Welcome to the beautiful country of Bulgaria!  Located on the southeastern part of Europe, Bulgaria is now becoming a premiere travel destination in the continent.  Bulgaria is situated along the Balkan Peninsula.  It is bordered by Romania to the north, the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, and Greece and Turkey on the south.  Travelers visiting this beautiful country are captivated with its picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches, historical buildings and a rich cultural heritage that is uniquely their own.

Bulgaria is a land known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, pristine beaches, and captivating landscapes.  To get the most out of your travel here in Bulgaria, especially if this is your first time to visit the country, here are just some tips that would be useful for you.

As with any country in Europe, all travelers are required to have a valid passport before taking a trip to Bulgaria.  Make sure that the validity of your passport extends six months after your arrival to the country of Bulgaria.  It would be a good idea to have your passport first renewed before you travel to Bulgaria if your passport is to expire within the same year.  If you are visiting the country as a tourist, immigration in Bulgaria would allow tourists from some countries to visit the country without having to acquire a visa for as long as the stay is no longer than 30 days.  To make sure if you are eligible for this, you can contact the embassy or consulate of Bulgaria in your country for more details.

While Bulgaria is still making its name known as a prime tourist destination in Europe, tourists would find a number of different accommodations that are sure to meet their budget and what they are looking for.  You can choose from a wide variety of hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and even private lodgings all over the country.  Regardless on where you are staying, it is important to remember to make sure to submit your itinerary including the places where you are staying to the local authorities.  This is because in the country of Bulgaria, tourists are required to submit all travel itineraries to the local police whether or not you are here for business or pleasure.

Bulgaria takes pride in its rich cultural and historical heritage.  In fact, Bulgaria is home to nine different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all of which are top tourist destinations in the country.  Each of these heritage sites offers travelers a unique glimpse of a particular aspect of the rich culture of the country.  One of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited in Bulgaria is the Madara Rider located on the Madara Plateau. 

Tourists are also required to bring along a copy of their complete itinerary which they would need to surrender to the local police upon their arrival.  Although immigration officers do not require some tourists to obtain a visa to visit the country or have a return ticket for the flight home, they do require a copy of your complete itinerary, including the places where you will be staying in order to prevent the possibility of you overstaying in Bulgaria.

Another top tourist destination is the ancient city of Nesebar.  This beautiful seaside port is not just home to buildings and infrastructures dating back to the Middle Ages.  It is also a favorite by tourists and locals for its pristine beaches which open up to the Black Sea.

You can use your ATM or debit card in the ATM machines in the major cities of the country which would dispense the amount you need in the local currency.  It is important to remember, though, that international ATM cards used are subject to additional fees and a limit in the number of transactions that could be done in a day.

Today, the country of Belgium is slowly becoming one of the prime travel destinations in Europe.  Located in the western part of the continent, the country of Belgium had long been shadowed by its neighbor countries of France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in terms of tourism.  But that is all changing.  In fact, more and more travelers are veering away from the typical tourist destinations in Europe and are now visiting some of its lesser known countries.

Like all travelers heading out to Belgium for the very first time, you would want to make the most out of your trip.  Here are just some tips to help you do just that.

When to Go

Belgium, like most countries in Europe, is visited by travelers from all parts of the world throughout the year.  This is partly due to its climate.  Because Belgium shares its borders with the North Sea, the country experiences a maritime climate.  This means that locals and tourists experience warm winters and even warmer summers in Belgium as compared to its neighboring countries.  In fact, the coldest temperature recorded in this country, which is during the month of January, does not go below 3 degrees Celsius.

The best time to travel the country is during the months of July and August.  During this time, the temperatures are just ideal for you to explore the outdoors which can be quite a problem before these months since the climate of the country is known for frequent rainfalls.  On top of that, the months of July and August are when the rates in hotels and other accommodations are at its lowest, which is perfect especially if you are traveling on a budget.

Places to Visit

The best place to start to learn about any country is starting at its capital.  In the case of Belgium, it is the city of Brussels.  Here, travelers would be able to experience something old and something new.  Modern-day shopping malls and the headquarters of NATO can be found right next to beautiful buildings dating back to the 13th century.  This is also where the trendiest pubs and restaurants are also found.  While you are in Brussels, make sure to take some time to sample their beers.  This is where most of the breweries of the country can be found, thus giving the city of Brussels the nickname The City of a Thousand Beers.

From here, head out to the famous town of Waterloo which is situated just 10 miles from the capital city of Belgium.  Known in his history as the place where Napoleon fell in battle, the town has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. For a dose of culture, head out to the town of Bruges.  Here, travelers can visit a number of different museums that feature some of the finest artworks by both contemporary local artists as well as some of the famous artists in all of Europe.  Food to Taste – No trip to Belgium is complete without sampling some of the finest chocolates in the world.  While you are at it, sample some of the unique blends of beer that is brewed in the country, particularly in the city of Brussels which is known locally as the city of a thousand beers.  Make sure that you leave room to try mitraillete, a favorite local snack in the country which is made out of fried potatoes, quality cut meat and loads of garlic.

One of the most fascinating places to go to in Europe is Albania. It is Located in the southern Europe, and it is one of the most bucolic places to be seen. This is because it hasn't witnessed much of economic prosperity as compared to other European countries.  This is the reason why Albania is such an enticing tourist spot to travel and explore. You can enjoy some of the best aspects of Europe's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, here.

If you have plans to travel to Albania from the United Kingdom, you can avail of plenty of flights, which ply regularly between London and Albania. In case you are searching for a cheap flight, then at a look at the many British Low-Cost carriers, that fly frequently to Albania very frequently. There are numerous websites that provide you with options for comparing competitive ticket rates, so that you can find the least expensive flight.  Make sure you check these websites out, before you zero down on your choice of tickets.  All flights to Albania, land at the capital city of the country, called Tirana. The name of the International airport is Mother Teresa International Airport.

Tourists are welcome and more so since the country opened its doors to the world in 1990. This is quite a safe place for tourists and no untoward incident has yet been reported here. However, before you proceed with your bookings, you need to look into some travel tips for Albania so that you can get around easily. Let's take a look at what these are. People who can converse in English will have no trouble in communicating with the locals. However, in addition to English, it is helpful if you know some Italian, as well.

Most of the major cities of Albania have lots of hotels and options for staying. These hotels are clean, comfortable and offer good food. Not only that, all this luxury comes very easy and cheap, here. The exchange rates are very good, and hence traveling in Albania isn't very expensive for Europeans.  Albanian cuisine has a delectable Turkish influence and a traditional Albanian meal comprising of Shesh-Kabab, meat soup, bread, ice cream or coffee, is not only very tasty and filling, but quite cheap too.

While most part of the country is safe to travel, you must be aware of the fact that the northern areas near Kosovo have landmines, which have not been uncovered yet. Hence, this region can be quite dangerous. So it's vital to avoid such places. It is advisable to take local guides along if you are planning to visit any of these places.

Albania, on the whole, is very safe to travel. However, the northern part of the country, near Kosovo, has landmines, which have not yet been cleared. Hence, if you plan to travel to this part, it is advisable to take a local guide along with you. 

Look into these Travel Tips for Albania and you can be sure of having a great time here. You can enjoy the most of your vacation here in this beautiful and unspoilt land. Explore as much as you can to relish the beauty of the countryside and the local culture, so that you take back fond memories of a time well-spent.