulgaria by bus is good value. A one way ticket to the Black Sea from Sofia is around EUR 12-15. Several companies operate regular routes serviced by new and modern buses.

There are other bus stations in Sofia and also some private buses depart from their own personal station, but for travellers just looking to get out of town with the least amount of confusion - using the New Central Bus Station may be easiest. Buses and Minibuses go from Varna and Bourgas along the coastline, passing or going to all Bulgarian Black Sea tourist resorts.

Taxi

Available in all towns and also for intercity journeys. Vehicles may not be in top condition. Vehicles are metered, unless they are privately owned. Taxi meters may be rigged so that foreign passengers can be overcharged; foreign visitors should therefore take great caution in determining the correct fare before travel. A 5 to 10 per cent tip is appreciated.

Car rental

Available through hotel reception desks. Available car rental companies include Avis and Hertz. There are no fly-drive arrangements through the airlines. Payment is usually in hard currency.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. A Green Card is compulsory.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION

Bus, tramway and trolleybus services operate in Sofia; in addition, a metro has been built in the the city, it operates 0530-0000. Trains arrive every 6 minutes during peak periods and every 8 minutes at all other times. Flat fares are charged on all transport and tickets must be pre-purchased. Buses and taxis operate in all the main towns. There are also trolleybuses in Plovdiv and Varna.

BULGARIA TRAVEL INFORMATION / BULGARIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Bulgaria Info — Wed May 16, 2007 5:14 am

Author: Bulgaria Info

Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 5:14 am

BULGARIA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Republic of Bulgaria

Capital City

Sofia

Area

110,910 sq km
42,822 sq miles

Population

7,358,000

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +2

Daylight Saving Start

last Sunday in March

Daylight Saving End

last Sunday in October

Languages

Bulgarian (official)

A South Slavonic language closely related to Macedonian. It became the official language in 1879.

Russian (other)

French (other)

Religion

85% Bulgarian Orthodox, 13% Muslim

Currency

Bulgarian LEV (Lv)

Electricity

230V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

European plug with two circular metal pins

Country Dialing Code

359