About Bulgaria
Capital: Sofia
Time: GMT+2hours
 Holidays and Day offs: January 1 and 2 (New Year), March 3 (the Liberation of Bulgaria from Osmans), Easter Monday, April 8, May 1 (Labor Day), May 24 (Day of Bulgarian Culture and Slavonic written language, the day of St. Kirill and Mefodia), December 25 (Christmas).
National characteristics: Bulgaria is a bridge between Europe and Asia . In Bulgaria prices for foreigners are higher than for natives. The expressions of agreement or disagreement are expressed in the opposite way as compared with Armenia , i.e. they nod to express agreement and shake to express disagreement.
 Geographic sketch: A country in the South-East of Europe on the Bulgarian peninsula (from 1946 to 1990 it was called National Republic of Bulgaria). Bulgaria borders five countries: Romania in the north, Turkey and Greece in South, Serbia and the Black Sea in the East. The total area of Bulgaria is 110912 square/kms. The main river is Dunay, among others are Marisa, Stream, Kamchia.
Climate:In the greatest part of the country the climate is continental with cold winters and hot summers, to the south it's Mediterranean.
In Bulgaria the best resort season is from May to 10 October with successive swimming season. Average temperature in May is +20C, in June and September +26-28C. Annual average temperature is about +13C. Average temperature in Sofia is:
|
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Sofia |
-3 |
0 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
17 |
23 |
20 |
17 |
12 |
5 |
0 |
Population: The total number of population is 8.24 million people. The main ethnic groups are: Bulgarians-5%, Turks-9%, Armenians, Gypsies, Greece , and Slavonic-Macedonians.
Language: The official language is Bulgarian language, Russian, English, German are also used.
Religion: Bulgarian Orthodox Church-85%, Islam-12%, Catholic Church, Protestant churches, Judaism.
Currency: Bulgarian lev. 1 lev equals 100 stotinok. The import and export of foreign currency is free (Declaration is obligatory).
Currency Exchange: Currency Exchange is free. It's better to have USD or EURO. Dollars can be exchanged into levs only at specialized exchange points, banks. Banks are open from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 13.00 p.m. to 17.00 p.m. Bulgarian banks don't exchange levs into dollars. Only a small amount is permitted upon return, therefore it's necessary to keep the currency exchange receipt into levs. It's better to exchange money only at exchange points in Bourg as or Varna as the exchange rate is higher there and the Bulgarian lev can be exchanged into freely converted currency.
Customs Rules: The export of goods and items presenting historical, artistic and archaeological value is prohibited without a special permission. To avoid misunderstanding having jewelry, photo, cinema, video, photo tapes, portable PC or notebook should mention them in the declaration upon entering the country.
Transport: There are long-distance bus services in Bulgaria , though they go slower. One can take railway services though delays here are possible as well. People who want to rent-a-car should have an international driving license.
From Albena to Gold sands and Varna (and back) it's better to take a bus. The trip from Albena to Varna takes approximately 30 minutes, from 30 a.m. to 18.15 p.m. there is a town bus from Varna to Gold Sands (to 23.00 p.m. ). The fee is 1 L.V Duration 30-40 minutes. At nights there is only a taxi (0.5 lv per each km). There is a bus from Albena to Sofia , the fee – 20l.v.
Duration – 8 hours. Departure - three times a day (to 22.00 p.m. ).
Communications: One can practically call from anywhere pay-phones for calling cards are mostly widespread. You should remember however that all the cards from one provider are invalid for the others, but a call from post-office is cheaper as compared with that of from the hotel for instance.
Shops: Work hours are from 9.30 a.m. to 18.00 p.m. Lunch Time in different shops is from 12.00 a.m. to 15.30 p.m. There are 24 hour shops which work at weekends. In Bulgaria embroidered clothes. Carpets, perfumes from Rose Dolina, leather, copper, handmade silver, articles made of copper and iron are purchase as souvenirs. In Sofia the best shops are located along Vitosha Boulevard and in the Gallery in front of the National Culture Palace (NCP). At the central department store in Lrago St. you can purchase leather, knives, CD, souvenirs. Before doing heavy shopping you are to check customs' rules.
Settlement: There is a great range of Public and Private Hotels. Along the sea cost one can rent-a-room in a private house. In the mountains a small house a kind of "shale" can be rented.
Tips: Tips are given to clerks, maids: waiters are given tips to round the bill. One shouldn't leave money on the table.
Urgent Numbers: Police-166, a Fire brigade-160, Ambulance-150, Highway help-146
Important Numbers: - Alarm clock - 120, Office - telephone department - 144, Weather Forecast - 175
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