Bulgaria is a country in the Balkans on the western side of the Black Sea. Romania surrounds it to the north, Serbia to the northwest, the Republic of Macedonia to the southwest, Greece to the south, and Turkey to the southeast. Being located close to the Turkish Straits means the key land routes from Europe to the Middle East and Asia pass through Bulgaria. Tucked into the Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria shines as a natural gem. Along the Black Sea, preside over the stunning turquoise sea by sailing, surfing, fishing, or relaxing on the beach. Hike, rock-climb and explore caves and rock formations spread across the snow-capped mountains. On the Sofia Plain, the capital city of Sofia demonstrates a 7000-year history through excavations from the stone and bronze eras.

Regarding climate, Bulgaria is situated close to the Equator and falls within the southern part of the temperate climate zone with subtropical influence. Its location is on the transition line between two climate zones influences the climate, soils, vegetation and animal species. All of them are characterised by great diversity. The country’s geographic position also determines the relatively wide angle of sunlight that falls on the country, making the country predominantly sunny.

Bulgaria has a population of approximately 7.8 m people, and a land area of 43,000 miles (111,000 km). Sofia, the capital, which has approximately 1.2 m residents, is the largest city in Bulgaria. The other main cities and towns are Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Stara Zagora, Ruse and Pleven. The country’s national language is Bulgarian however English, German, French and Russian are spoken in the country's resorts, hotels and restaurants.

When it comes to local cuisines, Bulgarian cuisines are 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. Bulgaria is internationally known for yoghurt and white brine (feta) cheese. These are almost always present on Bulgarian tables in one form or another, and most traditional dishes will be prepared with either yoghurt or feta as one of its ingredients. 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.

Singaporean travellers interested in visiting Bulgaria must first obtain a Schengen visa. The Visa is obligatory to all Singaporeans intending to visit the country for not more than 90 days.

How to Get There?

By Flight

There are four international airports in Bulgaria: Sofia, Varna, Burgas, and Plovdiv. Sofia is the most connected to major European cities (and some in the Middle East) via Bulgaria Air as well as other airlines. Recently, several low-cost airlines have also started offering regular flights to Bulgaria, such as Wizz Air and Ryanair. The easiest way to get to Bulgaria is to fly to Sofia, the capital of the country. However, no airlines are flying direct from Singapore to Bulgaria. The flights listed below offer connecting flights for Singaporean travellers to reach the country:

• Lufthansa
• Emirates
• LOT
• Turkish Airlines
• British Airways
• Qatar Airways
• Air France
• Finnair
• S7 Airlines
• KLM

One of the fastest ways to travel to Bulgaria from Singapore is to take a flight with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and then a connecting flight to Sofia. Depending on how long the transit is in Istanbul, the journey from Singapore to Bulgaria should take approximately 15 hours.

What to do There?

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Situated in the heart of the stunning city of Sofia is the iconic symbol of Bulgaria: the Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral. Paid for by the people of the city and built between the years 1882 and 1912, the cathedral was constructed to honour the lives of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who were killed fighting in the Russo-Turkish war for Bulgaria’s freedom from the rule of the Ottomans. The cathedral itself is ornately detailed, with a decadent 45-meter high, gold-plated dome. Inside, you can walk among the many intricate mosaics, meaningful murals and depictions of saints and angels; huge chandeliers hang low, dripping in decadent gold, while the solid wood of the altar and pews is delicately carved.

Krushuna Waterfalls

Close to the village of Krushuna, nested in a lush forested landscape among the many karst rock formations, are the Krushuna Falls. The tallest of the falls is 20 meters high, where the turquoise water then splits into smaller falls and cascades over hunks of limestone, forming gentle pools and curious curves in the rock. It is easy for visitors to reach the waterfalls and explore the surrounding area over bridges and steps. One pathway leads to a hidden cave where the source of the waterfall can be found – the spring is said to have health benefits and is still a popular spot for locals from the nearby village.

Rila Monastery

Located in the serene surroundings of the Rila mountains, the monastery was founded in the 10th century and held in high esteem as being a famous historical and cultural monument. The Eastern Orthodox Rila Monastery is considered an architectural icon. Labelled as the Jerusalem of Bulgaria, it is the biggest monastery in the country and is home to compelling religious iconography, including wall paintings, carvings and historical artefacts. The ancient monastery is still active and is home to around 60 monks who still live and work in the tranquil peace of the monastery inside its ornate buildings. The striking stripes of the exterior and gently curved arches, along with the crowning domes, set the monastery apart from the surrounding tree-covered mountainous landscape.

Old Nessebar

Nessebar has been charming visitors for the past 9,000 years, and it keeps on enchanting people to this day. Set on a craggy peninsula that is connected to the mainland by a causeway, the charming old Nessebar town is an open-air museum packed full of pretty squares, churches and cobbled streets. The town’s history and monuments span the Roman and Byzantine eras, and remains of the old town walls can still be seen. This fascinating town is packed full of character; from the traditional timber houses built on sturdy rock foundations, the windmill on the bridge between the old and new towns, and the stunning churches and chapels.

Plovdiv Roman Theater

In the centre of Plovdiv Old Town is one of the world’s best-preserved ancient theatres. Discovered in the 1960s, the spectacularly striking structure dates back to the 1st century AD and is thought to have been built under the rule of the Roman Emperor Domitian. The site would have played an essential role in the ancient communities: this was where theatrical performances and famously ferocious gladiator fights would take place, as well as local government meetings and big gatherings. The theatre itself is still in use for opera and musical performances and holds an impressive 7,000 people.

Where to Stay?

Flora Hotel Apartments

Flora Hotel - Apartments is located in Borovets and offers a spa area with an indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna. The hotel gives you a cosy and comfortable home away from home and the unique opportunity to enjoy a winter/summer apartment with a breathtaking view of the surrounding nature. This enchanting development assures the relaxing atmosphere of a superb quality complex. The building is located in the central part of Borovets resort, just 50 meters away from the ski lift and 20 meters away from the beginner slopes. Ski storage is free of charge for guests arriving in winter. Guests can enjoy Bulgarian and international cuisine in the two restaurants on site - a-la-carte restaurant with summer terrace and views of Rila mountain and a classic restaurant. A lobby bar is also at guests' disposal.

The Stream Resort

The Stream Resort is one of the best Bulgarian holiday spots that offers skiing and Spa in a single, idyllic setting. The resort is ideally placed in Pamporovo, in the heart of the Rhodopi Mountains range of southeastern Bulgaria. The Resort offers the highest standard in ski resort accommodation with a wealth of facilities including wellness centre & spa plus a restaurant and bar. The resort consists of 75 apartments that are furnished with high-quality furniture for the comfort of guests. The Resort combines traditional Bulgarian design with modern and practical technologies, thus offering the benefits of modern and comfortable living.

Sofia Hotel Balkan

Sofia Hotel Balkan is a 5-star hotel built in 1956 as part of a new architectural trend: a fusion of classical design and lavish décor, redefining the concept of space. The iconic building of Sofia Hotel Balkan is part of the President’s Palace complex and beneath its foundations lies a historical Roman fortress, the remains of which can be seen all around the hotel. The Stardust Restaurant offers the best ingredients for an exceptional dining experience, a beautiful mix of Continental cuisine and renowned Bulgarian tradition in hospitality and service. Sofia Hotel Balkan offers sophisticated meeting rooms for gala dinners, conferences, banquets, engagements and your most important and special events. Besides, complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hours business centre are accessible.