ACCOMMODATION  
It is still best to arrive in Bulgaria with pre-booked accommodation, as it is often cheaper than booking the same accommodation locally. There have been major developments in the availability of modern,clean and well-run private hotels throughout the country - in particular popular tourist destinations. Hotels in the major resorts catering to tour operators have also nearly all completed renovation. In some of Bulgaria’s more rural beauty spots, private accommodation with families is available, which is more basic and usually does not include private bath facilities. Sofia itself has an excellent range of accommodation on offer: from the well known five/four star brand hotels to smaller, privately owned hotels, and fully serviced rental apartment buildings. Hotels are no longer allowed to operate a two tier pricing system, charging foreigners considerably higher prices. The price should be the same for locals and foreigners. You can report discrepanciest. 0700 11122 or http://www.ktzp.bg

AIRPORTS  
Sofia is the country's main international airport operating all year round. Varna and Bourgas, used for domestic flights or international charter flights, now also have some international scheduled flights and renovation of the airports is expected soon. Plovdiv is predominantly a military airport and only operates international charter flights during the winter season. It is expected that as the demand for budget flights to Bulgaria increases, so we may also see some of the country’s other smaller airports opening up.
Sofia Airport now has two terminals, 1 & 2. Most scheduled flights now operate out ofTerminal 2 (the new one), Terminal 1 being used for charter flights. Check carefully with your airline from which terminal they operate. The road to the new terminal is clearly marked, turning right off Brussels Blvd. before reaching theolder airport buildings. The new terminal is modern, bright and clean although rather bland. You could be anywhere in the world! The cafe in the departure lounge charges outrageous prices for drinks,knowing that passengers are not allowed to bring liquids through the security check. There is a multi-storey car park with over 800 spaces at the new terminal and it is even quite reasonable to leave your car parked there for several days compared to dealing with the ruthless taxi touts that are still allowed to operate out of the new terminal. After much bad publicity it is hoped that the airport authorites will address some ofthe negative aspects most urgently. If you can, get someone to meet you at the airport. Several hotels operate a pickup service on request. For those on a budget; public transport bus no. 84 operates between the old terminal 1 and Sofia University and bus no. 284 operates from the new terminal 2 tothe University and vice versa. http://www.sofia-airport.bg

BACKPACKING
Bulgaria has so far not really been thoughtof as a backpacker destination, althoughit is by all means possible to travel thecountry on a budget. Locals do it all thetime!There are private bus companies operatingregular services between all the majorcities. In towns like Bansko or along theBlack Sea Coast, rooms can be negotiatedwith local families for a reasonable rate. Although hitch-hiking is not forbidden andmany young Bulgarians do resort to thisform of transport, it is not recommendedfor obvious safety reasons. Even foreignerstravelling on a budget can look rich tosome locals.

BUS STATION
Sofia now has a new international bus station,adjacent to the main railway station. Most buses for the country and abroadleave from here and the new clean facilities,which include a food court, certainlymake the idea of a bus journey more attractive. http://www.centralnaavtogara.bg

BUYING PROPERTY
If you are buying property please be sure that you have done all your research properly. The last few years has seen a crazy boom, fueled by interest from British & Irish buyers in particular. We all know that