Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Climate Summers have a mean maximum temperature of 86°F to 95°F
(30°C-35°C), while winters range between mean maximum of 50°F and 59°F
(10°C-15°C). Hottest months are July and August. For local weather forecast
call & 175.
Directory Assistance For telephone numbers call & 144 or 02/987-3131; infor-
mation on long-distance calls & 0123.
Drugstores While these are found in most towns, most are staffed by people
who do not understand English; if you do not have a prescription in Bulgarian
or a guide, best to ask your concierge or host to assist you.
Electricity Local current is 220 volts. Outlets take plugs with two round prongs,
typical to continental Europe.
Embassies & Consulates U.S.: 16 Kozyak St., & 02/937 5100 or 02/963-2022
(www.usembassy.bg); U.K.: 9 Moskovska St., &
02/9343-9222 (www.british-
embassy.bg); Canada (consulate only): &
02/943-370; Australia: (consulate
only) &
&
02/946-1334; www.ausemb.gr; South Africa:
02/971-3425; www.
africadosulemb.org.br.
Emergencies Ambulance & 150; fire & 160; police & 166; traffic police & 165;
roadside assistance 91 146; crime hot line & 02/982-2212.
Hospitals If you are involved in an accident in Sofia, ask to be taken to Hospi-
tal Vita (www.vita.bg), located at 9 Dragovitza St. ( & 02/943-4398 or
02/846-5376). For nonsurgical procedures head for IMC Medical Centre, located
at 28 Gogol St., where staff is on call 24 hours ( & 02/944-9326 or 0886 532 551;
imc@gbg.bg).
Internet Access Bulgaria has good Internet services in the three major cities;
outside of that cybercafes are sparse, so if it's important, choose a hotel that
offers this.
Maps See “Lost? Just count the blocks . . .,” p. 71.
Newspapers & Books You can pick up the Sofia Echo, the weekly English-lan-
guage paper, at most newspaper stands in Sofia. English books outside of the
capital tend to be the schlock crime genre or highbrow classics catering to the
student population. When in Sofia, head for the Book Market on pl Slaveikov
(open daily weather permitting) for English used novels, or pop into nearby
Dom na Knigata (ul Graf Ignatieve; & 02/981 7898; Mon-Sat 8am-8pm; Sun
9am-6pm).
Police While corruption and Mafiosi-style crime makes headlines, you're
unlikely to become a victim. “Politsia” can be contacted at & 166.
Post Office Post offices are located throughout the country, and usually open
from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Saturday, but opening hours can be unpre-
dictable in small towns. The main post office is in Sofia, at 6 Gen Gurko St.
( & 02/9496442/46). There is also an Internet cafe here.
Restrooms Public restrooms are generally not great, and many charge a small
fee for their use despite the fact that they are often Turkish-style “squat pots.”
Better to head into the nearest restaurant.
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