There are three main reactions of tourists that a travel agent has to deal with when working with a Bulgarian destination:
– complete acceptance: “yes, we decided to start with Bulgaria”, “let’s repeat Bulgaria”, “we love Bulgaria, we are planning to vacation there for the 3rd, 5th, 10th time.” Usually, oriented tourists start a conversation with such phrases. Easy, fast and relaxed.
– complete denial: “not Bulgaria.” You should not sell a vacation in a country to which a potential tourist has formed a strong and categorical “no,” negative, or denial. Or you need to spend time breaking the stereotype with ironclad arguments.
– gradual acceptance of the direction as a good alternative: “let’s look at Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria.” This is the kind of request that we most often have to work with and gradually lead the tourist to the fact that Bulgaria is an excellent budget alternative to more expensive summer destinations.
And “budget” in this case does not equal “cheap”. This is equivalent to the good level and quality of recreation that you will receive in other countries, only in Bulgaria it will be more accessible.
Bulgaria – alternative:
- Family holidays on ALL (all inclusive) in Turkey, Greece and Egypt. First of all, by the price segment, secondly by the climatic factor (the very hot and humid summer season in Turkey and the very hot, albeit dry season in Egypt are not suitable for everyone), and Greece is traditionally in a different price segment. Bulgaria is ideal for families traveling with a child for the first time. Especially with a baby (infant). A short flight (1 hour 45 minutes), one time zone, the dry and comfortable climate of the Black Sea, products that we understand and national cuisine in general, a gorgeous sandy strip of a long coastline – all this is ideal for the quick and relatively easy adaptation of children of different ages.
- Prestigious youth holiday. Who doesn’t dream of unreal parties in the clubs of Ibiza or Mykonos, or at least Lloret de Mar? But while dreams are being dreamed, and the soul and body are right now eager to go to a sea party in the techno style or to an “open air-disco-party” or to super-fashionable clubs or to foam parties, then why not – Golden Sands and Sunny Beach are waiting for you at numerous parties where, surprisingly or not, you will encounter a huge number of tourists from different parts of the world who will confirm to you that in Bulgaria a club holiday is just “wow”!
- Health-improving holidays at European resorts, Israeli resorts, and Crimean health resorts . Several balneological resorts with hydrogen sulfide springs and healing mud, the availability of balneo-hotels and spa treatments attract fans of this type of recreation to Bulgaria.
TOP 14 QUESTIONS ABOUT VACATION IN BULGARIA
When is the season in Bulgaria?
The summer season in Bulgaria officially lasts from June to October. There is absolutely no need to be afraid of the first dates of June and the last dates of September. Climate change has added a strong + to the temperature. The season is gradually increasing, but prices on these dates drop significantly, as does the flow of tourists. The high season begins at the end of June and lasts until the end of August, characterized by increased demand and rising hotel prices.
What airport are we arriving at?
There are two new and modern arrival airports on the coast – Varna (northern part of the coast) and Burgas (southern part of the coast). The transfer time depends on where you are arriving. Find the Obzor resort on the coast map – this is exactly the middle, all resorts north of Obzor – fly to Varna, all resorts south – to Burgas. What about the Review? – more often and more conveniently to Burgas. Taking into account such an advantage as two airports on the coast, transfers to the main resorts rarely last more than an hour, usually 30-40 minutes.
Is the north coast colder?
The temperature difference is very relative, but at the very beginning and at the end of the season you can pay attention to this; the distance from Varna to Burgas is only 130 km. But the microclimate will be different. The northern coast is “green and wet” due to forests and national parks, but the southern coast is more “steppe and dry”. However, place the main emphasis on choosing a resort that is suitable for you, and not a part of the coast.
Best Family Resorts?
Albena, Sunny Beach, St. Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Sozopol – a huge number of hotels in these resorts operate according to the all-inclusive concept and offer a number of services and infrastructure for this type of vacation. Over the past 10 years, many hoteliers have either moved hotels and adapted concepts or continue to develop in this direction. Most large hotels, chain hotels (for example, RIU, Sol) and gated complexes operate this way.
Are there hotels like in Turkey? We want it like in Turkey!
There are three large closed-format resorts: Albena, Elenite and Dunes. The concept of recreation here is virtually all-inclusive in every hotel, and the infrastructure is focused on proper recreation for adults and children at the hotels themselves (areas of complexes, sports grounds, water parks, amphitheaters for shows, disco bars and spa centers).
As for the Dunes complex, it is even better than in Turkey. One of the most popular and recommended gated resorts for quality family holidays in the middle and high price segment.
Where to get treatment on the coast?
It is very important to know that there are two types of balneotherapy on the coast; based on the treatment profile and indications, choose the place that suits you. Resorts with hydrogen sulfide and mineral springs: St. Constantine and Helena, the Riviera club complex, the Rusalka and Albena resort complex. But Pomorie is still considered the best resort with mud therapy, although you can order mud applications at any of the spa centers on the coast. But there is no other such specialized hotel as Grand Hotel Pomorie 5* anywhere else. A unique hotel with a professional approach to treatment and recovery. Chelsea football players and other sports stars periodically undergo rehabilitation courses here (argument?).
Where are the best parties?
In our club . Everything here is simple and not simple. You will have to be between two fires, or rather between Golden Sands and Sunny Beach. Golden Sands has a higher level of resort positioning and rating in Europe, which means prices will be higher, but the prestige of some places will also be higher. Whole planes of European tourists fly in for a “disco & bar tour” style vacation. There is not a single person in Golden Sands who has not heard about the Arrogance Music Factory club or the PR club, or the Go-Go girls club.
But Sunny Beach is about to catch up with Golden Sands, because there is a whole paradise here, or rather a beach – Cacao beach and the club of the same name, as well as another legendary club – Bedroom Beach. Armin van Buuren lit up the night at the open air sunny beach. And you? Of course, the choice of clubs is now huge (this includes Orange, Mania and many other clubs in the very center of the largest resort on the coast). And the clubs amaze with their sound technology, style and creative parties.
Where to rent an apartment in Bulgaria?
Apartments in Bulgaria? Yes Yes Yes! This is a separate category of accommodation facilities. As a rule, these are new modern complexes of different levels with “apartment-type” rooms for a family holiday or a large group holiday for any period, even a long one. And here special attention should be paid to the very modern and truly beautiful resort – St. Vlas. Apartments in St. Vlas stand out in terms of quality because the resort is more accessible for a free-form holiday (without being tied to all-inclusive meals) than neighboring Sunny Beach, is beautifully designed and has a huge number of rave reviews in the “here is like in Europe” style.
How many resorts are there in Bulgaria?
25 main resorts along the entire Bulgarian coast from north to south. And the coastline of Bulgaria from the border with Romania to the border with Turkey is 354 km. Impressive, isn’t it?
Is there anything to see there?
In the ancient land of the “golden apple”, that is, Bulgaria, there are 11 UNESCO cultural and natural monuments. You could end here, but catch the “must see”: the city of Nessebar, the city of Balchik and the palace of the Romanian Queen in the Botanical Garden, monasteries (Aladzha, Rilsky, St. George, etc.), the city of Sozopol, the first capital of Bulgaria – the ancient city of Veliko Tarnovo, the city of Plovdiv and the modern capital Sofia. If that’s not enough, to the south is the border with Turkey, which means you can expect a one or two day trip to Istanbul, and to the north is the border with Romania – and magnificent Bucharest – easily. And don’t forget about the short seasonal “aroma” excursions: the Valley of Roses or the lavender fields near Varna. Plus a huge variety of active, entertaining, educational excursions (jeep safari, “Bulgarian village”, wine tasting, fishing).
What is the currency in Bulgaria?
Bulgarian lev (BGN) with a rigid peg to the European currency: 1 euro ~ 1.95 Bulgarian. left The stability of the exchange rate and the national currency is precisely what ensures the low level of prices within the country. There are ATMs everywhere, and you can pay by card almost everywhere. Exchange offices have been operating officially for a long time; there is no threat of fraud during exchange transactions in official places. Safety in the country is another plus of holidays in Bulgaria.
What to bring from Bulgaria?
Souvenirs: rose oil and cosmetics from the Valley of Roses (can be bought at any resort, in specialized stores or sections in supermarkets); Bulgarian embroidery: tablecloths, clothing items; silver products (we recommend shops and shops in old Nessebar); spices and seasonings – yes, the same Sharena salt or variegated salt, the aroma of which permeates all Bulgarian “mekhanas” – traditional restaurants. And, of course, Bulgarian wines (you can’t return from the country without the legendary “Mavrud”) and rakia. Finally, grab some ceramics – they have very good ones!
What will surprise us?
For example, the cutest national feature of Bulgaria is that Bulgarians nod their heads up and down when in denial, and right and left when agreeing, i.e. “yes” is “no” for them, and “no” is “yes”. So watch your hands.
The Bulgarian ice cream will surprise you, the beaches will surprise you, the prices will surprise you, the tsa-tsa will surprise you – the Bulgarian national dish made from small sea fish – you will be surprised by the Bulgarian lavender, you will be surprised by the golf riviera in Kaliakria, you will be surprised by the Dunes, you will be surprised… people who were able to create resorts of such a scale with European quality mark.