2 - Bulgarian lev

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Bulgaria may not be the obvious choice when booking a holiday, but this fascinating and diverse country is definitely one not to be underestimated. With high quality resorts at low prices, Bulgaria makes the Top 10 of our affordable credit-crunch holiday destinations. Whether you're looking for a beach holiday, a ski holiday, a city break, a party or a feast, Bulgaria has it all and at amazing value too! At the moment the exchange rate is extremely favourable for British holiday-makers with the pound worth over double the amount of Bulgarian Lev (£10 is worth 24 levs). According to a Post Office survey, the cost of a cup of coffee, bottle of Heineken, bottle/can Coca-Cola, bottle of mineral water, factor 15 sun cream, insect repellent, three course evening meal including a bottle of house wine in a local restaurant, would cost a teeny £49.87. There are some amazing deals on offer for this summer along Bulgaria's sunny and mild Black Coast. For example, view Direct Holidays' great deal for a week at a 4* hotel starting in May, including flights from London to Bourgas, from a minute £269 (taxes included). Alternatively Direct Holidays also offer a week in Bourgas at the newly-opened 5* Barcelo Royal Beach Hotel from £417. Restaurant prices can vary greatly between the city and countryside. In a typical Bulgarian village a three course meal costs around 15 levs (£7). Other seaside resorts are Sozopol, Nessebur, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, Albena, Saints Constantine, Helena and many more. Bulgaria's economy is still undergoing enormous difficulties especially due to its inflation and high unemployment rates. Despite a good standard of living, the country is still the second-poorest EU country. Bulgaria's adoption of the Euro will thus be no earlier than 2013. In the winter season there are a myriad hotels and chalets to choose from in Bulgaria's snow-capped peaks in Rila, Pirin and the Balkan Mountains which are also on offer at great prices whether it be for a family holiday, a romantic break for two or for a solo trip. Bulgaria has become a favourite ski destination for the Brits and the Irish. On the sight-seeing side, Bulgaria has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites to see, such as the medieval rocky relief of Madara Rider, Thracian tombs, the Bovana Church, the Rila Monastery, Churches, the Pirin National Park, the Srebarna Nature Reserve and the unique city of Nesebar which is an important port for trade in the Black Sea. There is also the Varna Necropolis, a 3500-3200 BC burial site where you can see the oldest examples of worked gold in the world. Bulgaria has some great food to taste, rich salads, quality dairy products, a variety of wines and local alcoholic beverages such as rakia, mastika and menta. Bulgarians area lso fans of hot and cold soups such as tarator, as well as typical pastries: banitsa; hot or cold, with plain yogurt, ayran or boza for breakfast. There is also spinach (spanachena banitsa) , milk (mlechna banitsa) or pumpkin (tikvenik) banitsa. Certain dishes are specific to certain Bulgarian wines, so make sure to get your waiter's advice when you order. Bulgaria out of season is also a great destination, with its great quality Spa resorts such as Bankya, Hisarya, Sandanski, Velingrad, and Varshets. Another way of exploring Bulgaria is also getting to know the locals in their own homes. Ask your travel operator about "ethno-tourism", (holidaying within a Bulgarian home or in small Bulgarian mountain villages) which is an emerging form of tourism in Bulgaria at the moment that is proving to be popular so far, especially in small mountain villages as it is a much more culturally-rewarding experience. Other great value destinations in Eastern Europe include Hungary (351.156 forint to the pound), Czech Republic (29.505 koruna to the pound) and Croatia (9.057 Kuna to the pound).

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