Nuances

Bulgarian resorts today are among the most developing in all of Europe. Every year in the reconstruction of hotels, improvement of infrastructure, etc. millions of euros are invested. Therefore, when choosing hotels, ask the managers of “1001 Tour” for up-to-date information on them - it may well turn out that last year’s nondescript “three ruble” is now quite a decent four stars. At the same time, hotel prices often (especially in the first year after renovation) rise more slowly than their quality. So there is always the opportunity to get good service for less money.

All beaches at all resorts in the country are public. Therefore, you can use any, despite the proximity of a “foreign” hotel.

Another thing is that the sunbeds and awnings on them do not belong to hotels, but, frankly speaking, to someone unknown. And these “it’s unclear who” set their own arbitrary prices - from a dollar all the way up to ten for a package of a sun lounger and an awning. You don’t have to buy it, but just lie on the towel provided by the hotel. Or you can save money - then choose beaches or near three-star hotels, or near rental points for jet skis and other entertainment - prices are lower there.

However, when choosing beaches near inexpensive hotels, keep in mind that in these hotels there are a lot of “Germans” who came there to relax under the German social program. It is not uncommon to meet on the way to the sea a 70-year-old woman weighing over a hundred kilograms and naked at the same time. The spectacle, frankly speaking, is for strong-willed people.

But on many beaches there is a system of discounts and reservations for umbrellas and sun loungers. If you reserve a sunbed for seven days, you get one day absolutely free; for 14 days - two days, etc. After paying for the reservation, you will be given a receipt, which will indicate: the exact date of the reservation, which day is free; row number, umbrella number and number of sun loungers (mattresses), in conclusion the amount paid is indicated and a sign with the inscription “Reserve” is attached to your umbrella.

In principle, the working hours of the beaches are until the last client. But in life everything is a little different - after 18:00 the cashiers begin to slowly collect the free sun loungers.

But the good thing about Bulgarian beaches is that you don’t need to buy any special shoes. Firstly, there is fine sand almost everywhere here, and secondly, there are no sea urchins or other prickly things.

In the evenings, if you decide to drink a couple of bottles of local wine on the shore, you will almost certainly be approached by security from one of the nearby hotels. Moreover, it is suitable not for the purpose of making a remark, but simply to communicate. If you treat them, you can get an additional guide to the resort. Or you don’t have to give them a treat - and they’ll calmly go home.

If you want to learn something from a Bulgarian, then first contact him in Russian (and not in English, German, etc.) - they treat us with warmth. Even if he doesn’t understand you, he will still try to help.

But if you go deep into Bulgaria, then in some towns there may be problems with understanding: not everyone there knows Russian. And especially the younger generation. Also, few people know English. For ease of communication, it is better to get a phrasebook.

When talking to a Bulgarian man or woman, remember that an affirmative shake of the head for us means “no”. And vice versa. It can be confusing at first.

Many Bulgarian beaches have a blue flag, which is a guarantee of environmental cleanliness. If this is important to you, then ask the managers of “1001 Tour” about such beaches.

When choosing a hotel (especially a three-star one), always look at the year of construction or reconstruction. If it is from 2000, buy it calmly. The rooms there will be quite decent by European standards. The same applies to those hotels whose owners are, for example, Germans or well-known hotel chains.

But in relation to three-star hotels built in Soviet-Bulgarian times and reconstructed before 2000, one must be careful. The service there is often, frankly speaking, bad. True, the prices are low.

If you are traveling with children and decide to take a trip deep into Bulgaria, then keep in mind that in many hotels there porn channels work after 11 pm. And free of charge. This practically never happens at resorts. It is absolutely impossible to say whether this is good or bad.

If you travel deep into Bulgaria and away from popular resorts, you may have problems with your credit cards - finding an ATM is not always possible. It is also not always possible to change money there. So on such trips it is worth changing money in advance.

You can have a good rest in Bulgaria not only at sea, but also in the mountains. Reaching a height of almost 3000 meters, the Bulgarian mountains of Rila, Pirin, Stara Planina, Rhodopes and Vitosha offer good conditions for hiking, rock climbing and mountaineering, mountain orienteering, mountain biking, caving, hunting and fishing, rafting and photo tourism.

In Bulgaria there are three national and eight natural parks, 90 nature reserves and reserves that have preserved the beautiful Bulgarian nature. Near almost any resort there is either a park, or a nature reserve, etc. There is no need to skimp on excursions there - the places there are truly very beautiful. In addition, in some of these places, folklore villages have been preserved, where, in addition to contemplating patriarchal life, you can buy original souvenirs.

For wine lovers, let us inform you that, according to a long-standing tradition, varieties are grown in the south of Bulgaria for the production of red wine, and in the north - for white wine. Accordingly, depending on where you are, you need to buy this or that homemade wine.

What is curious is that it is customary to drink red wine in the months that have the letter “r” in their names, and white wine in the rest. Therefore, in hot weather in the summer, they drink cold white wine. Which is right.

But the drink, familiar to everyone since Soviet times, which the Bulgarians call cognac after the Slynchev Bryag resort, should be drunk only by those who are nostalgic for the time when it was considered the 16th Soviet republic. Because its taste is, let's say, strange.

Of the strong drinks, the main one in Bulgaria is rakia (Bulgarian vodka). Prices are low - from 2 to 7 levs, the choice is wide - from grape (which is not very good) to peach (which is better) and apricot (which is also not bad). How good is nutmeg. Although everything, of course, is not for everyone.

. Almost all bartenders, if you are a man, will recommend you try mastic. According to the firm Bulgarian belief, it increases male strength. We won't lie - we didn't check it. But the taste, thanks to a herb called alteyka, is original.

If you are satisfied with the services of the bartender or waiter, then it is customary to leave a tip of 10 percent of the order value.

To say that there is something to see in Bulgaria is to say nothing. There are more than 30 thousand historical monuments of different eras, 36 cultural and historical reserves, 160 monasteries, 330 museums and galleries. Therefore, when planning your trip budget, it’s worth bringing money for at least a couple of excursions. Ask your agent about their approximate cost. By the way, out of three hundred world cultural monuments and natural phenomena included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, nine are located in Bulgaria.

But here’s some advice on which monasteries in Bulgaria you should definitely visit if you are near any of them. These are Rila, Bachkovo, Rozhen, Troyan, Zemen, Preobrazhensky and Aladzha rock monasteries.

If you are going on excursions to monasteries, and especially caves in Bulgaria, then even in the heat you should take warm clothes with you: the caves are always cool and damp.

. If you want to feel the local flavor, then next to any more or less famous resort there are folk restaurants. They are typically located in the mountains and are shown on most resort maps. In addition to tasting local dishes, they also entertain with local fun - such as walking barefoot on coals.

If you come to a folklore restaurant even during the day, then keep in mind that many of them have a tradition of treating guests on an empty stomach with rakija at the entrance. In principle, it is not accepted to refuse.

Also in most of these establishments you can buy very good light homemade wine inexpensively. And inexpensive.

When choosing a resort, follow a simple rule. - the place is the most respectable, Albena is a little simpler, a little cheaper and ideal for a family holiday. Sunny Beach is currently the cheapest resort, although good hotels are being actively built there. In addition, it has the most entertainment venues, discos and nightclubs.

In Albena, the main contingent of vacationers are Germans and French, there are many Russians on Golden Sands, and Sunny Beach has everything. However, when choosing a hotel there, ask your agent whether there is construction going on next door.

If you are vacationing in the Varna area (Albena, Golden Sands), then do not be lazy and visit the ancient capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, located nearby in the mountains (just over an hour by car or bus). This town is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In addition, there is the largest number of beautiful girls in Bulgaria.

If you find yourself in Tarnovo, there is a light show there in the evenings several days a week near the old fortress. The spectacle is impressive - but you should book tickets for it in advance.

On some Varna beaches you can take a hydrogen sulfide shower. There are many sources. The skin becomes soft and silky. The only problem: the smell, which not everyone likes. And some people can’t stand it at all.

Tap water in Bulgaria is safe to drink. Drinking water can also be found on many beaches - it flows from small marble fountains.

Please note that in Bulgaria you do not have to buy a hotel. In small towns like Nessebar, the private sector is also active, where for a reasonable fee you can rent part of a house, or the entire house. Ask the managers of "1001 Tour" about this.

By the way, Nessebar is an ideal place for budget shopping. Many things here have the lowest prices along the entire coast.

In general, you can buy leather goods, handicrafts, handmade silver, the famous rose oil, wines, and honey in Bulgaria.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday only in the first half of the day. Lunch break from 13 (14) to 16 (17) hours. Small shops in resort areas are often open until lunchtime and until 10 pm.

In Sofia, the best shops are located along Vitosha Boulevard and in front of the NDK Palace of Culture. In Varna, all the shops are located along the pedestrian zone, which starts from the intersection between the Black Sea Hotel and McDonald's. There are a lot of new and modern shops along the street from the Cathedral.

But when shopping, keep in mind that bargaining in Bulgaria is accepted only at the clothing market.

But it’s worth knowing that in many stores, when you make a repeat purchase, you get discounts ranging from 5 to 20%.

To raise the imperial spirit and simply because it is beautiful, it is worth going on an excursion to Shipka. Just keep in mind that you can only climb to the very top of the mountain on foot. True, the view is worth it.

In general, I would like to note that the rather vulgar saying is “a chicken is not a bird, etc.” has long been morally obsolete. Bulgarian resorts have been quite modern resorts for several years now. Hurry up before they become European-style expensive. Moreover, the service there is already European.

join us

The entire Black Sea zone of Bulgaria is one hundred percent built up with hotels. Moreover, everyone will be able to choose a vacation spot according to their financial capabilities, since the number of stars in hotels and inns varies from two to five.

But you should take care of booking your seats in advance, because the closer the holiday season, the fewer available seats.

It is best for vacationers to choose a vacation spot by March or, in extreme cases, by April. For vacationers, it is important to know the parameters according to which it will be easier to make the necessary choice. First of all, this is the date of departure and date of settlement, the number of stars of the place of residence, the distance to the sea, cafes, restaurants and shops, and the type of room.

Once you have decided on the parameters, you can safely begin searching for a hotel or company that provides room reservation services. It is best to use the services of a company, since it will be difficult for a person who has never been to Bulgaria to decide on a stopping place. In addition, some private hotels do not post their advertisements on the Internet, which makes the search much more difficult, and it will be much easier for a representative of a travel company to choose an acceptable option for you.

A double room in Bulgaria in an ordinary two-star hotel costs no more than 18 euros, a two-room room will cost 40 euros, and a three-room room will cost 50 euros. Meals are not included in the rental price and must be paid for separately. There are also hotels in Bulgaria that offer vacationers to cook their own food, but such hotels are located far from resort complexes.

The average cost of a single room in a five-star hotel ranges from 45 euros to 130 euros. But, these prices are indicated during peak season, so if you book in advance, the price will be significantly lower.

If you book a holiday in March or April, you should be given a discount of ten or fifteen percent. Also, Bulgarian tour operators provide a five percent discount to those who book a vacation with them directly and not through other partners.

There are three airports in Bulgaria, located in the largest resort towns. Airports are located in Burgas, Sofia and Varna. Regular flights fly from Moscow to Bulgaria, departing from Sheremetyevo-2 and Domodedovo, in addition, some airlines organize charter flights.

You can apply for a visa at the Bulgarian Embassy, ​​it will cost you 25 euros. It is worth saying that obtaining a visa from tour operators will cost about 45 euros, but in this case you will not have to fill out forms and stand in long lines. A visa to Bulgaria is issued within three days. To obtain a visa, you must provide the following documents: photocopies of tickets, a passport valid for more than six months, and proof of financial well-being - from 50 euros per person per day.

But these strict rules can be circumvented. To do this, it is enough to show confirmation that you have booked a hotel room in Bulgaria. To obtain the necessary document, you must pay twenty percent of the room price. If you are going to Bulgaria for a long time and with children, then you need to provide a special medical certificate stating that the children need a long holiday at sea. And yet, a mandatory requirement for obtaining a visa is to have insurance. The cost of full health insurance for an adult is one euro per day, and for a child under three years old - two euros per day.

You can get to the hotel by taxi; depending on the resort, the journey from the airport to the hotel will cost no more than ten euros. But, for the budget-conscious, you can use the bus, the cost of the bus is one leva in national currency. By the way, one euro in Bulgaria is equal to 1.95 leva.

If you have booked a hotel or inn with breakfast only, then you do not have to worry, since there are a huge number of restaurants and cafes near almost every resort. Thanks to a lot of competition, you can have a good meal in restaurants at a reasonable price. A family of four can dine for 20 euros, without denying themselves delicacies.

Prices in Bulgaria differ significantly from Moscow, but not every group of goods is cheaper. For example, food in Bulgaria is cheaper, but leather goods are more expensive.

From the hotel to the nearest city you can take a bus, the interval of which is no more than five minutes.

Bus tickets cost no more than one euro per person. If you take a similar route by taxi, it will cost you at least ten euros. But, for those who know how to bargain, you can bargain with the taxi driver for half the price. For those who like to travel by car, you can rent a car in Bulgaria. In order to rent a car you must show an international driving license. Renting a middle class car will cost about 65 euros for a period of three to five days. By the way, for lovers of excursions, you can use the services of a sightseeing bus, the cost of the excursion is about 50 leva per person.

You can swim in Bulgaria not only in the sea, but also in hotel pools. Hotel residents can use the pool for free, but hotel guests must pay up to five leva for the service. The same applies to umbrellas and sun loungers.

1. Check your flight information on the information board and go to the check-in counters whose numbers are indicated on the board. When checking in, present your passport and ticket.
2. Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the gate number and time for boarding the plane (on the boarding pass the gate is indicated by the word GATE, the time - TIME).
3. After checking in and boarding being announced, you must proceed to the appropriate areas for international flights.

Passengers on international flights undergo customs, passport and security control, after which they await departure in the sterile area of ​​the international airlines gallery. When going through security, you must present your passport and boarding pass.

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

Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104 prohibited from transporting on board the aircraft by passengers in checked baggage and in things carried by passengers, the following dangerous substances and objects:

Allowed to transport on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, subject to the required conditions, the following items and substances:

• in checked baggage in cargo and luggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to luggage during the flight:
  • crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cutlasses, scimitars, broadswords, swords, rapiers, bayonets, daggers, knives: hunting knives, knives with ejectable blades, with locking locks, simulators of any type of weapon;
  • household knives (scissors) with a blade length over 60 mm; alcoholic drinks containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of no more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - no more than 5 liters per passenger;
  • liquids and alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content by volume of no more than 24%;
  • aerosols intended for use for sports or household purposes, the release valves of the cans are protected by caps from spontaneous release of the contents in containers with a capacity of no more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - no 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;
  • a mercury barometer or manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the sender's seal;
  • disposable lighters - one per passenger;
  • dry ice for cooling perishable foods - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
  • liquids, gels and aerosols classified as non-hazardous: in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml (or equivalent capacity in other units of volume measurement), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of no more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml are not accepted for transportation, even if the container is only partially filled. Exceptions to transportation include medications, baby food, and special dietary needs.

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

The administration of the airport, airline, or operator has the right to decide to introduce additional measures to ensure aviation security on high-risk flights, and as a result prohibit the transportation of the following items in the aircraft cabin:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without 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 air ticket and voucher are requested).
2. Receive your luggage. The monitors above the baggage belts indicate the flight from which baggage will be issued at 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 your voucher, he will provide your transfer bus number.
4. Go to the parking lot to board the bus. The bus departs after all tourists have collected.
5. Listen carefully to the information your escort will give you along 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

The check-in procedure varies depending on the hotel, but generally looks like this:

• Present your foreign passport and voucher (1 copy) at the reception desk. After this, the hotel employee can:
  • 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 pick up your passport).
• Check-in at most hotels is from 14:00 - 15:00. If you want to check into a room earlier than the specified time, you must pre-book a room one day before your arrival date. In case of problems with placement, please contact a company representative.
• After checking into your room, review the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to which services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on the table or bedside table).

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of the information meeting with the hotel guide will be communicated to you by your attendant on the way to the hotel. At the appointed time, we invite you to come to a meeting with the hotel guide of the TEZ TOUR company, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. To the meeting, take with you your passport, voucher, and return flight ticket.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact your hotel guide or the hotel reception. The guide’s coordinates (photo, name, mobile phone) and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated on the TEZ TOUR information stand in the hotel lobby.

The day before your flight home

1. Go to the reception and check if you have any unpaid bills for additional services (use of a minibar, telephone, etc.). If you have any debts, pay them.
2. In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand and check the time of departure and check-out 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 departing on.

Check out from the hotel

On the day of departure, you must vacate your room before 12.00, hand in your keys and towel cards.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel storage room.

To avoid various complications, please do not be late and arrive at 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 listed (the counter numbers will be indicated on the flight board).
2. Check in for your flight (present your passport and ticket).
3. Drop your luggage at the front desk.
4. Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the gate number (GATE) and boarding time (TIME) on board the aircraft
5. Go through passport control (present your passport and boarding pass).
6. Proceed to the departure hall, where you will wait for the boarding announcement.

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 reimbursement of expenses according to the insurance policy (see the leaflet attached to the insurance policy). If an insured event occurs, you must contact the insurance company by phone number specified in the insurance policy. Only if you directly inform the insurance company and coordinate your actions with it, will free (or with subsequent reimbursement of expenses) service be provided.

First aid kit

Before your trip, prepare and take with you a first aid kit, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time searching for medicines and eliminate 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. The euro - Bulgarian lev exchange rate is fixed (1 euro = 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 to 17:00. Exchange offices may have a very unfavorable exchange rate; it is worth consulting with a guide.

Never change money in person! At resorts, as in cities, near exchange offices you can meet people who will offer you a more favorable rate; most likely they will give you 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

There are no opening hours in shops; during the tourist season, many shops are open until late at night.

It is possible to bargain in small shops and markets.

Souvenirs

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

Bulgaria produces wines of remarkable quality. Another popular drink is Bulgarian vodka “rakia”. It is quite inexpensive and comes in a large assortment. Also very popular: ceramic products, handmade silver and sea souvenirs, magnets with views of Bulgaria.

It is impossible to imagine the cuisine of this country without spices. Especially for tourists, beautifully decorated small transparent jars with “sharena salt” are sold - salt mixed with all kinds of seasonings. Knowledgeable tourists bring kimion seasoning from Bulgaria. This spice goes great with meat, fish and vegetables.

Bulgarian cuisine

Bulgarian national cuisine is original and varied, it is famous for its abundance of vegetables, delicious meat, hearty snacks and aromatic soups, and is famous for its dairy and fermented milk products. At different times, the cuisine of Bulgaria was greatly influenced by Greek and Turkish cuisines.

Many Bulgarian dishes are cooked on a skara (metal grill), such as kebapcheta (fried minced meat sausages), kuftet (cutlets) and shish (shish kebab). Famous dishes - kebab (meat on a skewer), gyuvech (stew of meat with potatoes and vegetables), kavarma (meat dish with mushrooms, onions and potatoes), kashkaval pane (breaded soft homemade cheese), chushka byurek (sweet pepper fried in egg , stuffed with cheese and tomatoes), Shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, onions, seasoned with grated cheese, vegetable oil, vinegar, seasonings).

Bulgarian cooks 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 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 filled with diluted Bulgarian "sour milk"). And you can have a snack with banitsa - a puff pastry pie with feta cheese. Banitsa is usually eaten with the famous Bulgarian sour milk 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 costs more, up to 3-4 levs.

Traffic patterns and bus schedules on the Southern Black Sea coast (Elenite - Sunny Beach - Nessebar) can be found here.

Car rental. You can rent a car only if you have a driver's license. All cars have comprehensive insurance. The minimum rental period is one day, the mileage is not limited. Make sure the car is fully insured, including headlights and glass. Gasoline is purchased independently. In the event of an accident, the car must not be moved until the police arrive. It is necessary to urgently report the incident to the representative of TEZ TOUR and the company where the car was taken, since the police may not speak Russian or English, and you will not have the opportunity to explain your version of the incident.

Don't forget to have your license, passport and car rental documents with you, as police checks are possible.

Visa

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

Russian citizens can visit Bulgaria for the same period with a valid Schengen visa, only if it is double or multiple entry. Entry into Bulgaria with a single-entry Schengen visa is no longer permitted.
Citizens of the Russian Federation can enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a valid visa from Cyprus, Romania and Croatia for a period of stay that is limited to the period specified in the visa, within the period of its validity and a certain number of entries, but not more than 90 days within 180 days. Holders of Bulgarian visas can enter the territory of Cyprus and Romania under the same conditions. You can enter 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

Tourists must use a safe to store valuables and documents. The administration is not responsible for valuables and documents left unattended in the room or on the hotel premises.

Tips

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

Cot

Baby cat - upon request, available free of charge in most hotels. There are hotels where baby cats come at an additional cost. Payment - 1-8 euros per day.

Most hotels provide one extra bed (folding bed, pull-out sofa or armchair) for DBL+EXB occupancy.

Beach

In Bulgaria, all beaches are public. Umbrellas 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 quantities are limited!

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 V.

Religion

90% of the local population are Orthodox Christians, about 9% profess Islam, approximately 1% are Protestants, Catholics and Jews.

Customs

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

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

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

The import of drugs, medicines containing large doses of narcotic substances and weapons is prohibited.

• It is recommended to drink mineral water purchased in the hotel shops and bars;
• It is recommended to store jewelry, money and documents in the safe, which is located in the room or at the reception;
• It is recommended to hand over your room key at the hotel reception. If you lose your key, please notify the hotel immediately.

Phones

Telephone connections in Bulgaria are very good and relatively inexpensive. You can call from a hotel, but it is more expensive than from the post office. Post offices are open from 8.30 to 17.00, telephone call centers - until midnight. Postal identification marks - 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. Price for calls to 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.

You can contact Russia using code 007 + city code + subscriber's phone number.

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

Useful phones

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

TEZ TOUR tourist support phone numbers in Bulgaria For any questions regarding your holiday in Bulgaria, you can contact Russian-speaking representatives of TEZ TOUR: mob. tel: + 359 89 4445622 Stanislav Radev(Balchik, Albena, Kranevo, Golden Sands, Riviera, Sunny Day, St. Constantine and Elena) mob. tel: + 359 89 4445623 regional director Simeon Kosev(Obzor, Elenite, St. Vlas, Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Ravda, Aheloy, Pomorie, Sozopol, Primorsko) Ski resorts: Borovets: +359 89 444 56 36 guide Elena Lyutova Bansko: +359 89 444 56 51 guide Sergey Antropov

24/7 telephone in Russia If you have trouble dialing the support number, please report it to our 24-hour phone number 8-800-700-7878 (calls from any region of Russia are free).

Instructions

Select a resort. The cost of accommodation and meals at different resorts in Bulgaria varies. On the most popular ones, such as Albena or Golden Sands, prices are approximately twice as high as on little-known ones. At resorts located north of Burgas, payments for all types of services will be an order of magnitude higher than at those located south of this city. One of the best places to go is Primorsko. This is an inland resort. Mostly Europeans also vacation here. There are very few Russians here.

Choose an inexpensive hotel. The cost of living in different resort towns depends on the hotel’s proximity to the sea and level of comfort. In Primorsko you can choose a hotel located just 30 meters from the beach. There is a smooth descent to the sea, which is undoubtedly convenient for parents with small children. The room usually has a TV with Russian channels, air conditioning, shower, toilet, and refrigerator. Half of the rooms have sea views. During the season, such a double room costs 25 euros per day. And, for example, the cost of the same room in Golden Sands will cost you 100 euros per day.

To save on food, it is better to go eat in inexpensive cafes, of which there are plenty at the resorts. Even during peak season, you will spend 10-15 euros on a family dinner, if you do not overdo it with expensive wines. You won't remain hungry, because... The portions of side dishes and salads are huge. Dinner for one adult at the hotel is about 7 euros.

You can get to your destination in different ways: by train, by plane, by your own car. But if we are talking about an inexpensive vacation, preference should be given to the bus. For 24 hours of moving you will pay about 75 euros. If you decide to fly from Moscow to Varna, Burgas or Sofia, you can fly with Bulgaria Air and Aeroflot flights, the flight duration is 2 hours 55 minutes. Aeroflot offers flights 6 times a week, and Bulgaria Air - 7 times. The average ticket price is $400, but there are special offers. If you travel by train, the trip will cost you approximately 200 euros.

There are things that you should take with you so that you don’t have to pay extra money for them later. Take a boiler. It will be very useful to you. If you smoke, then buy in advance and take with you a carton of cigarettes (depending on how long you are going on vacation). In Bulgaria, cigarettes are very expensive, so think about this point in advance. And don't forget to take a first aid kit and water with you. Moments of acclimatization may be difficult for you, so everything needs to be taken into account. Bring your camera with you. It’s better to capture your vacation yourself than to pay for the services of private photographers.

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• where to relax cheaply in Bulgaria

For several decades now, holidays in Bulgaria have been very popular among Russian tourists. The wonderful mild climate of this country allows us to call it a real health resort of Eastern Europe. Why is Bulgaria so attractive? Golden Sands, Sunny Beach: these names are already familiar to many tourists. After all, there you can not only improve your health, but also take a break from the noisy city and everyday bustle. Bulgaria conceals a lot of new and unknown things, and every tourist can make some discoveries for himself by visiting cultural and historical monuments and mountain ranges. Great opportunities for recreation and developed infrastructure make Bulgaria an excellent place for a holiday with the whole family or alone. Moreover, the absence of a language barrier and low prices significantly distinguish holidays in Bulgaria from other countries. You will have positive impressions of your holiday in this country not only in summer, but also in winter, as you can visit many well-equipped ski slopes and admire the winter forests. What places will undoubtedly leave a lot of positive emotions from a visit to Bulgaria? Here are some of them.

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The magnificent city, located on the southern coast of Bulgaria, is considered one of the oldest in Europe. It arose from a small one founded by the Thracians in the 2nd century AD. Nessebar is divided into two parts: Old, located on the peninsula, and New. New Nessebar is the embodiment of the modern world: many restaurants, bars, comfortable hotels, discos.
Old Nessebar, located on a peninsula, is connected to the mainland by a long narrow isthmus (only 10 meters). The Old Eastern Gate with pentagonal towers adorns the entrance to Nessebar. The city is rich in beautiful churches, but the most indelible impression on tourists is St. Stephen's Cathedral. The architecture of the churches combines Slavic and Orthodox Greek traditions. Nessebar, without a doubt, can be called a museum city.

Varna is a wonderful city, an ideal place for the whole family. A widely known resort, famous for its sandy beaches and surprisingly calm Varna Bay, where even children will be safe to swim. Along the beach line stretches the famous Seaside Park with many museums, a wonderful aquarium and a dolphinarium. The rich history and culture of Varna are evidenced by numerous monuments: Roman baths built in the 2nd century AD, “Asporukhov Bridge” - the largest on the Balkan Peninsula, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Varna is not only a wonderful city for relaxation, but also useful. The thermal springs that flow in Varna and its surroundings provide everything necessary for effective treatment.

The Albena resort takes pride of place among the best resorts in Bulgaria. You will be captivated by the amazing combination of rich nature and the calm water surface of the sea. There are many different complexes concentrated here, where you can combine treatment with a pleasant holiday and enjoy spa treatments.
If we talk about attractions, we cannot fail to mention the Palace of Queen Mary, which is of great cultural and historical interest. In this residence, the Romanian queen received guests from different parts of the world. A unique place in the palace is the garden, which surprises with its design and diversity of flora. We can confidently say that a visit to the royal palace will delight everyone.
Albena is perhaps the most interesting and most suitable resort for families with children. There is absolutely everything for them here: from special children's clubs, playgrounds, swimming pools designed especially for children, to Luna Park, which, after visiting, children are incredibly delighted!
Adults will also find activities for themselves. Lovers of horses and equestrian sports will be able to visit the equestrian base. And for lovers of active recreation, tennis courts and football fields are open.
Having visited Albena only once, you want to come back here again and again!

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The Bulgarian resort of Golden Sands attracts tourists from Eastern Europe, Germany and Russia with its mild climate and low prices. To go there, you can purchase a ready-made voucher from travel companies or plan a trip yourself.

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Make sure that all travelers' passports are valid for at least another 6 months from the date of their intended departure from Bulgaria.

Book a hotel, apartment or villa on a specialized website. Select your arrival and departure dates. Choose the option that suits you best in terms of distance and price category. You can also read vacationers about a particular place of residence. Enter information about all travelers and make payment using a plastic card. Some sites allow you to deposit a small part of the amount; the rest must be paid in cash to the property owner upon arrival. Receive confirmation of your apartment or hotel reservation by email.

Buy air tickets to Bulgaria. The most convenient way to get to the resort of Varna. Non-stop flights from Moscow are operated by Siberia Airlines (S7 Airlines) and Bulgaria Air. There is a shuttle from the airport to Golden Sands, you can also use the services of taxi drivers, it is 18 km away.

Issue health insurance policies for everyone traveling to Bulgaria for the entire period of stay in the country. To do this, you must contact an insurance company licensed to provide this type of insurance.

Get a visa to Bulgaria. The list of documents required to obtain a visa can be found on the official website of the embassy of the republic in Moscow.

Purchase enough Bulgarian currency (levs) to cover your expenses during your trip. In addition to cash, large retail outlets and restaurants accept payment by plastic card, but it will not be possible to pay in souvenir shops, small catering establishments and small shops.

Go to the airport when check-in for your flight opens; for international flights, it starts three hours before.

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Sources:

• Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, official website

Instructions

When going to Bulgaria, do not try to purchase an all-inclusive tour. In this country, literally at every step there are cafes and restaurants for every budget and taste. Most of them offer very reasonable prices, and in some you can eat for almost pennies. True, as everywhere else: the closer to the sea, the more expensive the prices. Having visited Bulgaria, you should definitely try “gyuvech” - stewed meat with potatoes and vegetables and local wines: “Kadarku”, “Melnik”, “Mavrud”.

Hotels do not have their own beaches; all beaches in Bulgaria are municipal, but at the same time they are well-groomed and clean, with many cheap shops and bars. Golden Sands and Sunny Beach are large resorts with water parks and many other attractions, but with higher prices. If you don’t want to overpay and like a relaxing holiday, go to the Obzor or St. Constantine and Helena resorts.

The most economical holiday option in Bulgaria is a trip "". Book a room in a private hotel in a small village in advance. Prices for food and all services are much lower than at large resorts. By the way, you can also rent an apartment upon arrival - you will see signs about housing for rent on every corner.

To make air travel cheaper, try to purchase tickets for a charter flight, both there and back. You will also have to apply for a visa yourself. Bulgaria is not part of the Schengen zone, but a multi-Schengen visa is valid on its territory. If you are traveling only to Bulgaria, and your plans do not include visiting other EU countries, you only need to obtain a Bulgarian visa. All the details of its design can be clarified on the website bulgariavac.ru.

It is quite possible to create an excursion program yourself. To do this, arm yourself with a map and get to attractions by rented car or public transport. If you love history, ancient cities with unique architecture and narrow streets await you - Sozopl and Nessebar.

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Tip 5: What to see in Varna while traveling around Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is a country that is perfect for a summer holiday on the seaside. One of the largest seaside cities in Bulgaria is “beautiful sunny Varna,” as locals call it. It is here that numerous tourists come during their voyage to the resorts to get new impressions, plunge into local life with its national flavor, and at the same time buy souvenirs and cheap sheepskin coats. What to see in Varna so that you can get an idea about it and enjoy it in one day?

Tired of sunbathing on the beach? Let's find out what Varna has to offer to vacationers. People come to this city from neighboring resorts for one day or deliberately choose it as a place to stay during their vacation. At first glance, Varna may seem quite boring. Especially if you drive through it and go further to other cities. Meanwhile, the most interesting things await you in its historical center, in an area called Odessos, and a walk on foot is more in keeping with the spirit of the ancient city, which dates back about two thousand years.

So where should you go first in Varna? Start with the Cathedral - the visiting card of the city. It can be seen from afar, and any resident of the city will immediately show you how to find it. Walk around the cathedral, go inside, and see its magnificent paintings.

Then, with your back to the main entrance to the cathedral, cross the road along the underground passage and go to Independence Square, in the middle of which you will see a large fountain, and on the right - the magnificent building of the Opera House. The walking part of the city intended for tourists begins here. When you reach the New Yorker store, turn left and explore the shops and cafes, as well as the architecture of this part of Varna. Turning right from McDonald's, you will reach the main entrance to the Seaside Garden.

This is a large coastal park where you can spend the whole day. In the summer, exhibitions, concerts and festivals are constantly held here; from morning to evening there are cafeterias, rental of bicycles and other vehicles, as well as an amusement park. There are also several play areas for children, and a mini-train will take you along the entire perimeter of the park. The Primorsky Garden has a zoo, a Naval Museum and an Aquarium, and there is an equipped area for roller skating. You can explore all corners of this park for a long time, and then go down to the sea. The city beach is quite suitable for swimming, and on the coast there are restaurants open 24 hours a day, where you can dance all night, and on weekends there are concerts of popular youth performers.

Another park where you can have a good time is “Asparukhovsky”. It is located at the foot of the Asparuhovsky Bridge, which in itself is a landmark of Varna. In the park itself there are children's playgrounds, cafeterias and the entertainment and historical complex "Phanagoria" with a show program that clearly demonstrates how the ancient Bulgarians lived, worked and fought.

By the way, opposite the Cathedral there is another interesting place: before reaching Independence Square, you can turn right and get to the souvenir market, where silver jewelry, beautiful shells, magnets and mugs with the symbols of Bulgaria and Varna, as well as tablecloths and famous cosmetics are sold every day of roses - the pride of this country.

Among other things, Varna has many museums, among which the largest is the Archaeological Museum. Guests of the city are impressed by the Roman Baths - an open museum in the historical center of the city. These are the preserved remains of Roman buildings, which are impressive in their scale and antiquity.

During the season, Varna lives a busy, active life both at night and during the day, and if you wish, you can find many ways to have fun in this seaside city of Bulgaria.

First of all, you need to take care of your visa. It should be remembered that you can enter Bulgaria with a Schengen visa or, if you do not have such a visa, you need to get a Bulgarian tourist visa. The cheapest way is to apply for a visa yourself through the Bulgarian Embassy, ​​which is located in Moscow on Mosfilmovskaya Street. You should plan your vacation in advance, then you can significantly reduce costs. When choosing a travel date, you need to take into account that Bulgaria has several seasons: low season (May, early June, late August, early September), high season (late June, July, early August). Accommodation prices are cheaper in low season. For accommodation you should rent an apartment. The price for a studio is 35 euros, for an apartment with one bedroom - 40 euros per day, 150 meters from the beach. All apartments have kitchens, so you can save a lot on breakfast and possibly dinner, and sometimes lunch. From personal experience, it is better to rent apartments from Russia in advance. Closer to the season, it is almost impossible to find good apartments at a low price. Having chosen an apartment and decided on a trip, you need to take care of travel. There are several options: get there by train, plane. If you are traveling for more than two to three weeks and there are more than two of you, you can choose to travel by car. If your trip is short, it is better to choose a plane. For charter flights. You can buy such tickets on travel websites and from travel agencies. Having planned your trip, you need to go to the insurance company and take out medical insurance, as well as car insurance or "". Medical care in Bulgaria is quite expensive. When leaving, exchange rubles for euros. Although in Bulgaria they readily exchange rubles for the local currency, the Bulgarian lev, the exchange rate is rather unfavorable, especially during the season.

Before you go on a trip to the sunny beaches of Bulgaria, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the unusual traditions and prohibitions that exist in this resort country. You need to be very careful in studying the laws, traditions, and mentality of the inhabitants of the country you want to go to, otherwise there is a possibility of numerous misunderstandings, fines or funny situations that can ruin your vacation. For foreigners this all looks ridiculous, but for residents of Bulgaria it looks like normal rules.

1. Bulgarians are a very tolerant and very reserved people. They are very friendly towards foreigners. But tourists should know that Bulgarians really don’t like criticism, they can’t even stand it. To avoid any misunderstandings, it is better to praise them both to the point and just like that, otherwise you can easily become a participant in the conflict.

2. Bulgarians will never correct you when you say anything in Bulgarian, they are such well-mannered people. But, if you say a few phrases correctly, this event will surprise them, because foreigners who have lived in Bulgaria for more than 10 years have never learned to speak Bulgarian correctly.

3. In the bazaars, tourists will never find counters with products of their own production (smoked foods, milk, cheese or meat). This is prohibited by law. You can only trade vegetables and fruits. In rare cases, Bulgarians do this, but somewhere in the provinces. So you should forget about homemade food during your holiday in Bulgaria.

4. A categorical refusal is very unwelcome among residents of Bulgaria, so it is better not to ask a Bulgarian how to get somewhere, even if he does not know the route, he will have to lie to you. So, don’t be too surprised at the deception, because it is indecent to refuse here.

5. Do not trust similar words from our dictionary, always clarify what is being said, for example, using English. After all, the word “t-shirt” in Bulgarians means “mother”, and, for example, “straight” means that you need to turn “left”, but the word “bun” means “bride”. Such incidents can appear against the background of identical sounding words that have different meanings.

6. Gestures in Bulgaria are the most incredible difference between them and foreigners. Be careful with a simple nod of the head, because in Bulgaria it means that you strongly disagree with something. And moving your head left and right means that you agree with everything. This confusion of gestures has long been rooted in the mentality and history of the Bulgarians and has provoked hundreds of misunderstandings. Remember this too. It’s not enough to know about it; you still need to get used to it.

7. Smoking in public places is also prohibited in Bulgaria, so those who like to smoke a cigarette will have to look for specially designated places for this action. The fine for violation is from 150-300 euros.

8. Surprisingly, in Bulgaria, due to the heat, restaurants have a break from 15:00 to 18:00. You will not be able to dine in a restaurant at this time; they are closed during this period. We'll have to grab a bite to eat at the diner.

9. In Bulgaria it is prohibited to film and photograph churches, mosques, military installations, border zones, and airports.

10. The import or export of national currency is also prohibited. Be prepared to exchange currency at a special government point (the commission for this service is set at about 10% of the amount).

11. The same should be said about cars. If you decide to travel in your own car, remember that tinted windows on the front doors and windshield are prohibited in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, you can rent a car, however, if you have reached the age of 21, if you have an International license and only if your driving experience exceeds 2 years. It is also forbidden to drive on the roads of Bulgaria in cars with studded tires.

12. In Bulgaria, incredibly hospitable people who welcome guests and generously set the table for their arrival. But it is important to know that in this country it is not customary to visit without gifts. If you are going to visit, be sure to take a gift, it is considered good manners. The main thing is not the price value of the gift. It may be inexpensive, but bought from the heart.

13. Punctuality is not for residents of Bulgaria. Rest assured, if you make an appointment with someone local to meet in 10 minutes, this means that you will meet much later - in 2 or 3 hours. No one here adheres to time “accuracies”, so they won’t scold you for being late.

These are the features in the beautiful country of Bulgaria. With this knowledge, you can safely go on a trip; now you won’t face any oddities!