Situated on the southeastern side of the European continent, the country of Bulgaria is slowly gaining popularity as one of the prime travel destinations in the world.  A country known for its rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches and picturesque landscapes, the country of Bulgaria offers travelers a unique and great alternative from the usual countries tourists go to in Europe.  The country is located along the Balkan Peninsula and opens to the Black Sea which borders the country on the eastside. 

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.

During the winter months, the country can be quite chilly and experiences a substantial amount of rainfall.  In the summer months, travelers should be prepared for rain and wind.  During the first few months of summer in the country, travelers are sure to experience frequent rains often accompanied by blustering winds.

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. 

This relief, which was carved on the rock of the plateau, has been dated back to the year 710 AD and it is believed to have been created under the instruction of the Bulgar Khan Tervel.

Despite the fact that Bulgaria is just starting to make its mark as a prime tourist destination in Europe, travelers visiting the country would not need to worry about where to stay during their trip to this beautiful country.  Travelers can choose from a wide variety of accommodations all over the country.  From 5-star hotels to private lodgings and hostels, travelers are guaranteed to find one that would meet their budget. 

The country of Belgium is situated on the western part of Europe.  It is bordered by the countries of France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. A land known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, great chocolates and temperate climate, Belgium is now becoming one of the top travel destinations in Europe. 

It offers travelers a perfect blend of the old, the new and the natural.  If you are planning to head out to Belgium, here are just some helpful travel tips to make the most out of your trip to this wonderful country.

When to Go

The country of Belgium is situated right beside the North Sea.  As such, travelers visiting Belgium would be able to experience a warm maritime climate which is characterized with relatively warm winters and even warmer summers.  Rainfall can be quite frequent in the country, particularly during the months of February and April.  If you are planning to travel to Belgium during these months, make sure that you come prepared with the proper raingear. 

If you are traveling on a budget, the best time to plan your trip is during the months of July and August.  The temperatures during these months are warm enough for you to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the mountain ranges and rolling hillsides found throughout the country.  It is also during these months where you can get the best deals for your accommodations and airfares, giving you some of the extra pocket money to spend during your stay in Belgium.

Top Tourist Spots

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.

For a dose of history, head ten miles out of the capital city to Waterloo.  This region is characterized as a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The lush landscapes found in this region are not the only reason for this being one of the top tourist destinations in the country.  Many tourists flock to Waterloo in order to visit the historic land where the great Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in battle.

The southern coastal area of Portugal is known as the Algarve. There are miles and miles of white, sandy beaches and the water is a beautiful blue color that is not often seen in other places. Select an Algarve Flight for your next vacation so you can spend as much time as possible in southern Portugal.

This is a perfect holiday spot for everyone no matter what their age is. The weather is moderate and warm during the entire year. It is a place that doesn’t lack for activities.

You won’t want to miss the Captain Hook Cruise that goes along the Algarve coastline. You will sail on a replica of an old pirate ship with sails. You will be able to feel the wind at your face or back as you enjoy the beautiful, uniquely shaped rock formations and the white sandy beaches.

The cruise will stop and allow passengers to swim in the crystal clear water. Those who don’t care to swim can stay on board and relax in the sunshine. Many times a group of dolphins will follow behind the boat to the delight of the guests.

One of the most fascinating tours in the Algarve is the Sea Caves tour. It begins at ten in the morning and returns at five thirty. As you travel the forty miles down the coast you will see cliffs, incredible rock formations, gorgeous beaches, fishermen’s villages, towns and cities.

The boat stops for a two hour break at lunchtime on a secluded beach that cannot be reached by land. Guests will have time to sun bathe, dive and swim. It is often possible to see a group of dolphins from this beach area. A delicious lunch of pork steak BBQ and everything that goes with it will be served.

For the trip inside the caves, the guests will move on to dinghies. You will be totally amazed at the rock formations that you’ll see. This tour is something you will never forget.

There are a variety of other things that you can see and do as well. Families will enjoy a visit to the Lagos Zoo where they will see various birds, animals and plants. There is a huge water park with high slides called Aqualand where you can get refreshed on hotter days.

One of the best activities in the Algarve is horseback riding because there are no end to the places you can ride. Stop by Red Horse Ranch and rent a horse for an hour or longer. They offer overnighters, all day trips and weeklong safaris.

The Algarve is a haven for golfers. There are thirty-five golf courses to choose from with each one being a little different from the other. Because of the warm weather, golf can be played nearly all year round with the exception of rainy days. However, the main golf season is from late fall to late spring.

Thousands of tourists from around the world flock into the Algarve every year. It is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world. The main drawing cards are the beaches, the wide variety of things to see and do and the warm sun. Don’t forget to book your Algarve flight as soon as possible.

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Cyprus is located in the middle east of Europe. It is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey is located in the northern side of Cyprus. The terrain mostly consists of plain land in the central region and mountain ranges in the north and south. The southern coast is dotted with wonderful sceneries. The region of Cyprus is divided into half – northern and southern. The buffer zone in between is strictly controlled by the United Nations. Even though the economy is booming here, it is mainly dependent on tourism. Agriculture also forms main part of the economy.

Capital of Cyprus is Nicosia and almost 792,600 souls inhabit this region. The main languages spoken here are Greek, Turkish and English. So if you are a foreigner, you will not have any problems while traveling as you will definitely found someone who is willing to talk to you in English. The currency here is Cyproit Pound. Climate in Cyprus is typically Mediterranean. The summers are hot and dry while the winter is cool.

In case travel plan to enter Cyprus through land, they should remember to wear helmets, if on bikes, and they should never violate the speed limits anywhere. Few other tips to remember are that they should be above 21 years in case they wish to rent a car otherwise they can drive their own car for 90 days, provided they have valid registration.

Limmassol is yet another town that is very popular with the wine lovers. Here you can find many festivals captivating the city for the entire year. The September Wine Festival is perhaps the best known. In case you want to shop for the handicrafts, you can go to the Folk Aet Museum. Another place where you can visit is housed the 14th century castle – Cyprus Medieval Museum. The village of Amanthus has numerous excavation sites and they can quite enthralling to watch.     

Paphos is yet another beautiful city that offers buildings belonging to the Byzantine era. Even Roman and Greek monuments can be seen here. Tombs of the Kings is a famous tourist destination here. Here there are long tunnels for you to explore. There are some stunning mosaics displayed which are bound to hold you in awe.

One of the important things as a tourist you should know is that the people here respect their religion a lot. So as a visitor you should also respect their orthodox Greek and Muslim customs. The local culture is an amalgamation of the Turkish and Greek cultures. One can even see some of dash of the British culture also. The local population wears casual outfits and you have to limit wearing beachwear to the beaches only. Best season to visit Cyprus is September.

Andorra sits in Western Europe with a high mountain climate. The region of Andorra is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea.  Andorra has a high percentage of sunshine with a dry climate. If you are a nature lover traveling on Andorra, you will find that Andorra has many things to offer. Nature activity like hiking, trails and mountain bike routes are only a few things you will find in your quest for excitement.

If you are travelngi to or within Andorra, there are some tips you need to know.No airport is available in Andorra. A new airport will be soon coming up in the region. This will occur within the 3-4 years.

To travel to the country of Andorra, you must look at flights originating in neighboring Spain and France. Look at flights going into South Africa where you can board a motor coach that will transport you into Andorra.

If you are traveling by plane there are no airports in Andorra. There are however, daily coach services available from Barcelona, Spain and Toulouse, France to Andorra. The closest airport is located in Perpignan France. There are no coach connections available but you can take a Yellow train to La tour De Carol and onward to l’Hospitalet. If you are adventurous and want to attempt a helicopter ride into Andorra from the airports, it will take you approximately 35 minutes to reach there.

Remember that the compartments on the train will be co-ed. You can travel from London to Paris where you can take a bus ride through the mountain pass into Andorra. The bus ride is affordable overall but even less expensive if, you book in advance. Keep in mind that the bus route is subject to cancellation if the mountain passes are blocked so having a backup plan for your transportation needs, is a great idea.

You will be pleased to know that fuel prices are 20% cheaper in Andorra as compared Barcelona and 30% cheaper as compared to France. Ensure you have proper emergency supplies.  Emergency supplies are fire extinguishers, warm clothes, spare bulb set, extra food and snow tires/chains when traveling through the mountain range.

The speed limit is 40km/h in the populated areas of Andorra and 90km/h elsewhere. Two huge complaints of tourists who drive in Andorra is the supposed reckless driving performed by the locals and traffic jams which occur in Andorra la Vella. You can avoid the traffic jams with bypassing Andorra la Vella by taking the ring road around the south side of town.

There are numerous bus services traveling into Andorra. From France there is the bus service called “Toulouse” and one which operates via L’Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol. From Spain, the buses can be caught from numerous locations with Barcelona, Madrid, Lleida, Malaga and Valencia to name a few. Public Transportation is available for your transportation needs in Andorra. Eight major bus lines pass through Andorra La Vella. The fare is typically one, two or three Euro’s, but this obviously depends on your destination.