Travel Guide Sofia. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Bulgaria Travel etiquette Health

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Laura Walsh
5 years ago
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02 02 03 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 04 04 06 07 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in

1 Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Nikolay Stefanov Dimitrov BG LH.com/travelguide 01/10

2 02 Quick view a brief overview is both a young-at-heart, steadily evolving city, and one of Europe s oldest metropolises, with a history stretching back 7,000 years. A quarter of a century on from the fall of Communism, s capital brings together an architectural mix of ancient Orthodox churches and modern tower blocks, with a healthy added dose of ex-soviet bombast thrown in. While it cannot boast the stunning splendour of Budapest or Prague, s wide cobblestone avenues plied by rattling trolley buses and trams bring the city a charm all of its own. And how many other major cities can claim a popular ski resort as a suburb? General Information Country overview 's spectacular mountains, swathe of golden beaches and vibrant cities have begun attracting hordes of eager-eyed tourists over the past few years - a dramatic change to how the country was a mere 10 years ago. Geography is situated in Eastern Europe and bordered to the north by the River Danube and Romania, to the east by the Black Sea, to the south by Turkey and Greece and to the west by Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea and its golden beaches. The land is heavily cultivated, covered with forests and crossed by rivers. Although lies in the very southeast corner of Europe, the climate is never extreme in summer, even on the red-earthed plains of Southern Thrace. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe and offer sunbathing from May until October, while in winter heavy falls of snow are virtually guaranteed in the mountain ski resorts. General knowledge Key facts Population: Population Density (per sq km): 63 Capital:. Language n is the official language and the Cyrillic alphabet is used - is the only EU nation to use it. Turkish and Macedonian are amongst the minority languages. English, German, French and Russian are spoken in major tourist resorts and hotels. Currency LH.com/travelguide 02/10

3 03 Lev (BGN; symbol лв) = 100 stotinki. Notes are in denominations of лв100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of лв1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 stotinki. Note: (a) The Lev is tied to the Euro at a fixed rate; 1 = лв (b) Notes dated 1997 and earlier are now out of circulation. Electricity volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin. General business opening hours Mon-Fri Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period New Year s Day: 1 January 2019 National Day (Day of Liberation): 3 March 2019 Orthodox Good Friday: 26 April 2019 Orthodox Easter Sunday: 28 April 2019 Orthodox Easter Monday: 29 April 2019 Labour Day: 1 May 2019 St George s Day (Day of n Army): 6 May 2019 St Cyril and Methodius Day (Day of Culture and Literacy): 24 May 2019 Unification Day: 6 September 2019 Independence Day: 22 September 2019 Christmas Eve: 24 December 2019 Christmas: 25 and 26 December New Year s Day: 1 January 2020 National Day (Day of Liberation): 3 March 2020 Orthodox Good Friday: 17 April 2020 Orthodox Easter Sunday: 19 April 2020 Orthodox Easter Monday: 20 April 2020 Labour Day: 1 May 2020 St George s Day (Day of n Army): 6 May 2020 St Cyril and Methodius Day (Day of Culture and Literacy): 24 May 2020 Unification Day: 6 September 2020 Independence Day: 22 September 2020 Christmas Eve: 24 December 2020 Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Normal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Dress should be conservative but casual. If invited to the home, a small souvenir from one's homeland is an acceptable gift, and something for their children is always welcome. Do not give money. Remember that a nod of the head means 'No' and a shake LH.com/travelguide 03/10

4 04 means 'Yes'. Smoking n restaurants, cafés and nightclubs have zones for smokers and nonsmokers. There is no smoking in public places. Health Health Food & 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. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +359 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Completed in the early 20th century as a memorial to Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation, this huge neo-byzantine building dominates the city centre and is one of the world s largest Orthodox churches. pl. Alexander Nevski 1000 Tel: (02) Daily LH.com/travelguide 04/10

5 05 Ivan Vazov National Theatre This neoclassical theatre is one of the finest buildings in the city, and enjoys an impressive setting opposite the City Gardens. It opened in 1907 and was designed by Viennese architects. Deacon Ignatius' Various Mount Vitosha Vitosha mountain rises to 2,300m, yet is only 6km from the city centre. Visible from most of, it is popular with hikers in summer, and transforms into a ski resort in winter. A cable car will take you up to 1,800m. Mount Vitosha park-vitosha.org Boyana Church This fascinating Orthodox church, in a southern suburb on the slopes of Mount Vitosha, was originally constructed in the 10th century. It contains 89 fabulous frescoes, most of them painted by one man in ul. Boyansko Ezero Tel: (02) Daily (Apr-Oct) (Nov-Mar) National Museum of History South of the centre, this monolithic concrete building tells the nation s story from prehistory to modern times. It is also a monument to the Communist era, and was a former palace for party cadres. ul. Vitoshko Lale Tel: (02) Daily (Apr-Oct) (Nov-Mar) National Museum of Military History A museum for more than a century, this building details the complicated history of both n and European military affairs. ul. Cherkovna Tel: (02) Wed-Sun St George Rotunda LH.com/travelguide 05/10

6 06 Now enclosed and hidden in the courtyard of the Presidency and Sheraton Hotels, charming red-brick St George was originally built by the Romans in the fourth century, and is still used as a church. 5 Sveta Nedelya Square 1000 Various National Institute of Archaeology & Museum This fascinating museum covers the story of all the tribes and peoples who have occupied what is now from the ancient past until the emergence of the present-day nation. 2 Saborna Str Daily naim.bg St Church Byzantine St was built in the sixth century on the site of a Roman theatre and several earlier churches. The second oldest existing place of worship in the city also served time as a mosque during the time of the Ottoman Empire. Ulitsa Paris 2 Daily (Apr-Oct) (Nov-Mar) Ethnographic Institute with Museum Located in a former royal palace, this museum celebrates s cultural heritage. 1, Prince Alexander I Sqr 1000 Tue-Sun Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas s main shopping drag is pedestrianised Vitosha Boulevard. The most famous department store is TZUM (blvd. Knyaginya Мaria Luiza 2), first opened in 1956 and a classic example of Soviet architecture. Ulitsa Shishman is a small street filled with trendy clothes outlets, jewellery shops, and other boutiques. Markets s neo-renaissance covered Market Hall (blvd. Maria Louise 24), open Mon- Fri, first opened in 1911 and remains the place to come for food and everyday items. On the ground floor are food stalls; LH.com/travelguide 06/10

7 07 above these are stalls selling clothing and accessories. Shopping Centres Opened in 2006, City Center (blvd. Arsenalski 2) was the city s first modern shopping mall, with more than 100 stores and restaurants, and a cinema multiplex. Seven other malls have opened since, each one bigger than the last. Serdika Center (blvd. Sitnyakovo 48) is the largest central option, housing over 200 outlets. Restaurants Restaurants in The city centre is packed with restaurants and cafés. Many offer excellent lunchtime deals. National n cuisineusually revolves around grilled meats and salad, washed down with local firewater, rakiya. La Terrazza di Serdica Upmarket Italian and Mediterranean cuisine served in a 5-star hotel. Budapeshta Str. 2 Tel: Price: Expensive L Etranger Classic French cuisine served in an authentic Parisian-style bistro. Ulitsa "Tsar Simeon" Tel: Price: Expensive Hadjidraganov's Cellars Stone-walled traditional tavern serving grilled meats in large quantities, with wooden barrels on the walls and live folk music. Hristo Belchev Str Tel: Price: Moderate Lavanda Intimate restaurant serving modern European cuisine enter through the garden and head upstairs. Ulitsa Tsar Shishman Tel: Price: Moderate Catch A Mak LH.com/travelguide 07/10

8 08 Budget diner serving an eclectic range of international dishes at low prices. Ulitsa Neofit Rilski Tel: Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in It has been said that has a bar on every corner. There are also plenty of nightclubs; most of the latter are sleekand chic, but be aware that some aim at the seedier end of the market. Sense Hotel Rooftop Bar Offering great views of the city, this is the perfect place for an alfresco aperitif. 16 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd 1000 Tel: Dada Cultural Bar Small arty bar that also hosts regular cultural events. The paintings on the walls are for sale. Ulitsa Georgi Benkovski 10 Tel: Cosmo Club Hip dance venue attracting star DJs from across the region and beyond. Positano 8 Tel: Memento Bar Coffee bar by day, this transforms into a cocktail lounge and music club most evenings. Ulitsa Georgi. S. Rakovski Tel: Nationaloper und -ballett LH.com/travelguide 08/10

9 09 Opera and ballet on a very high level at an unbeatable price. 30 Dondukov Blvd, ulitsa "Vrabcha" 1000 Tel: Calendar of events Calendar of events St Trifon's Day A vine-growing and wine-making festival, where the men set out to prune the vines while the women bake festive loaves and roast chicken. At the end of the day, everyone gathers among the vines to eat, drink, sing and dance. 14 February 2019 Venue: Villages outside Orthodox Easter The predominant religion in, the Orthodox Church, is the version of Catholicism that has survived since earliest times in Eastern Europe. Usually celebrated on a different date to Easter celebrations in the west, the Orthodox Easter is also celebrated with different customs and traditions. After midnight Mass on Easter Sunday, worshippers celebrate outside the churches, carrying candles to symbolise the Resurrection and cracking or smashing eggs which have previously been painted with symbolic patterns and colours. The richly-painted Orthodox Churches are filled with clouds of incense and the singing of choirs at this time, and many rituals are observed, such as kissing the images of saints and processions led by clergy in full regalia. 28 April 2019 Venue: Orthodox churches throughout St George's Day Orthodox festival and official holiday celebrating the martyred St George, also an agricultural celebration heralding the end of spring and beginning of summer. 6 May 2019 Venue: Throughout n Culture and Slavonic Script Day National holiday honouring Saints Cyril and Methodius for devising the n Cyrillic alphabet, with parades and official ceremony by their statue in front of the National Library. 24 May 2019 Venue: National Library Hotels Hotels in LH.com/travelguide 09/10

10 10 There are hundreds of hotels in, covering every category and comfort level.with prices generally low in the city by European standards, even the more luxury choices shouldn't break the bank. Arena di Serdica Luxury hotel brimming with opulent elegance, with an original Roman amphitheatre in its grounds. Budapeshta St. 2, Tel: Category: Expensive Radisson Blu Grand Hotel Large central luxury chain option, offering all modern conveniences. Narodno-Sabranie-Platz Tel: Category: Expensive Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel Chic design hotel with an unbeatable central location. ul. Shipka Category: Moderate Berlin Park Vitosha SPA Large semi-suburban spa and resort complex in a southern suburb on the slopes of Mount Vitosha. ul. Tsvetna Boyana Category: Moderate Scotty s Boutique Budget boutique hotel with individually furnished rooms named after world cities. Ekzarh Yosif Str, Tel: Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 10/10

Bulgaria! Folk Culture, Folk Dancing, History, Art, Music, Adventure

Travel to Bulgaria broadens one! Bulgaria! Folk Culture, Folk Dancing, History, Art, Music, Adventure August 3-16, 2015 Sofia, Plovdiv, Bansko, Veliko Turnovo, Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival! Led by Jim Gold