Bulgaria Travel Notes» Bulgaria Travel

Bulgaria video of the week: Bulgaria – a Beautiful Tour

editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:30:53 +0000

We have decided to offer you a selection of some of the best Bulgarian songs and images, as found online. And with this selection we will try to offer you to discover Bulgaria and travel through its musical tradition and songs.

And this week we present to you Bulgaria – a Beautiful Tour with some brilliant images from Bulgaria.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpuaM5KzBv8&feature=related

Our special thanks to CbHuTo for sharing this this song and video on You Tube.

Enjoy and if you feel like comment

Old Battle Hymn

editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:48:19 +0000

And this week we present to you Old Battle Hymn with some brilliant images from Bulgaria

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukutrvMjfG8

The Beauty of Bulgaria: Kovatchevitza

editor — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Photograph by Antonia Tzenova

Taya songs poignantly Wine Pie

editor — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:44:02 +0000

And this week we present to you Taya songs poignantly Wine Pie with some brilliant images from Bulgaria

Bulgaria video of the week: Bulgaria – Glorious and Beautiful

editor — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:30:35 +0000

And this week we present to you Bulgaria – Glorious and Beautiful with some brilliant images from Bulgaria.

Bulgaria in colour

editor — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:36:42 +0000

And this week we present to you Bulgaria in colour with some brilliant images from Bulgaria

The Beauty of Bulgaria: Kovatchevitza

editor — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:30:42 +0000

Photograph by Antonia Tzenova

Photographed by Antonia Tzenova

A Guide to Bulgaria

editor — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:30:03 +0000

By Andrea Elliott
The current low level of property prices in Bulgaria, along with its fast-growing economy and the extensive inward investment it is attracting, combine to make the Bulgarian housing market one of Europe’s most bullish opportunities. However, it is not only the low prices that are attracting investors. The tourist potential, as well – [Photograph by Nick Hutt ]- as Bulgaria’s recent entry into the European Union, indicates significant price growth in the future and so makes Bulgaria a compelling choice for the property investor.
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) describes Bulgaria as one of the most appealing ‘new faces’ in the tourism industry today. The WTO also makes bold predictions for tourism figures, predicting in excess of 20 million tourists annually visiting Bulgaria by 2010, making it one of the world’s greatest emerging markets. This has obvious positive repercussions for the investment market. Photograph by Nick Hutt ;The increased exposure enjoyed by Bulgaria recently as a tourist destination is a significant advantage to its economy in its own right, and has led to a dramatic increase in visitor numbers. Statistics gathered by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) of Bulgaria shows that between 2000 and 2004 the country saw a 70% increase in foreign visitors (with a 90% increase from EU visitors), including a rise of 20% in 2002 when other, traditionally popular, destinations were suffering a drastic downtown in numbers. Visits to Bulgaria by foreign tourists rose steadily from January to September 2006, according to the NSI, generating increasing demand for rental properties in the country. A combination of well-developed and constantly expanding summer resorts, first-rate ski resorts with guaranteed winter snowfall, and opportunities for city breaks ensure a solid and sustained growth in visitor numbers.

In addition to this, the increased number of low-cost airlines servicing Bulgaria means tourists have easier access to the country. The government is keen to drive forward plans for this growing sector as it currently accounts for some 16% of the Bulgarian GDP, and despite the remarkable rise in visitor numbers, there remains a great growth potential in Bulgarian tourism for the coming years. In 1996, Bulgaria saw the fall of its socialist government, and a boost to its market reform that marked the beginning of its development into the burgeoning economy it is today. The new government set about overhauling the economic system and since then the economy has seen a massive improvement to stability with decreased inflation and continuing reforms that auger well for a thriving future. Economic growth remains stable, GDP growth reached 6.25% for the full year 2005 and 6.09% for 2006.

The first half of 2007 recorded GDP growth of 6.4%, with the remainder of the year expected to remain at that consistent and solid level. Economic forecasts for the next few years predict continued growth in the Bulgarian economy, and this climate of growth is creating successful local businesses and attracting significant levels of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), bringing employment to the country and expansion to its real estate market. The period 2003 – 2006 was unprecedented in terms of the FDI attracted to Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s Central Bank registered record high FDI of €4,364 million in 2006, corresponding to 16% of GDP. According to preliminary data, FDI for the period January to August 2007 amounted to €3396.3 million, indicating a second consecutive year for strong foreign direct investment. This is extremely positive news for the future for Bulgaria’s economy and accordingly the scope for expansion in its real estate market.

Obelisk is a Property Investment company. The company offers a wide range of real estate investment possibilities in both the sought after, established regions and in the more dynamic, emerging markets.

More about Bulgaria:
Discover even more about what Bulgaria has to offer and find out what your fellow travellers think of the country here:
http://www.bulgariatravelnotes.com/category/bulgaria-travel/

Health and Medical Tourism in Bulgaria

editor — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:30:54 +0000

By Steve Avery

In 2004, the number of incoming tourists who visited the Bulgarian spa centres increased by approximately 20 percent, compared to 2003. The well developed network of private cosmetic surgery and dental clinics offer services at prices several times lower than the lowest in the European Union, and this fact has attracted the attention of the large insurance companies that cover their clients’ medical expenses. They are more willing than before to pay for trips to the east, where treatment is many times cheaper.

Plastic surgery not covered by medical insurance also attracts clients with prices that are up to five times lower. The good value of medical treatment is topped up with high-quality service: foreign patients in Bulgaria have a wide choice of doctors and clinics because in the mid-1990s many of the best physicians in the country, disappointed with their low state salaries, set up private surgeries and clinics.

Mineral water treatment

Mineral water treatment is particularly popular among foreign tourists, because Bulgaria
boasts more than a thousand mineral springs scattered throughout the country. The water content in many of them is similar to those in world-renowned spas like Baden-Baden and Vichy.

Some present-day Bulgarian spas were built on the sites of ancient Roman thermae or Turkish baths. The best-known balneology and mud bath therapy centres are Pavel Banya, Hisar, Velingrad, Narechen, Vurshets, Kyustendil and Momin Prohod, near Kostenets. They specialise in the treatment of different ailments, depending on their water content.

Hisar, located among the impressive ruins of an ancient Roman fortress in the plain between the Balkan Mountains and Plovdiv, is recommended for renal and gastrointestinal illnesses. Sapareva Banya sprang up around the hottest water spring in Bulgaria. Narechen specialises in neural disorders, Pavel Banya in orthopaedic illnesses and traumas, and Sandanski in pulmonary diseases. Two large seaside resorts, Albena and Pomorie, offer mud bath treatment.

Most of these centres also offer special rehabilitation and toning programmes. The prices vary, depending on the treatment. For example, a 10-day anti-stress programme, including aromatherapy, massage, and Iye-phoresis, costs less than 100 Euros; a flve-day treatment of rheumatic pain is from 70 to 110 Euros. Accommodation is between 20 and 70 Euros a day, full board.

Slimming centres

Other popular destinations are the slimming centres. The most popular clinic for non-medicinal treatment of obesity is located in the Black Sea resort of Sts. Constantine and Helena. There, a mild form of medical starvation is practised under constant medical supervision, in combination with a daily allowance of one kilogramme of raw fruit, and healthy eating habits.

The stay in the sanatorium can vary from 10 to 20 days, and the package is between 500 and 2,000 Euros, depending on the length of the treatment. It includes accommodation in a four-star hotel, daily doctor’s rounds, personal consultation with the centre’s head physician, the development of an individual dieting and nutrition schedule for each patient upon leaving, and medical examinations.

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery also attracts health tourists with its prices and services. The plastic and cosmetic surgery clinics which opened in the mid-1990s turned out to be too many, and the severe competition forced their owners to invest in modern equipment, good specialists, and a range of amenities for in-house patients. Besides, they had to keep their prices low.

Whereas in Germany a woman will pay from 6,000 to 10,000 Euros for a bosom boost, the most expensive clinics in Bulgaria perform the operation for 2,500 to 3,000 Euros. The ratio between other services is similar.

Face-lifting under full anaesthesia is hardly over 1,200 Euros, complete lips correction is not higher than 450 Euros, and liposuction costs 300 Euros.

Dental services

Another popular goal of health tourism in Bulgaria is dental services. The private dental surgeries in the bigger towns are numerous, and the prices, calculated in accordance with the Bulgarian standard of living, are incredibiy low, compared to prices in western Europe. Some surgeries have dual pricing for Bulgarians and foreigners; so, check in advance.

The prices in Sofia, Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv are relatively the same: from 10 to 15 Euros for an initial examination, from 15 to 20 Euros for cleaning of caries and a photo polymer filling, and from 20 to 30 Euros for the treatment of pulpitis.

What does the law in Bulgaria say?

Bulgarian legislation grants foreign citizens the right to treatment in all medical establishments in the country. In case of emergency, foreigners can get help in the nearest clinic.

The head of the respective medical establishment has to inform the patient’s insurer immediately about the necessary treatment, except in emergencies.

Short-term foreign visitors to Bulgaria who do not insure themselves according to internal regulations have to pay for their medical treatment in accordance with the price list of the respective medical institution.

The clinic or other medical establishment must inform the patient of the relevant costs prior to the commencement of treatment.

Adapted from an article by Hristina Hristova

(This article follows on from the introduction to mineral spas in Bulgaria in the article BULGARIAN PROPERTY MARKET INSIGHT, updated on 09 June 2005. More details and links to material about health tourism in Bulgaria can be seen at the Bulgaria Properties Ltd web site www.BulgariaProperties.net.)

Hotels in Bulgaria

editor — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:30:17 +0000

By Stefan Valev

There is quite a bit of difference between the hotel industry in Bulgaria and that in the U.S. Whereas the U.S. market is dominated by large chains such as Sheraton, Hilton, Days Inn, and numerous others, the work horse of Bulgaria’s tourism industry is the small to medium-sized family owned and family-operated hotel. As of now, although some successful hotel owners are making investments in that direction, there are in fact no hotel chains. This is quite remarkable since Bulgaria is one of the most visited holiday destinations in Europe.

The lack of chains is sometimes a problem as tourists are not sure what to expect – different owners and managers have different ideas about what constitutes good service and facilities. Booking is more cumbersome as the tourist has to call the hotel, make a reservation and pay upon arrival as opposed to using a centralized booking system. However, the lack of uniformity also has an important charming side – there are hundreds of hotels and guest houses with very unique character. These are sometimes large old houses that have been renovated and converted into hotels. In addition to accommodation, the hotels also often feature small cozy restaurants where the owners try to be inventive with delicious local dishes. The terms of accommodation are flexible and the atmosphere is personal.

One hotel in Abanassi exemplifies this. Arbanassi is a small historic village overlooking the old capital of Bulgaria Veliko Turnovo. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Bulgaria, partly due to the types of hotel where tourists can stay. Villa “Tvorcheska (Artistic)” is a three story spacious house with stone foundations and beautiful arches. It sits in a large and sunny garden with a shaded area and fruit trees. It has 11 guest rooms, each furnished and decorated in a different style: 2 Italian rooms, 1 French room, 1 Bulgarian room, 1 Oriental room, 1 mansard studio with a round bedroom, 1 Japanese room, 1 African apartment, 1 Roman room with a tub for hydro massage, and 1 room with Jacuzzi. What a variety!

One can explore the various hotels and guest houses in Bulgaria at: Hotels Bulgaria.

Stefan Valev writes regular columns about holiday destinations in Bulgaria.