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Bulgaria


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Travel information and tips on Bulgaria including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Bulgaria, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more.

Click on any of the following below for information about Bulgaria
General Information on Bulgaria
Getting To and Around Bulgaria
Cities And Towns In Bulgaria

Accommodations In Bulgaria
Things To See And Do In Bulgaria
Tours to Bulgaria
Dining In Bulgaria
Favorites In Bulgaria

Books, Maps and Other Resources
Interesting Links For Bulgaria
Posters and Framed Art for Bulgaria
Discounts and Deals!

Hrelyu's Tower and Domes of Church, Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
Hrelyu's Tower and Domes of Church, Rila Monastery, Bulgaria Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com


Bulgaria - Order FREE Travel Brochure!

General Information on Bulgaria

Embassy of Bulgaria  You will find a lot of good information at the Embassy of Bulgaria site in the U.S., Washington D.C.

Passports and Visas
Currency Information and Money Matters
Electricity
Language
Travel Insurance
Travel Warning


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(The following information was taken from the CIA World Fact Book)
The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU on 1 January 2007, has experienced strong growth since a major economic downturn in 1996. Successive governments have demonstrated commitment to economic reforms and responsible fiscal planning, but have failed so far to rein in rising inflation and large current account deficits. Bulgaria has averaged more than 6% growth since 2004, attracting significant amounts of foreign direct investment, but corruption in the public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain significant challenges. For additional information, visit https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bu.html

Passports and Visas

You will need a passport.
 

Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency.

Currency Information and Money Matters
The currency in Bulgaria is the
leva (BGL).  The leva per US dollar - 1.4366 (2007), 1.5576 (2006), 1.5741 (2005), 1.5751 (2004), 1.7327 (2003)

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare.  Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate

Language

Bulgarian is the language of Bulgaria with about  85% of the people speaking it. The rest of the locals break down something like this:  Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census).

I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Electricity
Be sure to take your adaptor and converter kit. Find the converter you will need in the Getting Away Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you need in the Getting Away Travel Store!

Travel Insurance
If you need medical care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away
Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.

Travel Warning
Check with the U.S. State Department for Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public Announcements.

Books, Maps and Other Resources

My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on Fodor's Travel Guides to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
 

I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com


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Getting To and Around Bulgaria


Air Fares

Getting Away Air Fare Finder!
Looking for a good air fare? Check the Getting Away Air Fare Finder!
Also, find good accommodations and a rental cars for when you arrive!

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Airline tickets, hotel and car rental reservations

At Travelocity, not only can you find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also find Great Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on Hotel Deals, hundreds of Cruise Deals, some of the Top Vacation Deals on the Internet and much more. You can click on the Weather Center to see what the weather will be like at your destination, and even use their Currency Converter So you will be ready to go as soon as your arrive. At Travelocity, you can find it all.

For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.

f you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Getting Around In Bulgaria

Motoroads Motorcycle Tours are all-inclusive packages, therefore you do not have to worry about extra expenses during your tour. We implement a Private motorcycle tour for a solo rider. A personal guide is assigned for this tour and you will get all the benefits as on a group motorcycle tour. All motorcycle tours include extra sport activities prepaid in your tour package. Enjoy hiking, caving, biking, climbing, horseback riding, hang and paragliding. For your convenience all motorcycle tours have 14 days and 8 days version. Choose the tour that suits you best according to your time availability. We customize the itineraries of all motorcycle tours according to your skills and needs. You can go for more mileage, extra outdoor activities or an additional rest day.


 

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Want a car, but don't want to rent. If you need a car for at least 17 days, and you are at least 18 years old, Getting Away and Auto Europe can hook you up with a new Peugeot through the exclusive Peugeot Buy Back Program. In Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand and Spain, you can even rent a motor home.

If you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

 
Cities and Towns In Bulgaria
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map of Bulgaria


Some Things To See And Do In Bulgaria

Motoroads Motorcycle Tours are all-inclusive packages, therefore you do not have to worry about extra expenses during your tour. We implement a Private motorcycle tour for a solo rider. A personal guide is assigned for this tour and you will get all the benefits as on a group motorcycle tour. All motorcycle tours include extra sport activities prepaid in your tour package. Enjoy hiking, caving, biking, climbing, horseback riding, hang and paragliding. For your convenience all motorcycle tours have 14 days and 8 days version. Choose the tour that suits you best according to your time availability. We customize the itineraries of all motorcycle tours according to your skills and needs. You can go for more mileage, extra outdoor activities or an additional rest day.
 
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Bulgaria - Order FREE Travel Brochure!  

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If you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Some Suggestions For Accommodations In Bulgaria
Click on The Hilton Family of Hotels to search for Hilton Hotels along with Conrad Hotels, Doubletree Hotels, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton. Looking for a better hotel rate? They're at Hilton.com

 

Getting Away Accommodations Finder!
Need accommodations in Bulgaria?
Check the Getting Away Accommodations Finder!
You can also find great air fares and car rentals!


Accommodations

 
Book Hostels in Bulgaria Online  You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

If you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Some Suggestions For Dining In Bulgaria
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Some Favorites In Bulgaria
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Date this page was last edited: Saturday, August 02, 2008 17:10:43

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