Where is Bulgaria? 
• Bulgaria is situated in southeast Europe on the crossroads to the Middle East and Asia. The river Danube provides its northern border with Romania. Serbia and Macedonia are to the west. Greece lies to the southwest, Turkey to the southeast and the black sea to the east. It takes approximately 3 hours to fly to Bulgaria from London. There are international airports in Sofia, Varna and Bourgas.

Do I need a visa to travel to Bulgaria and how long can I stay?  
• UK passport holders do not require a visa in order to visit Bulgaria for a period of up to 90 days. A long-term (D) visa can be obtained from the Bulgarian Embassy in London - tel: 020 7584 9433 www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk
The British Embassy, Sofia: http://www.british-embassy.bg
The Foreign Office, UK: http://www.fco.gov.uk

How do I travel to Bulgaria?  
• Direct and connecting flights are available to Sofia and Varna all year round from most UK airports. During the summer season (April to September) direct flights are also available to the Black Sea resort of Bourgas, and throughout the winter ski season flights are available to Plovdiv.
Direct flight times are approximately 3 – 3½ hours.

How much does a return flight ticket to Bulgaria cost?  
• You can buy a return flight ticket to Bulgaria for between approx.  £80.00 and £220.00 - tip, book as early as possible

Do I have to set up a business if I want to buy an apartment?  
• No. Foreign individuals can buy buildings, but not land. Registration of a business is only needed when you want to buy a property with land. However, new laws now require that foreign nationals register ownership of newly purchased apartments and buildings, which we include in our service.

Are property prices rising? Why should I buy? 
• Bulgaria offers the opportunities of an emerging market in the early stages of development, making it ideal for mid- to long-term investment for a most favourable return. Property prices are extremely low when compared to other European markets and yet it presents a country that is already embracing the opportunities that inclusion into the EU is providing. There is a commitment to economic reform and already there has been a tremendous upturn in direct foreign investment.

• Tourism has escalated substantially with a 50% increase between 2000 and 2004, of which other European visitors represent 90%. Tourist numbers are continuing to rise rapidly year on year and are expected to escalate.

• Attractions include:

   • Average summer temperature of 27c
   • Over 350km of Black Sea coastline, including 11 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches
   • Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites
   • Several excellent low-cost ski resorts
   • Nearly 40,000km of hiking paths and mountain trails
   • Over 500 mineral spas and springs
   • Short flight time from UK

• However, the majority of our clients are looking for country properties and rural retreats in which to relax within an atmosphere of calm tranquillity. A home from home set within the beautiful expanse of countryside and fantastic cultural heritage that Bulgaria has to offer, amongst a population renown for its friendly, warm-hearted generosity.

A lot of properties in Bulgaria seem to need repairs and renovations - how can I organise this?  
• We can arrange first class repair and refurbishment works through our building company. They have their own professional team of highly skilled builders and English speaking supervisors who are able to perform any type of building and refurbishment tasks to a very high quality. From building a house to just painting the walls in your new home, we are there to help you - and, because we do a lot of refurbishment works every day, we have established special discounts so that you always get the best materials at the best prices

What is the cuisine like? 
• Bulgaria is a renowned producer and exporter of wine to more than 70 countries in the world. In Bulgaria there are 12 wineries producing a wide variety of quality wines. 
Bulgarian food is close to traditional European cuisine, particularly with Greek and Turkish influences. A traditional Bulgarian menu includes bread, yogurt, cheese, tomatoes, potatoes, onion, beans and fruits washed down with a glass of rakya (Bulgarian brandy). Typical foods include: 
• Shopska salad - prepared from diced tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, green peppers, topped with feta cheese 
• Tarator - cold soup made from yogurt, fresh cucumbers, seasoned with walnuts, garlic and dill 
• Sirene po Shopski - feta cheese, diced tomatoes and onion topped with an egg and cooked in pottery 
• Kebapche - barbecued minced meat rolls seasoned with herbs and spices 
• Kuyfte - barbecued meat balls seasoned with herbs and spices  
• Shish Kebab - meat grilled on a skewer with onion and paprika  
 • Banitsa - baked pumpkin pastry. This can be as a savoury dish with cheese or meat, or also as a desert with various sweet accompaniments.

When is the best time to visit? 
• Bulgaria has a temperate continental climate, with four clearly marked seasons and a Mediterranean influence country's southern regions. Summer (mid-June to September) is reliably hot and dry, perfect for hiking, outdoor activities and beach holidays. But with winter tending to be cold and damp, the coast is virtually deserted from mid-September to mid-May. However, Bulgaria remains an attraction to visitors with a ski season lasting from mid-December to April, with perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions in the mountain regions. Spring (April to mid-June) is the best time to visit when viewing property to purchase, with mild and pleasant weather, although we are happy to welcome prospective buyers at any time of the year.