Travel tips for Bulgaria - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. The national currency of Bulgaria is lev (lion) and a small change coin is a stotinka. Changing money in Bulgaria is best in banks. Before the exchange you need to know in advance about the commission which banks take for the provision of services.

2. For the last few years, the tourism industry in Bulgaria has moved far ahead. The tourism infrastructure is actively developing, new hotels, parks and water parks are being created, which allows Bulgaria to be considered one of the most comfortable resorts on the Black Sea coast.

3. In Bulgaria, sign language is very different from traditional European. The nod of a local's head does not mean consent. On the contrary, it means dissent. Many Bulgarians working in the tourist sphere knowing this feature use traditional gestures.

4. Bulgaria has restrictions on the importation of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, coffee and tea into the country.

5. All the beaches in the country belong to the state; hotels do not have their own beaches. If the tour operator claims the opposite, then he resorts to deception.

6. When planning a holiday in Bulgaria, be sure to take into account that the country offers ample opportunities for excursion recreation. On its territory there are many ancient cities and temples that will be of interest to history lovers.

7. On the beaches, rescuers hang out flags for the convenience of tourists: green, yellow and red. If the red flag hangs for example, then you cannot go further than 3 meters into the sea. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. When choosing a hotel, you can choose the diet plan: "all inclusive" or "breakfast only." Local restaurants offer a huge variety of dishes at low prices. Besides, in the markets you can always buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

9. The size of the tip in local restaurants is not included in the bill and is 10% of the bill’s value.

10. Moving around the country is best on intercity buses or on trains. If desired, you can order a private bus. This service will cost more, but the movement will be more comfortable.

11. The most actual souvenirs in Bulgaria are textiles, wooden and pottery, wine, rose water and sweets.

12. In Bulgaria you can find a large number of options for accommodation. You can stop at a hotel or rent an apartment or a private house; this option will be somewhat cheaper and more suitable for families and large companies. The Bulgarian language is Slavic, most of the inscriptions and signposts are written in Cyrillic. The language is simple and understandable to the inhabitants of Eastern Europe, but it has nothing to do with the Romanic languages. The older generation does not speak English very much, for help in this language it is better to address youths.