WELCOME TO BULGARIA

BULGARIA

The country is justly famous for its yoghurt and other dairy products, for its rose oil products, and for its wines and brandies. One of Bulgaria’s preeminent industries is tourism.

Population

6,924,716 (July 2014 EST.)

Capital:

Sofia. It is the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.

Sofia is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bulgaria alongside coastal and mountain resorts. Among its highlights are the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (one of the symbols of Bulgaria), constructed in the late 19th century. It occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq. ft.) and can hold 10,000 people. The city is also known for the Boyana Church, a UNESCO world heritage site

Language:

We speak Bulgarian and our alphabet is in Cyrillic.

Location and territory:

Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe and occupies the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north, the country borders on Rumania via the Danube River, to the east, it touches the Black Sea, its southern neighbors are Turkey and Greece, and to the west, it borders on the republic of Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. The total territory of the country is 110 993 sq.km and Bulgaria ranks 15th in size among the other European countries.

 

Climate:

Temperateure - cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers. The climate is moderate continental with Mediterranean influence to the south. The average annual temperature is 10,5 degrees Celsius. For seasons are distinctly expressed – winter, spring, summer, and autumn. January is the coldest one of the year. July and august are the hottest summer months and sometimes temperatures go above 30 degree Celsius.

Average yearlong temperatures (°C):

Nature:

The natural landscape of Bulgaria is diverse, consisting of lowlands, plains, foothills and plateaus, river valleys, basins, and mountains of varying elevations. About 70% of the country’s territory is hilly land and 30% is mountainous. Bulgaria is the second most biologically diverse country in Europe.

State structure:

According to its Constitution, Bulgaria is a Parliamentary Republic, a unified state with local self-government. The official language in the republic is Bulgarian, and the religion of most Bulgarians is Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The national state emblem of the Republic of Bulgaria is an upright golden lion on a dark red, shield-shaped background. The national emblem of Republic of Bulgaria is depicted on its state seal. The flag of the Republic of Bulgaria consists of three colors: white, green and red, laid horizontally from top to bottom.

Cuisine:

Bulgarian cuisine is exceptionally diverse and delicious, consisting of various salads, breadstuffs, stews, and other local dishes. Many of the dishes are prepared according to traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation over the centuries.
The most products for which Bulgaria is internationally known are yogurt and white cheese. These are almost always present on Bulgarian tables in one form or another.
One of the most famous and most popular breakfast items in the country is banitsa. It is a made of dough with various fillings, such as cheese, spinach, rice, and meat.
Other popular breakfasts dishes include pancakes, buhtas (fritters), mekitsas (fried dough pieces), and fried bread slices. All of these are particularly delicious when served with jam, marmalade, honey or Bulgarian yogurt.

People in rural areas grow vegetables that are exceptionally tasty, which is why salads occupy a central place in our culinary tradition. The most popular Bulgarian salad is the Shopska Salad.
One of the most popular appetizers is Tarator (cold Cucumber Soup). It is prepared with yogurt, cucumbers, dill, crushed walnuts and spices.

Soups and broths are also popular in the countryside – particularly delicious bean soups are served in the region of the village Smilyan, in the Rhodope Mountain. Excellent fish soups are served in the regions of the Black Sea and the Danube River.
Some of the most popular Bulgarian dishes are grilled – meatballs, kebapches, grilled meat pieces, grilled sausages, and others. Various stews and dishes in clay pots are also a regular part of the Bulgaria cuisine (hotchpotch and casseroles). These include Chomlek, Kavarma, and Kapama (in the Bansko region).

Another favorite Bulgarian dish is prepared with stuffed cabbage or vine leaves – the leaves used may be either small or broad. The dish, which is prepared by wrapping the filling in the leaves, is very popular in the Thracian region.

One of the trademarks of the Bulgarian cuisine is Cheverme – an entire lamb roasted on a spit. This dish is typical for the Rhodope region, but it is also served throughout the country.
Potatoes are a main ingredient in many Bulgarian recipes. The most popular potato dishes include Ogreten (au gratin), Patatnik (in the Rhodope region), potato stew, and fried potatoes.
Bulgaria’s cuisine also consists of various cold cuts and other meat delicacies. Flat sausage is the most famous of these.

Such delicacies are usually accompanied with a Bulgarian wine, since Bulgaria is justly famous for its wines. Thanks to the country’s unique climate and soils, a variety of grapes thrive here – Gamza (North Bulgaria), the Wide Melnik Vine (in the region of Melnik and Sandanski), Dimyat (in the regions of Varna, Shumen and Stara Zagora), Mavrud (Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Asenovgrad), Red Misket (Straldzha and Sungurlare), Ruby (Plovdiv and Septemvri) and Pamid (Pazardzhik, Pamidovo and Plovdiv).
Another very popular Bulgarian spirit is Rakia. It is made of grapes or other fruits – plums, apricots, figs, pears, and others. A rose rakia is distilled in the Valley of Roses (in the region of Karlovo and Kazanlak), since this is the home of Bulgaria’s oil-yielding roses.
This brief introduction only touches on the diverse Bulgarian dishes and drinks. To fully know the culinary magic of the country, it is necessary to visit all of the regions where the traditional recipes are proudly maintained and culinary delights are constantly on offer.

Currency and payments:

The monetary unit in the Republic of Bulgaria is the lev (BGN), which is equal to 100 stotinki (st.). Since 1997, the country has been governed by a currency board and the value of the lev has been pegged to the Euro, at a fixed rate of 1 EUR – 1.95583 BGN.
Euro is not widely accepted. Normally all shops, bars and restaurants would accept payment with Credit or Debit card. No surcharges to apply.
ATM machines are allocated all over the resorts and the towns close by. Number of banks will also be happy to exchange your currency to Bulgarian Lev.

Telephone services:

MTel, Globul, Vivacom and Telenor are GSM operators providing digital cellular communication services in Bulgaria. A standard pre-paid GSM card would cost some 15 euro with included some 45-60 minutes talk to Europe, and some 30 minutes talk worldwide.

 

Golf Destinations Airports and Flights

Seacoast Golf Destination

Flights to Varna and Bourgas – Covering Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach, BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas, and Lighthouse golf course.

UK; Germany; France; Finland; Sweden; Belgium; Nederland; Italy

Golf Courses

There are 3 signatures seacoast golf courses:

• Thracian Cliffs golf & beach – Gary Player design - Framed by rugged coastal cliffs and the vastness of the Black Sea, the 18-hole Gary Player designed signature course at Thracian Cliffs boasts some of the most dramatic golfing views on earth. "You will not find a golf course like this anywhere else on the planet." Gary Player’s own quote
• Lighthouse golf resort – Ian Woosnam design - The Lighthouse golf course is of a “links” design and the major championship winning golfer’s first project in Bulgaria. Par 71
• BlackSeaRama golf & Villas – Gary Player design - Not just the first Gary Player signature golf course in Bulgaria, but in fact, the first project to be completed by the Major Championship winning golfer in Eastern Europe. Voted Best new golf course in the world for 2009 (international category of the Golf Inc. Magazine)Par 72

What to do:

• Wine testing in the Botanic garden winery!
• Dinner in some of the small restaurants along the Marina road in the close town of Balchik
• Special Gourmet dinner at El Balcon del Mundo – overlooking Thracian Cliffs from a bird eye
• A night-out in Golden Sands – hundreds of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, Casinos etc.
• One-day yacht trip in the area of Balchik
• A night-out in Varna

A sight seeker should not miss:

• Balchik and the botanical garden;
• Cape Kaliakra;
• Lake Durankulak;
• Nessebar;
• Golden Sands

Sofia Golf Destination

Flights to Sofia – covering St. Sofia golf course, Pravets golf Club and Pirin Golf & CC

UK; Germany; France; Finland; Sweden; Belgium; Nederland; Italy

Golf Courses

There are 3 signature golf courses closer to Sofia:

• St. Sofia Golf – a Paul McGinley design and it is about 30 minute drive away from Sofia.
• Riu Pravets – a Peter Harradine design and it is about an hour drive away from Sofia.
• Pirin Golf – an Ian Woosnam design and it is about 2 hour drive away from Sofia.

What to do:

As a capital, Sofia provides various entertainments and you will not be bored. We are famous for our nightlife, clubs, bars and restaurants.

A sight seeker should not miss:

• Ancient churches and monuments
• Various museums
• Vitosha mountain for nature lovers

Contacts

Need information, having questions or comments?
Our consultants will be glad to help:
Just call us at: +359 2 955 0 559
UK Toll Free: 0800 08 36 376
Or send an email to: office@golfinbulgaria.com
For more offers: www.golfinbulgaria.com
To have more visuals of the destination, please visit our Gallery website: http://www.golfcoursesinbulgaria.com