How to get there: Turkish Airlines fly from Joburg via Istanbul 4 days a week, BA flies daily via London and Lufthansa daily via Munich.

The following Tips and Tricks are courteousy of the Discover Bulgaria website

http://www.discover-bulgaria.com/TipsAndTrix.aspx  

Visas
A visa is no longer required for visitors from the EU and EFTA member states. South African nationals will require a visa. Other nationals are advised to check with the Bulgarian embassy in their country. Tourists on a package holiday or in an organized group booked through a recognized travel agent or tour operator do not require visa.

Enter Bulgaria by car
When you enter Bulgaria by car you must state which border crossing you’ll be using when you leave and pay a road tax accordingly. Route restrictions apply if you’re only in transit through Bulgaria.

Address registration
Foreigners visiting Bulgaria must register their address with local authorities within 24 hours of arrival, unless staying at a hotel where registration is done automatically. If you intend to remain in Bulgaria longer than three months, you must apply for a residence permit from the local police office.

Changing money
Money can be exchanged safely at most banks and also at reputable exchange bureaus. Hotels and airports tend to give less favorable rates. Exchange bureaus are no longer allowed to charge a commission for money exchange, so check this first. Never change money with anyone who stops you on the street and offers you a better rate.

Credit cards
Most hotels, shops and restaurants in Sofia accept credit cards, but this is not so in smaller towns and rural areas. Cash is the accepted form of payment, so keep plenty of small notes on you when traveling in the countryside.

Cash mashines
Cash machines are widely available in cities and larger towns and provide a convenient access to local currency. All major European and North American debit cards are accepted.

Bulgarian currency
Bulgarian currency is called Lev (BGL), plural: Leva. One Lev is made up of 100 stotinki. It is tied to the EURO and the exchange rate is fixed at EURO 1 = BGL 1,95583.

Traveller’s cheques
Traveller’s cheques must be cashed at banks and most of them charge a commission.

Pick-pocketing
The most frequent crimes in Bulgaria are pick-pocketing, mugging and car theft. Keep to well-lit areas and do not walk across parks in the dark. Pickpockets are most active in the city centers and in areas frequented by tourists. Make sure your bag has a zipper and try to avoid using a rucksack. Do not leave your luggage unattended to. Keep your valuables in the hotel safe.

Leaving Bulgaria
All foreign nationals leaving the country must supply a receipt from the hotel they were staying at or a wet-stamped letter from the company they were visiting here in Bulgaria

Traveller’s cheques
Traveller’s cheques must be cashed at banks and most of them charge a commission.

Pick-pocketing
The most frequent crimes in Bulgaria are pick-pocketing, mugging and car theft. Keep to well-lit areas and do not walk across parks in the dark. Pickpockets are most active in the city centres and in areas frequented by tourists. Make sure your bag has a zipper and try to avoid using a rucksack. Do not leave your luggage unattended to. Keep your valuables in the hotel safe.

Post offices
Post offices can be found throughout the country, in most villages, towns and tourist resorts, though opening times are unpredictable and many close for lunch.

Stamps and postcards
Normally stamps are available where you purchase postcards. For delivery you can either post them at the Post Office or leave them in reception of the hotel.

Newspapers in Bulgaria
Foreign language newspapers and magazines are available at some stalls along Vitosha Blvd., but for a wider selection and more recent issues try the shop in the Sheraton Hotel basement.

Bulgaria road map
You can buy a road map of Bulgaria at all gas stations throughout the country as well as at most newspapers kiosks.

Tipping
A tip of 10% is generally expected by the waiting staff in restaurants, cafes and bars. Nonetheless, tipping is also recognized as a means of expressing one’s satisfaction, so you are in no way obliged to tip if you feel the service did not merit it. Some restaurants automatically add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping.

Washroom fee
Many places charge small fees /0.20-0.50 leva/ to use their washrooms. Don’t be surprised.

Electricity
Electricity is 220 Volts. An adapter or a transformer may be required.

The Bulgarian language
The Bulgarian language and the Cyrillic alphabet in particular, are possibly the biggest barriers you will face during your visit. In tourist resorts most signs and menus have translations and the service staff speaks foreign languages. But in the countryside you may experience some difficulties communicating with the locals.

Saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’
One unique feature is that Bulgarians most often nod for ‘no’ and shake their heads for ‘yes’. Watch out! It can lead to great confusion.

Saying “Cheers!”

When you say “Cheers!” to Bulgarian you’d better look into his/her eyes because the opposite is taken for disrespect. Cheers in Bulgarian is “Nazdrave”.

Water in Bulgaria
Tap water is safe to drink all over the country but not always pleasant in taste. In mountain areas, tap water is delicious. Bulgaria’s vast supplies of tasty and inexpensive mineral water are widely available in 0.5 and 1.5 l bottles. Some of the best brands are Gorna Banya, Devin and Velingrad.

Shops
Shops’ working hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Fresh food products, fruit and vegetables can also be bought from market places open every day in the capital and the country.