From its mist-shrouded mountains and shimmering coastline, to its lively folk soundtrack and intriguing ancient mythology - there's an unexpected surprise at almost every turn. And, while it has experienced an at-times-too-quick growth spurt in the last decade, visitors will find Bulgaria to be a country of fascinating culture, impressive sights and extremely gracious hospitality.
Travel from beautiful Budapest to ancient Sofia. Venture through the baroque town of...
Enjoy a thrilling tour of Eastern Europe from Romania to Bulgaria. From Bucharest, head...
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Reading Time: 8 minutes If the term "national park" conjures up images of snow...
As you stroll the narrow streets of historic Plovdiv, music echoes along the...
Many times during the visit, we heard winemakers refer to the famed regions of...
For those that think culture, invention and beauty end as soon as you enter a...
Marvel at the colourful frescoes that adorn the walls of Rila Monastery
Discover Bulgaria's captivating capital, Sofia, one of Europe's oldest cities
While most larger hotels will include a gratuity, restaurants rarely add a service charge and a 10% tip is the custom.
Travellers should be able to access the internet at cyber cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots in Bulgaria's major cities and towns. Remote and rural areas will have less internet availability, so be prepared for this when travelling out of the city.
Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Bulgaria, but patchy in some remote places. Travellers should activate global roaming before leaving home.
Western-style, flushable toilets are mostly the standard in Bulgaria, however squat toilets can be found in some public restrooms.
Cup of coffee in a cafe = 1-2 BGN
Beer in a bar or restaurant = 2-3 BGN
Basic, takeaway lunch = 6-8 BGN
Dinner in an inexpensive restaurant = 10-15 BGN
Tap water is chlorinated but generally considered safe to drink (unless otherwise marked), however some travellers may not enjoy the taste and should stick to using a water bottle.
Major credit cards are accepted in large cities, mostly in shops and hotels. Smaller vendors may not accept credit cards, so carry enough cash to cover small purchases.
ATMs are commonly found in Bulgaria's cities and urban areas, however not all bank machines accept overseas cards. Access may be difficult in some remote areas.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Bulgaria go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/bulgaria/public-holidays
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.
In Bulgaria, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.
