It's difficult to advise regarding money for May 2008 because of the continuing effects of EU entry - prices will continue to rise unfortunately. In addition, the question is a bit like "how long is a piece of string?" Depends on what you want to do and buy.

What I must point out if it is not too late, is that the official tourist season doesn't start until the middle of June, and until then many bars, restaurants, and stalls are not open, and there could be building work depending on your destination.

There are smoking restrictions in enclosed premises in theory I believe, but you might not notice them actually being complied with!

Peter

Hi Angela
like you I am from Scotland and I 'm having a first holiday in Sunny beach in September, I do believe the cigs are supposed to be cheap Victorys in several strengths similar to L & B s.

As for spending money, apparntely its wise to take a NATIONWIDE FLEX ACCOUNT CARD as you dont get charged for changing currency with this and supposed to get ahigher return
I have been to see about one
Wise to only use a Bulgarian bank to change money as some kiosks are fake
fiona

thank you for the replies.

the travel company we booked with told us that we were going at the start of the tourism season... i take it they have flat out lied to us then? she told us that all the bars and stalls would be open for business and that there would be alot of young people at that time of year as the kids will still be in school.

in regards to spending money, we are hoping to take a few day trips, i quite fancy going to istanbul and maybe even a taxi ride up the hills etc. im budgeting for around £700 for the 2 weeks, does that sound reasonable? i was also told to open a post office account as they exchange foriegn currency free of charge. so will look inot that.

We have a lot of advice on money matters HERE.

You will see that you get a better exchange rate in Bulgaria, or alternatively get a Nationwide Flexi account. Take clean unmarked English banknotes, Scottish are not accepted.

Regardless of what the travel agent says, the official tourist season does not start until the middle of June. Prior to that, depending on how early you go, many things are NOT likely to be open.

£700 might be OK, but the Istanbul excursion if running, is two days, staying overnight in Istanbul, and will take a slice of it.

Peter

Hi, have just returned from the Varna region. Found that prices in Golden Sands were high but still cheap compared to the UK, also we tend to eat in Varna itself or other cheaper places and tend to find the food of better quality as well as a better price but then we might just be cheapskates..... we are lucky to have some Bulgarian friends who delight in taking us to out of the way places which is wonderful. Have not noticed anything about smoking being banned, some of our BG friends still stop for a ciggie half way through their salad, sipping their Rakia and chatting, might be different in the resorts though, some places in Varna have non smoking areas but theyse are usually smaller than the smoking areas. It will be difficult to say about prices for next year as others have said but personally I think the resort prices will continue to rise but unless the wages of Bulgarians rise a great deal I cannot see the prices outside rising rapidly, however we have been told that bread and cheese prices have risen quite dramatically over the last month.

some of our BG friends still stop for a ciggie half way through their salad, sipping their Rakia and chatting,

Civilised country isn't it, and I'm NOT joking.

That statement brings back happy memories.

Peter

Yes Peter, they certainly know how to enjoy their meals and it is lovely not to rush food. I will obviously have to go back very soon, have only been back 3 days and english food does not agree with me, have had an upset tummy since yesterday. Shame I can't take a couple of hours over my meals here, then I might be ok.