Useful General Information
Useful Information Time Difference Winter time: GMT +2 hours (October through March). Summer time: GMT +3 hours (April through September) Voltage 220 V only Monetary Units lev. Banknote denominations include 1,00, 2,00, 5,00, 10,00, 20,00, 50,00 and 100,00 leva, as well as coins of 1,00 smaller denominations. Working Hours offices - 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) banks - 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) shops - 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm. (Monday to Friday, Saturday until noon) Important Telephone Numbers Police - 166 Ambulance - 150 Road assistance - 146 Transport * public transport - in big cities: trams, trolley-buses, buses - elsewhere: buses - inter-city transport: plane, train, coach * taxi * rent-a-car: AVIS, Hertz, Intertel, Europcar, Budget and International Car Rental in Sofia, the country's big cities and resorts Medical Service Free first aid and consultation in emergencies Currency Exchange In banks and 24-hour change bureaux. The exchange rate is announced every day. Credit Cards Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, American Express, Access, Airplus. They can be used for the payment of all standard services in hotels, restaurants, night clubs, shops, car rentals, plane tickets, etc. Passports and Visas You will need a valid passport with an entry or transit visa which is issued by the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad. No entry visas are required for citizens of the countries with which Bulgaria has a visa-free regime, or of organized tourists who have bought a package tour. No entry visas are required for citizens of the EU and EFTA member states. No visas are required for CIS citizens for a stay of one month, provided they are in the possession of a valid passport, a voucher for pre-paid tourist services or if they pay the sum of 40 USD for each day of their stay in the country. Accommodation Bulgaria boasts an extensive accommodation network ranging from luxury five-star to unpretentious two-star hotels, small cosy hotels and private rooms, meeting all modern requirements. Reservations through tourist agencies or local accommodation offices. Meals Troughout Bulgaria you will find catering establishments of different categories serving different foods:renowned luxury restaurants, taverns which serve national cuisine, restaurants serving foreign cuisine, fast food outlets, pizzerias, numerous cafйs and pastry shops, entertainment spots, etc. Menus are usually printed in both Bulgarian and English. Restaurants stay open from 11a.m. to midnight, but may work round the clock. Vacation by the Sea Beach holidays have traditionally centered around Varna and Burgas on the Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena, St. Constantine, Elenite and Duni Holiday villages of the Black Sea - where singles and families can enjoy the widest possible choice of beach activities and entertainment, safe in the knowledge of there being guaranteed sun, sea and sand. Apart from swimming and diving, the resorts offer excellent facilities for sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing. Other sports such as tennis, bowling, riding, paragliding, archery, volleyball, basketball...are amply catered for. The resorts also house several well-equipped health and fitness centers and entertainment to keep the children happy hours on end. If you are looking for less strenuous forms or activity, there are plenty of terraces and restaurants to help you while away the hours and casinos for the old flutter. For discerning tourists in search of more "local character" and authentic charm then the lively resort of Varna is the ideal destination. Or else the quieter, unspoiled atmosphere of the traditional fishing villages of Nessebur and Sozopol in the South or the small beach resort of Morska Zwezda, near the dramatic cliffs of Cape Kaliakra in the North. Adventure Activities Bulgaria's mountain regions offer an excellent opportunity for either nature-oriented or activity holidays. Although maybe lacking the height and excitement of Mount Everest, the vastness of the Grand Canyon and the impenetrable unknown of the Amazon jungle, they have their own special charm: tailor-made for today's tourist who looks for that little bit more from a holiday. The sparkling lakes, awesome caves and spectacular landscapes and the ever-surprising flora and fauna make hiking through these; g regions an experience of a lifetime, especially when the whole Hi region is so closely linked with the traditions of yesteryear, and be cultures that have survived the test of time. While the nature lover has more than enough opportunities to explore the region to his heart's content, the more adventurous visitor will be amazed at what Bulgaria's mountains have to offer, and will certainly find that he simply won't have the time to try all that is on offer. How to Reach Bulgaria By plane The national carrier Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, private Bulgarian airline companies, as well as many foreign airlines link the country to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. By car The country can be entered through any one of the many border checkpoints. Foreign driving licenses are valid on Bulgarian territory. Insurance is compulsory - it can either be taken out beforehand or on the Bulgarian border. The speed limit in the country is as follows: 60 km/h in populated areas, 80 km/h outside populated areas, 120 km/h on motorways. Petrol stations are located at every 30 to 50 km. By train The main European railway routes pass through Bulgaria. International trains link Sofia with many European capital cities and the domestic rail network ensures access to all large settlements. |
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