Romania & Bulgaria

• September 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• September 2024
  • Species List

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport will be valid at least three months beyond the date of your scheduled return to the U.S. See "Passports, Visas & Documentation" section below for details. If you are from another country, please contact the Embassies of Romania and Bulgaria website for guidelines.
• Visas are not required of US citizens for stays of this length. Expected changes to entrance requirements in Europe have been delayed until April 2025. More information is available at European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) website.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Bulgaria and Romania and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Plan your flight reservations arriving into Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport in Romania (OPT) and Departing from Sofia International Airport in Bulgaria (SOF). Send a copy of your itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office please.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Arrival into Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), Bucharest, Romania

Please note: If you are delayed in travel, please refer to your emergency contact list, and contact your ground operator, with a copy to our office. You may also phone or text your guide. Quite a few of your guides will set up a WhatsApp connection so you can also reach your guide by phone.

The arrival airport for this tour is Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP). Upon arrival at the airport, you will pass through immigration and customs and exit to the main terminal area. Your emergency contact sheet will be helpful at Immigration when they ask where you are going. At the airport, there are ATMs to withdraw money and change desks where US Dollars can be changed for Romanian leu (plural lei).

We will coordinate your pick-ups close to your departure with operators and guides once we have all travelers completed travel information. Please make sure we have both your ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE information, so they can plan this. It is imperative that we have your correct TRAVEL information; we appreciate if you email us a copy of your flight reservation. They will check internet for your updated flight information.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departures from Sofia International (SOF), Sofia, Bulgaria

Please plan your flight home for the last day of the tour in the afternoon from the departure airport, Sofia International (SOF).

We will provide transfers or arrange for taxis to the airport for all departures as needed for the departure day. The departure fee is now typically built into your airline fare.

Please check the Travel Details tab of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling.  Information for U.S. citizens can be found at:

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Romania.html
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bulgaria.html

If you are from another country, please contact the website of the Romania and Bulgaria embassies for guidelines.

Passport: You must have a passport that is in good condition and is valid for three months AFTER your scheduled return to the U.S. You should have at least one blank page per stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: At the time of writing, a tourist visa is not required of US citizens for stays of this length. Requirements requiring visitors from more than 60 visa-free countries (including the U.S.) to get a travel authorization when entering Europe for brief stays have been delayed until April 2025. Learn more at European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) website.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Helpful websites for planning is the Center for Disease Control (USA) below, or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

• CDC website for Romania
• CDC website for Bulgaria

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency. Do bring any prescription medications with you and its best if you have a copy of the prescription in case of loss. A supply of standard over the counter medications for common ailments is recommended.

Vaccinations: At the time of writing there were no required vaccinations to enter Romania or Bulgaria. The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Please check with your doctor for recommendations at least 4-6 weeks before departing on your trip. 

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, motion sickness, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Weather & Climate

Romania and Bulgaria generally have cool, dry autumns. Highs average in the mid- to high-70s°F, and lows in the mid-50s°F., with mild to moderate humidity. Rain, though unlikely, is possible. Come prepared with layers of clothing, including a rain-jacket that can double as a windbreaker, and an umbrella. Bring walking boots for use in the day and more comfortable shoes for meals and relaxing.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please, pack light. Dress is very informal and comfortable throughout the trip, and casual dress is suitable at all locations. While some people will change for dinner, it is usually just to a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day.

Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing, as they are more protective from sun, insects and vegetation. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty – and things that are comfortable and easy. Please avoid white or brightly colored outerwear for the field. Laundry services can be arranged at some of our hotels, those where you have multiple nights. But it is most convenient if you are content with hand laundry.

Please consider bringing a water bottle or two; while we will have water at all times during our trip, an enormous amount of plastic waste is generated by beverage containers which can be avoided if you bring a bottle and refill it every day.

TRAVEL TIP:  Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please DO NOT pack any essential medications or vital optics in your checked luggage!

Spending Money

The leu (RON) is the official currency of Romania and the lev (BGN) is the official currency of Bulgaria. For the current exchange rate, please refer to online converter tools like www.xe.com, or your bank. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as the local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card. Your guides will help you as you cross to Bulgaria by land so will not have the airport ATM to use, but you may also be able to get some of both currencies in Bucharest. Also, larger hotels and restaurants will allow Euros.

We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card, and a credit card. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. You can exchange your money in either country. The easiest way is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. ATMs are widely available in both Romania and Bulgaria and will typically offer you the best exchange rate. The ATM will give local money and your bank will convert that into US Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey. Hotels can also change money. If you plan to exchange cash in country, bring large U.S. bill ($50 or $100) in good condition that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

Credit cards are commonly accepted in Romania and Bulgaria. We suggest you have more than one card available. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (one Visa, and one MasterCard; American Express is less accepted), if possible. A EUROCARD or ACCESS sign displayed means the establishment accepts MasterCard. Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling to Romania and Bulgaria to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them.

Many people ask how much money to plan to bring for spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Typical items people purchase include: local souvenirs and T-shirts, artworks, drinks before or with dinner, maps and natural history books.

Gratuities

Tipping throughout the tour is at your discretion. Some guidelines follow. At larger (mostly city) hotels, tip maids and bar service as you would at home. At eco-lodges, there is typically a staff tip box in a public area; the going rate per person is $6-$10 a day, which is shared among staff for maid service, and general staff service at the lodges. Gratuities for group meals are already included. Your Naturalist Journeys host will take care of smaller tips such field trip services by boat drivers, night drive outings, single activities. Your additional tip is encouraged for birding tour guides and drivers who are with you for several days or the full trip; $10-$15 per day per guest is standard for guide service, and half that for a driver. If you have more than one local guide at a location, they will share the daily amount. We encourage tipping for the local teams hosting you; anything extra for your Naturalist Journeys host is at your discretion.

Please note that these suggested tips are quoted in U.S. Dollars. You will want to convert and tip in lei or lev, respectively, for Romania and Bulgaria. As Gerard is from Hungary, the best choice for him would be either US dollars or Euros. In Bulgaria you also have a local Bulgarian guide.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

You can make international calls from most of our hotels. The country code for the USA is 1.  Dial 00 + (1) + country code + area code + number.

To make calls from the US:

• To call Romania, the USA exit code is 011, then dial 40 + phone number.
• To call Bulgaria, the USA exit code is 011, then dial 359 + phone number.

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet. If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well. 

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

Romania and Bulgaria use northern European standards, so the voltage is 230V, higher than in the United States (120V), with a frequency of 50 Hz. Electrical sockets (outlets) in both countries are primarily "Type F" and accept the standard continental European dual round-pronged plugs. This socket also works with plugs C and E.

You will most likely need to bring a power plug adapter, and a voltage converter in order to use appliances or devices from the U.S. that do not automatically detect and convert voltages. To be sure, check the label on your appliance. More information can be found at www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

Romania and Bulgaria are in the Eastern European Time Zone, which is 7 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Daylight Time). Romania and Bulgaria do observe Summer Time (or Daylight Savings Time). A great website if you want to tell someone to check ahead of calling you is www.timeanddate.com.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please Pack Lightly!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Dress is very informal. In general, the weather during your stay should be pleasant, with highs averaging in the mid- to high-70’s, and lows in the mid- 50’s with mild to moderate humidity and we want you to be comfortable. Rain is possible in September. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing, as they are more protective from sun, insects, and vegetation. But if you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty – and things that are comfortable and easy. Layering is your best strategy for comfort.

Clothing & Gear

• Lightweight long pants, 2 pair
• Shorts (optional)
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts (2-3)
• T-shirts or equivalent (4-5 – remember you may be buying some anyway!)
• Personal underclothing and pajamas
• Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, sundress, etc.)
• Bathing suit (optional)
• Hat with broad brim
• Bandana (gel bandanas work well to keep you cool)
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes)
• Lightweight walking boots (heavy boots not needed)
• Sandals for evenings, travel days (optional)
• Lightweight sweater or jacket; fleece fabric is ideal, but a sweatshirt will do
• Lightweight raincoat or poncho (great if this doubles as windbreaker)
• Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• E-ticket verification
• Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack to carry field gear while hiking
• Cell phone and charger
• Binoculars
• Camera and charger/extra batteries, memory cards/film, lens cleaning supplies and instruction manual (optional)
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional – guide will have them)
• Tablet/laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB stick, USB cord and charger (optional). If bringing a laptop or tablet, bring a good dustcover to protect it at all times.
• Adapters for three prong electronic equipment
• Alarm clock
• Sunscreen/lip balm with SPF
• Sunglasses
• Insect Repellent
• Toiletry articles
• Water bottle (or you can use one of ours and refill during the journey)
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Earplugs (if hotel noise or roommates snoring may bother you; these are optional)
• Laundry soap for hand washing, travel sewing kit
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

• Personal medications
• Personal first aid kit, including medications for general ailments, colds and stomach ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, antihistamine cream or tablets, eye drops, etc.) and antiseptic cream or wipes.
• Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van drives, etc.
• Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Foot powder, lotions for dry skin, general “comfort” items
• Small bottle of hand sanitizer
• Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions, and any medical alerts
• Insurance information
• Vaccination records
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts

 There are many titles of interest for Romania & Bulgaria; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you.

Top Picks

Birding in Eastern Europe

Birds of Europe

Merlin App. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Europe.

Field Guides

Mammals of Britain and Europe

Collins Bird Guide, The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe

Collins Butterfly Guide: The Most Complete Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe

Butterflies of Britain and Europe: A Photographic Guide

History & Culture

Lonely Planet Romania & Bulgaria

Insight Guide Romania, Bulgaria

Bulgaria: Culture Smart!

A Concise History of Bulgaria

Romanian History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Romania and Vlad the Impaler

A Concise History of Romania

The History of Bulgaria: From Thracian Legends to Modern Marvels

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

Encyclopedic Overviews:

Romania

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania

Bulgaria

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaria

Dobrudja

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobruja

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

General Birding

• https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/europe/romania/
• https://www.birdinginromania.com/
• https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/europe/republic-of-bulgaria/

Birding the Black Sea Coast

• https://www.realbirder.com/BULGARIA2018.pdf

Bird Checklists

• Romania: https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=ro
• Bulgaria: https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=bg

Wildlife – iNaturalist.org

• Romania: https://www.inaturalist.org/places/romania
• Bulgaria: https://www.inaturalist.org/places/bulgaria

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

World Wildlife Fund

• https://wwfcee.org/our-offices/romania
• https://wwfcee.org/our-offices/bulgaria

Biodiversity Information System

• https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/romania
• https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/bulgaria

The European Nature Trust - Romania

• https://theeuropeannaturetrust.com/conservation/projects/romania/

Black Sea – UN Environmental Programme

• https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/oceans-seas/what-we-do/working-regional-seas/regional-seas-programmes/black-sea

World Wildlife Fund

• https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/black_sea_basin/

Geology & Geography

Romania

• https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article-abstract/2/8/392/205545/Geology-of-Romania
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Romania

Bulgaria

• https://www.geology.bas.bg/en
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Bulgaria

Black Sea

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sea#Geology_and_bathymetry
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sea#Geography

History & Culture

Romania

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Romania
• https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/romanian-culture/romanian-culture-core-concepts

Bulgaria

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Bulgaria
• https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-culture-of-bulgaria.html

Black Sea

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sea#History

Useful Phrases

• Romanian: https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/romanian.php
• Bulgarian: https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/phrasefinder.php?lang2=bulgarian

Cuisine

• Romanian: https://rolandia.eu/en/blog/romanian-culture-traditions/14-mouth-watering-romanian-foods-that-everyone-should-try
• Bulgarian: https://sofiaadventures.com/bulgarian-food-cuisine-best-dishes/

Helpful Travel Websites

Arrival: Bourgas International Airport (BOJ), Bucharest

• https://burgas-airport.bg/

Departure: Sofia Airport (SOF)

• https://sofia-airport.eu/en/

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Romania.html
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bulgaria.html

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/romania
• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/bulgaria

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/romania
• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/bulgaria

Travel Health Pro (UK)

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/185/romania
• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/36/bulgaria

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

Electricity and Plugs

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/romania/
• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/bulgaria/

Date & Time

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/romania
• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/bulgaria

Holidays

• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/romania/
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/bulgaria/