FAQ
Do I need a passport to enter Bulgaria?
No. For member of European Union only a valid identity card is sufficient. For other nationalities outside European Union a valid passpor is obliged.
How much time in advance do I need to make a reservation ?
It is advisable to book as early as possible as confirmation is always a subject to availability. For bookings during the high season and from April until September we recommend you to make booking minimum 30 days in advance.
Can I make a reservation by phone?
You can call our phone number +359 2 983 52 58 +359 2 983 52 58 or +359 2 983 52 80 +359 2 983 52 80 to obtain any information you need. But if you wish to guarantee your reservation we have to receive a confirmation in writing to our e-mail: office@alexandertour.com.
Does it cost anything to make a preliminary booking of the trip?
It is not necessary to pay anything to make the preliminary booking of the package. The preliminary booking does not commit you to anything or guaranteed you seats. A maximum period of validity of the conditions according to the preliminary reservation is 2 weeks during which you can learn everything about the tour and receive answers to all your questions. The reservation is considered firm when we receive the first deposit.
How do I know that you have received my request?
You will receive an email from us confirming the receipt of your request within 24 hours (Monday to Friday). In case you do not receive reply from us due to some reason, please call us on the phone +359 2 983 52 58 +359 2 983 52 58 or +359 2 983 52 80 +359 2 983 52 80 or use our skype: alexandertour
How and when will I receive the firm confirmation of my booking?
After requesting a firm reservation and pay us the deposit for your travel, we will proceed with the reservations of your services and we will send you a written confirmation in 2 to 3 days. As soon as we have all the services confirm we will contact you again to confirm all the services and agreeing the final payment of your travel and the relevant documentation.
How do I change or cancel my reservation?
To modify or cancel your reservation you must contact us by our email: office@alexandertour.com as soon as you decided to make changes or cancellation.
If I make a firm booking and ultimately turns out that the tour does not materialize, what happens with my deposit?
If I make a firm booking and ultimately turns out that the tour does not materialize, what happens with my deposit? In case of Alexander Tour must cancel tour due to a reason stated in the general conditions, we will offer you the best alternative available. If you are not interested in the alternative, we will cancel the reservation and refund the deposit.
When and how will I receive my travel documents?
When you have paid the whole amount for your trip we will send you the relevant documentation. In most cases the only documentation is a subscription confirmation that we will send by email. The remaining documents will be in your escorted guide. If you want a copy of some documents we can send them scanned via e-mail. If you require to receive physical documents, the shipment will be by courier, and allt the expenses will be on your own account.
The offer does not indicate price for children. How can I receive information?
Children / 2 to 12-years often have discounts for the roundtrips when sharing room with 2 adults. Once we receive your request, we will send you personalized information for the price of the child.
Are there included international flights in the package "all inclusive" or some other packages?
The rates are inclusive of taxes at the hotel, but exclude international flights. We can assist for your airline ticket but a supplement is required as per the airfare that applies.
What language is spoken in Bulgaria?
The official language is Bulgarian. But people in the bigest cities in the country tend to speak English.
Is there a time difference?
Bulgaria is in the Eastern European Time Zone. Like most states in Europe, during the Summer period the time is shifted forward by 1 hour 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3). The summer time prolongs from late March to late October.
What currency is used in Bulgaria and where you can change the currency?
The currency used in Bulgaria is Bulgarian lev / BGN /. Since 1996 an agreement effectively links Bulgarian lev to the euro. The course is fixed 1 EUR = approx. 1.96 BGN. In Bulgaria, the currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, hotel. Our advise is better to get local currency from ATMs / ATM /. Currently there are circulating legal coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki and bank notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 BGN.
Can I withdraw money from ATMs with foreign credit card ?
Yes, in Bulgaria ATM accepts Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Amex and rarely Diner's Club. To increase the security, better check your own bank. Many shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit card payments - Visa, MasterCard and Amex.
Do I have to tip?
The waiters in the bars, restaurants and cafes will expect a tip as well as the taxi drivers. The percentage is not fixed and depends on the degree of satisfaction. The most popular is to leave 10% of the total.
How does urban transport in Sofia operate?
Sofia urban transport network consists of trams, buses, trolley buses and a subway line. The single fare of the ticker allows to travel for one trip only and excludes an option of transfer - the price is 1 BGN = approx. 0.50 EUR. Pass for 10 trips costs BGN 7.20 or approx. EUR 4. For more information click here.
Can I pay cash at the office of Alexander Tour?
No. In general the prices we offer to our clients are promotional and are valid only if you make payment in advance.
Why is it better to travel in a group?
The journey it will become more pleasant to be accompanied throughout the journey. Another advantage of going in a larger group is that it will be more profitable for you comparing with an individual travel.
Will we follow the itinerary exactly?
We attempt to stick as close to the itinerary as possible, but it depends on weather conditions, delays caused by construction projects, traffic or other causes such contingency ... All these sometimes make our plans changed. We guaranteed that all sites included in the program will be visited. Flexibility is the key to fully enjoying your trip
Can you arrange pre-and/or post-trip accommodation and excursions for me?
Absolutely! We would be happy to recommend variety of quality accommodations as well as make all the arrangements for add-on trips prior to or after your trip.
Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?
Your dietary restrictions can be accommodated only if an advance notification is provided. Most establishments offer vegetarian options and do their best to accommodate special requests. Please keep in mind, however, that at many of the remote locations you visit during your tour, access to the freshest fruits, vegetables and gourmet items may be limited and therefore the menu have to be adapt with the local cuisine.
What is the difference between tour guide and driver-guide?
The tour guide is the person who provides information, directs and guides the tourists during their stay in the country. The driver-guide is the one who is in charge of the tour guide activities plus driving the car during the tour.
What is the climate in Bulgaria?
The climate in Northern Bulgaria is moderate continental, while the climate in Southern Bulgaria is intermediate continental tending to Mediterranean. During the winter the snow is not lasting, the summer is warm. The average temperature in January, the coldest month of the year, is about 2 º C below zero, and in July, the warmest month, the average temperature reaches 25 º C approximately.
Am I entitled to a VAT refund?
From the moment that Bulgaria entered the European Union the citizens from EU countries are not entitled to apply for VAT refunds.