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Q: Do I need a visa to come to Bulgaria?
A: Citizens of all European countries, US, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand and some other countries can stay up to 30 days (some
more) in Bulgaria without visa. The rest should obtain a touristic
visa (around 30 euro) from the closest Bulgarian
embassy.
Q: Is it safe there?
A: Yes. Bulgaria is a geopoliticaly stable, with good relations
with the neighboring countries and world forces. After the breakdown
of socialism in Eastern Europe and the big change to market economy
the country is a full member of European
Union and NATO. Despite some bulgarians are virusing some western
systems (car thief, prostitution, money faking) the crime
rate in Bulgaria is low and normal safety precautions (like not
leaving unsupervised expensive cars) will make your staying
trouble free.
Q: What are the people like?
A: Hot blooded and emotional. Normal and different. In big cities
you will find many stressed and hard working people while outside
the Matrix you can enjoy contacts with friendly and welcoming people.
After the post-socialism changes about 1 million (the population
of Bulgaria is 8 million) mostly young and skillful people immigrated
to western world and richer countries. Some remained but few returned
bringing investments and ideas. Many of the people who remained
(mostly middle age and older) were disappointed from the
changes and big part of them still lives quite poor life. In order
to survive many people returned back to nature and in countryside
you can still see people using horses for pulling carts or digging
the ground, picking up herbs and developing alternative and traditional
medicine (because of the costly and not trusted medical treatment),
destiling alcohol from the wine or fruits they produced... The wild
spirit in mountain areas still resists the globalization.
Q: What is the food and drinks like in Bulgaria?
A: Tasty and natural! The founders of Bulgarian state hit bingo
because except the variety of landscapes Bulgaria enjoys very fertile
climate and soil: corn, grain, rice, bean, potatoes, grape, tomatoes,
papers, melons, cherries, rose berries, strawberries, blueberries,
apples, pears, plums, figs, peaches, apricots, walnuts, peanuts
and many other full with flavor vegetables and fruits.
If you have an opportunity try the famous Bulgarian red wine, yoghourt
and cheese. In many restaurants you can find some traditional dishes
like: "shopska salata" (tomatoes, peppers and onion),
"tarator" (cold soup with yoghourt, cucumber and garlic),
"guveche po trakiiski" (steamed cheese with egg),
"mish-mash" (peppers, cheese, eggs...), "kavarma"
(meat with vegetables), "drop sarma" (lamb liver
with rice), "musaka" (meat, eggs, potatoes)...
Beer is also good and goes well with fried tzatza (small fish
from Black Sea)
Q: Is it expensive in Bulgaria?
A: Visitors from Western Europe and America find prices in Bulgaria
2-3 times cheaper. For example a beer is about 0.5 €, a bottle
of excellent red wine is 3 €, a dinner in good restaurant is
6 € a person. Craft souvenirs, textile, shoes etc. are also
good purchase but be careful not to mix them with the cheaper and
low quality immitations.
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