Bulgaria - The ancient queen of the Balkans

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We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us

Do you feel like an heir and a dignified lover of rich culture, ancient traditions and customs of your ancestors? If your answer is positive, then you can safely call yourself a Bulgarian. Have you heard of Bulgaria - the Empire of the roses, the Thracian Sanctuary, the Pantheon of the Roman Empire? In this territory, as a virtuoso tailor, history has embroidered with golden threads the memories of its centuries-long  existence. When you step on Bulgarian land, you have the chance to hear the battle-cry of the Slavs, the horse galloping of the ancient-Bulgarians, the majestic words of the kings, the sound of the fiery Turkish swords, and the whistle of enemy bullets in the forthcoming war between former allies, or the sound of more distant enemies. And not only. In addition to an impressive array of archival footage, Bulgaria gives you a breathtaking scenery to satisfy your desire as for a mountainous transition and adventure under the starry sky, thus for a paradise where you can get away from reality, albeit for a while You will see for yourself that Bulgaria is one of the few countries where you have to spend months in order to get to know it completely and to love it so much that you can accept it as your caring mother. Take your breath and arm yourself with emotions because your adventure’s   starting point is the capital - Sofia. The town is situated at the foot of Mount Vitosha and shelters under its roof monuments of religion, art and cultural and historical heritage. Your attention will be drawn with ease from the National Palace of Culture, the monumental temple "St. Alexander Nevski ", the church "St. Sofia "and from" St. Sunday " Cathedral. While you are submerged in the spirit of Sofia, there is no way you can resist the call of the architectural majors in the face of the Ivan Vazov National Theater, the Central Military Club and the National Assembly of Bulgaria.

You can be sure that no one will believe that you were in Bulgaria if you did not feel the atmosphere of the ancient city of Philippopolis, today proudly named Plovdiv. Here is the memorial world meeting of civilizations, here centuries struggle for supremacy and immortal glory. In the central part of the city  is the largest concentration of cultural values, including the Ancient Theater, the Roman Forum and the Roman Stadium - the scars of one of the greatest empires that have stepped on these lands. The Pearl of Plovdiv is the Old Town with its bustling cobblestone streets, Renaissance houses and small concealed souvenir shops, inviting you to take away a particle of Philipopolis' spirit with you. Unfolding the photo album with pictures from the childhood of the city, you need to look at the Dzhumaya mosque and the square of the same name, symbolizing the religious tolerance.
Your walk along the lane of history should continue in Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria. There you will be enthralled by the whisper of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, by the memory of the majesty of a country that has earned respect among all peoples of the continent and all over the world. You will regret for the rest of your life if you do not act as a mighty ruler, walking around  the fortresses Tzarevets and Trapezitsa. Veliko Tarnovo also has exceptionally charming places for relaxation, dozens of monuments and impressive museums.
The stops on the route of your adventure in the ancient Bulgarian lands undoubtedly have to include Karlovo with the memory of the national heroes Vasil Levski and the Valley of the Roses, Koprivshtitsa with its inimitable Renainssance style and atmosphere, Bansko and Razlog offering unparalleled mental relaxation also Varna, Nessebar, Sozopol and Bourgas, where you will be amazed by the sunrise on the Black Sea coast and as if the boundless sandy stripes. Not enough, is it?
The unique image of the Balkan country is the reason why it is a preferred tourist destination on a global scale. The symbiosis between spirit, culture and heritage has preserved Bulgaria so that today it can dissolve its color pages for everyone who wished “to read it”.

 

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Plovdiv - the world capital of culture
Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv is the heart of Bulgaria, the city that tells about the majesty of these lands and the mighty emperors, kings and lords, who have left a deep trace of its history. The tremendous cultural and historical riches of ancient Philippopolis are the pulling power for millions of tourists from all over the globe. Is it not worthwhile to travel the whole world to be able to touch the Antique Theater, the Old Town, the Roman Forum and the Roman Stadium, the Episcopal Basilica, and the Dzhumaya Mosque?

Karlovo - with a breath of rose and heroism
Karlovo, Bulgaria

The sub-Balkan city is proud of its past and everything it has given to Bulgaria. And it does not hide it. On the contrary! Karlovo is an impressive open-air museum, which will be forever sealed in your mind with the intoxicating aroma of roses, the old houses and the museums that glorify the indispensable heroes of Bulgaria, among which Vasil Levski stands out the most. The city is one of the most preferred  by tourists because of the annual Rose Festival and the magnificent ensemble of cultural monuments.

Koprivshtitsa - on the notes of the Renaissance song
Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria

Only a few lines of this city's history would make you give your heart f to it. The cobbled streets, surrounded by Renaissance houses and museum houses, the spiritual atmosphere and the cultural breeze turn Koprivshtitsa into your favorite destination. You must pay attention to the mausoleum-ossuary of the April insurrection, the Caluco bridge and the houses of Dimcho Debelyanov, Todor Kableshkov, Lyuben Karavelov and Georgi Benkovski.
 

Varna - the oasis of the sea tourism
Varna, Bulgaria

There is no better place for your summer vacation in Bulgaria. Turquoise seawater, kind sun rays and endless opportunities for sports and fun are convincing motives to stay here for longer. The beaches will reveal the essence of quality relaxation, while the sights, including the Euxinograd Palace, the Asparuhov Bridge, the Aquarium and the Dolphinarium in Varna, will answer the question why the city enjoys a huge and annual touristic flow.

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Location

The Republic of Bulgaria is a country located in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders  with Romania to the north, to the west with Serbia and Macedonia, to the south with Greece and Turkey, and east to the Black Sea. Rich in both mountain and hill areas. The capital and largest city is Sofia. The state is an external border of the European Union.

Transportation

The country has a well-developed transport network. The distances are not large, so you can travel by bus and train between cities. By underground you can travel only in the capital. Taxis are quite cheap, we recommend using this way to transport within cities. If you are traveling by car in the country you can buy weekly or monthly vignettes.

Languages Spoken

The official language is Bulgarian. Other spoken languages ​​are Turkish and English (which is mostly spoken among the younger people).

Currency

The official currency is the Bulgarian lev. We recommend exchanging currency when you arrive in the country at the airport, in a currency exchange office or in a bank because the exchange rates are best at these locations.

Visas

There are no visa requirements for EU Member states, it is enough to travel only with an ID card.  For citizens from the United States, Canada, Australia and some other countries, residence permits are allowed up to 90 days without a visa. For all other countries, visa regimes are required.

Electricity

The contacts in Bulgaria are of type F, which operate with plugs C and E. The standard voltage is 230V.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccines for your trip in Bulgaria, but we recommend standard travel vaccines abroad - hepatitis A, B and tetanus.

Emergency Calls

The single European emergency number responsible for all emergencies is 112.

When to visit
Best time to visit the destination

The charm of the country stands out all year round because it has proven a four-season attraction for its residents and guests. In spring and summer you can enjoy the rising nature and all the riches of Bulgaria, expressing themselves by the cultural monuments, the ancient customs, the festivals and carnivals, the seaside beaches and the mountain paradise. Autumn is the time for most of the festivals and spectacular cultural events, while winter provides perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding.

What to do?
Don’t miss to challenge your world

A walk through the Old Town of Plovdiv

The old city of ancient Philippopolis is one of the architectural treasures of Bulgaria. The cobbled streets and exquisite Renaissance houses will take you to another age and tell you about the incredible past of these lands. Your adventure in the city of Plovdiv, which will be the crown of the European Capital of Culture in 2019, must necessarily include the Roman Stadium, the Roman Forum, the Ancient Theater and the Ethnographic Museum. Top tourist attractions are also the art district "Kapana" and Dzhumaya mosque.

Visit the Rose Festival in Karlovo

Annually, the Rose Festival in Karlovo attracts thousands of tourists from around the world in the picturesque sub-Balkan city. The celebration of the feast and worship of the majesty and beauty of the pink color always occurs on the last Saturday of May. In Karlovo you have the opportunity to watch the procession of the lovely Queen of Roses, to learn the sophistication of preparation of the rose petals and the extraction of rose oil. Along with the lavish ceremonies and celebrations this day, you can challenge your senses with sultana raki and jam of roses.

Try the traditional Bulgarian cuisine

Traditional Bulgarian dishes are a trademark and have won supporters from all over the world. There is no tourist who has visited Bulgaria and did not admire the quality of Bulgarian cuisine. You should definitely try banitsa, patatnik, pot, broth soup, kapama, juicy cabbage or vine sarmas. Bulgaria is also extremely popular with its lukanka and yoghurt. We have to warn you that the taste of Bulgarian dishes leads to irreversible addiction.

The Seven Rila Lakes

Definitely the Seven Rila Lakes are one of the most beautiful natural phenomena on the territory of Bulgaria. The picturesque lakes bear the names the Tear, the Eye, the Kidney, Twins, the Trefoil, Fish, and Bottom, as a must-see in the biography of every tourist and lover of extreme sensations. The natural phenomena have glacial origin and are located at the northwest end of the Rila Mountain at an altitude of over 2000 meters. There is an easy access to the seven lakes, for your convenience, there is also a lift.

Extreme experiences - bungee jumping and rafting along the Struma River

Bulgaria is the kingdom of the extreme experiences on the Balkans. The long mountain ranges, the majestic and lush rivers, as well as the fabulous nature give you the opportunity for an exciting four-seasonal adventure. In Bulgaria, you can choose from a wide catalog of experiences in order to increase your adrenaline levels in the blood, especially bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting and kayaking, balloon flights, skiing and snowboarding, diving and surfing, alpinism and hang gliding.

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FAQs about Bulgaria

Which are the most beautiful Bulgarian resorts?

Bulgaria has a varied palette of sea and mountain resorts. The Black Sea coast is a preferred destination for tourists around the world. Among the most glamorous and tempting sea resorts in Bulgaria that you must visit are Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena, Ahtopol, Chernomorets, Kiten and Lozenets. If you are in love with the beauty of  nature and the mountain air, you should visit the resorts in the Rhodopes, Rila and Stara Planina, namely Borovets, Pamporovo, Bansko and Chepelare.

In Bulgaria, good manners require you to leave a tip to show both your respect and your satisfaction with the service offered, whether it's a restaurant dinner, a taxi ride or a hotel accommodation. When using a taxi service, it is acceptable to round up the bill, and in a restaurant or café - leave up to 10% tip. When it comes to hotel accommodation, you can afford a reward of  5 to 10 leva.

Bulgaria is in the arms of the temperate climate zone, which means it has clearly outlined four seasons. Spring in the country is associated with a variable but mild and warm climate, as well as flowering fruit trees. The summer in Bulgaria is characterized by extremely dry air and high temperatures, usually between 35-40 degrees. In autumn there are many rainfalls, but the climate is still favorable for rest and outdoor activities. Typically, the Bulgarian winter is cold, with temperatures between -5 to -15 degrees.

Bulgaria is one of the countries with the fastest and most qualitative Internet in the world. This is the definite position of dozens of surveys and rankings as well as the users of the service. In addition to the impressive speed, Internet access in the Balkan country is extremely easy and inexpensive. Free Wi-Fi is available in almost every city café, restaurant, hotel, supermarket, gas station or mall. It's harder to connect to the internet in the far villages, but there's also a coverage and enough speed for visitors.

One of the impressive features of Bulgaria's character is its tolerance towards different religions. The main religion in the Balkan country is Christianity. Over 82% of the country's inhabitants identify themselves as Eastern Orthodox Christians. Secondly, its followers are the Muslim religion, followed by Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, and Armenian-Gregorian religion. Coexistence between religions does not give rise to controversy, but fruitful cooperation.

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