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Ffederasiwn Cefnogwyr Pel-Droed (Cymru) International football friendly. Bulgaria v Wales Wednesday 22 August 2007 Naftex Stadium in Burgas, FSF CYMRU HELPLINE FOR BULGARIAN TRIP NEIL DYMOCK +447905 861 848 BOURGAS Bourgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria, situated in the south-eastern part of the country. The climate here is temperately continental with a distinct impact from the Black Sea. One of the biggest industrial plants on the Balkan Peninsula, Neftochim-EAD, is located in the vicinity of the city. The Port of Bourgas is the biggest seaport in the country. The favourable geographical location and advanced transport infrastructure of Bourgas are good prerequisites for development of tourism and trade. Bourgas is not only an important industrial centre in the country; it has also considerable resources for tourism. What attracts people here mostly is undoubtedly the sea. The city is a starting point for visiting the seaside resorts in the area - The Slantchev Bryag resort (Sunny Beach) and The Elenite holiday village to the north and The Duni holiday village, renowned for its unique architectural composition, to the south. Art and culture, together with propagation of cultural values is fostered by 7 state-owned and 11 municipal institutes. Population approx 205,000 HEALTH We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover the full period you will be in the country, and which includes medivac to the UK if necessary. (You should be aware, however, that most insurance companies will not authorise medivac to the UK as a matter of routine, or because local hospitals are not up to UK standards.) You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to any medical treatment that becomes necessary on the same terms as Bulgarian nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Facilities in most Bulgarian hospitals are basic and old-fashioned compared to those in the UK. Standards of medical care are acceptable, although specialised equipment/treatment may not be available, and hospital staff may not speak English . Money You can buy Leva from banks and foreign exchange offices in the UK. There are many exchange bureaux in Bulgaria that normally exchange all major currencies. However, check the rates of exchange before making a transaction where possible, you should change money in banks or in large hotels. If you have travellers’ cheques you may need to go to a bank anyway. You should also be aware that Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes/coins may not be exchanged in banks and bureaux de changes. There is now a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards. Check with your UK bank/card provider whether you will be able to use these machines to draw Leva. Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. Credit cards are not yet very widely accepted, though they may be used in major hotels and, increasingly, in restaurants and retail outlets. When calling from outside Bulgaria, prefix all numbers with ++ 359 56 When calling from Bulgaria, but outside Bourgas prefix numbers with 056 Téléphone Enquiries 122 Téléphone Enquiries 144 Tourist Information - 3 19 09 Train information - 4 50 22 Bourgas Airport - 3 90 45 Some hotel numbers Inter Hotel Bulgaria - 842 820 Hotel Primorez - 841 417 Hotel Cosmos - 813 400 Hotel Astoria - 820 670 Hotel Bulair - 844 389 Hotel Luxor - 847 671 Hotel Drama - 801 617 Emergency numbers Ambulance - 150 Fire Brigade - 160 Police - 166 Traffic Police - 165 24h chemist shop – 178 Taxi 142 or 145 or 155 British Embassy (359) (2) 933 9222 Neil Dymock FSF CYMRU +44 7905 861 848 Lucy Jones F.A.W. Tickets +44 7970704471 Information from British embassy in Sofia , Bulgaria SAFETY AND SECURITY Terrorism There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by foreigners. Crime Organised criminal groups are active in casinos, nightclubs, prostitution and elsewhere. Serious crime is rare and people unconnected with these groups have not been targeted, although there is obviously a risk of accidental injury from such incidents. You should beware of groups of young pickpockets (often children) in city centres, especially busy shopping areas and underpasses. Thieves and pickpockets also target holidaymakers at Black Sea coastal resorts. You should leave passports and other valuables in a hotel safe or other secure place. Please be aware that many local authority officials and police officers do not speak English. Local travel Most cities and larger towns have cheap and extensive public transport. There are regular bus services between most major towns in the country. There are several car-hire companies, including Hertz and Avis. It is possible to fly between Sofia and the two major towns on the Black Sea coast, Varna and Bourgas. If travelling on a domestic air flight, you should have your passport ready for inspection. Taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards, although vehicles may not be in very good condition. Most taxis are metered and the yellow taxis are generally considered reliable. Rail Safety If travelling by train, you should check with operators on the availability of sleeping compartments and whether bicycles can be taken on board. This may vary between regions, and there may be additional charges. Thieves operate on trains, so take particular care that documents and other valuables are safe. The train system is very poor by European standards and most Bulgarians prefer to travel by inter-city buses, which are frequent, relatively fast and comfortable. Road Safety If you enter Bulgaria in a private vehicle, you must have your driving licence, all original registration and ownership documents (including logbook) as well as evidence of insurance valid in Bulgaria. If you have hired a car you must have the original contract document, which should state that the vehicle can be brought into Bulgaria. Border officials will impound your vehicle if they are not satisfied that you won it or have permission to use it in Bulgaria. Since January 2005, tolls have been charged on motorways and main rods out of town. These are payable in Euros. The rate for cars is currently five Euros for a one-week vignette and 12 Euros for one month. Take care when driving, particularly at night. Many roads are in poor condition and road works are often unlit or unmarked. Driving standards are generally poor. Avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers who may be armed. You should observe the speed limit and ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy. Spot fines are charged for minor violations. Some criminals are reported to impersonate traffic policemen to flag vehicles down on major routes, especially near international border crossings. If you are crossing Bulgaria by car, you should try to travel in daylight hours. The Bulgarian authorities treat all drug-related (including possession) and or sex offences very seriously (the age of consent is 16). Custodial sentences can be expected for any foreigners convicted of such offences. Offences relating to drunken, disorderly behaviour and hooliganism may also be treated more seriously than in the UK. Homosexuality is no longer illegal, but Bulgarians tend not to be very open about the subject and the gay community generally keeps a low profile. There are a few gay bars and clubs in Sofia and, to a lesser extent, in other major towns in Bulgaria. Be careful if you are taking photographs in security-sensitive areas such as airports. If in doubt, ask permission. British Embassy in Sofia (359) (2) 933 9222 What a Consul can do: Contact relatives and friends and ask them to help you with money or tickets Advise on how to transfer funds Refer you to local Social Services Help you to get in touch with local lawyers or provide information on legal aid. Arrange for next of kin to be informed of accident or a death and advise on procedures Contact and visit British Nationals under arrest or in prison and, in certain circumstances, arrange for messages to be sent to relatives or friends Give guidance on organisations experienced in tracing missing persons Make representations on your behalf to the local authorities in certain circumstances Give information and process applications for British Nationals wishing to get married abroad But a Consul cannot: Intervene in court proceedings Get you out of prison Give legal advice or instigate Court proceedings on your behalf Get better treatment for you in hospital or prison than is provided for Irish nationals Investigate a crime Pay your hotel, legal, medical or any other bills Pay for travel tickets for you Undertake work more properly done by travel representatives, airlines, banks or motoring organisations Obtain accommodation, work or work permit for you The British Embassy in Sofia does not issue full passports. Before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages. Applications for new passports are accepted in Sofia for forwarding to the British Embassy in Vienna for processing, but this may take up to six weeks. If a courier is used, the cost will have to be borne by the applicant. If you lose your passport, the British Embassy can issue a temporary/emergency passport to enable your return to the UK. You should keep a photocopy of your passport with you at all times as proof of identity. Match tickets Lucy Jones will be in the bar reception area, at the Hotel Bulgaria, between 10 am and 4 pm (approx times) on Tuesday 21 August and Wednesday 22 August . Match tickets will be available for sale to Welsh fans only. Neutral fans and holiday makers wishing to attend the game must pay on the gate.. The Hotel Bulgaria is situated on 21 Alexandrovska Str, its a couple of blocks from the opera house. FSF Cymru is a voluntary organisation run by football fans, its major purpose is to assist other Welsh fans by providing information appropriate to venues Welsh fans visit. + 44 7905 861 848 (Neil)