Болгария. Travel digest

Despite very strong winds, Mostar Airport successfully accommodated a Bulgaria Air charter carrying approximately 180 passengers.

The aircraft originated from Varna, a well‑known Black Sea resort, marking the start of a new wave of foreign tourists arriving in Herzegovina, the airport said in a statement cited by CE Report.

Visitors are expected to stay in the

All scheduled flights operated by Bulgaria Air between Bulgaria and Tel Aviv have been suspended until 9 March 2026 (inclusive) because of the extraordinary situation in the Middle East.

The suspension follows an official directive from Israeli airport authorities, as confirmed by the airline’s press office.

Passengers who already hold tickets for the affected

National carrier Bulgaria Air announced the restart of its seasonal direct service on the Sofia‑Milan‑Sofia route, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 3 March 2026.

The new timetable includes three weekly departures – on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays – and tickets are now available for travel between March and October.

All flights will be operated with the

The Plovdiv International Fair will again serve as the venue for a Street Food Festival within the programme of the 11th Agra, Vinaria and Foodtech exhibitions, taking place from 17 to 21 February.

Visitors can expect a vibrant five‑day schedule that blends music and gastronomy. The agenda includes live concerts, a dedicated street‑food zone offering dishes from around the globe,

Vasil Levski Sofia Airport has resumed regular operations and flights are proceeding according to the timetable, according to a statement from the airport’s press office on Monday.

During the previous weekend, strong winds forced the diversion of seven inbound flights to alternative airports, and three scheduled departures were cancelled.

The diverted aircraft

The General Directorate of Border Police announced that traffic for both passenger cars and freight trucks will face difficulties at every Bulgarian‑Greek border checkpoint in both directions. The problems stem from strike actions and road blockades organized by Greek farmers.

According to information received by the Border Police Unit in Novo Selo, truck movements from Bulgaria

Rising costs at traditional holiday spots are prompting travellers to look for cheaper alternatives that still offer a comparable experience. Tourism specialists have identified a series of cities that can replace popular destinations while keeping the budget in check.

A Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at developing spa and wellness tourism in the Danube‑Black Sea region was signed by the Romanian Spa Tourism Employers’ Organisation (OPTBR) and the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA) during the Congress of Spa and Wellness Tourism held in the Romanian spa town of Sovata.

The agreement was signed by Nicu Radulescu, chairman

The 20th anniversary edition of the Cultural Tourism International Fair opened in Veliko Tarnovo. Over a three‑day period the event gathers representatives of municipalities, state bodies, tourism operators, cultural institutions, community centres, universities, NGOs and artists from Bulgaria and abroad.

The fair is recognised as the leading national platform for presenting

The ninth edition of the UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism was held on 6‑7 October 2025 under the theme “The Art of Wine Tourism”. The two‑day event brought together policymakers, destination managers, winery owners, researchers and industry experts to discuss how the sector can evolve.

Spanish winemaker Juan Jesús Valdelana highlighted the emotional power of wine,

During an official visit of Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to Montenegro, Transport Ministers Grozdan Karadjov (Bulgaria) and Maja Vukicevic (Montenegro) signed a bilateral aviation cooperation agreement.

The pact aims to launch a direct flight connection between the two states. A joint expert working group, comprising officials from transport ministries, civil aviation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its 2024 World Air Transport Statistics report, highlighting key trends in global aviation.

The United States remains the world's largest aviation market, with 876 million passengers in 2024, primarily on domestic routes. India, despite being the most populous country, ranks fifth in air travel volume. China follows closely

Hyatt has just opened its fifth Inclusive Collection property in Bulgaria: AluaSoul Sunny Beach. The new hotel continues the company’s expansion of all-inclusive properties in Europe and in the country, joining Secrets and Dreams Sunny Beach and Alua and AluaSun Helios Bay. 

AluaSoul Sunny Beach is an adult-only all-inclusive that “has something for everyone, whether looking to relax

Ever splashed out on a bougie train journey and thought, ‘damn, I wish this was going to be my life for the next 100 days?’ Well, lucky you. If you’ve got all that time (and exactly £112,900) to spare, you now can. 

Shiny new tour operator Adventures By Train has just announced its flagship planet-wide tour, Around the World by Train in 100 days, and it’s officially open for bookings,

An invention and tradition that Bulgarians value very much is our yogurt.

If you look at the ingredients of any yogurt around the world, you will find one ingredient that unites them all - Lactobacillicus Bulgaricus. As the name suggests, this bacterium is native to Bulgaria and is essential to any yogurt recipe.

Every year in the city of Razgrad, yogurt lovers from near and

Fried sprats and beer are an integral part of every summer on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

One of the new food festivals in Bulgaria is the Sprat Festival, which is held in the seaside town of Kranevo. If you love seafood and come here in the summer, this festival is a must!

The Sprat Festival was first held in 2016 and quickly gained popularity among both Bulgarians and tourists.

One thing you can't help but try in Bulgaria is slivovitz, and what better place than the Bulgarian Plum Festival? The festival has been recognized and awarded as one of the best festivals in Europe and is loved by both Bulgarians and tourists.

Below the Central Balkan National Park is a quaint town Troyan with its famous plum brandy, also known as rakia. This drink is not for the faint

The Cherry Festival is a popular Bulgarian holiday celebrating the country's rich and fruitful bounty. This festival, first held in Kyustendil in 1896, brought the city the title of the Motherland of Bulgarian agriculture.

Since then, every year in June a festival is held in the city and the beginning of the cherry picking season is announced. Here, in the heart of Bulgaria's garden, you

The Bulgaria hospitality industry is facing a severe staff shortage, which could result in many hotels being closed during the upcoming European summer season.

While local workers are reluctant to accept low wages, seasonal workers cannot obtain visas to the country. The situation has been aggravated by the recent entry of Bulgaria into the Schengen zone. Employers are facing delays

Bulgaria and Romania will issue Schengen C visas from April, following partial accession to the Schengen area, for travelers arriving by air and sea. These short-term visas allow entry and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

New border laws for air and sea travelers will allow people and businesses to enjoy free movement into or out of Bulgaria or Romania from her. The European