Bulgaria. Which beach to choose? Bulgarian shopping: what to bring home

When going to Bulgaria for the first time, many are wondering what to bring as a souvenir of the country and for gifts to friends and acquaintances? rose oil is a symbol of Bulgaria and one of the most popular souvenirs. Bulgaria is one of the world leaders in the production of rose oil. Aromatic rose oil is not only a pleasant, but also a useful souvenir: the oil improves skin firmness and elasticity, and its smell helps with stress and depression.

Bulgarian cosmetics- Bulgaria is famous for its roses. Most of the Bulgarian cosmetics are made on the basis of the queen of flowers. Cosmetic rose water, different creams, scrubs, shampoos and balms. The choice of manufacturers is huge. Cosmetics from Bulgaria are made on the basis of absolutely natural products. Especially popular among women is the rose series, which is based on rose water and oil, as well as the olive series. All products of this cosmetic line are successfully sold all over the world.

Bulgarian ceramics-all made in the national style, with ornaments and patterns. The ornament of Bulgarian ceramic dishes is a truly unique painting on ceramics. Of all the variety of utensils, it is necessary to single out a clay pot. They come in different sizes from portioned for 1 person to sizes that are enough to feed a large family. It makes food incredibly tasty.

Textiles with embroidery(especially linen): napkins and tablecloths, towels, bed linen, bedspreads, shirts.

Wine- Bulgarian wines are well known all over the world, they are of high quality and are exported to more than seventy countries of the world. One of the most famous Bulgarian red wines is "Mavrud" - an old grape variety, the wine from which was appreciated by the Crusader Knights during the Fourth Crusade.

Rakia and Mastic- Rakia is considered one of the most Bulgarian alcoholic drinks. Strong drink - 40%. The most popular brandy is grape and plum, but on sale you can also find pear, apricot, apple, with honey, herbs. Another typical representative of strong drinks is mastic. Mastic is made from anise extract, strength - 47%. The local mint liqueur "Menta" is also good as a souvenir.

Sujuk- dried sausage, mainly from beef with a pronounced spicy taste. Has a flat shape and rigidity.

sharena sol-One of the most popular Bulgarian spices, translated as colored salt. Main ingredients: salt, savory, bell peppers and peppers, baked corn, pumpkin seeds and wild thyme. The seasoning is so versatile that you can safely add it to all dishes. It is piquant, tasty and aesthetic: a salt shaker filled with bright red grains will decorate the table and surprise guests.

Going to Bulgaria, our travelers do not philosophize with the choice of gifts and souvenirs - often these are small items like magnets, towels or key chains.

We urge you to show your imagination, go beyond the ordinary and give your relatives something really worthy.

After going through the top 5 best souvenirs, we'll review prices, shop for something unusual, and come up with gift ideas. It also does not hurt to listen to the opinion of more experienced wanderers.

Bulgarian shopping: what to bring home

In each country belonging to significant tourist centers, has its own assortment of gifts that are associated with the life and traditions of the local culture. Bulgaria is no exception.

Rose oil grown here allows you to create excellent cosmetics.

Connoisseurs of strong alcohol will love rakia, and local ceramics will decorate any kitchen.

Barcelona is amazing beautiful city, which welcomes its guests and offers an excellent shopping experience. And, you can find out from our review article.
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Top five souvenirs

1. rose oil. This cosmetic product sold in Bulgarian stores must have a certificate of authenticity and be stored in special sealed bottles. In order not to run into a fake, pay attention to such details.
   Rose oil also underlies the production of elite cosmetics - creams for the body, hands and face, rose water. An excellent gift for a girl will be a cosmetic set brought from Bulgaria.
   In addition, delicious jams and original liqueurs are made from rose petals.
2. Rakia and mastic. And what Russian traveler does not like strong alcohol?
   Rakia is a kind of analogue of brandy, distilled from fruit juice (grape, plum, pear, apricot, melon). Despite the pleasant taste and softness, rakia has an alcohol content of around 40%.
   You can buy brandy everywhere, but it’s more interesting to get on a thematic tour with a tasting and the opportunity to buy the variety you like at the factory.
   Mastic is made from anise extract, the alcohol content in it starts at 47%. This is a harsh drink that will easily knock you off your feet.
3. "Yummy". Traditional Bulgarian food cannot be imagined without cheese. This is a slightly salty cheese that Bulgarians make from goat's and sheep's milk.
   If you have tried cheese bought in your city, forget about it. Bulgarian cheese is far superior in taste to anything you have come across before.
   If you have children, you should bring them Turkish delight, an oriental sweet that the Bulgarians have made their national product.
   Bulgarian spices, sold in bags and jars, will also come in handy in the kitchen.
4. Icons. Christianity in Bulgaria arose more than a millennium ago - around the same time, icon painting began to develop.
   Local craftsmen paint their icons on a flat board carved from cypress and linden wood. From above, the board is covered with glue, then with alabaster (or plaster), and only then a holy face is applied to the surface. All paints are natural, they are based on egg yolk.
5. Ceramics. Sold in Bulgarian shops everywhere. On the local land, pottery originated a very long time ago, eventually turning into a national art.
   Ceramic utensils are of high quality, convenient and durable - believe me, this is exactly what your kitchen lacked.
   The most popular is Trojan ceramics (produced in the town of Troyan) - it is made from brown clay with impurities of natural dyes.

The beautiful half will be delighted:

• Oils and elixirs based on tea rose extract (it is better to give preference to Rozana);
• Rose water (“Bulgarian rose”, which is made in Karlovo”);
• Sachet with dry inflorescences of young roses (knowledgeable people advise buying products from Kazanlak).

Prices for souvenirs

In stores, you will have to pay with the Bulgarian lev, the rate of which is approximately 24 rubles (mid-2014).

Now let's proceed to the review of price tags in souvenir shops.

• rose oil - 5-15 lev;
• honey - 6-30;
• wine - 6-10;
• brandy - 5-20;
• silver items - from 20;
• embroidery - from 15;
• ceramics - 20-200;
• icons - 100-500 (funny coincidence);
• national costumes - 300-1000.

Hand-woven clothes will always be relevant.

What to bring from Bulgaria as a gift

The fact that the “right” gift should reflect the culture of the country from which it was brought is not subject to discussion. Another point is much more interesting - where is it better to buy such souvenirs?

Shops in Bulgaria darkness, as well as street vendors. There are coastal cities in which entire neighborhoods are engaged in the trade in souvenirs. A typical example is Old Nessebar.

Even in tiny towns there are markets where many interesting things are sold.

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From Bulgaria with souvenirs

What souvenirs to bring from Bulgaria?

Here is a list of small trinkets that will not burden the traveler's luggage, but will serve as a pleasant reminder of this sunny country:

• Pot for honey. Ceramic craft (usually blue) with multi-colored patterns and ornamental edging.
• Tablecloth. Bulgarian tablecloths are embroidered with national ornaments, and you can buy them in any shop - a great gift for summer residents.
  Such a tablecloth fits into rural interiors with chopped furniture and wood trim.
• Herb tea. Bulgaria is famous for its medicinal plants. The local tea is fragrant, pleasant in taste and has a number of healing properties. locals call this product "bilk tea".
  To use it, it is not at all necessary to get sick with something - Bulgarian herbal preparations perfectly quench your thirst and evoke warm memories of this country.
• Cooker masks. Kukers are patrons of fertility and protective spirits that the Bulgarians have worshiped since time immemorial.
  Local craftsmen make masks of kukers from feathers, wood and leather.
  Traditions say that these things protect the human home from evil forces.
• Marine souvenirs. Do not forget that Bulgaria is a coastal state.
  Best of all, souvenirs of the corresponding theme will remind you of the gentle waters of the Black Sea:
  • stuffed crabs and fish;
  • shells and pictures of small shells.
• Wine. A bottle of Bulgarian wine will always come in handy, especially at friendly gatherings.
  For red wine lovers, we recommend Mavrud (the best producers are Asenovgrad and Mazzek), but among the variety of white wines Miskets and Traminier stand out.
  A bottle of good Bulgarian wine will cost a symbolic amount of 3-4 euros.
  Another Bulgarian feature is wines with an admixture of honey (Regina and Ducessa are in the lead here, although they are twice as expensive as regular varieties). There are also 100-year-old drinks.

Bulgarian textiles will decorate the interior in country style.

Three unusual things as a souvenir

1. National Costume. You can give a girl a "bag" - a traditional sundress decorated with patterned embroidery and braid. Complement the wardrobe "saya" - an element of the costume, consisting of a skirt and a shirt with a long pleated sleeve.
   For men, “chernodreshna” and “whitedreshna” are suitable (these costumes differ only in color), as well as Bulgarian shoes called “tsarvuli”.
2. Ornamental sack. We have already understood that the Bulgarians love to cover everything with traditional ornaments.
   Pay attention to stylish hand-woven sack bags.
   Girls will also be interested in woven beauty bags and a range of similar accessories, including cell phone cases.
3. copper products. It would seem - what can be found unusual in copper trinkets? The Bulgarians managed to excel here as well.
   You can order jewelry according to your sketches or sit next to the master and watch the manufacturing process.
   You can give a coffee connoisseur a handmade copper cezve - he will be eternally grateful to you.

People interested in folk crafts and housewives who value home comfort will be pleased with the useful and beautiful products of Bulgarian craftsmen: wooden mini-barrels for wine, various bowls and ceramic dishes.
And for young girls or children, you can bring funny toys made of threads.

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Country Description

An attractive tourist country, with beautiful nature and hospitable people. Bright sun, azure sea, beautiful beaches, a wide selection of hotels, an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Bulgaria is small (compared to Russia, of course), but popular with tourists southern country, with beautiful nature, inhabited by hospitable residents. People of all ages and with different income levels can afford to spend holidays in this wonderful corner of the globe. It will appeal to both young people who prefer places where they can relax and lead a mostly nocturnal lifestyle, and those who prefer a calm, but at the same time not boring rest.

Geography

Bulgaria is a relatively small state (111 thousand km2), located in the south of Europe, in the northeast of the Balkan Peninsula. It is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. Country in southeastern Europe Balkan Peninsula(from 1946 to 1990 it was called the People's Republic of Bulgaria). Bulgaria has common border with five countries. In the north, along the Danube, there is a border with Romania, in the south - with Turkey and Greece, in the west - with Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The area of ​​Bulgaria is 110912 sq. km. More than half of the country's territory is mountainous or hilly: the Balkan Mountains cross the country from the northwest to the Black Sea and form the watershed between the Danube River and the Aegean Sea. In the south lie the Rhodope Mountains, along which the border with Greece runs. In southwestern Bulgaria lie the Rila Mountains, where highest point countries - Mount Musala (2925 m). Toward the east there are several valleys, including Thracian. The main river in Bulgaria is the Danube, whose tributaries are Is-kyr and Yantra.

Time

Time in Bulgaria is 1 hour behind Moscow time.

Climate

Most of the territory of Bulgaria is dominated by a temperate continental climate with distinct four seasons. On the Black Sea coast and in the southern regions, the climate is close to the Mediterranean. In the country, the average temperature of the coldest month - January - ranges from -2 to + 2oC. In the mountains, the thermometer can drop to -10 ... - 15 degrees. The average temperature of the warmest month - July - ranges from +18oС to +24oС in northern regions up to +28 in the southern and on the Black Sea coast, while it rarely exceeds 30 degrees. The annual rainfall is 670 mm, and in the mountains - 800 - 1000 mm. IN northern Bulgaria and the Black Sea region, the wettest months are May - June, the driest - February. IN southern Bulgaria The maximum precipitation occurs in November - December, the minimum - in August. The water in the Black Sea warms up to +25oC. The climate of Bulgaria is favorable for recreation, especially for residents of the middle zone.

Language

The official language is Bulgarian, which is so close to Russian that Russian-speaking tourists have practically no language problems. Service personnel at resorts, hotels and restaurants usually speak Russian, English, German and French.

Religion

The state guarantees freedom of religion. Religious institutions are separated from the state. The traditional religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity (85% of the population). Orthodox Christianity since the 9th century. is the main religion of the country. Today it is practiced by 82.6% of the population. Throughout the history of Bulgaria, it has played an important role in the formation of the nation. During the time of foreign domination, thanks to Orthodox Church Bulgarians managed to preserve their native language, and in many respects their culture. The church is autocephalous (administratively independent). It is ruled by the Bulgarian Patriarch. Services are conducted in Bulgarian.

Population

The population of Bulgaria is about 9 million people, of which 85% are Bulgarians, 9.7% are Turks and 5% are gypsies. The population of Bulgaria over the past 20 years has decreased by almost a million people - and now the country is home to about 7.7 million citizens. Bulgarian experts cite several reasons for such an unpleasant trend: a drop in the birth rate, as well as a high level of emigration. According to some forecasts, if the current demographic situation does not change, then in a few decades the population of Bulgaria may be reduced by one third. Population decline is noted in many European countries, but in Bulgaria this process is exacerbated by an extremely low standard of living.

Electricity

The mains voltage is 220 volts throughout the country.

Emergency telephones

Emergency phone number in Bulgaria - 150
The telephone number of the fire service in Bulgaria is 160
Police phone in Bulgaria - 166
The telephone number of the traffic police in Bulgaria is 165
Road service in Bulgaria - 146

Connection

Telephone communication: you can call another country or city from any pay phone using the phone cards of Mobika (blue cards and devices) and BulFon (orange cards and devices), which are sold at post offices, newsstands , small shops and hotels. The consumption of conventional units on the card is indicated on the phone display. A call from the post office will cost a little less than from a hotel. Bulgaria code - 359. To call Bulgaria you need to dial - 8 - 10 - 359 - city code - number of the called subscriber. To access international calls from Bulgaria: 00 (beep) - country and city code - number of the called subscriber. When calling from Russia to Bulgaria on cell phones, you should dial the country code (359) - the subscriber's cell phone number. In this case, the area code does not matter.

Currency exchange

In use are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki and banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 leva (lev.). On July 1, 1999, the country made a denomination of the local currency similar to the Russian one, when each denomination was reduced by three zeros. The old money was in circulation until the end of 1999. But even now a tourist can slip money out of circulation. The exchange rate of the Bulgarian lev is strictly pegged to the German mark: 1lv. = DM1. In turn, $1 is approximately equal to DM2. (As of June 2000). Generally, in big cities course is better than in the resorts. Banks work with clients from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Visa

Citizens of Russia and the CIS to visit Bulgaria require a visa, which must be applied for at Visa Application Centers Bulgaria or to the visa departments of the embassy or Consulates General Bulgaria on the territory of the Russian Federation. Types of visas: 1) short stay visa (entry visa) - issued to persons whose purpose of travel is tourism, visiting relatives or friends; 2) group visa - issued to persons who are citizens of one state and formed a group before applying for a visa. Group tourist visas give the right to a single entry and stay for a period not exceeding 30 days. Group single or double entry transit visas give the right to a single or double passage through the territory of Bulgaria. The composition and size of the group during the stay and departure from Bulgaria should not change; 3) transit visa - issued to persons whose purpose of visit is transit through the territory of Bulgaria to third countries within 24 hours. This visa gives the right to leave the airport and stay in the country within the specified period. Citizens of Russia do not need a transit visa if they arrive in Bulgaria for the purpose of an intermediate landing or transfer to another flight and do not leave the airport airside; 4) long-term residence visa (immigrant visa) - issued to persons wishing to obtain a long-term (1 year) or permanent residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Customs regulations

It is necessary to declare: jewelry, professional photo, cinema and video equipment, which then must be taken out of the country. There is a limit on the import of some items, above which you need to pay a duty: cigarettes - 200 pcs. (or other tobacco products - 250 g), wine - 2 l, spirits - 1 l, coffee - 500 g, tea - 100 g, perfume - 50 ml, cologne or other perfumery products - 250 ml .; items for personal use, photo and video equipment, sports and hunting equipment (it is necessary to fill out a declaration with the obligation to re-export them). Duty-free export of antiques and works of art is allowed with a permit. It is forbidden to import: automobile gas-cylinder installations; meat and meat products, beans, sugar; children's clothing and footwear, cotton fabrics, household electrical appliances.

Holidays and non-working days

January 1 - New Year
March 3 - Day of the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke
April - Good Friday
April - Easter Monday
April - May - Easter (the dates of these holidays change according to the church calendar)
May 1 - Labor Day
May 6 - Day of St. George the Victorious, the official holiday of the armed forces of Bulgaria
May 24 - Day of Slavic Literature and Culture
August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin
September 6 - Day of the Unification of Bulgaria
September 22 - Independence Day
November 1 - All Saints Day
December 6 - Constitution Day
December 8 - Immaculate Conception
December 25, 26 - Christmas

Transport

Buses, trolleybuses and trams operate in cities. The cost of a single ticket varies between 0.25 BGL in different cities (0.4 BGL in the Sofia metro). A double ticket (valid for an hour) costs 0.4 BGL, a ticket for five days - 4.4 BGL, for a month - 21 BGL. At some resorts, there are also intercity single tickets of different frequencies. In many settlements and resorts, affordable fixed-route taxis are common.

The capital has a subway. The cost of a single ticket is 0.4 BGL .. Yellow taxis with traditional checkers, a price list with prices should be fixed on the side window, in most taxis you can even get a receipt. There are day and night (22.00-06.00) tariffs. Base prices (day\night rate) - landing - 0.29\0.39 BGL, 1 km. mileage - 0.48\0.58 BGL, one minute of waiting - 0.16\0.19 BGL, extra bed baggage - 5 BGL. In resorts, taxi drivers often offer "negotiated prices", in which case you can and should bargain.

Rail transport in Bulgaria is relatively inexpensive and convenient. Trains are divided into "express" (express) and "friday" (passenger). When traveling to resort areas tickets are recommended to be booked in advance.

Tips

Tipping is usually 5-8% in a restaurant (in high-end restaurants - 10%), cafes and bars, if the guest was satisfied. In a taxi "for tea" they usually leave 5% of the amount on the meter or rounded to the nearest whole number (the main payment is strictly on the meter).

The shops

The largest and busiest market in Sofia, the so-called women's market, Women's Pazar. In addition to fruits and vegetables, you can buy meat, cheeses, seasonings and spices, dishes, clothes, shoes, metal products, etc. at the market. The covered market (HALI) is located opposite the mosque, on Blvd. Book. Marie Louise. The Great Sofia Market is an example of the architecture of the early 20th century. It was built in 1910-1911. Today this market is the main selling place for fresh products in Sofia.

Slyvekov Square in the city center is the most visited place in the city. Here you can find a varied number of shops, as well as a book market that sells works in all possible languages ​​at very attractive prices.

Fashion stores are located in the central part of Sofia. Here you can find all the most famous brands (Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Marlboro Classics). You will find them if you go up Vitosha boulevard. Fashion shops are also on the street. Tsar Shishman and Count Ignatiev.

Typical Bulgarian souvenirs are rose oil, wines and brandy, carpets and ceramics, silverware. Souvenir shop next to the Alexander Nevsky Church. Antique dealers musical instruments, cameras, paintings, icons, etc.) can be found in the park opposite the Alexander Nevsky Church. The icons are copies of the most beautiful icons kept in Bulgarian monasteries.

National cuisine

The dishes are really tasty - spicy spices, plenty of vegetables, spicy taste. One of its main features is the simultaneous heat treatment of products over low heat. This allows you to preserve the nutritional properties, to achieve a pleasant aroma of dishes, original flavor combinations. This is also facilitated by the use of a variety of products, seasonings, vegetable and animal fats.

It all starts with salads: traditional Shopska, mixed (tomatoes with cucumbers and cheese), Russian "Olivier", "Snezhanka" (fresh cucumbers, walnuts, pressed Bulgarian "sour milk"). You can not ignore the cold "presentation": roll or ham cocktail, mushroom cocktail, dry sausage "Lukanka", tomatoes stuffed with mushrooms or cheese.

Very unusual cold Bulgarian soup "tarator" (finely chopped cucumbers, dill, garlic and walnuts are filled with diluted Bulgarian "sour milk"). Lamb soup (lamb kurban chorba) and lentil soup (bream chorba) have a peculiar taste. Bulgaria is famous for its pirzhols (a piece of meat fried on a grill) and kebapchetas (oblong minced meat patties fried on a grill).

Popular dishes are: kavarma (meat or vegetable roll), drob sarma (chopped lamb liver with rice and egg), sarmi (stuffed grape leaves), kebab (meat on a spit), Rhodope banitsa, lamb (baked right in front of you on the coals) , trout, Melnik-style kebap, Bansky starets, sujuk, chomlek (beef stew), kebab in pumpkin (cooked over low heat, which preserves all the taste qualities of the products used).

Bulgaria is among the top five wine producers, both red (Cabernet, Mavrud, Merlot, Otel, Trakia, etc.) and white (Chardonnay, Galatea, Misket, Riesling, Tamyanka).

Attractions

Rila Monastery - Holy place Bulgaria. The monastery is recognized as a shrine not only for the Orthodox, but for the entire Christian Church. The Rila Monastery (officially the Monastery of St. John of Rilski) is the largest and most famous Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, in the northwest of the Rila Mountains, 117 km south of Sofia in the Rilska River valley, at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level. Through the centuries, he has preserved the pride, national consciousness, honor and hope of the Bulgarian people. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by the followers of the hermit St. Ivan Rilski, whose relics are still kept here.

Rozhen monastery located in the south of the country, 6 km from the town-museum Melnik at the foot of the Pirin Mountain and almost 100 years older than the Rila Monastery. In its current form, the monastery (built by the mill ruler Slav at the turn of the 12th - 13th centuries) has been preserved as it was in the 16th century. The heyday of the monastery reached its peak in the 19th century, when it became a regional spiritual center and had numerous estates in the surrounding areas. This is the only one of the monasteries restored in the first centuries of the Ottoman yoke, which was lucky to survive later. At the beginning of the 17th century it was destroyed by fire, and in the 18th century it was restored with donations from Bulgarian patrons.

One of the most interesting sights of the capital is built of red brick on the site of the Roman rotunda. Church of St. George- the oldest temple of Sofia. On the inside of the dome, frescoes have been preserved, the earliest of which date back to the 10th century, and on the outside, the remains of the streets of ancient Serdika (the Roman name of the city) have been preserved. The most beautiful boulevard in the city - Vitosha boulevard, going from the Cathedral of St. Nedelya, past numerous underground shopping galleries, to the square of the Palace of Culture with a monument to the 1300th anniversary of Bulgaria. In the nearby building of the Palace of Justice (1936) is located National Museum history - one of the largest historical museums in the Balkans.

In the city-reserve of Veliko Tarnovo, ancient capital Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393), definitely worth a visit Royal Palace, the picturesque towers of the Patriarchal and Balduin in fortress Tsarevets on the hill of the same name, near which the show "Sound and Light" is regularly held, which tells about the history of the city. interesting picturesque quarter Varusha, the monastery of St. Peter and Paul (XIII century) and Kapinovsky, as well as the churches of St. Dimitar of Thessalonica (XI century, the oldest in the city) and St. Forty Great Martyrs (1230).

In Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, a must see Trimontium("three hills", Old city) - the Roman forum, a theater for 3 thousand seats and the gates of Hisar Kapi (II century AD), as well as Jumaya mosques(XV century) and Imaret (1445), Cathedral of Constantine and Helena(1832) with a beautiful gallery of icons, the ruins of the Thracian city of Evmolpias (II century BC), Amphitheater of Philip II of Macedon, as well as unique churches - St. Nedelya, St. Dimitar and St. Marina(1854). Plovdiv Archaeological Museum considered one of the best in the country, the Ethnographic Museum in the Koyumcoglu house with an excellent collection of national costumes, the art gallery in the Baklanov House and the Museum of National Revival are also good.

The center of Varna is considered Cathedral Holy Dormition of the Mother of God("Cathedral", 1880 - 1910), famous for its frescoes and unique wood carvings in the design of the patriarchal throne and iconostases. Museum of History and Art (Archaeological) is located on an area of ​​2000 square meters. m. in the beautiful building of the former Maiden's Gymnasium, and is considered the most big museum cities. Its unique exposition contains more than 55 thousand exhibits, from the early Paleolithic to the late Middle Ages, including a unique gold collection of the 5th - 6th millennium BC. e.

The city of Nessebar is famous for its many small churches, among which the most attractive Church of St. Stephen(XI century) and famous for its miraculous icon Church of the Holy Virgin, as well as a charming old mill, narrow cobbled streets, gentle sea, quaint white cliffs and wide sandy beaches fringed by sand dunes.

Resorts

Beach resorts: Rusalka, Albena, Kranevo, Zlatni Piasytsi, Riviera, Slynchev Den, Sveti Konstantin and Elena, Obzor, Slynchev Bryag, Dyuni. The fourth largest Bulgarian city Burgas is located in the southeastern part of the country, on the shores of the deep Foros Bay. The climate here is temperate continental with a strong influence of the sea. Burgas is a large industrial center. This is, rather, not a beach area, but a key point on the way to large seaside resorts like Slynchev Bryaga - it is at Burgas Airport that many international flights land.

Stunning ancient city Nessebar located 20 km north of Burgas, on a narrow peninsula, far out into the sea. South of the modern quarters, in the southern part of the bay, there are two good beach areas.

small town Pomorie is located on a narrow rocky peninsula jutting out into the sea for 3.5 km, 20 km northeast of Burgas. Pomorie was founded by Greek colonists in the 4th century BC. e., and already in those days was famous for its salt lakes, many of which had the status of sacred. Now the city is famous for the production of excellent cognacs and wines, the extraction of sea salt and healing mud. Here is one of the largest and most modern wine cellars in Bulgaria, as well as a domed Thracian tomb(III century) and the monastery of St. George (1856). Vacationers come here for the amazing beauty of the views and the unique microclimate. The beaches are gentle, sandy, stretching along the sea for 4.2 km.

City Varna located on the northern shore of the Varna Bay and is a popular seaside resort. This third most populated city in Bulgaria (after Sofia and Plovdiv) is considered maritime capital country and famous for its extensive sandy beaches. In July-August, the number sundial per day here reaches 10-11. The sea is surprisingly calm and safe at any time of the year.

Ski resorts: Vitosha-Aleko; Pirin, Kulinoto, Dobrinishte, Bansko; Rila, Semkovo, Panichishte, Malyovitsa, Borovets; Rhodopi, Chepelare, Pamporovo; Uzana. Complex Vitosha-Aleko is located on the southern outskirts of Sofia and is one of the highest ski resorts in the country. More than 29 km of slopes at altitudes of 1650-2290 m are served by 12 ski lifts. For cross-country skiing, 11 km of flat skiing has been prepared. The disadvantages include quite often and dramatically changing weather.

To the mountain complex Pirin(Pirin), declared by UNESCO as a natural and cultural heritage, includes 87 steep peaks and 150 lakes, as well as an old town Bansko, lying about 160 km from Sofia, at an altitude of 930 meters above sea level.

The largest and oldest ski resort in Bulgaria Borovets located at an altitude of 1350 m above sea level on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountain, at the foot of the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula, Musala (Moussala, 2925 m). The duration of the ski season here is from December to April. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is +4°С.

The most famous is the southernmost ski center in Bulgaria - the resort Pamporovo(260 km from Sofia, 80 km from Plovdiv), on the lands of which, according to myths, the legendary singer Orpheus lived. Pamporovo is located in the Rhodope Mountains. Height above sea level - 1650 m. The most famous peaks: Snezhanka (Snejanka, 1925 m) and Murgavets (Mourgavets, 1858 m). Hot springs gushing out of the ground gave rise to the opening of several balneological centers in Pamporovo. The temperature in winter does not fall below -7 C. The number of "snowy" days per year is 150-200, the thickness of the snow cover is 140-150 cm.

Uzana- this is a real discovery, wonderful gem in the mountain crown of the Balkans. Situated among centuries-old oak forests at an altitude of 1300 m, the resort is part of natural park"Bulgarka". The season here runs from mid-December to early April. The total length of the tracks is 3 km. The professional (and longest) run here is 1300 m. Beginners ski on eight shorter runs. You can also go kite surfing and ride a motorized sled. The famous town of Gabrovo is located 22 km from the resort.

Balneological resorts: Hisarya, Sandanski, Devin, Velingrad, Byanka, Troyan, Kyustendil.

Resort Hisarya located at an altitude of 360 meters in the Sredna Gora mountain range, 42 km north of Plovdiv and 140 km east of Sofia. There are 22 mineral springs with water temperatures ranging from 37°C to 52°C. Winters are warm, mild and almost snowless. The sun shines 280 days a year. Industrial production in these places is not developed, so the environment is close to ideal.

Resort Devin located in the Rhodope Mountains, at an altitude of 684 meters, 220 km from Sofia, 100 km from Plovdiv and 45 km from Smolyan. In the mountains about 285 sunny days in a year. In winter, the temperature drops to zero and snow falls, but the environment is usually comfortable. It is almost never hot in summer. There are many natural attractions in these parts: various waterfalls, caves, rocks and nature reserves. The Pamporovo ski resort is very close by.

Resort sandanski located in the Pirin Mountains, 160 km from Sofia and 80 km from Blagoevgrad. Sandanski is surrounded by the Pirin National Park and the ruins of ancient settlements. The resort is famous mineral springs(their temperature is from 33°C to 83°C) in combination with an excellent healing mountain air. Bronchial and asthmatic diseases are cured in Sandanski in the majority of patients. You can relax here at any time of the year, as winters are mild and summers are not hot.

In the region Trojan, located 160 km from Sofia and 300 km from the Black Sea, there are two centers of balneology - Shipkovo and Chiflik. These places are famous for centuries-old forests, crystal clear air and mineral springs. The outdoor pools are especially popular here. mineral water, the temperature of which is approximately 34°C. The spa centers offer Jacuzzis, saunas, massages, aromatherapy and thalassotherapy to clients.

Once upon a time, small Bulgaria was called "Balkan Prussia", and this was an apt definition. However, those times are already completely forgotten, and now Bulgaria is a hospitable Balkan country, where more than 3.5 million tourists come annually to relax on the Black Sea coast or go skiing in the Rhodope and Rila mountains.

Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula, in the north it borders on Romania (the border runs along the Danube River), in the west - with Serbia and ancient Macedonia, in the south - with Greece and Turkey, and in the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The total length of this country is more than 110 sq. km. km.

Almost half of the territory of Bulgaria is occupied by mountains. The most beautiful of the mountain ranges is Pirin, and the highest mountain in Bulgaria is Musala (its height is 2,925 meters).

The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia, which now has a population of over 1.4 million people. The history of Sofia begins around the 8th century BC. e. - Then there was a large Thracian city on this territory.

The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian, which, according to linguists, belongs to the southern subgroup Slavic languages. The Bulgarian language began to take shape during the time of the Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius (IX century).

About 76% of the population of Bulgaria are Orthodox (Greek Catholic Church). Another 10% of the population professes Islam, its Sunni branch. Approximately 2% of Bulgarians are Catholics and Protestants.

Bulgaria is a parliamentary democratic republic, its constitution was adopted on July 12, 1991. At the moment, Bulgaria consists of 28 provinces, including the capital region of Sofia.

The head of state is the President, who is elected by direct universal suffrage. He has the right to veto legislative initiatives of the National Assembly.

The Parliament of Bulgaria is a unicameral National Assembly with 240 members.

The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental, cold, wet, snowy winters alternate with dry, hot summers. In general, Bulgaria is a very sunny country. The average temperature in April-September is + 23 C, and the average annual temperature is + 10.5 C. On the Black Sea coast, the climate is maritime, the average temperature in July is from +19C to +30C.

The best month for skiing in Bulgaria is January.

Bulgaria in the east is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The length of the coastline is 354 km. On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the first settlements appeared in the 5th century BC.

From the end of May to the end of September, the average temperature of the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast is +25C.

There are quite a few rivers in Bulgaria, the largest of them are the Danube, Maritsa, Tundzha, Iskar and Yantra. However, only the Danube is the only navigable river in Bulgaria (but navigation is still carried out along other Bulgarian rivers).

The territory of modern Bulgaria was inhabited in ancient times. The state of Bulgaria itself has 1,300 years of history. In terms of the number of archaeological sites, Bulgaria ranks third in the world (after Greece and Italy).

The earliest inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands are the Thracians, who were first mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. By the way, the legendary Spartacus, who raised the uprising of slaves in Ancient Rome, was a Thracian by birth.

The first Bulgarian kingdom was created in the middle of the 7th century by the legendary Khan Asparuh, who united the Bulgars, who came to the Balkans from Central Asia, and the local Slavic tribes. It should be noted that Bulgaria was the first Slavic country who converted to Christianity (this happened in 864 AD). At the end of the 9th century, the Cyrillic alphabet became the official alphabet in Bulgaria.

In 1014, under the blows of the troops of the Byzantine Empire, the First Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed. Only in 1185 was the Bulgarian statehood restored, after the formation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. During the long reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), Bulgaria reached the zenith of its glory, experiencing an economic, religious and cultural flourishing.

However, at the end of the XIV century, the Ottoman Empire began to conquer the Bulgarian lands, and Bulgaria again lost its independence. The rule of the Turks in Bulgaria lasted for about five centuries.

From the middle of the 19th century, Bulgaria waged numerous wars with Ottoman Empire for independence. On the side of the Bulgarians, Russian soldiers actively participated in these wars. In the end, on September 22, 1908, an independent Bulgaria was proclaimed.

After the defeat in the First World War in Bulgaria in 1918, the authoritarian dictatorship of Tsar Boris III was established, which lasted until 1943.

During World War II, Bulgaria fought on the side of Germany, but after the death of Tsar Boris III, it abandoned the alliance with the Germans. After the end of World War II, the People's Republic of Bulgaria was proclaimed (this happened in September 1946).

In June 1990, Bulgaria held its first elections on a multi-party basis, and in November 1990 the country became the Republic of Bulgaria.

In 2004, Bulgaria joined the NATO bloc, and in 2007 it was admitted to the European Union.

The culture of Bulgaria was significantly influenced by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Until now, hundreds of historical monuments built before our era.

Bulgarian folk holidays and customs date back to those distant times when people tried to appease the mysterious forces of nature with offerings. Bulgarian folklore is considered one of the richest in the Balkans. The Fire Dance is an ancient religious ritual in Bulgaria. Barefoot people dance on smoldering coals, which helps, as the Bulgarians believe, to get rid of diseases.

To understand the Bulgarian culture, we advise tourists to visit the Rose Festival near the city of Kazanlak. This unique festival has been held for many years in a row. There is a legend that during the Roman Empire, 12 types of roses were grown on the territory of modern Bulgaria.

The most popular Bulgarian folklore festivals are Pirin Sings and Rozhen Sings. Every year, these folk holidays are visited by a huge number of people (according to official data - more than 150 thousand people).

Among the most famous Bulgarian writers and poets, Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), Dimcho Debelyanov (1887-1916) and Dimitar Dimov (1909-1966) should definitely be mentioned.

Bulgarian cuisine is close to traditional European cuisine, although, of course, it has its own characteristics. In many ways, Bulgarian cuisine is similar to the cuisine of Greece and Turkey. Traditional products for Bulgarians are yogurt, milk, cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, onions, eggplants, and fruits.

The most famous Bulgarian traditional dishes- vegetable “Shopska salad”, gyuvech, “Pumpkin” pie, flatbread “katma”, cold soup “tarator”, hot soup “chorba”, kebab, moussaka, cabbage rolls “sarmi”, yahnia, tomato salad “lyutenitsa”, and also pastor.

Among the Bulgarian desserts, we note gris-halva, Rhodope banitsa and apple pie.

In Bulgaria, yogurt is very popular, which is often served with various fruit and berry additives, and ayran.

Bulgaria is famous for its white and red wines, as well as rakia (fruit vodka). In addition, in Bulgaria they make mastic, a strength of 47 degrees, and mint mentha liquor.

Tourists come to Bulgaria, first of all, to relax in beach resorts or ride in puddles at ski resorts. However, in this ancient country with beautiful nature tourists should definitely see its sights. The top five most interesting sights in Bulgaria, in our opinion, include the following:

Mount Vitosha
The height of Mount Vitasha is 2290 meters. Now on its territory there is a national park.

National History Museum in Sofia
This museum contains unique historical artifacts that give an idea of ​​the history of Bulgaria, starting from the 5th century BC.

Boyana Church
The Boyana Church is located in the village of Boyana at the foot of the Vitosha Mountains, just 8 kilometers from Sofia. It was built in the 13th century, although the first chapel on this site appeared in the 10th century. In 1979 Boyana Church was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Church of the Forty Great Martyrs in Veliko Tarnovo
This church was built in 1230 in honor of the victory of the Bulgarians at Klokotnitsa over the Despot of Epirus Theodore Duka. It is the tomb of the Bulgarian kings.

Shipka National Park Museum
Shipka National Park-Museum is located 22 km from Gabrovo on Mount Shipka. This museum is dedicated to the events of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78. Now there are 26 historical monuments in the Shipka Park-Museum.

It is difficult to say which city in Bulgaria is the most ancient. Some of them were formed by the Greeks and Romans (eg Balchik, Sofia, Varna and Sozopol).

At the moment, the largest Bulgarian cities are Sofia (more than 1.4 million people), Plovdiv (390 thousand people), Varna (350 thousand people), Burgos (about 220 thousand people), Rousse (more than 170 thousand people). ) and Stara Zagora (170 thousand people).

Bulgaria is known for its beach and ski resorts.

Most Popular beach resorts– Albena, Dunes, Golden Sands, Burgas, Kranevo, Obzor, Mermaid and Sozopol. It should be noted that more than 97% of the coast of Bulgaria meets the environmental requirements of the EU.

There are no less ski resorts in Bulgaria than beach resorts. Among them are Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Semkovo, Kulinoto and Uzana. This means that the best Bulgarian ski resorts are located in the Rhodope, Pirin and Rila mountains.

Kuker masks (these are folk masks that appeared in Bulgaria several centuries ago). Kukers in the early Middle Ages drove away evil spirits and called for fertility. The masks are made of wood, leather, fur and feathers;
- paintings by local artists depicting traditional Bulgarian houses;
- handicrafts, especially from wood, clay and ceramics;
- dolls in traditional Bulgarian clothes;
- embroidered products, including towels, tablecloths and napkins; - copper chasing and copper cezve; - sweets (for example, Bulgarian Turkish delight and halva);
- products with rose water or with rose oil;
- Wines and spirits.

Stores in Bulgaria operate:
Mon-Fri: from 9.30 to 18.00 Sat: from 8:30 to 11:30.

Bank opening hours:
Mon-Fri: - from 9:00 to 15:00.

Currency exchange offices are open until 18:00 (but some are open around the clock). You can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival or departure, or at the hotel.

To enter Bulgaria, Ukrainians need to obtain a visa.

The Bulgarian Lev is the official currency of Bulgaria. One lev (international designation: BGN) is equal to 100 stotinki. In Bulgaria, banknotes of the following denominations are used:
- 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 leva.

IN Lately the most popular are Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Cheap tours, good living conditions and curiosities of the East attract thousands of Russians and Ukrainians. But what about those who are tired of the exotic, but still want something incredible and memorable? There is a solution! Switch to closer, but no less interesting and exciting places. Bulgaria, the country of roses and friendly Black Sea coasts, is waiting for you!

HOLIDAYS IN BULGARIA

Why is the homeland of Vanga and Hristo Botev so good?
Extremely mild and pleasant climate. You can visit the country at any time and have a great rest on Black Sea resorts with enchanting names (Riviera, Golden Sands, sunny Beach), health spa resorts (Velingrad, Sandanski, Hisar), as well as ski resorts that will charge you with a fair portion of adrenaline (Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo).
Incredibly delicious cuisine. Have you ever tasted milina in your life? This is the thinnest dough, the most delicate cheese and a golden crust. Just an unearthly pleasure that melts in your mouth. Dozens of unique dishes from meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and dairy products are worth trying in Bulgaria. Juicy kupaty sausages, nadinichi and kebabchi, spicy manja, the world-famous Shopska salad and fragrant ruby ​​wine - this temptation is impossible to resist.
Pink fairy tale. The symbol of the country is the noble rose flower. Bulgaria is the world's largest producer of rose oil and rose petal cosmetics. It is in Bulgaria that you can see with your own eyes the largest Rose Valley. This amazing place it will just drive you crazy with its beauty.
Ancient cities in which echoes of the past are still heard. Bulgaria was under the Ottoman yoke in 482, which was reflected in the culture and art of the people, contributed a share of tragedy to its history. Thousands of monasteries and shrines make this land truly sacred. Unique architectural monuments have survived to this day, which will enchant you with their beauty and grandeur.

SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS FROM BULGARIA

Most of the goods exported to Russia are, of course, Bulgarian souvenirs. Our tourists from the republic bring silverware, belts, bags, Bulgarian shoes and other leather goods, ceramics. From inexpensive souvenirs, Bulgarian postcards are interesting. The similarity of the Russian and Bulgarian languages ​​gives these postcards a special flavor. Of great interest to our tourists is rose oil and everything that is made from it: cosmetics, perfumes, jams and the oil itself in pure form. Wool products are also interesting. In supermarkets you will see the same goods as in your home country.
Let's take a closer look at diversity. souvenirs and gifts from Bulgaria.

Alcohol

Rakia
What it is? This is one of the most famous Balkan drinks, made using a technology reminiscent of home brewing. According to legend, its name comes from the word "raki", which means "sweat" in Turkish. The Arabs explain this by the fact that it is difficult to grow grapes (raw materials for a drink), you have to spend a lot of effort and sweat.
Rakia is based on fruits (apricots, plums, grapes). Its strength is similar to vodka and is about 40 degrees. Its most famous types are: plum, apricot, grape. The last of them has the largest fortress and reaches fifty or sixty degrees. The expression "drunk like a mother" is dedicated to rakia, the fact is that earlier Bulgarian women in labor were given this drink instead of anesthesia. Its taste is softer than that of vodka or tequila. In the manufacture, it is aged in oak containers for several months, depending on the aging period, it is divided into simple and "rested" (that is, aged).
How to choose? A really high-quality drink seems to stretch when poured into a glass, like jelly or honey. The fortress below forty or above sixty-five degrees is unconventional for rakia, most likely you have a fake in your hands. It should also be well processed and not smell of combustion products.
Where can I buy? It is better to buy it in large retail chains, because in small points it is easy to stumble upon a fake. Although in almost every locality, rakia is produced by local residents for their own needs.
Such a delicious souvenir will appeal to every tourist.
Mastic
What it is? Mastic is the second most popular drink in Bulgaria after rakia. Its production began in the late thirties of the last century at one of the country's factories. The addition of mastic tree resin to it gives it a pronounced taste of anise.
The main raw material for it is fermented grapes. Its strength is 40-47 degrees. The taste is unusual with herbal flavor. Serve mastic only cold or with the addition of ice. Under the influence of low temperatures, it becomes cloudy and almost white, like milk. And if you put it in the freezer, then the contents of the bottle become like condensed milk.
Prepared with mastic and cocktails, adding milk or dairy products. Such mixtures are alcoholic and have a delicate creamy taste.
How to choose? Real mastic should be a thick consistency. When liquid is added, the mastic becomes white. In the freezer, this alcohol crystallizes.
Where can I buy? Mastic is best purchased in specialized alcohol stores or large retail chains, in order to avoid fakes.
Bulgarian wines are especially popular. In short, the range of alcoholic beverages will not disappoint our tourist.

Herbs and spices

Bulgaria is a southern country with excellent ecology, for this reason you can buy deliciously fragrant herbs for seasonings here. In a country whose inhabitants understand delicious food, wonderful and affordable spices are produced.
In Bulgaria, spices, seasonings, spices are called "dressings". Dressings have a spicy flavor, hot spices are used in small quantities. You also need to pay attention to paprika, various dried herbs, and also to "sharen salt" - a combination of salt with various seasonings. The basis of this salt is thyme (savory) and smindukh (fenugreek). It is absolutely not spicy, but on the contrary, appetizing and fragrant, exciting, reddish, and a piece of Bulgarian loaf is usually dipped into it, and then into honey. Sharena salt is considered the most adored in Bulgaria and is available everywhere, like in our country, for example, salt and pepper. It is added to ready meals. I also want to highlight the different types of fragrant thyme.
From multi-colored layers of salt in jars form full-fledged paintings, waves, faces, zigzags and get a fascinating and completely affordable gift for any housewife. However, the main thing is not the image of the layers, but their number and saturation of spices, for this reason, select the most iridescent and diverse. A huge variety of spices can be found in supermarkets and large markets. On tourist - it will turn out 3-4 times more expensive.
Bulgaria, at first glance, may seem to be the country with the largest number of medicinal herbs and plants per capita. Herbs here will cure almost everything, and for prevention they like to use various herbal teas, which are called bilkov tea. Although, they are used, obviously, for the purpose of enjoyment, since many of them are, in fact, very appetizing and perfectly quench their thirst. Bilkov tea can be purchased both in bazaars and in supermarkets. The main thing is to make your choice with your favorite taste.

Copper products are a great souvenir!

Bulgaria is a territory with a peculiar local culture. Most tourists coming to this sunny and hospitable country opt for traditional souvenirs: postcards with views of local attractions and magnets. However, a smart tourist should go a little beyond the stereotype imposed by society. The best souvenirs from Bulgaria there will be, of course, copper products.
Copper souvenirs are the best gifts that can be brought from this country. Local craftsmen create real masterpieces and works of art from copper wire or forged from whole piece metal.
For beautiful ladies, the most remarkable gift brought from Bulgaria will be amazing copper earrings. Made of hundreds of thin wires, interwoven with semi-precious stones, the earrings will become an adornment of any collection. Zealous housewives are simply obliged to take with them a variety of forged copper dishes from the trip. It is simply impossible to find products of such quality and such variety in the Russian and Ukrainian markets.
How to choose quality products? Copper souvenirs are much more expensive than similar ceramics and are not sold at every turn. Before you buy the thing you like, roughly correlate its cost with the cost of a ceramic product. It should be at least twice as high. Also, copper always has a distinct red tint, neither too bright nor too dark. Various semi-antique gizmos will be a useful souvenir. Darkened copper will add extra color to your home. And the owner will be able to compose an interesting story for a long time and vividly, about a little thing that came "from distant, distant times."
Where to buy a souvenir? Bulgaria is a country of shops and street vendors. There are especially many such shops and small local markets in coastal cities. There are entire souvenir quarters, ready to satisfy even the most whimsical and refined taste. It is in such quarters that real masterpieces of human thought and copper art are sometimes born.

Ceramics

Arriving on vacation in Bulgaria, in any souvenir shop you will see ceramic products of amazing beauty. Despite the fact that the ornament is very diverse, all drawings are made by the same technique: first, dots or stripes are applied with paint, and then they either flow down or are carefully mixed by the master. This makes Bulgarian ceramics special and recognizable. Trojan ceramics is the most famous in Bulgaria, it is handmade by the best craftsmen. The only negative is the price, as handmade is always highly valued. Therefore, do not rejoice too much when you see cheap pottery, most likely it is a fake.

Silverware

Not only copper jewelry and handicrafts can be purchased in Bulgaria, but also luxurious silver souvenirs and jewelry. There will be no problems with finding the necessary products, because in this country there are a huge number of shops that sell silver. Shops like this are found almost everywhere. The attractive design of jewelry can be compared with a real masterpiece of craftsmen; such souvenirs will not only take their rightful place in the tourist's collection, but will also become a great gift. You will be pleasantly surprised by the cost of products - they are quite affordable at a price. It will not take long to look for such a souvenir either - shops with silver are quite common.

rose oil

Bulgarian rose oil - best gift for a tourist. Consider its features and find out how to choose it correctly.
Application and features of rose oil
Rose oil is a real gem among other essential oils. It has long been famous for its delicate sensual aroma, so it is not surprising that this particular oil is one of the most popular in perfumery. This fragrance is able to instantly improve mood, and also effectively fights stress. Rose oil is often used in perfumes of such famous brands as Dior, Valentino, Givenchy.
Another feature of rose oil is its ability to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin. Therefore, it is widely used not only in perfumery, but also in the creation of cosmetics.
How to choose rose oil
Given the unique properties of rose oil, as well as the difficult process of its manufacture, it is quite expensive. Because of this, many fakes appeared on the market. In order not to buy a fake, when choosing rose oil, you need to follow a few basic rules:
- the bottle should not be transparent, it must be dark;
- you need to look at the price, since rose oil is usually much more expensive than other essential oils;
- there should be no inscription "For domestic use";
- do not buy oil if it does not have inscriptions in a language you know;
- the cork must fit tightly;
- it must be indicated that it is 100% oil.
Following these rules, you are almost guaranteed to buy the original rose oil. It is also important to consider the place of purchase and try to purchase in professional stores.
Cosmetics based on this oil are also famous in Bulgaria, so you can take enough gifts for yourself and loved ones.

Embroidery - a memory of sunny Bulgaria

Unique souvenirs from Bulgaria are embroidery by local craftswomen. Any country in the world is famous for its individual characteristics, which, when you see it, you want to buy right away and take it with you to your native land. The European home style of a cozy hearth is embodied in the handiwork of experienced local craftswomen.
Where to buy embroidery in Bulgaria?
You can buy embroidery in Burgas, a cute European town with a lot of themed shops. At first glance, the shops look a little inconspicuous, but once inside, the buyer will find huge selection unique product. The plots of local attractions are very popular: Sokolsky Monastery, Asen's Fortress, Balchik, etc.
Finding a theme shop in Burgas is not at all difficult, you just need to walk along the streets of Bogoridi and Alexandrovskaya. Locals will always be happy to show you the way if the tourist is a little "lost". Prices will also please tourists, as they are very democratic.
You can transport embroidery directly to hand luggage, since the souvenir does not take up much space, no additional declaration is required. Summing up, I can only add that Bulgarian embroidery is an ideal gift for households of any age and interests. As well as a wonderful souvenir and memory of your own trip to luxurious Bulgaria.

Chergi

The share of the causeless charm of Bulgarian culture is the chic paths and carpets that brightened up Bulgarian buildings in the old days. Distinctive joyful patterns and colorful tones surprise and create an inimitable atmosphere in the home. A distinctive feature of the Bulgarian carpet has always been considered the symbolism in its pattern, which today is incomprehensible to today's person. Bulgarian folk woven tracks ("chergi") are a fairly simple product with drawings in the line version, made from the most affordable materials. As a rule, the cherga is narrower and longer than an ordinary carpet. It is possible to purchase in specialized stores in large settlements and resorts, markets.

Souvenirs from the Martenitsa holiday - exotic from Bulgaria

To better understand the soul of any country, you need to look at its ancient and favorite holiday. Therefore, it is best to come to Bulgaria on the first of March. On this day, Martenitsa is celebrated - the holiday of the arrival of spring and the beginning of the working year. According to legend, Khan Asparuh, the creator of Bulgaria, missed his sister Kalina very much. Upon learning of this, the swallow found Kalina and brought the khan a gift from her - the most beautiful flowers in her garden, fastened with a red and white ribbon. It happened on the first of March.
Delighted Asparuh ordered to celebrate March 1 every year as the day of the arrival of spring. White and red became the colors of the holiday, and gifts, as it were without them, began to be called "martenitsa".
Since then, the Bulgarians give red and white amulets to relatives and friends at the beginning of spring. At the same time, you need to shake the right hand of the person and say: "Baba Marta is honored!" The Bulgarians call the month of March grandmother Marta, and this greeting is translated approximately as "Thank God, spring!".
According to legend, martenitsa protect a person from misfortunes and ailments. The bracelet is put on the hand and removed at the moment when they see the first swallow or stork. And, of course, at this moment you need to make a wish. To make it come true, martenitsa is tied on the branches of a fruit tree. And when the wish made is sure to come true, it will be necessary to remove the martenitsa from the tree. True, many people forget about it.
Martenitsa can be attached to the neck or belt, worn on the arm or leg. For children and girls they are tied at the wrist, for men they are attached to the little finger or put on the belt. I wonder what girls pin spring symbol on the chest on the left side, and married women on the right. This is what they give
understand whether their heart is free or not.
A tourist who came to Bulgaria at the beginning of spring will find many different souvenirs related to the holiday. These are, as a rule, bracelets of red and white colors or decorations for clothes made of red and white ribbons or woolen threads woven together. But the most common type of martenitsa is two threads woven together, red and white. At their ends, figures of a woman and a man, or traditional "bells", are usually attached.
Another type of souvenir that is considered a classic is a brooch with two small dolls, a man and a woman, woven from yarn. Such a souvenir, symbolizing the unity of the male and female principles, is attached to the clothes with a pin. Martenitsa for children are made in a special way. Different figurines are added for them - animals, cars, ships and, of course, cartoon characters.
It should be mentioned that the white color of the souvenir is the personification of the sun and its power, which allows you to create life. Later, it was also considered a sign of purity and purity. Red is the color of the feminine, a symbol of fertility, the birth of a new life.
Come to Bulgaria on Martenitsa! To meet the first spring days in the atmosphere of a loved one ancient holiday, buy an amulet and surprise your loved ones with an unusual gift and leave these touching days in your memory forever.

Currency of Bulgaria

Where does shopping start? Probably with what money we will buy the necessary products. So, what do you need to know about the country's currency? Foreign currency can be brought into Bulgaria in any quantity. It just needs to be declared. But it is strictly forbidden to import and export the local currency lev. At the first exchange, the exchange office will issue a certificate that you will need to present when you exchange the remaining levs after the trip. Is it possible to exchange rubles for levs on the territory of the republic? Yes, but the rate of such an exchange is unprofitable and not all banks and exchangers can do this. It is better to buy euros in Russia and go with them.

Bulgaria is an amazing European country with beautiful sandy beaches, clean air and healing springs. Once here, the tourist tries to take a piece of holiday memories with him, buying traditional souvenirs that the country is famous for. What can be brought from these places? The choice is huge! But when purchasing goods, you should not forget that your purchases should not have historical, archaeological or cultural value, so that there are no problems with their export home.