Download it here! - SIETAR Europa

Congress
2007
25-29 April
www.sietar-europa.org

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
East, West, North, South:
Culture's Impact
on Economy, Religion,
Ecology & Politics
Welcome Package for Participants
TRANSPORTATION FORM THE AIRPORT
VISA Travel staff with the support of SIETAR volunteers will be on hand to welcome
you at the Sofia Airport
To facilitate your transport to the congress venue our welcoming team will be in the
arrival hall of Terminal 2 and 1. They will carry a SIETAR banner.
The transfers on 25, 26 and 30 April (the busiest days) will be made with a minibus
Volkswagen LT 2005, white. It has 17 seats and will leave at each 45 minutes.
Depending on the number of arrivals at a given time you may be asked to wait a
short while until the seats are filled.
The transfers on all other days of arrival and departure will be made with two Audi
cars - one black and one metallic green N A5837 and C8630.
For all transfers you can make a check call to +359 8999 084 44 or
+359 8999 984 82; +359 8999 985 25; +359 8999 985 84; +359 8999 084 32;
+359 8999 069 53
You can call ELC's Team at any time for additional information and help:
+359 899 81 72 04 for Svetla (Svetlana Aladjem)
+359 887 21 48 58 for Dimi (Dimitrina Boteva)
+359 888 435 890 for Vlado (Vladimir Galabov)
www.crossculturebg.com

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Rodina AND SIETAR EUROPA CONGRESS VENUE
Hotel “Rodina” is the tallest four-star hotel in Sofia, located on the “Russki Pametnik”
(Russian Monument) square. It is in close proximity to the National Palace of Culture,
the administrative and business centre of the city. The hotel offers a panoramic view
of the centre of the city, as well as to the Vitosha Mountains.
http://www.rodina.bg
Address: 1606-Sofia, 8 “Totleben” blv. , N., Bulgaria
SHOPPING IN SOFIA
Monetary Units
The Bulgarian currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGL) and its plural, leva. Every lev consist
of 100 stotinki (st). Banknote denominations include: 2,00; 5,00; 10,00; 20,00; 50,00
and 100,00 leva, as well as coins of 1,00 lev, 1, 2, 5, 10 20 and 50 stotinki.
The lev is pegged to the EURO and the exchange rate is fixed at EURO 1 = 1,955 BGL
Currency Exchange
can happen in banks and 24-hour Change Bureaus. The exchange rate is announced
every day.
Exchange bureaus are found on all major streets in Sofia. Travelers’ cheques must be
cashed at banks and most charge a commission.
NB! TIPS
• It is advisable to change in the banks. If you change in a change bureaus look
for written information about the rate and commission. In some cases there
are 2 or 3 different rates above and bellow certain amount of money with
different commission.
• Do not sign any receipt in the change bureau before checking the money and
be sure that this is the right amount you have to receive. Best ask how much
you will receive before you hand over your money.

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
• If the client reverses the deal before signing the receipt, the cashier is
obliged to fully reimburse the money. Exercise caution, because there are
bureaus that work with much lower rates. Always find out the official
exchange rate before commencing a transaction.
• DO NOT change money on the streets, IN FRONT of a Change Bureau or
a Bank, even if the rate seems really good or you WILL be cheated.
• WHACH OUT when you go out of a change bureaus – this are the favorite
“working places” for pickpocketers.
Credit Cards
Accepted credit cards: Diners Club, American Express, Mastercard, Carte Blanche,
Balkanamericard,Visa, Eurocard, etc.
Although some of the newer shops and restaurants now accept credit cards and in
theory you can pay with a credit card, in general you still need to operate with cash.
Cash machines
You can use your international debit or credit card to draw money from cash machines
in BGL, and this in most cases will be the best rate you can get.
If you need bank transfers from banks in your country you should open an account in
a Bulgarian bank.
Working hours.
Shops – (9.00)10.00 a.m. to 7.00 (8.00) pm. (Monday to Friday, Saturday until noon,
many shops work Sundays)
Offices - 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Banks - 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Where to shop
Ten minutes walk from Rodina Hotel is one of the biggest Malls in Sofia - Mall of
Sofia, 101, Alexander Stamboliiski Blvd.
The Central Department Store (TsUM), opposite Sheraton Hotel, is a shopping
centre on three floors. It now operates as a Western-style shopping mall.

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
The main shopping areas are on Vitosha Blvd., Graf Ignatiev St., Rakovski St. and
all the streets leading off from them. All of them are 15-30 minutes walk from the
hotel and 5 minutes drive by taxy.
The area around Shipka Street, Oborishte and San Stefano as well as Shishman
St. has all sorts of small private shops, boutiques, furniture etc., where service is
friendly.
Tsentralni Hali, Halite (Central Food Halls) offers a clean, well organized and
modern version of the bazaar shopping experience. It is open daily 07:00-24:00. Stalls
on ground level sell fruit and vegetables, local cheeses, olives, meats, fish, wine and
spirits, plus an array of breads and pastries.
Nearby, Pirotska Street has been transformed into a continental style pedestrian
area with a variety of shops and street cafes. Pirotska links the Tsentralni Hali to
Zhenski Pazar (Women’s Market).
The operating hypermarket in Bulgaria is the German Metro Cash & Carry.
• Tsarigradsko shousse Bld. at the end of the city on the way to Plovdiv.
• In Lulin complex, 182 Europa Bul.
NB! TIPS
• Pocket-picking is happening in the market areas as well as in the shops and
bazaars, especially in the rush hours, when it is overcrowded. Keep your bag in
front of you. Do not leave your luggage unattended.
• Keep small amount cash with you and put your documents and valuables in the
hotel safe.
• Usually the prices are displayed. You can bargain if you buy at open markets.
Gifts and souvenirs
Most popular with tourists is the arts and crafts open air market around the
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
There are several specialized shops for Bulgarian souvenirs:
• 14 Vitosha Blvd. GUILD OF THE CRAFTSMEN OF FOLK ARTS AND
CRAFTS
• Shishman St. near the ‘Tsar Osvoboditel’ monument, within TsUM, and in the
underpass near the President’s office on Dondukov Blvd.

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
• 1 Alexander Battenberg Sq. THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY, NATIONAL
ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM, Tue – Sun 10:30-18:00
• 1, Bulgaria Sq. - National Palace of Culture SOUVENIR SHOP, Tel.: 54 50 43
• Tsar Osvoboditel Bld. MINERALSUVENIR store, opposite the Russian Church.
TAXI SERVICES
All legal and registered taxi cabs must be yellow, and operate by meter. Rates per
km are between 0.40 - 0.56 leva, any starting and call-out charges must by law be displayed
on the windows.
Drivers usually speak only Bulgarian, so you may need someone to help you order one
by phone (from the hotel reception f.ex.), and you should learn how to name your destination.
Here are some reliable Taxi companies:
Company
Tel.
OKAY SUPERTRANS 973 21 21
YES TAXI 91 119, 91 009
INEX 91 919
TAXI-S-EXPRESS 9 1280
NB! TIPS
• Avoid using taxi that is not on this list. There are drivers working on a private
initiative who cheat and increase the price especially when they see foreigners.
What to do: Look at the window for the prices per km and also keep an eye on the
meter during traveling. Do not hesitate to stop the taxi and leave if the meter goes
too fast. Ask the driver before getting in how much approximately it would cost to the
place you are heading to. Ask Bulgarians to orient you about the average price of a cab
for different distances.
Distances in Sofia are really short, so avoid taxing in traffic jams which are
really nasty between 8.30-10.30 and then 12.00-14.00 and the final starts at
17.30.

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
Important Numbers
Emergency Medical Aid 150, 832222, 5153310
Fire Brigade 160
Police 166, 823482, 822803
24 HOUR PUBLIC HOTLINE FOR COMPLAINTS
OR SIGNALS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Sofia, Tel: 73 99 45 (Bulgarian) From 8.30 - 18.00 h.
Tel: 988 52 39 (English)
Tel: 982 30 28 (Francais)
There are 2 types of long distance card phone currently in operation:
• Mobika (blue phones)
• Bulfon (orange phones),
Cards can be bought at shops, kiosks, newsagents`, snack stands, souvenir stalls or
post offices. All are marked with appropriate stickers. Europe, America, Near East,
Japan, Africa and Australia can be dialed directly.
RECOMENNDED RESTAURANTS
BARBADOS FISH RESTAURANT
1606 Sofia
34A Totleben Blvd.
Shipka hotel – 5 minutes walk from Rodina Hotel
+ 359 2/ 954 12 34
It offers wide variety of fish and seafood specialties, selected wines and beverages
in a quiet and pleasant ambience with delicate professional service.

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
PRI IAFATA ÒAVERN
28 Solunska Str. / Tzar Assen Str.
Tel. (02) 980 17 27
working hours: 10:00–24:00
A cult place, a folk style restaurant, situated in an extraordinary beautiful and
impressive antic three-story house, built in the beginning of the last century in the
very centre of the capital – at 28 Solunska Str. An entirely traditional, folk style interior.
Known as an appropriate place to bring your guests.
The restaurant offers: Bulgarian traditional cuisine and a charcoal barbecue where
guests can observe the preparation of the special dishes; selection of more than 100
white and red Bulgarian wines; live music from the Balkans, played by an attractive
acoustic quartet; rich folklore program on request.
HADZHIDRAGANOVITE KASHTI
75 Kozloduy Str.
Tel. (02) 931 31 48
info@kashtite.com, www.kashtite.com
working hours: 11:30–02:00
Hospitality in the Bulgarian way! In the center of Sofia! Restaurant complex
includes four restored renaissance houses from beautiful Bulgarian places -
Koprivshtitsa, Zeravna, Melnik, Bansko. The Restaurant Complex Hadjidraganov’s
Houses offers Bulgarian national cuisine on fire, on a hot plate and in an oven. Lamb in
an oven in Saint George’s way, skewers, special dishes of lamb, fish, chicken, beef and
pork are amongst the specialties of the house offered by the establishment as well as
“Stuffed hen in a clay egg” and vegetarian dishes. There is folk music live every night.
MANASTIRSKA MAGERNITSA
Han Asparuh Street 67
phone: 02 980 38 83 , 980 33 03
GSM: 0899 94 94 00
http://www.magernitsa.com/en/index.html
„Manastirska Magernitsa“ Restaurant is situated in the central part of Sofia at
67 Khan Asparuh Str. The restaurant disposes of winter garden - entirely in Bulgarian
style, preserved trees, many authentic articles, a two-storey house with 6 halls,
a folk-style hall, splendid summer garden, a VIP hall, ardently burning fireplaces.

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SIETAR Europa Congress – Sofia, Bulgaria
The restaurant offers Bulgarian dishes with an unforgettable taste, a variety of
salads and delicious food, including meat, prepared on embers from domestic recipes.
Live music from all over Bulgaria is played here. The foreign guests, who visit the restaurant,
are deeply impressed by the tradition. The team of „Manastirska Magernitsa“
Restaurant puts quality at the first place as a criterion for professionalism.
VITOSHA
33 Vitosha Blvd.
Tel. (02) 989 07 70
working hours: 10:00–24:00
A representative place for dining and entertainment in entirely traditional
Bulgarian folk interior that recreates the customs, traditions and lifestyle of
Bulgarian people. Every evening music and dance ensemble of 16 dancers performs
an original folklore program – a fairy scene of music, lights, costumes,
attractive songs, dances and rituals from different regions of Bulgaria.
Vitosha has a main hall where you can watch the folklore performance; two smaller
halls – Diado Libenovata Odaya (Grandpa Liben’s Chamber) in a typical Koprivshtitsa
style and Avdjijska Odaya (The Hunters’ Chamber) – a VIP hall in hunter’s style;
a winter and a summer garden.
The menu offers all the typical dishes of Bulgarian national cuisine as well as selected
game specialties. The wine list compiled from over 100 types of red and white wines
is selected by a professional sommelier.
CLUBS, BARS
ANTREZ
10 Vrabcha Str.
Tel. (088) 728 80 22
working hours: 10:00–...
MOTTO
18 Aksakov Str.
Tel. (02) 987 27 23
working hours: 09:00–02:00
CHERVILO
9 Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd.
Tel. (02) 981 66 33
working hours: thu-sat 22:30–...
SWINGIN’ HALL
8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd.
Tel. (02) 963 06 960, (02) 946 13 77
working hours: 21:00–04:00