Bulgaria, located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe, is a mountainous country. Because Bulgaria shares borders with Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, Greece, and Turkey, it is considered something of a melting pot. Known primarily for its rich culture dating back hundreds upon hundreds of years, Bulgaria is also known for its natural beauty and friendly people. Bulgaria is also known as the “land of roses” as they provide a large portion of roses on the international market. Bulgaria has a temperate climate with hot summers and rainy winters. While bordering the Black Sea, Bulgarians mostly celebrate pastimes regarding their relationship with the mountains. This includes camping, skiing, and hiking. The rich culture of Bulgaria can be felt in the peoples’ customs, unique crafts, and various festivals. Tourists often visit the Black Sea for its luxurious sands and warm temperatures. Tourists interested in skiing often visit the Rhodopi range which houses Europe’s southernmost ski resort. Bulgaria is also known for its wide availability of hiking trails as well as mountaineering and climbing treks. Horseback riding is a highly popular activity throughout the country and there are various trails where horses are often ridden. As with many countries in this area of Europe, Bulgaria is known for its mineral springs. This being so, Bulgaria has a myriad of spas and mineral baths that have been in service for centuries.
There are approximately 7.4 million people living in Bulgaria, with the bulk of the populace speaking Bulgarian although Turkish and Roma are also widely spoken languages. When meeting a Bulgarian for the first time, a handshake is usually exchanged. most Bulgarians dress casually, but they will dress more formally if the situation calls for it. A small gift is appreciated when visiting a Bulgarian in their home. As a hint of the Greek influence on Bulgaria, shaking one’s head means “yes” while nodding means “no.” Tipping in restaurants is customary and amounts are generally 10-12%.
Bulgaria has many tourist attractions which are primarily located in the capital city, Sofia, but there are some countrywide as well. St. Sofia Church and the St. George Rotunda are popular destinations in Sofia as well as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the National Ethnographic Museum. Some mountains in Bulgaria famed for their beauty and variety of outdoor activities are the Village of Momchilovtsi, Pirin National Park, and Rila Monastery.
To reach Bulgaria by air, Bulgarian Air is the preferred airline as it is the national airline. Many other large airlines also service flights to Bulgaria. Passengers are most likely to fly into the Sofia International Airport because it is the largest airport in Bulgaria. For those interested in direct access to the areas nearer to Varna, Bulgaria there is the Varna International Airport. For those interested in reaching Bulgaria by sea, there are numerous ports on the Black Sea coast. Ferries and cruises can take passengers to the ports of Bourgas and Varna from ports in other countries on the Black Sea. There is also the option to travel within Bulgaria by water on the river. A ferry can take passengers to and from Vidin and Calafat. For those interested in reaching Bulgaria by rail, Sofia is connected to many large European cities. The trains offer frequent and fast service.
Duty free items include 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco and one liter of spirits and two liters of wine; 50g of perfume and 100g of eau de toilette and any gifts or personal items. It is against the law to transport meat or dairy products, narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, plants, fireworks and alcoholic beverages contain higher than 60% alcohol across the border.
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