София. Travel digest

Tirana ranks 74th in Europe with 59.9 points in the 2026 Safety Index published by Numbeo, the world's largest crowd-sourced database for cost of living, property prices, and quality of life statistics, placing the Albanian capital at a moderate level of safety among 115 cities surveyed.

Regionally, Belgrade (62.2 points) and Sofia (61.4 points) rank slightly higher, while Tirana scores

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

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

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.

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