Tips & Tricks: When
you enter Bulgaria by car you must state which
border crossing you'll be using when you leave
and pay a road tax accordingly. Route restrictions
apply if you're only in transit through Bulgaria.
Tips & Tricks: Foreigners
visiting Bulgaria must register their address
with local authorities within 24 hours of arrival,
unless staying at a hotel where registration
is done automatically. If you intend to remain
in Bulgaria longer than three months, you must
apply for a residence permit from the local
police office.
Tips & Tricks: You
may change money in banks or in the numerous
change bureaus. In front of the change bureau
you may be accosted by people offering a higher
exchange rate than the official one. It is better
to avoid them.
Tips & Tricks: The
main international credit cards can be used
in the country for the payments of all standard
services: mainly hotel bills, luxury shops and
restaurants, plane tickets, car rentals, night
clubs, etc.
Tips & Tricks: Major
branches of the following Bulgarian banks will
cash travellers' checks on the spot for leva,
the Bulgarian currency, or other desired currency:
Bulbank, Bulgarian Postbank, Biochim, First
Investment Bank and United Bulgarian Bank (UBB).
UBB also serves as a Western Union agent and
provides direct transfer of money to travellers
in need.
Tips & Tricks: If
the hotel has a safe keep your valuables in
there. Do not leave them behind in your hotel
rooms or lodgings, nor entrust them to new acquaintances.
Tips & Tricks: Pick-pocketing
and purse snatching are frequent occurrences,
especially in crowded markets and on shopping
streets. Con artists operate on public transportation
and in bus and train stations. Do not leave
your luggage unattended to.
Tips & Tricks: Never
take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around,
offering its services when there is a taxi queue
available. Some taxi drivers overcharge unwary
foreigners.
Tips & Tricks: Vitosha
Street is Sofia's major shopping area. Variety
of shops also along Graf Ignatiev and Rakovsky
streets. The Central Department Store is the
biggest in the capital; it is situated in the
central part of the city, to the right of Sheraton
Hotel.
Tips & Tricks: When
hiking in the mountain you have to be very careful
and to follow the way-indicating signs. Guides
can be hired from licensed agencies and societies
specializing in tourism, mountaineering and
skiing.
Tips & Tricks: You
have to carry in the mountains warm clothes,
comfortable footwear, pocket light, two pairs
of socks, pocket-knife, matches and rain-protecting
wear.
Tips & Tricks: Many
tourist agencies have included in their packages
some of the Bulgarian cultural events, so that
foreign visitors to Bulgaria are given the chance
to get an authentic idea about our national
culture- The Kukeri Carnaval, The folk festivals "Pirin
Sings" and "Rozhen Sings", the festival for
authentic folklore in Koprivshtitsa, The Festival
of Roses in Kazanlak, etc. Just ask!
Tips & Tricks: When
you say "Cheers!" to Bulgarian you'd better
look into his/her eyes because the opposite
is taken for disrespect. Cheers in Bulgarian
is "Nazdrave".
Tips & Tricks: Did
you know that the yoghurt originally comes from
Bulgaria? Do not forget to try it when you visit
the country. Ask for KISELO MLIAKO.
Tips & Tricks: Shops'
working hours: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Fresh
food products, fruit and vegetables can also
be bought from market places open every day
in the capital and the country.
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