Tourist bulgaria. How tourists are deceived in Bulgaria. Where to rent apartments in Bulgaria

Resort selection

The most popular beach resorts in the country are Golden Sands, Sunny Beach and Albena. The latter is very suitable for families. At the resorts of Hisar and Velingar, you can improve your health by relaxing in the hot springs. And the resort of Saints Constantine and Helena, in addition to healing, also offers excursion holidays. In addition, large cities are undoubtedly good for sightseeing holidays, first of all Sofia. It is best to ski in Bulgaria in Pamporovo and Borovets.

Bulgaria

Brief country information

Bulgaria is located in the southeastern part of Europe and has borders with Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania. In the east, the country is washed by the Black Sea.

The capital of Bulgaria is the city of Sofia. Other major cities are Varna, Plovdiv, Ruse, Burgas, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Shumen, Sliven and Dobrich.

Time in Bulgaria is two hours behind Moscow time.

The year in Bulgaria, as well as in Russia, is divided into 4 seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Winter in Bulgaria is cool, but most often the temperature is kept at around 0 ° C. In spring it is much warmer and more comfortable than at the same time in Russia. Summer, especially on the seashore, is hot and sunny, and autumn is very warm compared to Russian.

The official language of the country is Bulgarian. Many words of this language are understandable to Russian, although some familiar words sometimes have unusual meanings, for example, "right" means "directly." You can find Russian speakers in the country.

There is no official religion in Bulgaria, but most of the population there are Orthodox Christians.

Leisure seasons

· From late May to August - high season with the most expensive prices and the hottest weather;

· From the end of September to April - low season;

· From June to September - beach season. In general, some begin to swim in May, but at this time the water is still cool;

· September is a velvet season with not too high prices for vouchers and comfortable, not very hot weather. It is worth considering that by the second half of the month the sea cools down greatly, so it is better to plan your vacation at the beginning of September;

· From December to March - ski season. At different resorts, it starts and ends at different times, but its peak always occurs during the winter holidays.

Bulgaria

Things to know and do before you travel

Some cards that work in Russia and other European countries may not work in Bulgaria, so it is better to cash out the money. It is difficult to exchange rubles in Bulgaria, so make sure to exchange them for euros in advance.

No special vaccinations are required before traveling to Bulgaria.

Road

You can get to Bulgaria by plane. Direct flights regularly depart to Sofia from Moscow, there are several rare flights from St. Petersburg. Often, tourists fly to Sofia with a stopover in Istanbul. In general, charter flights to Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv depart from most of the major Russian airports.

A direct flight from Moscow to Sofia takes almost three hours, and from St. Petersburg - 3.5 hours. You can fly to Bulgaria by airplanes of Aeroflot, Aerosvit, Transaero, S7 and many others.

You can also get to Sofia by train - the journey will take only three days, and trains from Moscow leave regularly and pass through several major European capitals. Of course, traveling by train is not so convenient, but if you are afraid of airplanes or want to slowly admire the landscapes of Europe on the road, then this option is for you.

Flight

The flight to Bulgaria is not very long, so you are unlikely to have time to get bored. For entertainment, you can bring a book or other leisure activity with you. If you plan to sleep, take care of a blindfold - the lights are usually on in the cabin.

Bulgaria airport

Railway

If you have chosen to travel by train, then it is worth considering that you will be crossing the Romanian border, which means that you will also need a Romanian visa. All borders are passed directly on the train, so it is somewhat more convenient than when flying by plane. The trains can be hot in summer, so be sure to bring water with you and don't dress too warmly.

Visa, Customs

If you have a Schengen visa, then it will be enough to enter Bulgaria. If you do not have a Schengen visa, then obtaining a Bulgarian visa will take very little time.

Required documents:

· Passport valid for at least three months after the planned end of the trip;

· A copy of the first page of the passport;

· Color photograph 3.5 by 4.5 centimeters;

· A completed application form;

· For children, even those entered in the parental passport, a questionnaire and the entire set of documents are required;

· The child will also need a copy of the birth certificate;

· You do not need to provide income certificates.

A visa is issued within 5-7 working days, urgent registration is possible in three days. Tourists receive a six-month multiple-entry visa, and those who have already visited Bulgaria - a one-year visa.

If you apply for a visa yourself, then you will also need a round-trip ticket and confirmation that your income allows you to stay in the country all this time.

You can import into Bulgaria duty-free 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a liter of strong alcohol or two liters of wine, any amount of foreign currency (amounts over BGN 5,000 must be declared). Jewelry and appliances are also subject to declaration.

It is forbidden to import weapons and drugs into Bulgaria, as well as chocolate, canned meat and non-canned food. Customs are usually easy and hassle-free.

Please note that the Bulgarian customs officers have different attitudes towards accidental and deliberate violations. If prohibited items are in their natural places, then they are simply confiscated without writing out a fine. If you, for example, hide undeclared money in the lining of a suitcase, then if they are found, you will also be fined.

Stay in a foreign country

Residence

The traditional classification of hotels by stars is adopted in Bulgaria. Please note that breakfast is almost never included in the room rate, so you will have to pay for it separately. A hotel room on the beach will cost significantly more than in the city. There are a lot of family hotels in Bulgaria that compete with large companies. These hotels offer guests home-cooked food, comfort and a particularly relaxed atmosphere.

On the coast, many locals rent apartments and private houses. You can also stay in a bungalow, camping or other cheaper but less comfortable accommodation option.

Food

The cuisine of Bulgaria is quite familiar to the Russian people - all unusual and national dishes can be eaten without fear of getting an upset stomach.

Lunch prices vary greatly depending on the prestige of the resort. For example, in Albena, lunch will cost 30 euros per person, and alcohol and fruits are on average 1.5-2 times more expensive than in the rest of the country.

If you are staying in a less popular tourist city, then prices there will of course be lower. This, however, also depends on where the cafe is located - eating in the city will be cheaper than on the beach. If in some cafe you really like it, then you can agree with the administrator about constant meals. Then you will pay in advance for five days, and you can safely go here to dine. The price for three meals a day is 10 euros, as there is a serious discount for regular meals. Also, keep in mind that the dishes in the cafe will be selected for you themselves, that is, it will be like eating in a canteen.

Bulgarian soup - chobra

Leisure

Basically, people go to Bulgaria for a beach holiday on the Black Sea coast. The beaches here are clean, there are many free places where you can get additional services in the form of a towel or a sun lounger for a surcharge. The beaches are well equipped and usually crowded.

Rest at the sea can be diversified with various active sports: windsurfing, diving, volleyball, tennis, etc. You can also go for a banana ride, water skiing, etc.

Bulgaria has all the possibilities for skiing - there are several European-level ski resorts with a very developed infrastructure.

In addition, there are several health resorts in Bulgaria, where beach holidays can be combined with mineral waters and health treatments.

Tours

Recently in Bulgaria they began to organize an excursion to the Turkish capital Istanbul. This two-day excursion costs about 180 levs. By bus, tourists go from Sofia to Istanbul, where they leave their belongings at the hotel and travel to several popular attractions, and for a surcharge, you can visit several more interesting places. In the evening, an entertainment program is also arranged for an additional fee, and several more excursions are planned for the next day. It is worth considering that for such a trip, you need to apply for a double-entry Turkish visa in advance.

Prices for excursions in Bulgaria range from 20 to hundreds of euros, depending on where you want to go. There are both excursions to monuments and entertaining excursions for children and adults, such as a boat trip or a pirate battle game.

Beach in Bulgaria

Shopping

There are three main places for shopping in Bulgaria - bazaars, fairs and shops. Bazaars are permanent, they are open from morning until 4 pm and are located both in small resort towns and in megacities. The fairs are organized according to the schedule, and a tourist can get to them only by accident. Bulgarian shops are open on weekdays, sometimes on Saturdays, and sometimes completely seven days a week. There are convenience stores. Please note that Bulgaria is not a cheap country and you should not go there specifically for shopping - however, during the rest you can indulge yourself with buying souvenirs.

Here you can buy quite colorful clay products, jewelry, as well as inexpensive leather goods. On the market you can buy national sweets, wooden crafts and beautiful knitted items. Very high quality spices are sold here.

Prices in resorts are sometimes two to three times higher than in cities, especially for souvenirs, so it's better to buy something in Sofia or other large towns. But at the resort, unlike the city, you can buy delicious honey in clay pots.

The covered market in Albena sells silk shawls and stoles, as well as cashmere mufflers and scarves. And the Golden Sands resort offers tourists products made of stones and silver, as well as woven handbags and hats.

There are many Greek shops in Bulgaria, where you can buy fur products at Greek prices.

Things to do in Bulgaria

· Get \u200b\u200bto know Alyosha, a monument to the Soviet liberator soldier in the city of Plovdiv. In general, this 11-meter sculpture is unnamed, but the Bulgarians gave it a name, and now it is one of the favorite monuments of both local residents and Russian tourists;

· Feel like a real Roman by watching a performance in an ancient amphitheater of the 2nd century BC. This amphitheater is located in Plovdiv, one of the most ancient cities in Europe;

· Visit the Valley of Roses - 30-meter flower fields planted with Damask rose oil. The aroma here is simply magnificent;

· Visit the village of Rupite, where the famous clairvoyant Vanga was born;

· See the city under water - a part of Nessebar, a city with three thousand years of history. During the earthquake, half of the peninsula on which the city is located sank under water, and now from the boat you can see the ancient buildings resting on the seabed;

· Dive to the sunken TU-154. This aircraft was sunk specifically to attract divers;

· Look at the strangest building in the world - a house in the form of a multi-colored snail.

Snail house

Health

Tourists in Bulgaria definitely need medical insurance - without it they don't even issue a visa. An ambulance for Russian citizens will be provided here free of charge under a special agreement, but subsequent treatment will cost money. You can see a doctor at the hotel, but his services will cost more than the services of private doctors, and the cheapest way to go to government agencies.

The quality of medicine in Bulgaria is at its best, especially since it is profitable for local doctors to treat foreign tourists. The equipment is not particularly modern, but it is well maintained.

Bulgaria is a clean country, so for prevention you just need to follow basic hygiene rules.

Safety

Bulgaria is a fairly safe country for tourists, but you still need to be aware of what may lie in wait for tourists.

Often in Bulgaria due to economic turmoil, demonstrations and rallies take place, so that there are interruptions in the work of taxis and public transport. The rallies usually do not cause other problems for tourists.

Tourists usually fall victim to minor crimes. In transport, crowded places and on the busy streets of resorts, it is easy to become a victim of a pickpocket. To avoid this, constantly monitor your bag and pockets, avoid carrying valuables in your backpack. It is also better to leave documents, valuables and large amounts of money at the hotel - they offer special safes for this, often free of charge.

Fraudsters often try to deceive tourists near ATMs, so be careful not to get the PIN code from your card to unauthorized persons.

Some problems are associated with Bulgarian taxi drivers - they often overcharge the prices for services. Better not to get into cars without meters - this way you will lose more money than you really should.

Actions in case of emergency

If you are robbed, then you should immediately contact the nearest police station, where you can bump into an English and even Russian-speaking employee. When applying, please have at least a copy of your passport with you.

If you have lost your passport, then immediately call the Russian Embassy - there you will be given further instructions for action.

Telephone

To call from Russia to Bulgaria, you need to dial 8-10-359 (country code) - city code - subscriber number. To call on the contrary from Bulgaria to Russia, you need to dial 00-7- city code - the subscriber's number.

City codes:

Sofia - 2;

Plovdiv - 32;

Burgas - 56;

Varna - 52;

Dobrich - 58;

Nessebo - 554;

Official contacts

Firefighters - 160

Ambulance - 150;

· Police - 166;

· Embassy of Russia in Bulgaria - (+359 2) 963-44-58, number round the clock;

Consular department - (+359 2) 963-40-21;

· Duty Consul for Emergencies - (+359) 884-510-955, around the clock.

Currency

The official currency of the country is a lion, equal to 100 hundred parts. Money can often be exchanged without commission at exchange offices; in hotels it is not profitable to do this. Banks are open on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. In addition to lions, the euro is in use in the country. One lev is equal to about 20 rubles.

Prices in Bulgaria are quite comparable with ours, so if you want to relax comfortably, eating in restaurants and visiting excursions, then for two the amount starts from 300 euros for 10 days. If you plan to buy gifts and attend expensive excursions, then the amount should be increased. You will also spend more at a popular resort.

Bulgarian money

Transport

Public transport in Bulgaria is mainly buses, trolleybuses and minibuses. Sofia has metro and trams. Buses stop running at midnight, tickets for them must be purchased at kiosks or from the drivers.

You can get around the city and take a taxi. Catching cars on the sidelines is not customary, but people often take taxis at train stations and bus stops. A taxi will cost an average of 25 cents per kilometer, you have to negotiate with some taxi drivers, which is not very convenient and does not always work out in favor of the tourist.

Buses, trains, water transport run between cities. Some places can be reached by plane. Rail transport is usually more convenient than buses.

Renting a car in Bulgaria will cost $ 50 per day + petrol. Can be found cheaper. For rent, you will need international driving license. Please note that road conditions in Bulgaria are not very good, and drivers often use old vehicles, so be careful when driving. There are toll roads that cannot be entered without a special card.

Tip

Tipping is usually 7-10% of the service cost. You can give a reward to the maids and the porter. It is customary for waiters to round off the bill, unless, of course, the tip is already included in it.

clothing

There are no specific clothing standards in Bulgaria - you can safely wear what you wear in Russia. Even the climate in this country is similar to the Russian one, so there should be no problems with the selection of clothes - just take what you usually wear at this time of year.

National characteristics and traditions

Bulgaria as a whole is very similar to Russia in terms of traditions and norms of behavior.

Remember that if you agree, Bulgarians shake their heads from side to side, and if they don't, they nod. However, in tourist areas it is sometimes the other way around, so in order to avoid misunderstandings it is better to use words, especially since “yes” and “no” sound the same in Bulgarian.

Bulgarians are generally very friendly, tolerant of people, their religion and worldview. They are also very proud of their homeland, so try not to accidentally offend their country or hometown when talking to them. Also Bulgarians are not punctual. Bulgarian men are very temperamental, almost like Spaniards and Italians, so they often show attention to girls, but, as a rule, unobtrusively.

Return

Customs

Objects of historical or artistic value cannot be taken out of Bulgaria without special permission, so before purchasing an expensive piece of art, be sure to find out if you can take it home. Also, you cannot export an amount of money more than was declared at the time of import. To export undeclared equipment and jewelry, you will need a receipt for their purchase.

1. Check the information about your flight on the information board and go to the check-in counters, the numbers of which are indicated on the board. Present your passport and ticket upon registration.
2. Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the gate number and the time to board the aircraft (in the boarding pass, the gate is indicated by the word GATE, the time is TIME).
3. After registering and announcing the start of boarding, you must go to the appropriate areas for international flights.

Passengers of international flights go through customs, passport control, as well as security control, after which they wait for the flight to depart in the sterile area of \u200b\u200bthe gallery of international airlines. When passing the control, a passport and boarding pass are presented.

When transporting animals or plants, it is necessary to pass phytocontrol / veterinary control.

Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 104 dated July 25, 2007 it is forbidden to carry on board an aircraft by passengers in checked baggage and in things carried by passengers, the following dangerous substances and items:

Allowed to transport the following items and substances on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers in compliance with the required conditions:

• in checked baggage in cargo, baggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated access of passengers to baggage during the flight:
  • crossbows, spearfishing guns, checkers, sabers, cleavers, scimitars, broadswords, swords, swords, bayonets, daggers, knives: hunting, knives with ejected blades, with locking locks, imitators of any type of weapon;
  • household knives (scissors) with a blade (blade) length over 60 mm; alcoholic beverages with a content of more than 24%, but not more than 70% of alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of not more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - not more than 5 liters per passenger;
  • liquids and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of not more than 24% by volume;
  • aerosols intended for sports or household use, the outlet valves of the cans of which are protected by caps from spontaneous release of the contents in containers with a capacity of not more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - not more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
• in things carried by passengers:
  • medical thermometer - one per passenger;
  • mercury tonometer in a standard case - one per passenger;
  • mercury barometer or manometer, packed in an airtight container and sealed with the sender's seal;
  • disposable lighters - one per passenger;
  • dry ice for cooling perishable food - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
  • non-hazardous liquids, gels and aerosols: in containers with a capacity of not more than 100 ml (or an equivalent capacity in other volume units), packed in a securely closing transparent plastic bag with a volume of not more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml are not accepted for carriage, even if the container is only partially filled. Medicines, baby food and special dietary requirements are exempt from carriage.

Liquids purchased from duty-free shops at the airport or on board the aircraft must be packed in a securely sealed (sealed) plastic bag that allows identification of the contents of the package during the flight and has reliable confirmation that the purchase was made in airport duty-free shops or on board the aircraft on the day (s) of travel. Please keep your purchase receipt. Do not open the bag either before boarding the cabin or during the flight.

The administration of the airport, airline, operator has the right to decide on the introduction of additional measures to ensure aviation security on flights with increased danger, as a result of which prohibit the carriage of the following items in the aircraft cabin:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless a medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length less than 60 mm;
• folding (without a lock) travel, pocket knives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Flight time

The flight to Bulgaria is about 2.5 hours.

Upon arrival at the airport

1. Go through passport control (a foreign passport with a visa is presented, sometimes a return ticket and voucher upon request).
2. Get your luggage. The monitors above the luggage belts indicate the flight from which the baggage will be issued on this belt.
3. At the exit from the customs area in the arrival hall you will be met by a TEZ TOUR representative. After presenting the voucher, he will provide your bus number for the transfer.
4. Go to the bus stop. The bus departs after the collection of all tourists.
5. Listen carefully to the information that the escort will provide on the way to the hotel. He will also inform you about the time of the information meeting with the TEZ TOUR guide.

Airport codes:

VAR - Varna
BOJ - Burgas
PDV - Plovdiv

In a hotel

Accommodation procedure varies from hotel to hotel, but usually looks like this:

• Show your passport and voucher (1 copy) at the reception desk. The hotel employee can then:
  • ask you to fill out a registration form in English;
  • ask for your passport to make a photocopy of it (check at the reception when you can collect your passport).
• Check-in at most hotels takes place from 14:00 - 15:00. If you want to check into the room earlier than the specified time, you must pre-book the room one day before the date of your arrival. In case of problems with placement, please contact your representative.
• After checking into your room, review the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to what services are paid, and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in the folder and lies on the table or bedside table).

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of the informational meeting with the hotel guide will be advised by your companion on the way to the hotel. At the appointed time, we invite you to come to a meeting with the TEZ TOUR hotel guide, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Bring your passport, voucher, return flight ticket to the meeting.

For all questions and problems, please contact the hotel guide or the hotel reception. The coordinates of the guide (photo, name, mobile phone) and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated at the TEZ TOUR information stand in the hotel lobby.

On the eve of departure home

1. Go to the reception, check if you have unpaid bills for additional services (use of the minibar, telephone, etc.). If there are debts, pay them.
2. In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand and specify the time of departure and departure from the hotel, you can also find this information on the last page in the TEZ TOUR branded folder at the hotel reception. To do this, you need to know the number of the return flight you are flying with.

Check out from the hotel

On the day of departure, it is necessary to vacate the room before 12.00, return the keys and cards for towels.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel's storage room.

In order to avoid various complications, please do not be late and come to the transfer at the specified time.

Arrival at the airport of Burgas, Varna, Plovdiv, Sofia for departure

1. Go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated (counter numbers will be indicated on the flight board).
2. Check in for the flight (present your passport and ticket).
3. Drop off your luggage at the check-in counter.
4. Get your boarding pass. Note the gate number (GATE) and the time to board (TIME) on board
5. Go through passport control (show your passport and boarding pass).
6. Go to the departure hall, where you will be awaiting boarding announcements.

Helpful information

Medical service

All medical care in Bulgaria is paid, but if you have an insurance policy, the service is provided free of charge or with subsequent compensation of expenses according to the insurance policy (see the memo attached to the insurance policy). In the event of an insured event, you must contact the insurance company by phone numbers specified in the insurance policy. Only by informing the insurance company directly and coordinating your actions will free (or with subsequent compensation of expenses) service be provided.

First aid kit

Before the trip, create and take with you a first-aid kit, which will help you with mild ailments, save you time searching for medicines and save you from the problems of communicating in a foreign language, in addition, many medicines may have different names in different countries.

Money

The monetary unit of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian lev. Euro exchange rate - Bulgarian lev fixed (1 euro \u003d 1.95583 BGN at the rate of the Bulgarian Central Bank). The dollar exchange rate is unstable. You can exchange currency at exchange offices and banks. Bank branches are usually open on weekdays from 8.30 am to 5 pm. In exchange offices, there can be a very unprofitable rate, it is worth consulting a guide.

Never change money from your hands! In resorts, as well as in cities, near exchange offices you can meet people who will offer you a better rate, most likely you will be given counterfeit or no longer valid bills.

International credit cards are accepted in almost all banks, as well as in most hotels, restaurants and shopping centers.

The shops

The shops do not have an hourly work schedule; during the tourist season, many shops are open until late at night.

Bargaining is possible in small shops and markets.

Souvenirs

The most popular souvenir in Bulgaria is rose oil in a wooden bottle. The world famous Bulgarian oil rose, carefully grown in the Valley of Roses, is one of the country's national symbols. In general, tourists can buy everything related to the rose: cosmetics, perfumes, jams, etc.

Excellent quality wines are produced in Bulgaria. Another popular drink is the Bulgarian vodka "rakia". It is quite inexpensive and is presented in a large assortment. Still very popular: ceramics, handmade silver and sea souvenirs, magnets with views of Bulgaria.

The cuisine of this country cannot be imagined without spices. Especially for tourists are sold beautifully designed small transparent jars of "Sharen salt" - salt mixed with all kinds of spices. Knowledgeable tourists bring the kimion seasoning from Bulgaria. This spice goes well with meat, fish and vegetables.

Bulgarian cuisine

The Bulgarian national cuisine is distinctive and diverse, it is famous for its abundance of vegetables, delicious meats, hearty snacks and aromatic soups, famous for its dairy and sour milk products. At various times, the cuisine of Bulgaria has been greatly influenced by Greek and Turkish cuisines.

Many Bulgarian dishes are cooked on a skar (on a metal grill), for example, kebapchet (fried minced meat sausages), kyufta (cutlets) and shish (shashlik). Famous dishes are kebab (meat on a spit), gyuvech (stew with potatoes and vegetables), kavarma (a meat dish with mushrooms, onions and potatoes), kashkaval pane (breaded soft homemade cheese), chushka burek (sweet peppers fried in an egg stuffed with feta cheese and tomatoes), shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, seasoned with grated feta cheese, vegetable oil, vinegar, spices).

Bulgarian chefs successfully combine vegetables with fish, meat, flour, egg and dairy products. Tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet and hot peppers, zucchini, eggplants, beans - this is not a complete list of vegetables that are grown and cooked in Bulgaria and which largely characterize the national cuisine. Vegetables are stewed in pots with feta cheese, stuffed, baked and, of course, vegetable salads are prepared.

The cold Bulgarian soup "tarator" is also very unusual (finely chopped cucumbers, dill, garlic and walnuts are poured with diluted Bulgarian "sour mlyako"). And you can have a snack with banitsa - a puff pastry pie with feta cheese. And, of course, in a country where many different varieties of grapes are grown, there is always excellent wine on the table.

Transport

The bus is the most popular means of transportation within Bulgaria. The average cost of a ticket in the city is 1 Bulgarian lev (0.5 euro), a long route is more expensive, up to 3-4 leva.

The traffic diagram and bus schedule on the South Black Sea coast (Elenite - Sunny Beach - Nessebar) is possible.

Car rental. You can rent a car only with a driver's license. All cars have Casco insurance. The minimum rental period is one day, the mileage is not limited. Make sure the vehicle is fully insured, including headlights and glass. Gasoline is purchased independently. In the event of an accident, you must not move the car until the arrival of the police. It is urgent to inform the TEZ TOUR representative and the company where the car was taken about the incident, as the police may not speak Russian or English, and you will not be able to explain your version of the incident.

Do not forget to have your license, passport and car rental documents with you, as police checks are possible.

Visa

To travel to Bulgaria, you must apply for a Bulgarian visa in advance.

Russian citizens can visit Bulgaria for the same period on a valid Schengen visa, only if it is double or multiple. Entry into Bulgaria is no longer allowed with a single Schengen visa.
Citizens of the Russian Federation can enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria on a valid visa from Cyprus, Romania and Croatia for a period of stay, which is limited by the period specified in the visa, within the period of its validity and a certain number of entries, but no more than 90 days within 180 days. Holders of Bulgarian visas on the same conditions can enter the territory of Cyprus and Romania. You can enter the territory of Croatia only with a double and multiple entry visa.

Time

Time lags behind Moscow by 2 hours in winter and 1 hour in summer.

Safe

To store valuables and documents, tourists should use a safe. The administration is not responsible for valuables and documents left unattended in the room or on the territory of the hotel.

Tip

The tip system applies to waiters in bars and restaurants, maids in hotels, porters, guides. Paying a tip is optional, but if a customer is satisfied with the service, a tip is a sign of good form. Almost always the average tip is 10% of the bill. In hotels, in taxis they do not give tea, but the meter readings are rounded up.

Crib

Baby cot - upon request, free in most hotels. There are hotels where baby cot is available for an additional fee. Payment - 1-8 euros per day.

Most hotels accommodate DBL + EXB with one extra bed (folding bed, pull-out sofa or armchair).

Beach

All beaches in Bulgaria are public. Parasols and sun loungers are available for a fee. Some hotels offer free use of umbrellas and sun loungers on the beach. Keep in mind that their number is limited!

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 V.

Religion

90% of the local population is Orthodox Christians, about 9% are Muslims, about 1% are Protestants, Catholics and Jews.

Customs

You can export from Russia without a bank statement up to 3000$ per person. If you export up to 10,000 euros per person, the amount must be declared and the passage is carried out through the red corridor; if over 10,000 euro per person, then you must have bank documents with you.

At the airport in Bulgaria, be sure to include in the declaration all electronic equipment, antiques and jewelry (their availability can be checked upon departure).

Allowed duty-free import: 200 cigarettes, or 50 pieces of cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of wine, perfume - 50 ml in uncorked bottles, food products within personal needs.

The import of drugs, medicines containing a large dose of drugs and weapons is prohibited.

• it is recommended to use mineral water purchased in the shops and bars of the hotel;
• it is recommended to keep jewelry, money and documents in the safe, which is in the room or at the reception;
• it is recommended that you hand over your room key to the hotel reception. If the key is lost, please notify the hotel immediately.

Telephones

Telephone communication in Bulgaria is very good and relatively inexpensive. You can call from the hotel, but it is more expensive than from the post office. Post offices are open from 8.30 am to 5 pm, telephone call points are open until midnight. Mail identification marks are black on yellow POST.

Cell phones work great in Bulgaria. There are 3 mobile operators in Bulgaria (M-Tel, Globul, Vivacom). It makes sense to buy a local SIM card for a few euros. The price of a conversation with Russia M-tel (Prima card) - 2.50 euro / min, Globul (B-connect, Frog) - 0.60 euro / min., Viva Com (Viva International) - 0.10 euro / min.

Russia can be contacted by the 007 code + city code + subscriber's phone number.

To call Bulgaria, dial 00 - 359 - area code or 8 - 10 - 359 - area code.

Useful phone numbers

If you have any questions during your stay in Bulgaria, please contact your guide, whose mobile phone is posted on the information stand (folder).

Telephones of TEZ TOUR tourist support service in Bulgaria For any questions regarding your holiday in Bulgaria, you can contact the Russian-speaking representatives of TEZ TOUR. In the event of any emergency situations, please contact the support service by phone: +359 2 492 3611 (call center) Varna Region (Obzor, St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny Day, Golden Sands, Kranevo, Albena, Balchik): +359 892 279 667 +359 894 445 646 E-mail: [email protected] Burgas Region (Sozopol, Sarafovo, Pomorie, Ravda, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, St. Vlas, Elenite): +359 892 279 592 +359 894 445 623 E-mail: [email protected] Ski resorts Bansko and Borovets: +359 894 445 623

24-hour telephone in Russia If you have any problems dialing the support number, please call us 24/7 8-800-700-7878 (calls from any regions of Russia are free).

Another undoubted plus of rest in Bulgaria is a short flight (only 2 hours and 30 minutes to fly). There are flights from Moscow to Bulgaria to Varna, Sofia and Burgas. One-way ticket prices start at RUB 10,000.

Visa

Yes, a visa to Bulgaria is needed, but there are several options - you can make a Schengen visa (you can travel to all EU countries) or a national Bulgarian one (gives the right to visit Cyprus, Romania and Croatia). This works in the opposite direction, if you already have a visa for these countries, you can safely go to Bulgaria). The visa fee will be 35 € (≈ 2500 rubles). Detailed information can always be obtained from visa center.

Albena resort town.

Sunny Beach

• How to get there: from Varna airport Buses run to Sunny Beach. The fare is 12 levs (≈ 440 rubles). A taxi will cost about 54 levs (≈ 2000 rubles).

It is the largest and most famous Bulgarian resort on the Black Sea coast. Sunny Beach received the "Blue Flag" - an international award for the cleanest and safest beaches, and it is not surprising: the ten-kilometer beach of Sunny Beach pleases not only with golden sand and smooth entry into the water (ideal for children), but also the lack of fees - the beach is free.

Children will love Action water park : there are all types of slides - wide with circles, pipes and swirling. A day ticket (full access from 10:00 to 18:00) for an adult will cost 40 Bulgarian levs (≈ 1,500 rubles), for a child - half the price - 20 levs (≈ 750 rubles).

Not only children, but also adults need to rest! A half-hour walk from the beaches of Sunny Beach is the historic city (one of the oldest European cities). Here you can see historical sights, including ruins hagia Sophia Church (5th century built) and ancient amphitheater , where free concerts are held in the evenings.

Sunny Beach.

Where to stay

4 * - the hotel is located on the first line, within walking distance from the beach - ideal for a lazy vacation. Rooms are equipped with balconies with stunning views of the beach, and there is also a pool and all inclusive - so you can eat as much as you like. All the fun for 174 Bulgarian levs (≈ 6400 rubles) per night for two.

A more economical option, only 44 leva (≈ 1600 rubles) per night for two. For this price, you get a central location (a five minute walk is bus station to go to Nessebar).

Overview

• How to get there:there are buses from Varna to Obzor, 12 leva (≈ 440 rubles). Travel time is 1.5 hours.

Resort - an alternative to Sunny Beach. This is a developing resort, so prices are slightly lower here. At the same time, there are much fewer tourists - not everyone has time to find out about this place yet!

Obzor is also perfect for families with children - the coastline of the resort town stretches for 9 km, while here it is quite free, so you don't have to fight for a place in the sun. The descent into the water here is very smooth almost everywhere, but there are also steeper places.

Near the local stadium there is a park for children. You can ride a carousel, an autodrome and other attractions for 3-5 leva (≈ 110150 rubles) each.

Obzor beaches.

Where to stay

Hotel is located between the beach and all important city points, so everything will be at your fingertips. There are several swimming pools, a bar and a tennis court for those who look after themselves and love to play sports. Price - 119 leva (≈ 4300 rubles) per night for two.

Hotel - a quiet place 50 meters from the beach. The windows overlook the green park, and the cost is only 68 leva (≈ 2500 rubles) per night for two.

Golden Sands

• How to get there: bus 409 from Varna airport will take you to your destination in 25 minutes and 6 levs (≈ 200 rubles).

Here you will find an adult vacation - there are not only ordinary beaches (and there are quite a few of them - beaches that are loved by young people Mojito , Riviera with a smooth entry into the water andCentral - there are most people here), but also nudist - just walk to the most distant ones.

All beaches are free - you can find a secluded spot to lie down on a towel. If you want comfort, you have to pay 5-10 levs (≈ 125-350 rubles) per day for a sun lounger.

During the day you can lie and play sports (most of the beaches are equipped with volleyball courts), and at night you can walk in nightclubs and casinos. From the clubs we recommend Arrogance Music Factory - there are several halls with different music for every taste - there is R'n'B, techno, pop music. Entrance fee is 10 leva (≈ 360 rubles).

Resort Golden Sands.

Where to stay

Located right on the beach. There is a casino here, so if you want to try your luck, this is the place for you. Soft drinks for players (even from other hotels) are free. Cost - from 232 leva (≈ 8500 rubles) per night for two.

Apart-hotel is a five minute walk from the beach and close to all city attractions. There is a gymnasium, mini golf course, table tennis tables and a sauna. Price per night for two -138 levs (≈ 5000 rubles).

Sozopol

• How to get there: local carrier Bulgar Bus for 18 leva (≈ 660 rubles) and two hours will take you from Varna to Sozopol.

This ancient resort town will appeal to those who want to take a break from the bustle of the metropolis and look at the old buildings (this is the oldest Bulgarian town on the Black Sea coast) and lovely Bulgarian landscapes.

Be sure to visit the Old Town - here you will see typical Bulgarian architecture. And although the town is quite small (only three streets), you will definitely like wooden houses and other buildings of past centuries.

Beaches Central and Harmanite They will happily (and free of charge) welcome you when you get tired of wandering the cobbled streets. If it seems too crowded here, go to another beach -Kavatsite ... It is located a little further from the city center, but it is quieter here. You can get to it from the center by a tourist train (25 minutes on the way and 2 levs / ≈ 73 rubles) or by taxi (10 levs / ≈ 350 rubles). All beaches are free, but if you want to relax on a sun lounger, prepare 5 leva (≈ 235 rubles).

Sozopol.

Where to stay

Recommended hotel - it is clean and comfortable here, and the walls of the hotel cannot be seen under the lush green of ivy. The hotel was voted Tripadvisor of the Year 2016 by Travelers. Price - 37 leva (≈ 1300 rubles) per night for two.

Another hotel appreciated by many travelers is ... This place is praised for its excellent staff, fitness room and great location - just a few minutes walk from the beach and center. Price - 56 leva (≈ 2100 rubles) per night for two.

Saint Constantine and Helena

• How to get there: from Varna airport there is a bus 490, which will take you to the resort for only 1 lev (≈ 36 rubles).

The unique combination of green forests and sea breeze make the air of this resort truly healing. But it is not only the air that heals here - Saints Constantine and Helena are famous for their thermal springs. We especially recommend baths Aquahouse ... On weekdays, a stay in the thermal zone will cost 20 leva (≈ 730 rubles) for a full day. There are several thermal pools (temperatures from 38 to 35 degrees), a Finnish sauna, a hammam, an infrared sauna. In general, a huge selection of wellness treatments.

You can (and should) swim not only in thermal pools, but also in the sea. We recommend the beach "Sahara" - it is free, you only have to pay for the sunbed (if you want to use it). Price - 4 leva (≈ 146 rubles).

St. Constantine and Helena is a quiet and calm resort in Bulgaria.

Where to stay

Nice and well-kept place with its own beach, swimming pool (indoor and outdoor) and a sports club. Those who have already rested here celebrate the local food. The cost is 232 levs (≈ 8300 rubles) per night for two.

The hotel is praised for its staff, lovely garden and swimming pool. This place is perfect for families with children. There is a playground and a separate children's pool. And also, they say, breakfast is what you need. Price per night for two - 53 levs (≈ 2000 rubles).

Hotel - the most famous hotel in the resort, so if you still want communication and new acquaintances, it is better to come here. It offers a pool, billiards and the beach seven minutes' walk away. Price per night - 160 leva (≈ 5800 rubles) for two.

As you can see, a peaceful and inexpensive vacation awaits you in Bulgaria. For a very low price, here you can find calm beaches, good spas, and entertainment for nightlife lovers. If this year you want to have an economical and calm rest, you know where to go.

are developing at a rapid pace. New hotels are being built and old hotels are being reconstructed. Their comfort is increasing, approaching the European level. At the same time, the price for holidays in Bulgarian resorts is much lower. Another advantage is a relatively short flight, only 2.5 hours and close to the Russian language.

In Bulgaria, the local currency is the lion. Arriving at the airport, tourists need to exchange rubles for local currency. It should be changed only in the official exchanger. You should immediately pay attention to the exchange rate. The commission on the exchange amount can be 1% - this will be written in large letters in the exchanger. But, usually this applies to large amounts, so read carefully, everything that is written in smaller letters. Small amounts can be changed with a percentage of 15-20. Be sure to keep your receipts when exchanging.

It is prohibited to export leva from the country, so all the remaining local currency will need to be exchanged for rubles, and for this you need to have a check from the exchanger. In large cities, rubles are accepted for exchange, you can first find out if our currency is accepted at the resort where you are eating. Local "business people" can offer to change rubles at a very favorable rate. This should not be done, as for your currency you may be given old-style banknotes that have gone out of circulation.

There is another way to cheat. The exchange office sells magnets with the symbols of the European Union and the United States, and nearby is the price that tourists take for the exchange rate. As a result, the currency is exchanged at a very disadvantageous rate. Look for exchange offices with the inscription "no commission" - here you can change currency without commission. Tourists also need to know that they can receive a VAT refund (20%) in the TaxFree system when purchasing goods of at least 1000 leva.

Resort hotels

When buying a ticket with full board, you should keep in mind that there will be no variety of food. Better to take a voucher with breakfast or half board. You can get acquainted with local cuisine in numerous cafes and restaurants. If you are vacationing with children, you should choose hotels with a children's menu. Tourists should be aware that the second purchase in the same store can get a discount of 5 to 20%. Ask the seller about this, some may simply not inform you about it.

In recent years, a lot of funds have been invested in the reconstruction of old "Soviet" hotels. But the service is poor. Still, some "three rubles" suffer from nostalgia of Soviet times. Especially in cheap hotels, you can still find someone asking for documents. You can run into poor-quality room cleaning, miserable breakfast. Many of us think that since we are vacationing in a southern country, the juices here are, of course, only natural. This is not the case, they are often concentrates. Fruits, in such a hotel, should be washed before use.

Pay attention to how the hotel pool is cleaned. If this happens irregularly, and this can be found, then it is better not to swim in this pool. When leaving the hotel room, close the balcony and windows. In Bulgaria, thefts from the hotel take place during the tourist season. No one will enter the closed doors and windows, but the open balcony is a bait for thieves. Therefore, when choosing a vacation in 2020, in particular a hotel, think about what you need to pay attention to. Reviews of tourists will help to take into account all the pros and cons, help to avoid troubles on vacation.

About beaches, weather

To go on vacation in your own car, this is a certain independence, you can visit several resorts. Don't ignore paid parking lots. Car thefts and damages are quite common in Bulgaria. You should carefully consider the route and stops in order to protect yourself. Tent lovers should be careful about the surrounding area. There are a lot of flying and crawling individuals here.

It is believed that this is almost our south and the sun is not as hot as in Turkey or Egypt. This is true, but in May, June, you should beware of sunburn and sunbathe only with a protective cream. According to tourists, the sea is not always clean. Also in August, jellyfish, algae and caterpillar-like insects can be found in the water. This is a seasonal phenomenon, but travelers should be aware of this. The Black Sea in the resorts of Bulgaria warms up by the end of June. In May, you can only bask in the already burning sun, and you will have to swim in the pool.

The beaches are mostly public, but you will have to buy sun loungers and tents. Prices are very different, a cheaper package of a sunbed and an umbrella can be purchased near an inexpensive hotel. But there is one drawback. There are many vacationers in Bulgaria on social benefits, German pensioners. If this neighborhood does not bother you, then you can sunbathe on such a beach and save money.

About communication, shopping

There are no problems with telephone communication, you can call another country from a payphone installed on the street. To do this, you need to purchase a telephone card. Here you may encounter a problem when the cards of one company do not work in the telephones of another. Bank cards can only be used in the resort area. If you go inland, you don't need a bank card.

It will not please shopping lovers, the goods are mainly Turkish, you can buy local souvenirs in the form of a magnet or handicrafts of local artisans and Bulgarian Rose cosmetics. In large supermarkets, they can cheat if you take bulk products (fruits, vegetables), then they weigh them at the checkout. Here you need to be more careful and check the numbers in the check with the real weight. This is more difficult in small shops. If you are eating with a child, you should take into account that the choice of baby food in supermarkets is small and you may not find the brand you need.

There is an opinion that everything is very cheap in Bulgaria. And so it was, until the rate of the dollar and the euro crept up. Now it's not so cheap anymore. Especially in the famous resorts. Be sure to check with the tour operator, and everything about the hotel where you want to relax. Very often, a vacation can be ruined by a construction site nearby. And construction is going on everywhere and this creates inconvenience. There is very little or no fun for children.

Tourists who are accustomed to the elite resorts of Europe will hardly enjoy their holidays in Bulgaria. There are few palm trees, the sea is not teeming with corals and exotic. If in spite of everything, you want to spend your vacation in a Bulgarian resort, choose the place where your friends have visited and find out more reviews.

Much has been written about this on the Internet, but some of the information is either not relevant, or not entirely relevant.Therefore, I will try to write the most important tips for those who are going on vacation to Bulgaria for the first time.

Where to start, you've probably already decided where you want to relax, summer vacation at the sea, or winter in the mountains (you can have a good summer vacation in the mountains),pilgrim tourism, balneotourism (SPA procedures), or just drive through picturesque places, villages and towns in Bulgaria.

Visa to Bulgaria. In any case, she is needed. Bulgaria is an EU country, and you should get a visa (read the cost and terms of the visa).

Medical insurance for Bulgaria. For one month, the approximate cost of insurance will be about 2,500 rubles per person. It is best to get insurance from one of the major insurance companies with a good reputation.

Currency. The country is not part of the euro zone (yet), which means you need it. It is better to exchange rubles for levs at once. The lev exchange rate is pegged to the euro and is always the same - 1 euro costs 1.95583 leva.

Advice, when changing money in Bulgaria, it is best to do it in exchange offices, while clarifying whether they take a commission. Banks exchange currencies at a more undervalued rate, and converting a large amount, you can sensitively lose part of your money.

In addition, I do not advise changing the currency at the airport, because the rate is always bad and there is a conversion fee. If you need to change, then change a small amount to get to the city, and there you can change it in exchange offices.

It is best to withdraw money in terminals located inside bank branches!

Flight: It is better to buy tickets in advance, so there is a chance to buy tickets at a better price. As a rule, in summer there are many charter flights to Burgas and Varna. You can fly to Sofia directly only by regular flights with Bulgaria Air or Aeroflot airlines.

Varna airport: next to Terminal 2 there is a bus stop number 409, it travels through the center of Varna to the Golden Sands resort in 50 minutes. The bus journey to the city center takes 20 minutes (Varna Cathedral). The same bus also takes you to the resort of St. Constantine and Helena. Interval - for every 15 minutes from and to terminal 2 of Varna airport. Who needs comfort there is a taxi.

Burgas airport: there is a stop at the airport entrance, bus number 15 stops, runs every 25 minutes. You can get faster by taking a taxi.

Sofia airport : the most convenient way is to use the metro. Almost without leaving the airport, you get to the Sofia metro.

Line 1 of the Moscow Metro connects Sofia airport with the city center and provides direct transport links between the airport and large residential complexes.

From Sofia Airport you can reach the city center in 18 minutes. With one change at the Serdika metro station from line 1 to line 2, in less than half an hour you can get to the Sofia Central Bus Station or to the Central Railway Station (they are nearby).Also, at the exit of the airport, taxis are waiting for their customers in a “live queue”.

Please note that taxi prices can vary greatly, so look carefully at what is written on the price tag, usually a sticker on the glass.

Mobile connection: Also, upon arrival, do not forget to buy a Bulgarian SIM card (each telecom operator has its own offices) with a package for using mobile Internet. The most favorable tariffs are offered by Vivacom, prepaid SIM cards with 10GB traffic for 15 leva, and there is no roaming in Europe, and if you need to travel to another EU country, then you will definitely not have to overpay.

I suppose everyone has smartphones with installed programs for Internet calls and correspondence.

Accommodation prices in Bulgaria: prices for rooms in private houses and rooms in hotels are also very different. On average, a hotel room costs between 30 - 45 levs, and for 70 levs you can find a very good hotel room. Anything that costs more usually means better service and includes at least breakfast.

Also, the price can vary greatly depending on the season, in the so-called “high season” high season, after mid-June, July and August, prices increase by an average of 20 - 30%.

Advice, the earlier you book a room, for example in spring for summer, the more favorable the price will be. In September, prices fall, there are much fewer tourists, the sea is warm, you can swim and sunbathe in silence.

Food prices in Bulgaria: Prices different, but in an ordinary restaurant, lunch per person will cost on average about 20 - 30 levs, for this money you can order soup, main course, salad, bread, dessert, drink juice or take a glass of white (red) wine, or beer , a matter of taste. By the way, Bulgarian beer is very tasty, since the water in Bulgaria is suitable for brewing this drink.

The portions are an order of magnitude larger than in Russia. Therefore, if you order fried potatoes, then one serving is enough for two. Salads and omelets are also huge and they put Bulgarian cheese in them. Remember that Bulgarians are very fond of feta cheese (siren), they put it wherever possible, so if you do not really like the taste of feta cheese, it is better to check with the waiter in advance.

Transport in Bulgaria.

Taxi: services are quite expensive, since the price of gasoline is much higher than in Russia (about about 1 euro per liter (2 levs). The price for 1 km is 1 lev during the day, and at night it is more expensive than 1.18 leva. If you take from Varna airport to Zolotye Sands, it is about 25 km, the cost will be from 40. Therefore, when planning a budget, you must take into account the costs of transport.

Urban transport : the fare is 1 lev, the price is the same in all big cities in Bulgaria. In Sofia it costs BGN 1.60. Tickets can be bought directly on the buses.

Car for rent: If you are going to travel around the whole country, or want to visit different places in Bulgaria, or just ride along the Black Sea coast, swim and sunbathe on different beaches and resorts, then it is best to rent a car.

It is better to order a car in advance from large companies. They have a large fleet of vehicles, so the choice of cars will be large. The paperwork takes minimal time, and you will receive your car immediately at the airport parking lot. You can return the car elsewhere, this is discussed additionally.

Rental prices start from 50 leva per day, there is an initial payment of 200 Euro, the amount is blocked on the card, and when the car is returned, the money on the card will be available again. Some firms take cash as well.

Choose a car with economical fuel consumption (engine with an average fuel consumption of 4 liters per 100 km).

Bulgarian language: The language barrier, you will not feel it strongly, because many Bulgarians understand Russian, but not all speak Russian. However, it would be good for you to learn the most frequently used Bulgarian phrases and words in advance. This will make it easier for you to establish contact and get help from the Bulgarians.

Good mood: take it with you. The fact that Bulgarians shake their heads on the contrary when they say "yes" and "no" (not as is customary among other people in the world) have probably already heard, but you will definitely not be able to confuse the answer "yes" with "no". But, the phrase “to the right” in Bulgarian means “right”, you should definitely pay attention to this, especially when they explain to you how to get somewhere.

the site wishes you a great holiday in Bulgaria.