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Bulgaria has a wealth of character, culture and history and has something to offer tourists with a wide range of interests.
Food and drink
The variety in Bulgarian cuisine is based on the long history of the country, as well as on the long-lasting migrations of the tribes that founded Bulgaria more than 1300 years ago. The close contact with Turkey and Greece has helped form very attractive and to some extent an exotic national cuisine, including some dishes which cannot be called national but which are typical of Bulgaria only.
One of the Bulgaria's foremost strengths is the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and the delicious varied cuisine. It is without doubt the reliance on fresh local produce that ensures Bulgarian meals retain a character and flavour, which has been lost in many of Europeans fast food societies. Salads are a particular delight, and the traditional 'Shopska' salad is a must during any stay in the country.
There are many traditional Bulgarian dishes that have an unmistakable Greek or Turkish influence. However, Bulgarian cooking still has strong regional characteristics with many dishes being traditional and more prominent in particular areas of the country.
Vegetarians will find that much of the local dishes are in fact vegetarian. From the multitude of salads to traditional stuffed peppers, vegetarians are surprisingly well catered for.
Fish plays an important part of the diet in both the coastal and the mountainous areas. The numerous, excellent fish restaurants of the ancient town of Nessebar offer a particularly delightful opportunity to sample the Black Sea's gifts.
The general cost of living remains a fraction of that of many other European countries, even in the tourist hotspots. A typical three course meal will generally cost no more than £10 each in holiday resort with a cost of nearer £5 in more rural regions. The two main beers in the country are 'Kamnetiza' and 'Zagorka', whilst the red wine is justifiably famous. The red wine enthusiast should certainly take the time to try a bottle of reasonably priced 'Tcherga' or slightly more expensive 'Uniquato' on any visit to the country.
Language and Culture
Bulgarian is a Southern Slavic language with about 12 million speakers in Bulgaria and also in Ukraine, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Greece and Romania. Bulgarian is mutually intelligible with Macedonian, and fairly closely related to Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian and Slovene. Table manners in Bulgaria could be considered casual, but there are certain rules of etiquette that should be appreciated.
- When invited to sit at the dining table wait to be shown your seat
- Napkins should be left folded next to the plate. If others unfold them and place them on their laps, do the same; you will be at a more formal meal
- Wait for the hostess to give the green light before starting to eat
- Although you may be the guest of honour it is polite to insist the eldest person at the table starts proceedings
- Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times
- Eating more food shows appreciation for it, so on the initial serving take little to allow you a second serving
- Glasses will always be refilled - leave a mouthful at the bottom of your glass if you don't want more
| About Bulgaria | Climate | Tourism | Location & getting there | Food & Drink | Language & Culture | Property in Bulgaria |
