Holders of Schengen visas will be able to visit and stay in Bulgaria without Bulgarian visas

Accepting a proposal by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet today decided that until the date of Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen zone, Bulgaria unilaterally will apply a visa-free system for holders of valid Schengen visas. With this decision, Bulgaria will apply the Schengen acquis.

The decision will allow holders of Schengen visas and residence permits to enter and reside in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of no more than three months in any six-month period from the date of first entry, without needing to have a Bulgarian short-stay visa.

In practice, this decision will affect the citizens of all countries that currently require visas to enter Bulgaria and the EU, respectively. It means that citizens of China, Turkey, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and many other countries who already have Schengen visas or residence permits need make no further effort to stay in the territory of Bulgaria.

Holders of such visas mainly are business people with strong economic potential, seeking to make investments, while other potential beneficiaries are tourists wanting to visit Bulgaria’s seaside or mountain resorts.

Progressive efforts by the Government to ease the visa system for citizens of third countries visiting Bulgaria for tourism or business have produced concrete results – in 2011, Bulgarian consulates issued 733 623 visas, 18 per cent more than in 2010.

Bulgarian visa requirement for holders of Turkish special passports falls away..

Excerpt: www.mfa.bg

We are expecting you with more hot offers this summer together with great ideas and prices for furniture. Welcome!

Picture: explore-bulgaria.net

This year, don’t miss to visit Bulgaria! This advices you A. Pawlowski, CNN in his article “World’s top destinations for 2011″. Bulgaria is at ninth place in the chart and the writer mentions our country not only for its wonderful sea resorts, but also as an interesting ski destination. He also recommends his readers to take a trip through the country, enjoy the beautiful nature and visit historical and cultural centers.

“…9. Bulgaria

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union, sparking interest in former Soviet bloc countries.

Reid’s favorite choice on that list is Bulgaria, which has the best Black Sea coastline for beach enthusiasts and offers great skiing in the mountains in the winter, he said…”

Excel Property invites you! Discover Bulgaria – “Magic lives here”!

Full text: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/12/28/top.destinations.2011/index.html?iref=allsearch

While hotels and ski lifts can be more basic in Bansko, the Bulgarian resort has come out the cheapest in the Post Office’s survey of 10 European and North American resorts.

A week’s lift passes, equipment hire and instruction for a family of four at Bansko came to £974 and living expenses were cheap too: £28 for a family meal, drinks and a cup of coffee.

After Bansko’s £1,002 total, the next-best bargain resort (excluding hefty costs for travel and accommodation) was Kranjska Gora in Slovenia (£1,101) followed by Ellmau in Austria (£1,378). The US was the most expensive, with Colorado’s Winter Park totalling £2,639.

Full text:

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cashstrapped-skiers-given-lift-by-cheap-bulgarian-resorts-2139199.html

According to the latest figures released by Eurostat, the Bulgarian economy is still most certainly heading downwards, but there are some signs of hope on the horizon…

The signs of hope are the fact that Bulgarian industrial output grew by 4.9% in the fourth quarter after a similar slew of declines. During this recession, a quarter of such strong growth in industrial output is usually followed by a GDP growth in the following quarter.

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Analysts within the Bulgarian property market are suggesting that Bulgaria property could be strong going into 2010, depending on how the banks read and respond to the early signs of real estate rebound…

According to analysts selling Bulgarian properties in the UK, 2010, is to be a good year for Bulgarian property in terms of rising foreign demand as well…

more…

The grand project “Perelik“ which can be compared only with the “Super Borovets” project received a “green light” by the municipal council in Smolyan. The main purpose of the grant project, called “Super Perelik” is to connect Perelik peak in Pamporovo with the Mechi Chal peak near Chepelare. The realization of the project will transform the Rhodopi Mountain into leading tourism centre. The project itself envisages the construction of a modern winter resort which will extend area of 130 square kilometers, with a system of facilities for winter sports and summer tourism. The resort will include 50 ski slopes with an area of over 200 km, equipment for artificial snow, 24 lift services, hotel facilities with nearly 20 000 beds and covered parking with approximately 8 000 parking places. At a later stage will be built congress center and golf course. Because of the project “Super Perelik” the government was committed to construct an airport near Smolyan as well as a 100-kilometer-way road to Plovdiv.

The investment plan is financed by Bulgarian and international banks and the capital expenditure is expected to reach over 250 million EUR as the revenue and the profit may reach 300 million BGN  per year.

All lovers of winter pleasures will have to wait to try out new trails and facilities, but those looking for properties with great potential should start thinking about the great opportunities offered by such a project.

Here are some of the hottest offers in the area:

Royal Lodge – The newest jewel in Pamporovo!

Five-star complex in the hear of the charming ski resort Pamporovo.

Prices start from 500 Euro/ sq.m

Mountain Lodge – Pamporovo

A new development situated in the center of Pamporovo ski resort.

The prices vary between 600 and 750 Euro/ sq.m

BUT…in case like this…I wonder how the international press have spread the information in a way which presents Bulgaria as a country where journalists are being killed for their free speach rather than a country where underground mafia kill one of its members. Bobi Tsankov WAS NOT a prominent journalist as BBC said nor he was a prominent radio journalist and author of a book on Bulgaria’s gangsters according to NY Times.

He used to work as a radio host where he started his frauds for hundreds of thousands levs. He had close connections with Sofia underground world. He survived few atempts of murder. Recently he decided to speak in the press and the police about the secrets of the mafia and even wrote a book. He published some articles in not so famous weekly newspaper trying to call himself a journalist. He even complained that he was threatened to be killed if he don’t stop these stories. The truth is that he was more popular with his criminal actions than his writings about the Mafia’s secrets.

I will say again that a daylight shooting is bad enough. I don’t care about the internal mafia wars but such a shocking act in the centre of Sofia is quite frightful to hear. I don’t care if he was going to reveal something important and that’s why his mouth was shut or he was murderd by someone that was lured by him and lost a lot of money. Everyone will agree that this should not happen in European country. And we all hope that the new govenrment will succeed to put the criminals in prison not in graves…

– We are revising our outlook on the Republic of Bulgaria to stable from

negative, and affirming the ‘BBB/A-3′ sovereign credit ratings.

– The stable outlook reflects our view of the government’s commitment to

fiscal discipline, and our expectation that the government will implement

structural reforms in the social security system.

LONDON (Standard & Poor’s) Dec. 1, 2009–Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services

today said it had revised its outlook on the Republic of Bulgaria to stable

from negative. The ‘BBB’ long-term and ‘A-3′ short-term sovereign credit

ratings were affirmed.

The ratings on Bulgaria reflect our view of the government’s strong track

record of prudent fiscal policy and low gross debt; solid growth prospects

over the medium term; and the country’s EU membership. Offsetting these

strengths somewhat are large external imbalances and the related risks as a

result of the adverse economic environment, which we expect to continue in

2010.

In our view, Bulgaria continues to face economic risks due to the

uncertain outlook for external demand and the sharp tightening of the external

commercial credit channel, which negatively affects domestic demand. As a

result, the current account deficit, which peaked in 2008 at 25.4% of GDP amid

an overheating economy, has contracted sharply and is expected at around 10%

in 2009 (we expect the deficit to be fully funded by foreign direct investment

flows). We expect GDP to contract by around 6% in 2009 and a further 2% in

2010, followed by a positive growth rate in 2011…

This material was taken from www.standardandpoors.com

Velingrad- Velingrad is undoubtedly the most picturesque and most renowned of all of the Bulgarian spa resorts. It lies in the Rhodope Mountains in the beautiful Chepino Valley. Velingrad has a mild year round climate and a wealth of mineral waters, suitable for the treatment of respiratory diseases and rheumatism amongst others. There are also opportunities to ski in nearby Yundola. There are 70 mineral springs here, which vary in temperature. In addition to the spas, Velingrad boasts another impressive natural phenomenon, the Kleptuza, Bulgaria’s largest karst landscape, which is covered by eroded towers of limestone. The karst dispels 1,200 liters of ice-cold water per second.
Three months ago Velingrad was declared as the SPA capital of the Balkans. The prestigious award, which “shot off” the Rhodope town into the top ranking of the most attractive spa centers in Europe, was bestowed personally by the President of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association on 7th July. The international recognition of the picturesque mountain village is not just a coincidence. Before being officially named as „Тhe spa capital of the Balkans”, in 2005 Velingrad won his vocation to the spa capital of Bulgaria, thanks to the wonderful conditions for a healthy vacation in the folds of the Rhodopes. For a very short time Velingrad literally was transformed into a modern spa resort. But the town is not just about luxury hotels, pools with mineral water and different spa airs and graces. The mountain town is known for its unique folklore, with its delicious Rhodope cuisine offered anywhere in the local pubs, as well as the unspoiled nature of the Rhodopes.

Hissar- Hissar/ Hissarya is one of the largest spa resorts in the country, known for its clean and curative mineral waters and untouched nature. Green parks, historical sites, fresh air and relaxation in luxury spa hotel with modern equipment – this is an unforgettable holiday, which you cannot remain in mind forever.

Nestled in a tiny valley in the border of the Sredna Gora Mountain, this pretty town often referred to as just Hissar, is a popular destination not only for Bulgarians looking for peaceful surroundings and a healthy environment. This town is famed for its mineral spas of which there are over 20 and a strong history with pre-historic remains excavated in the town centre. Hissarya is prospering thanks to the growth in spa tourism. Its mineral springs are extremely pleasant with temperatures between 24 and 49 degrees C. They give out vast plumes of water at a rate of 40 liters per second. The environment around this area also helps; there is no industry whatsoever here and consequently no pollution. Treatment procedures are conducted in a number of diseases. In the new hotels are proposed procedures and spa for relaxation and pleasure – aromatherapy, thalasso therapy, phyto therapy, classical and eastern massages, music therapy and others. But one of the biggest attractions is the mineral water beach which is frequently attendant especially during the summer season.

Banya- The beautiful, picturesque town of Banya is nestled between Karlovo and Hissarya on the road to Plovdiv, in the central part of the Stryama Valley, surrounded in a semicircle by the Sashtinka Sredna Gora Mountain. The town’s mineral springs, rehabilitation and spa facilities are one of the best in central Bulgaria and are known as the Karlovo Mineral Baths. The facilities afford the health enthusiast a year round climate and opportunity to treat joint, neurological and gynecological disorders. There are numerous baths, swimming pools, sports and rehabilitation centers that offer inexpensive yet effective methods to improve your health and well being. The mineral water varies in temperature, depending on the facility you choose and offers something for everyone. The range of the water is from 35-54 degrees C and can be found in spas, pools and bath facilities throughout the town. There’s also a unique mud bath facility that offers treatment for various diseases. The resort’s rehabilitation clinic and sanatorium plus great outdoor beaches and mineral water guarantee a great time and a healthier you. In addition to the tremendous spas and outdoor pools, there’s a sports complex, several nice hotels and numerous historical sites and points of interest close by for day trips, including the largest Thracian tomb ever discovered in Southeastern Europe at Starosel.

The word SPA is an acronym of various Latin phrases such as “sanitas per aquas” meaning “health through water”, or “Solus per Aqua” meaning “water in itself “. Today SPA in Bulgaria means strength and beauty through the magic of the Bulgarian thermal water springs. So….  Relax! Meditation! Massage! Special Therapies! Rehabilitation! Mineral Springs! How much do you need all that – in the hurried daily round and rhythm! Healthy and full of energy…close to nature, close to your real self…feel the spa magic now and visit the richest spa land in Europe – natural and virgin Bulgaria!