GENERAL

Bulgaria, in the south-eastern corner of Europe has just the right balance of contrasts from the high mountain ranges to the Black Sea coast. An astonishing diversity of landscapes and wildlife with many old villages and towns with fascinating architecture. Modern facilities are in place yet the roads are empty and the people amazingly patient and helpful to foreigners.

A low cost of living, warmth and sunshine throughout the long summer months plus the well-known availability of winter sports at established resorts. Few foreigners are aware of the potential for activities such as hiking (on well sign posted paths with judiciously placed mountain huts), mountain biking, climbing and caving nor the country's wonderful natural history (due to the influence of both the Balkan and Mediterranean ecosystems). 

No description of this hidden jewel would be complete without reference to the European Blue Riband beaches on the Black Sea coast or the numerous isolated coves.

Bulgaria prides itself on its spas, health and fitness centres - especially around the Black Sea with thermal springs where you can treat everything, or just relax in the mineral pools. As everything in BG the comparatively low cost of these spas makes them available to everyone winter and summer alike.

Bulgarian wine is well known and in addition there are excellent beers too, with a cuisine to satisfy everyone's taste, which is further enhanced by the variety of fresh salads.

Serious crime almost does not exist. In BG everyone 'looks out' for each other and that means that children can have the freedom denied to them in the UK today. 

Optima N Ltd knows that life in Bulgaria offers (not just for children) the opportunity to enjoy freedom and simplicity in a land that vehemently upholds family values, the importance of the community and traditional way of life. There are strong social bonds between people. Optima N Ltd will offer its customers the traditional care and hospitality that makes Bulgaria almost unique.
 

GETTING THERE: 3+ hours flying time

Balkan Airtours flies daily from London Gatwick direct to Sofia
British Airways has flights from London Heathrow to Sofia
Hemus Air offers daily Internal flights from Sofia to other Bulgarian cities.

Balkan Holidays is the main package tour operator from 16 major UK cities to Varna/Bourgas airports from May to Oct and to Sofia from Dec to the first week of April incl.

Other International airlines offer daily flights from London and another UK cities to Sofia and Varna.
It is possible to travel by rail, coach or car from the UK but inevitably takes upward of 40 hours.
 

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

All visitors to BG require a full British passport and can automatically receive a 30-day visa at the port of arrival. 

Any stay exceeding 30 days requires a visa extension, which can be obtained either from the Bulgarian Embassy in London prior to travel or at the local Residency office for a small fee. 

Medical. All emergency treatment is available free of charge under your E111  document available from UK post offices together with your NHS medical card however prescription medicines have to be paid for.
 

BULGARIAN FACTS AND FIGURES

Bulgarian state was established in 681 AD by Khan Asparouh. He came in the lands of present Bulgaria from His father's (Khan Kubrat) Great Bulgaria, situated near Volga river / present Russia/. The Republic of Bulgaria formed in 1990, formerly a monarchy until 1945 when the Balkans were carved up and overseen by the former Soviet Union. The present Bulgarian Prime Minister is also King Simeon II and is a member of the house of Saxe-Coburg.

Area: 110,993 sq. km
Population: 8,190,876
Capital: Sofia
Official Language: Bulgarian (Cyrillic alphabet)
Official Religion: Christian Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and minority Muslim and Armenian
Larger cities: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Rousse
Highest peak: Mt Moussala - 2925m
Currency: Lev (BGL) - a closed currency (1 Lev = 100 stotinki) since 1997 pegged to the German Mark and more latterly the Euro
Currently 1 British pound (GBP) = 2.80 BGL approximately
International dialling code: +359. 
2 mobile phone networks provide total countrywide coverage 
Time: The East European time applies in Bulgaria, i.e. GMT + 2 hours.
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. The electrical appliances are connected to the electrical circuit via standard European double plug.
Weights and measures: Bulgaria applies the metric system.
 

Bulgaria is undergoing a transition from centrally planned economy to an open market one. Tourism and agriculture emerge as the main industries.  Wine is Bulgaria's biggest export.  Over 90% of Bulgarian land was never fertilized with non-organic fertilizer. Hence, the potential for organic only farming.  Bulgaria’s work force is well educated & not expensive.

Black sea region - 292 sunny days. Bulgaria has a temperate climate with four clearly differentiated seasons. The climate characterizes with mild and not so cold winter and hot, sunny and dry summer. East and South of Bulgaria are influenced by the Mediterranean climate. Annual average temperatures in Bulgaria are around 12.5 C but the temperatures tend to vary from + 40 C in the summer to -10 C in the winter. Black sea region - 292 sunny days, less snowfalls and specially near the Bulgarian Sea Capital - Varna town from 90 winter days - 60 are absolute "spring" days - 12 - 18 C.