Famous Places in Bulgaria For Your Holiday

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Famous Places in Bulgaria For Your Holiday
Travel tips for your trip to Bulgaria Hotel Maps Famous Places in Bulgaria helps you to make your trip to Bulgaria in the holiday a Splendid One

Architectural wonders. Archaeological treasures. Beautiful beaches. These are just some of the Bulgaria attractions. Indeed, there are many sights to see in Bulgaria which make it a great destination for holidays.

Valley of the Thracian Kings - The valley of Kazanluk, also known as the Rose Valley, is the site of impressive tombs and burial mounds, the most famous of which is the Kazanluk Tomb. Along with the lavishly decorated Sveshtari Tomb near the town of Isperih, the Kazanluk Tomb has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the most popular Bulgaria attractions.


Rila Monastery - Located in the northwestern Rila mountains, the Rila Monastery is the largest and most popular monastery in Bulgaria. It is well known for its gold-plated iconostasis, as well as its library of over 250 manuscripts, wood carvings and frescoes.

The Assumption Bochkava Monastery and the Rozhen Monastery are also Bulgaria attractions worth visiting. Both have spectacular iconostases, too, as well as other stunning artwork. In fact, the Assumption Bochkava Monastery has one of the oldest wood-carved iconostases in Bulgaria.


Roman Ampitheatre - Built by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century, the Roman ampitheatre in Plovdiv is a magnificent marble structure, said to have held more than 6000 spectators during its peak. Today, it is the site of various musical and ballet performance, including the annual Verdi Festival of opera concerts. Other Bulgaria attractions in Plovdiv include the Atanas Krastev House, the Hindlian House and the Nedkovich House.

Pirin National Park - Bulgaria is also home to many nature parks which serve as havens for hikers and birdwatchers, the most famous of which is the Pirin National Park. Although not the largest, the Pirin National Park is known for its majestic peaks and valleys, as well as its interesting flora and fauna. Aside from nature parks, Bulgaria has some remarkable natural rock formations, too, such as those in Belogradchik.

Black Sea Coast - Do you want to spend a day on the beach? If so, drop by one of the towns and cities along the Black Sea Coast for a day of swimming, sunbathing or partying on the beach. In fact, these seaside resorts are the primary Bulgaria attractions, though, of course, as you just learned, there are plenty of other wonderful sights to see during your holidays in Bulgaria.

Free Guide Sofia City

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Free Guide Sofia City
Travel tips for your trip to Bulgaria Hotel Maps Famous Places in Bulgaria helps you to make your trip to Bulgaria in the holiday a Splendid One

The city of Sofia stands proudly as one of the most tourist friendly destinations in the former Eastern Bloc, and boasts an extraordinary array of attractions and things to do. It is the capital city of Bulgaria, and witnesses millions of tourists and travellers each year.

Getting into the city, especially the centre of the town, is remarkably easy, as the main train and bus station are both located here. The airport, which is also among the top airports in Eastern Europe, is only about 10kms from the heart of Sofia. With all roads leading to the centre of the city, hotels in Sofia City Centre can also be found.

The middle of town is a beautiful place to tour, as the most phenomenal attractions and memorable landmarks are generally situated here. Museums, parks, architectural marvels, and monuments are all found within the central districts.

Museums: One of Sofia's crowning glories are its museums. This Eastern European city is certainly at the forefront of the region's tourism, and its museums are leading the way. The main museum within the city centre is the National Museum of History, which is also one of the largest. There are more than 600,000 exhibits located within the history museum that cover everything relating to the historical timeline of this fair city. It also contains many of Bulgaria's main historical events and situations, meaning visitors certainly come from all walks of life to see it. It is recommended that visitors set aside at least half a day for touring the museum. The Ethnographic Museum of Sofia highlights many of the costumes used in Bulgaria's past, and should be explored. Other museums include the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Paleontology.

Parks: several important parks are located across the Sofia city centre. The Tsar Boris's Garden is the largest and most significant parkland found in the inner city region of the settlement. It contains long pathways, ponds, mini forests, and during the cooler months, is blanketed with a misty, scenic fog in the early hours of the morning. Another of the parks in the city is the aptly named City Garden, which, as guessed, is a garden park found in the...well, city!

Monuments: due to its rich history, Sofia contains a number of monuments that are worthy of mention. Tourists can find the famous Monument to the Tsar Liberator and Vasil Levski in the downtown area of the city. These two monuments are great places to see historical points of the city. In addition to this, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier should also be seen.

Galleries: several art galleries are sporadically located across the inner districts of the city. The most famous, which is located in the Battenburg Palace, is the National Art Gallery, which contains a wide range of local and national art work from centuries ago to today. In addition to this, the National Gallery of Foreign Art is also worth taking the time to explore.

Money Exchange for Bulgaria -Services - Money

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Money Exchange for Bulgaria -Services - Money
Travel tips for your trip to Bulgaria Hotel Maps Famous Places in Bulgaria helps you to make your trip to Bulgaria in the holiday a Splendid One

Location: SE Europe, in E Balkan Peninsula on Black sea. Neighbors: Romanian on N, Serbia, Macedonia on W, Greece, and Turkey on S. Neighbors: Romanian on N, Serbia, Macedonian on W, Greece, Turkey on S.

Area: 42,858.1 sq mi, 111,002 sq km

Form of Government: Unitary multiparty republic with one legislative body (National Assembly 240)

Population: (2007) 7,645,000

Population Density: (2007) persons per sq mi 178.4, persons per sq km 68.9

Principal Language(s): Bulgarian, Turkish, Roma

Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 83%, Muslim 12%

Capital: Sofia

Capital Population: 1,138,950

Capital Average Temperature: Maximum: 9.9 degrees Celsius, 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit

Major Cities: Plovdiv 341,464, Varna 312,026, Burgas 189,529, Ruse 158,201

Topography: The Stara Planina (Balkan) Mts. stretch E-W across the center of the country, with the Danubian plain on N, the Rhodope Mts. on SW, and Thracian Plain on SE.

Economy: G.D.P. $86.73 bil

G.D.P. per Capita: $11,800

Vital Statistics: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2005): 9.2 (world avg. 20.3) within marriage 51.0%. Death rate per 1,000 population (2005); 14.6 (world avg. 8.6) Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman 2005) 1.31. Life expectancy at birth (2005) male 69.0 years; female 76.3 years

Government Website: www.government.bg

Credit cards:

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in large cities, in larger hotels and car hire offices, and in some restaurants and shops, mainly in Sofia. However, Bulgaria is still a country that operates mainly on cash. ATMs are widespread, although it is best to check with the relevant bank/card provider prior to travel. Not all Bulgarian bank machines accept every overseas credit or debit card; it may take more than one attempt to withdraw cash successfully.
ATM:

ATMs are widespread, although it is best to check with the relevant bank/card provider prior to travel. Not all Bulgarian bank machines accept every overseas credit or debit card; it may take more than one attempt to withdraw cash successfully.
Travellers cheques:

Accepted in major hotels and restaurants, although cash is far more common. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros.
Banking hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1600.
Currency restriction:

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided it is declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared upon arrival.
Currency exchange:

Visitors are advised to exchange money at banks, at large hotels and at independent currency exchange offices, where the rates are clearly displayed. Travellers should not be tempted by a 'better rate' offered at unofficial sources on the street. It is illegal for commission to be charged when changing money at official offices. No store, bank or bureau de change will accept mutilated, torn or excessively dirty foreign currency.

Health and Medical Information for Bulgaria

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Health and Medical Information for Bulgaria
Travel tips for your trip to Bulgaria Hotel Maps Famous Places in Bulgaria helps you to make your trip to Bulgaria in the holiday a Splendid One

On the western coast of the Black Sea lays the country of Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria. Roughly 110,880 km² in size, Bulgaria shares its borders with Romania to the north, Turkey to the south east, Greece to the south, and Serbia and Macedonia to the west. Bulgaria was a country that was locked for over 40 years behind the Soviet Union’s iron curtain, but now shows very little resemblance to its former communist self. Bulgaria government works as a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic.

The Bulgarian health system

is mainly controlled by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the progress, execution and supervision of the National Health Service and policy within Bulgaria. In 2010 the Bulgarian health care was still under a state of return. The poor healthcare system makes the need for reform that much more pressing, with Bulgaria having one of the worst health care systems within the European Union. Bulgaria also spends one of the lowest percentages of the GDP on healthcare in the EU. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) controls and manages the medical insurance system for Bulgaria. NHIF carries out its administrative duties through its 28 territorial divisions, known as regional Health Insurance Funds. Availability for the public state provided healthcare varies bigger cities and towns having more access to clinics, doctors, medical supplies, and hospitals when compared to restricted rural areas. Though with the NHIF set up out-of-pocket and informal means of payments for medical care is still widespread. Expatriates working within Bulgaria do have the ability to use the NHIF to help subsidize costs but medicals costs, especially in private facilities, have the possibility of running high. Traveler insurance covering healthcare is needed for expatriates and tourists staying within Bulgaria for a short period of time. The Bulgarian government requires it in order to be admitted into the country.

While Bulgaria’s public sector does have over 1,600 medical facilities, 262 of which are hospitals, the level of care is lacking. Most hospitals are only able to provide basic care and are old-fashioned when compared to western standards. Bulgaria has over 60 private facilities, mainly situated within bigger cities and towns, such as Sofia. Private hospitals do contain better facilities, equipment and more access to medical supplies. Both private and public health facilities have had issues with hygiene. In 2009 and 2010 Bulgarian public facilities had been having problems of shortages of medical staff, worsening the availability of proper medical care within the country. Expatriates looking to work in Bulgaria should obtain and international health insurance plan. This will ensure their ability to receive high quality medical treatment from the nearest healthcare facility, which might not be within Bulgaria.

With Bulgaria being part of the European Union, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) holders are entitled to some medical services within Bulgaria; though the EHIC does not act as a sufficient substitute for proper international medical and travel insurance coverage. The EHIC grants the holder emergency medical treatment that is necessary on the same terms as Bulgarian nationals. But medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment and non-urgent medical care are not covered by the EHIC. But there are some private hospitals that do not accept the EHIC.

Several diseases still effect Bulgaria’s population, tourists and expatriates should be aware of the possible danger they pose while visiting Bulgaria. Hepatitis A & B, HIV/AIDS, travelers’ diarrhea, cholera and Lyme disease have all been seen in Bulgaria within the year 2010. In January 2011 the Health Ministry alerted of an outbreak of H1N1 within 6 regions in Bulgaria; Burgas, Vratsa, Shumen, Blagoevgrad, Veliko Turnovo and Kyustendil. The locations of Sofia city, Sofia region, Pazardzhik and Pleven are affected by the flu, which had reached its peak by February 22 2011. This had caused some businesses and a majority of the schools to be closed within said areas. HIV/AIDS is present in Bulgaria but its prevalence is rather low, with less than 0.1% of the adult population carrying the virus.

Sense Bulgaria had joined the European Union in 2007; the overall security environment for expatriates and tourists has improved. In the start of 2011 there were still problems of violence related to criminal groups, which occurs sporadically within public locations. In January 2010 a journalist was assassinated in Sofia during the day, supposedly due to a book containing details of Bulgarian organized crime. The areas of Pleven, Topolovgrad and Sofia have had incidents of residential break ins. Vehicle theft is a concern, especially newer sedan type four wheel drive automobiles. Very few vehicles are ever recovered. Expatriates looking to live in these areas should discuss with their international insurance provider the possibilities of property theft/ damage coverage. In some smaller towns within Bulgaria do not even contain a police station, which means help from the police won’t be immediately available. The police can be contacted by dialing 166 anywhere in Bulgaria, whether it is a landline or mobile. For all types of emergency services a person can dial 112 anywhere in Bulgaria.

If European visitors or any of their dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to Bulgaria, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All nationals are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
Food and drink:

Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, can cause mild abdominal upsets if in remote areas. Some travellers may prefer to drink bottled water for the first few weeks of their stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. All food is prepared with a good level of hygiene.
Other risks:

Hepatitis B is endemic. Hepatitis C may occur. Tick-borne encephalitis exists. Immunisation against tuberculosis is sometimes recommended.

Short History Of Bulgaria and Culture

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Short History Of Bulgaria and Culture
Travel tips for your trip to Bulgaria Hotel Maps Famous Places in Bulgaria helps you to make your trip to Bulgaria in the holiday a Splendid One

Bulgaria is the oldest surviving state in Europe to have kept its original name - since AD681 - and most of the population are descendants of the Bulgar invasion of the south Danube around that time.

On two occasions during the Medieval period, the Bulgarians managed to establish empires, which existed in a state of armed conflict with Byzantium.

Bulgaria's territory in Macedonia was then overrun by the Serbs – then the rising power in the Balkans. Their dominance was short-lived, however, as the Ottoman Turks arrived in the 1350s.

Within 40 years, the country had been completely absorbed into the Ottoman Empire.

Following an uprising in 1876, Bulgarian volunteer forces, with strong Russian support, defeated the Turks and established an independent state.

King Ferdinand was the dominant figure in Bulgarian politics up to World War I, although was discredited thereafter, due to his support for the Germans.

The popular Agrarian leader, Aleksandur Stambolyiski, imprisoned by Ferdinand, formed a reformist government that lasted until 1923, when it was overthrown in a right-wing coup.

The government of Alexander Tsankov, which replaced Stambolyiski's administration, established a royalist-militarist government with King Boris as head of state.

Soviet forces entered the country in 1944, and the monarchy was abolished and a republic declared.

By the end of 1947, the Communist Party had completed its takeover of the country.

Bulgaria's dominant political figure was Todor Zhivkov, under whose leadership Bulgaria became the staunchest of Moscow's allies.

In 1989, Zhivkov resigned. The first multi-party elections for 44 years were held in June 1990; the ruling Communists had restyled themselves the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and won an absolute majority.

Throughout the first half of the 1990s, Bulgaria was wracked by instability, and plunged into economic crisis.

The main opposition to the BSP was the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), whose leader, Zhelyu Zhelev, held the presidency between 1990 and his fall as UDF leader in 1996. His successor, Petar Stoyanov, went on to win the presidency in October 1996.

In 2001, Bulgarian politics were turned upside down by the former King Simeon II, who set up a political party modestly entitled Simeon The Second National Movement; that June, the Movement won a resounding victory at the National Assembly elections.

The BSP's Georgi Parvanov won the presidential election in 2001. The Socialist Party, led by Sergei Stanishev, won the 2005 election, but did not win enough seats to form a government on their own.

Bulgaria became a NATO member in 2004, and entered the EU in 2007.

Bulgaria Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details

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Bulgaria Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details
Travel tips for your trip to Bulgaria Hotel Maps Famous Places in Bulgaria helps you to make your trip to Bulgaria in the holiday a Splendid One

Hotels in Burgas

There is a good choice of Hotels in Burgas which will suit your budget and taste. Whether you are looking for luxury Hotels in Burgas or budget Hotels in Burgas or beach resorts or airport hotels there is a suitable accommodation in Burgas which will cater to all your accommodation, dining, business and recreational needs. Here in the city you will find hotels belonging to 5 star or 4 star or 3 star category. The 5 star and the 4 star hotels comprise the luxury Hotels in Burgas and the 3 star and the 2 star Burgas hotels comprise the budget Hotels in Burgas.

Popular Hotels in Burgas

Bourgas Hotel
Interhotel Bulgaria
Mirage Hotel
Aqua Hotel
Bulair Hotel
Chiplakoff Hotel
Cosmos Hotel
Plaza Hotel
Fors Hotel

Hotels in Burgas: Bourgas Hotel, Burgas

Location
Bourgas Hotel is a 4 star hotel. The hotel is situated in the city of Burgas by the Black Sea. The beach is at 10 minutes walk away. The Port of Burgas is situated at a couple of minutes walk from the hotel. The South Bus Station and the Railway Station are 100 meters away from the hotel. The Burgas Airport is 4 kilometers away.

Accommodation
Bourgas Hotel in Burgas offers 28 double rooms and 4 apartments for the accommodation of guests.

Dining
The hotel houses an on-site restaurant called the La Perle Noire. It serves French cuisines.

Business and Conference
The hotel offers a conference hall and a business center. The business services include audio visual equipment, wireless Internet access, computers, printers, cellular telephones, translation services, delivery, fax and photocopying services.

Facilities
The hotel facilities include casino, car parking, lounge, laundry, dry cleaning, news stand, security and room services.

Hotels in Burgas: Fors Hotel, Burgas

Location
Fors Hotel is a 3 star hotel. The hotel is situated in the heart of the city. The train station, the Port of Burgas and the South Bus Station are at a 5 minutes drive away from the hotel. The beach is 250 meters away from the hotel.

Accommodation
Fors Hotel offers 2 apartments and 20 double rooms for the accommodation of guests.

Dining
The hotel houses a on-site restaurant called the Pizza Restaurant. The restaurant serves European and Bulgarian dishes. The hotel also houses a Wine Lounge. It serves wines and Bulgarian dishes.

Business and Conference
Fors Hotel offers the Pizza restaurant and the Wine Lounge to host business meetings, private parties and cocktail parties. The restaurant has a seating capacity of 75 seats, while the wine salon can accommodate 35 to 40 guests.

Facilities
The hotel facilities include meeting space, tour desk, car rental and tour desk.

Hotels in Sofia

The Hotels in Sofia features world class facilities and amenities to make your vacation an easy one. The city of Sofia is the capital and the largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in western Bulgaria at the base of the Vitosha Mountain. The city is one of the main Tourist Destinations in Bulgaria. The Hotels in Sofia offer all the facilities for both leisure and business travelers. Choose from the various Accommodations in Sofia according to your convenience. Many of the Hotels in Sofia are close to the main attractions which make sightseeing very easy.

You can look forward for luxury at day and comfort by night at the Hotels in Sofia. The rooms and suites are all well appointed with luxurious décor and furniture. The accommodation units are equipped with modern facilities. Some of the popular Sofia Hotels are -

Grand Hotel, Sofia
Sofia Princess Hotel, Sofia
Arena Di Serdica, Sofia
Brod Hotel, Sofia
Metropolitan Hotel Sofia
Anel Hotel, Sofia
Festa Barcelo Premium Hotel, Sofia
Hilton Hotel, Sofia
Holiday Inn Hotel, Sofia
Kempinski - Zografski Hotel, Sofia
Sheraton Hotel Balkan, Sofia

The Grand Hotel, Sofia is one of the most famous Hotels of Sofia. It is located in the center of the city within close proximity to the attractions. It offers 105 rooms which includes 17 suites, 2 Grand Suites and 3 Panorama Suites. The restaurants featured here are Triaditza Restaurant Dream Notes Piano Bar, Lobby Bar, Cigar Bar, Shades of Red Restaurant, Grand Café and Executive Lounge. There are excellent business facilities and relaxation facilities too which includes fitness equipment, steam bath, Jacuzzi and solarium. It also provides airport pick up, concierge, car rentals, room service and parking.

Another important name among the Hotels in Sofia is the Sofia Princess Hotel, Sofia. There are 569 double and single rooms and 14 executive rooms with all modern facilities. The restaurant serves traditional and international fares. The Oriental Kebab Restaurant offers oriental fares. The lobby bar has a fine selection of drinks. You can carry on with your business at one of the 5 multifunction conference halls. You can relax at the Finnish saunas, Jacuzzi and swimming pool. It also offers 24 hours security and room service, laundry, casino and shopping center.

The other Hotels in Sofia also offer excellent dining facilities like restaurants, cafes and bars. These specialize in traditional Bulgarian and international fares. The hotel also features relaxation facilities like swimming pool, sauna, gym and spa. Business guests can avail of the corporate facilities of the Business Center.

Hotels in Vratsa

The numerous Hotels in Vratsa make finding an accommodation in the city suiting your taste and requirements, comparatively easy. These accommodation options offers comfortable place to stay for the legions of travelers coming to the city for various purposes. The spots of sightseeing in the city are also easily accessible from the Hotels in Vratsa. Here are some of the recommended Vratsa hotels that you can check into for a comfortable stay in the city.

Hotel Valdi Palace

The hotel is conveniently located in the town of Vratsa and is easily accessible from the airport and the railway station. The hotel features comfortable 63 accommodation units and 6 apartments. All the rooms are well equipped with all the modern amenities like TV, mini bar, room service, mini bar and more. The hotel also provides more facilities for the convenience of the guests like cocktail bar, restaurant, safe, Cable TV, sauna, fitness, night club and more.

Hotel complex Hushove

The hotel complex Hushove is situated 3 km far from the central square of Vratsa town in a lovely place near Botev`s alley. The picturesque location of the hotel makes it a sought after tourist destination. The hotel boasts of 2 king suites, 8 small suites, 2 double rooms and 17 single rooms. All the rooms are well equipped with facilities like television with cable connection, a well stocked mini bar and more.

Hotel Flamingo Compound

Flamingo Compound offers 8 rooms and 2 suites for the convenience of the travelers. The hotel is sought after by both the holiday makers and the business travelers. The rooms are well equipped with modern facilities.

Hotel Skut

The hotel is situated in the municipality of Byala Slatina, District Vratsa in the North-West of Bulgaria. The hotel offers 63 rooms which comprises of 7 Single rooms, 42 Double rooms and 14 Suites. All of rooms are well equipped with facilities like WC and phone. The hotel offers various facilities for the convenience of the guests like an onsite restaurant, a well stocked bar, a nightclub, car parking facility, summer garden and other facilities.

Some of the other popular hotels in Vratsa are Hotel Istar; Complex Oazis; Holiday Base Gorska Feya; Miranda house; Hotel Central and Guest house Margarita.