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In order to make the most of your trip it is essential to have an understanding of the Bulgarian culture and to appreciate how "Westerners" are perceived.
Bulgaria has tended to be regarded in the "West" as the poor relation of Russia - the satellite country on the edge of mainland Europe, offering cheap seaside package holidays to older travellers and cheap wine in supermarkets. Very little is known about the real Bulgaria and coverage in the media has been minimal.
Bulgaria falls somewhere between the two extremes - it has had a very difficult history with 500 years of Turkish oppression followed by Communist rule for the second half of this century. Since 1989 when the Communist regime was overthrown it has moved relatively slowly towards embracing capitalism. The State has been slow to take advantage of the potential for tourism on the Black Sea coast and mountain ski resorts. And with the exception of German and Scandinavian companies, it has been largely ignored by the Western countries which have moved so aggressively into the other previous Eastern Block countries.
This lack of action has left many Bulgarians feeling disillusioned and with a lower standard of living than under Communism - the average wage is US$100 per month with many families much closer to the poverty line. Younger, well-educated people are leaving the country - Bulgaria has a negative population growth factor, whilst older people are cynical about the prospects for change.
Given this background it is hardly surprising that Western visitors are regarded as being excessively wealthy and having a fabulous lifestyle.
When you do get to know your colleague or host you will find that Bulgarians are the most genuine and hospitable of people. As a nation they are well-educated, intelligent, intellectual and seem to have an endless source of knowledge on practically any topic.
You can have a wonderful time in Bulgaria as long as you remain aware of the background and avoid some obvious pitfalls:
Don't flaunt your money - even if you think you are being kind in offering to pay for a meal, remember that Bulgarians are proud people. It is best to go to a restaurant of their choice rather than the 5* hotel restaurant which is out of their league.
Don't keep referring to the cost of things "back home"
Even if you think the roads or whatever are terrible don't keep saying it - your hosts are just as aware of it as you but feel frustrated because nothing is being done
On a practical level there is one common problem which always arises - the use of "yes" and "no". Bulgarians usually shake their head for yes and nod for no, but not always and this can lead to no end of confusion. The best way is to discipline yourself to not move your head, to say "da" (yes) or "ne" (no) and to watch the other person carefully. Get it wrong and you will find yourself in a restaurant with another round of drinks to pay for.
And finally - if you are offered the chance to visit the mountains, countryside or Black Sea coast, please go. You will be amazed at how beautiful and unspoilt it is - there is a small population so it is uncrowded and peaceful.
Bulgaria is a country of opportunity - we hope you enjoy your visit and will want to persuade other people to try it for themselves.
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 | Samokov Nunnery | © 2023, D. Georgieva |
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DID YOU KNOW?
February 13, 2023 British Ambassador Rob Dixon: For a very long time, property and assets have been stolen from the Bulgarian people
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Call Properties in Bulgaria (a service of easyBG Real Estate LLC) - probably the best UK BG property specialists since 1998. Talk NOW with no obligation to a real person. Please call us at 020 4577-3369 (UK) or +359 29 862-863 (BG) |
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 Whilst every care is taken to ensure that all general information and descriptions of property is correct we advise all clients to make their own checks and take legal advise when purchasing property overseas. Information and price guides subject to change. All properties shown are to the best of our knowledge genuinely for sale at the time of publication (unless clearly marked "Reserved" or "Sold"). Although the properties have been visited by our staff and details are produced in good faith, no responsibility is taken by us for any discrepancies, inaccuracies or omissions. All introductions and referrals to agents, lawyers and other services are made in good faith but no responsibility is taken by us for any problems or negligence which may arise. All background information about Bulgaria is taken from that available in the public domain and is not a recommendation from us or our staff although of course we may add comments and suggestions based on personal experience (such as restaurants)
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Bulgaria: Housing Prices in Sofia continue to Rise 27/04/2023 Property prices continue to rise, but there are already signs of a slowdown in growth. It is expected to be more pronounced in the second half of the year, since the more significant increase last year was also registered then. [read more]
20 landmark buildings across Bulgaria will be lit up in green to honour St Patrick's Day 16/03/2023 On St. Patrick's Day, March 17 the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in Bulgaria will light in green 20 landmark buildings across Bulgaria. There will be also two literary exhibitions dedicated to Irish famous Nobel prize winners writers – James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. Beckett will be presented in Tryavna while Joyce will be presented at Veliko Tarnovo University where there is a faculty of Irish literature. [read more]
independent.co.uk 17/04/2018 If you're looking for a cheap beach holiday this summer, you should head to Bulgaria and Turkey, according to the 12th annual Post Office Travel Money Holiday Costs Barometer. [read the article]
Decline in Real Estate Transactions in Bulgaria: Further Price Growth is Not Expected 28/02/2023 At the end of last week, a business forum dedicated to the challenges facing the real estate market in Bulgaria was held in Varna. The experts who took part in the event united around the opinion that the past year was successful for the real estate market in Varna. There is a growth in both demand and supply, as well as in new construction, where the growth is about 22%. [read more]
independent.co.uk 13/12/2017 British holidaymakers are moving east to extract more value for their pounds, according to Europe’s biggest travel firm, writes Simon Calder in Bulgaria and Croatia See More Bargain-Seeking Brits. [read the article]
More and more Ukrainians buy homes in Bulgaria 28/02/2023 The war in Ukraine and the refugee wave to Bulgaria have had an impact on the housing market, which was previously stagnant due to the pandemic. [read more]
A Briton works for the benefit of locals to turn Stoikite in the Rhodope Mountain into a model village 13/02/2023 Steven Proctor comes from Newbourne - a small town in the southern part of Great Britain. By profession he is a mechanical engineer, and by residence he is now a resident of the Rhodope Mountains and, more precisely, a resident of the Rhodope village of Stoikite. The 47-year-old Englishman settled here three years ago, together with his Bulgarian wife Vanya. [read more]
oxfordbusinessgroup.com 22/07/2010 Nick Lavtchiev, director of Easy BG - a company that deals almost exclusively with UK clients - told Oxford Business Group (OBG) recently that, "Over-urbanisation is no good for this market. What is the point of going on vacation or having a home in a place that is as overpopulated and ugly as where you came from? There are plenty of other places in the middle of nowhere that are of interest to aspiring permanent residents.". [read the article]
British Ambassador Rob Dixon: For a very long time, property and assets have been stolen from the Bulgarian people 13/02/2023 “For the first time, we are identifying individuals from Europe as being at risk of serious corruption,” British Ambassador to Bulgaria Rob Dixon said in an interview with bTV. [read more]
irishtimes.com 26/04/2018 The flipside is that Bulgarian property is now remarkably affordable and probably appropriately priced. Properties that sold for €80,000 10 years ago are widely available now for €25,000, writes Diarmaid Condon in Is the price now right for Bulgarian property investments?. [read the article]
Buildings constructed post 2000 have the highest earthquake resistance, urbanist says 09/02/2023 The horrifying images of collapsed buildings and destroyed infrastructure after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria placed the question about the state of the housing stock in Bulgaria back on the agenda of society. [read more]
The Report - Emerging Bulgaria 2007 01/01/2007 "There is significant scope for development of spa and welness tourism due to Bulgaria's many mineral springs. Golf course development is another area where we are seeing growth." said Nick Lavtchiev, CEO of easy BG a local property firm". [read the book]
telegraph.co.uk 05/05/2004 The prices are almost irresistible, but buyers must beware dodgy deals and 'iffy' infrastructure, writes Cheryl Markosky in Bulgaria Beckons. [read the article]
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