Going to this hospitable country, be sure to take an extra suitcase with you. Believe me, it will come in handy. You will definitely want to take home an incredible amount of souvenirs. And we are not talking about fridge magnets, standard plates and postcards. This magical Balkan country has many discoveries and wonders in store for you. In general, Bulgaria is like a kind smiling grandmother, who from the heart loads her guests with a variety of goodies and goodies. In order not to get lost and take with you authentic and high-quality items, study our tips and pay attention to the subtleties. So, we present the TOP of the best souvenirs.
Cosmetics based on rose oil
Cosmetics are sold everywhere here, and rose oil is a must-have in most of them. Wherever you go, its scent will accompany you. Cosmetics are the most popular souvenir imported from this country. It is important to choose a truly quality product. To do this, pay attention to the following signs.
Give preference to cosmetics from well-known manufacturers. Shop at brand stores, as you can easily run into a fake in street shops. The list of ingredients of really high quality products is short. It's no wonder to get confused in the store. Still, because cosmetics surrounds you everywhere and it is not clear which brand to give preference to. To make your choice easier, take a look at a selection of the most popular brands:
- Refan - a wide range of body care products: soap, oil, various creams, perfumes, sprays and so on. It is produced in several series and contains natural ingredients.
- Biofresh, Rose of Bulgaria series - produces excellent shower gels, creams, shampoos, lotions. Handmade soap of this series will be a wonderful gift.
- Bulgarian Rose - the company dates back to 1948. Time-tested quality. The cosmetics contain exclusively environmentally friendly and natural ingredients.
Deo Perfume Candy
Unusual lollipops are a unique development of the Alpi company. It is not only a tasty, low-calorie treat, but also a source of pleasant aroma. An interesting nuance - after using these sweets, the smell comes not only from the mouth of a person, but also the skin smells fragrant, replacing the deodorant. Surprisingly, the unobtrusive delicate aroma is quite persistent and lasts up to 6 hours.
Herbal teas
The usual black tea here cannot boast of great popularity. Locals prefer coffee, and herbal drinks are especially fond of. The most famous is Mursal. If you decide to bring home such a fee, purchase it only in stores in its original packaging. The fact is that the plant is quite rare and has been on the verge of extinction more than once.
It is actively collected by poachers, so buying this herb from your hands means making your own contribution to the destruction of the species. In addition, the illegally harvested plant is subject to a ban on export from the country. The second name of the drink is Pirin tea, as this plant is found on the southern slopes of the Pirin mountain range. There is a beautiful legend about the origin of grass.
In search of his beloved Eurydice, the ancient Greek singer Orpheus also visited these places. He cried, calling on his beloved, and where his tears fell, strange grass began to grow. The drink has a truly magical effect on the body - it tones up, strengthens the immune system, stabilizes hormones, and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It is also called "Bulgarian Viagra", as it is believed that it is indispensable for increasing potency.
Clothes and footwear
Going for shopping, you should not waste time looking for outfits of famous European brands, this is the mistake of many tourists. In large cities of Russia, the choice of such clothes is no less wide. What exactly you need to pay attention to are colorful handmade things. Knitted outfits, which can be purchased at every corner, are especially good. There are knitting grandmothers right on the street selling their products.
If you want something even more authentic, bring home a national costume, it will be a wonderful souvenir. The situation is different with shoes. In large stores or malls, you can buy excellent leather shoes of the highest quality. Many renowned Italian and Spanish designers trust local craftsmen to craft and dye leather. When choosing new shoes, be sure to look for the inscription “made in Bulgaria”.
Decorations
It is better to skip buying jewelry made of gold or jewelry with precious stones. The same selection and prices can be found in Russia. But you should not pass by silver items. It is almost impossible to find a fake, the prices are pleasant. Jewelry is distinguished by an unusual design and a huge variety. Jewelry is very good.
At resorts, you can often find jewelry in a nautical style, copper trinkets look elegant and unusual, which are easy to make personalized - just ask the seller to decorate a bracelet or pendant with an imprint with your name. Openwork filigree jewelry is popular. They look stylish and elegant and will be a wonderful gift. Handicrafts guarantee uniqueness, no one else will have such beauty.
Ceramics
If you want to bring home a practical souvenir, your choice is ceramic tableware. It is not only beautiful decor. It is dishwasher safe, oven safe and microwave safe. Bulgarian ceramics are very durable, so plates and pots will last a long time. Local products are very recognizable due to the original painting. Drops of paint are applied to the finished dishes in a certain order. They are gently mixed by the master or slowly flow down the walls.
The result is an original drawing, which has no analogues in other countries. Bright colors are traditionally used - red, blue, white, green, yellow. When choosing ceramics, it is important not to make a mistake and not buy a fake. To do this, it is worth remembering that all products are made by hand and cannot be cheap. High-quality ceramic items are quite durable, so if it seems that the plate is about to fall apart right in your hands, it is better to refuse to purchase it.
Textile
On all the popular tourist routes, you will certainly come across shops selling excellent local textiles. Quilts, bedspreads, famous bed linen are very good. They are of high quality, reasonable prices and durability. Particular attention should be paid to linen towels, napkins or tablecloths decorated with beautiful national embroidery. In small towns or villages you can find craftswomen who weave wonderful woolen carpets.
The most interesting are the so-called "shaggy carpets". They are made from woolen threads or natural sheep wool fibers. The mistress makes one such item for 2-3 months. This product will be a valuable gift for loved ones or a good accessory that will create comfort in your home. An interesting fact - there is no single national style. Each locality has its own traditions and patterns. This is especially noticeable on the “cherga” fabric. Colors and patterns are different in every locality.
Paintings
No resort town is complete without street artists. Canvas masters and brushes are found literally everywhere. They sell images of your favorite landscapes or city attractions that will remind you of your trip to this country. As an option - their own portrait, which they will gladly write from life or from a photograph.
Copper cookware
Getting to know Bulgaria, be sure to choose a day for a leisurely stroll through the local market, where you can buy stunning copper items. Copper is the second most popular metal after silver. The local craftsmen turn it into a work of art. You can not only watch the creation of a masterpiece, but also take part in it. Many artisans can give the opportunity to make their own souvenir.
For an additional fee, your chosen product will be engraved with a name or any other text. Copper vessels for water are especially good. They will decorate your kitchen and give it a unique flavor. For a man, you can buy an ashtray or a Turk made of this metal as a gift, and a woman will be happy with elegant trays.
Leather products
One of the most popular souvenirs is leather goods. The local craftsmen possess the secrets of high-quality manufacturing of this material. The vast majority of tourists take with them good-quality belts, bags, wallets, gloves. An original gift will be a national leather vest, which will add ethnic flavor to any outfit. As small gifts, multi-colored leather coin boxes are an excellent choice. They are often made in the form of fruits, vegetables, or various animals. Leather jewelry also attracts the eye with its originality. You can purchase bracelets, pendants, hairpins, jewelry boxes, boxes and more.
Icons
Icon painting on the territory of Bulgaria began to develop over a thousand years ago, immediately after the arrival of Christianity. The locals are very religious and respect Orthodox customs. Until now, craftsmen use ancient traditions in their work. As in antiquity, boards made of linden or cypress are taken as a basis. Then they are covered with plaster or glue as a primer, and then painted.
For greater durability, paints are mixed on natural egg yolk. Cheaper icons can be a reproduction, framed in wood or metal. Noteworthy are crosses and candles, which are made by hand with the addition of rose oil. Wooden rosary is also very good. It is better to buy religious souvenirs in monasteries or church shops.
Maker masks
One of the most interesting traditions is a cheerful farewell to winter, Maslenitsa. At this time, street festivities and carnivals are held in the country. Residents in smart clothes pour out onto the streets and joyfully welcome spring. The main participants in this action are the cookers. These are men who dress up as various animals or national characters. The faces are covered with traditional masks, and bells are hung from the belt. The mask is the main attribute of the cooker.
Each participant in the carnival must independently make it for himself, without involving anyone to help. It is best if no one sees the creation process. The mask is made of wood. The base is decorated with everything that fantasy tells. Glitter, mirror pieces, different scraps and so on are used. The main goal is to make it as scary as possible in order to scare away evil spirits and make them run away as far as possible. For the final intimidation, their cooker hangs bells from their clothes, whose ringing has a destructive effect on the spirits. Each mask is unique, none is repeated. This is the most original and authentic souvenir, the origin of which is associated with a curious tradition.
Medicines
This country is a major producer of medicines. They are diverse and inexpensive. Finding a pharmacy is not difficult, because the spelling of this word is similar to Russian. By the way, in some places there are still pharmacies-museums. Going there, you will feel like in the 19th century. One of them is the Hippocrates Pharmacy, which you can find in Plovdiv. The pharmacist will help you navigate the local names. For this job, graduates of special higher educational institutions are hired, the training in which takes 5 years. Most medicines are available without a prescription. You will need it to buy antibiotics.
Bell pepper
The homeland of pepper was actually America. Only after the discovery of the New World did he first come to Portugal, then to Turkey, and only then to Bulgaria. This vegetable can be found on the shelves from July to mid-November. But if you ask the seller to sell you bell peppers, he will not understand you. Such a concept simply does not exist there, and this nickname was given to the vegetable exclusively in the vastness of the former USSR. To indicate your desire, remember the words "chushka" or "piperka" (stress on the first syllable). Local cuisine is unthinkable without it. Pepper is eaten raw, added to various dishes, stewed, canned, baked with all sorts of fillings.
Lyutenitsa
This is a versatile local food. It is something like a sauce or pasta made from boiled vegetables. It includes sweet peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, sometimes potatoes, feta cheese, eggplants. Garlic is often added. The word "fierce" is translated as "sharp", but this workpiece can have varying degrees of sharpness. The ways of using lutenitsa are varied.
With meat or fish, it acts as a sauce. If you spread lutenitsa on bread, you get an excellent snack that goes well with strong alcohol. It can be used as a substitute for ketchup for pizza. Soup or borscht lutenitsa will add pungency and piquancy. You can buy home-made lutenitsa in the markets, it is more spicy and aromatic. But the manufactured product also tastes good and has beneficial properties.
Rose petal jam
This delicacy can rightly be considered the visiting card of the country. Outwardly, it looks more like jam. There are two options on sale - with or without petals. Damask rose is used for its production - the queen of flowers. Local chefs have long known the secret of making a delicacy and carefully pass it on from generation to generation.
Rose jam is also very useful:
- removes toxins
- helps with colds
- strengthens the immune system
- has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels
- restores intestinal microflora
If you are looking for a cute gift for a colleague or friend, beautiful glass jars with bright pink confiture with a pleasant aroma are what you need. In addition, they are very inexpensive, and you can find jam in any supermarket.
Honey
Excellent ecology and a huge variety of melliferous plants allow for the production of large quantities of honey. In many large cities, special honey fairs are regularly held, where you can taste different varieties before buying. Let's list the most popular ones. Acacia honey appears on sale during the flowering of this shrub - in May-June. It is very fragrant, light golden in color. It can be stored for up to three years, all this time the honey is not candied.
Lavender. There are especially many fields with these plants in Dobrudja. Honey has an interesting aroma and a pinkish hue.
Sunflower. It should be eaten within a short time after purchase as it becomes sugar very quickly.
Creamy honey is a popular product at fairs. For its preparation, honey of any kind is whipped, turning it into a delicate thick substance.
The most exotic and interesting species is Manov honey. It is distinguished by an almost black color and a bitter-sour aftertaste. It is believed to be endowed with unsurpassed healing properties. For its production, bees do not use flower nectar, but the liquid that aphids secrete. You can purchase a flavored product - with a rose or lemon scent.
Tulumbichki
National cuisine allows you to get to know the country better and appreciate its flavor. Let's move on to edible souvenirs. Tulumbichki is one of the most common sweets. This name translates as "tubules". Dessert is a dough stretched into an oblong shape and filled with syrup. This delicacy will appeal to those who love very sweet desserts.
For others, it may seem overly cloying. Most often it is served in cafes and restaurants, but local housewives also often cook tulumbichki. Many craftswomen can boast of their favorite signature recipe. They are easy to find in supermarkets in the dessert section. Returning home, grab a package of tulumbiches so that you can share your impressions with friends and family over a cup of tea with a delicious treat.
Spice
The national cuisine is not particularly sharp, but the spices give it a recognizable flavor. Here they are called "tweaks". Check out the most popular condiments. To make it easier to navigate, we will indicate their original names.
Savory (chubritsa). It is added to a huge number of dishes; savory can be called one of the symbols of the country.
Variegated salt (sharena sol). A versatile seasoning that can be found in soups and garnishes. It goes with meat and fish, added to sauces. The composition includes savory, paprika, salt, corn flour, fenugreek. There are interesting options when garlic, hot peppers or pumpkin seeds are added to this list of ingredients.
Thyme (swine). It has a rather bright aroma, so you need to add it to dishes carefully, not to overdo it. It goes well with eggs, meat. Occasionally you can find it in some sweets.
Fenugreek (smiduh). It decorates dishes from meat and vegetables with its smell. It is often added to soups.
Cinnamon (caramphil). It must be looked for in special departments where confectionery spices are sold. Cinnamon is sold both ground, often mixed with sugar, and in sticks.
Nutmeg (Indian walnut). Gives a pleasant taste and aroma to meat pates. Traditionally added to Christmas baked goods.
Sweets
Souvenirs for those with a sweet tooth cannot be ignored. Turkish delight and marshmallow are considered the most favorite. Try them even if you are indifferent to confectionery. If you bring such a present to children, believe me, they will be delighted. In the production of Turkish delight, there were also roses. The most famous varieties are produced with petals of these flowers.
Rose oil is also added. It gives a delicate unusual taste and pleasant aroma. It is also a healthy product, as it is prepared from natural ingredients. Pastila is made on the basis of fruits or berries. Various nuts are often added. You can buy sweets by weight. There are options in beautiful gift wraps. The price is not high, for small boxes it starts from 1 BGN.
Cheese
Extensive pastures make it possible to produce a variety of dairy products. Among them, cheeses take pride of place.
Brynza (siren). Soft, salty white cheese. It is made from the milk of cows, sheep and even buffaloes. Many national dishes are made on the basis of feta cheese. When choosing it in a store, pay attention to the price. If you do not want to purchase a product with vegetable fats, buy varieties that are more expensive than 5 levs per kilogram.
Yellow cheese (kashkaval). It is made from goat and sheep milk. He is loved in many countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Locals add cheese to meat and vegetable dishes, make pie filling based on kashkaval, and even fry. A very good product for those who monitor their weight and prefer a healthy diet.
Cream cheese (cream siren). Soft and delicate product is made from cottage cheese. It tastes slightly salted, reminiscent of the famous Philadelphia cheese.
Processed cheese (melted siren). When choosing, pay attention to the composition. The product, made from natural ingredients, has a wonderful taste and an affordable price.
Blue cheese (cigno siren). The king of local cheeses. It is not cheap, but it tastes very good. You can buy it by weight or in small pieces in a portioned package.
Sausage Lukanka
Among the meat delicacies, pay attention to the lukanka dry-cured sausage. It is made from pork, so the sausage is quite fatty. After manufacturing, the product should dry and ripen within a month. During this time, noble mold forms on the surface. A lot of spices are certainly added to the meat, so the delicacy is very fragrant. It is convenient to transport it as it can be stored for a long time.
The name hints that the sausage should contain onions. It used to be that way, but nowadays you can't find a lukanka cooked according to old recipes. This ingredient has ceased to be popular and gradually disappeared from the recipe.
In the old days, the locals followed an interesting tradition. When the young man reached the age of 18, a special celebration was held. Friends, relatives and neighbors congratulated the guy on his entry into adulthood. The young man was presented with a symbolic treat - Shumen beer. A large dish with thinly sliced onion served as an appetizer. After a young man tasted a treat, he was considered an adult and given all rights and responsibilities. This tradition is still alive in some areas.
Wine
Winemaking has been developed here for a very long time. The law defines special zones for the production of wine.
Danube plain. It is home to excellent dry white, sparkling and red wines. They are distinguished by a pleasant fruity shade.
Black Sea region. In these places, international grape varieties are grown - Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat. White wines produced here are famous for their delicate delicate taste.
Lowland of Thrace. Since ancient times, rich red wines have been produced in this region.
Valley of roses. The kingdom of white, light, fresh wines, emitting a scent of fruit.
The region of the Struma River. Luxurious red full-bodied wines from red grapes.
In all these regions, the climate is different, respectively, the wine also has its own characteristic features that cannot be confused. In mid-February, you can get to a bright colorful holiday dedicated to Trifun, the patron saint of winemakers. A wide variety of drinks can be tasted and purchased at this event. Sweet wine is rare in this country. If you visit Balchik, be sure to visit the local Botanical Garden.
There is a curious place - a winery where you can buy drinks with an amazing sweet taste. The secret is that honey is added to the wine here. There is also an opportunity to taste and purchase the local pride - "Snow Wine". It got this name because of the time of the grape harvest. It is harvested already in December, after the first snow falls. It is a sweet drink with a delicate taste and aroma. The drinks are not cheap here but well worth it.
Rakia
Let's move on to stronger alcohol. If you can be treated to wine during the day, then rakia is an attribute of a leisurely dinner. This drink is a strong moonshine made from fruits. Local residents affectionately call it "rakiika". Apples, quince, pears, figs, cherries, plums and so on are used for cooking. If you follow the standard, then you need to take only one type of fruit, without mixing them. The highest quality and most expensive option is made from apricots, the cheapest one is made from small red or yellow plums.
Traditions of using brandy have developed for a long time. It is drunk from small glasses before meals, as an aperitif. The drink is sipped in small sips, you should not overturn the shot. Rakia should be at room temperature. In hot summer weather, it can be slightly cooled. In winter, on the other hand, brandy is often slightly warmed up and thus defeats the common cold. The strength of the traditional drink is 40 degrees. It is customary to serve an appetizer with brandy.
Usually these are feta cheese, vegetables, meat delicacies. It goes well with a cheese platter and eggs. Locals will be happy to tell you about the healing properties of brandy. She wins infections, and improves metabolism, and is useful for the stomach.But in pursuit of a miraculous result, it is better not to abuse the drink, otherwise you will fully experience the amazing local "mahmurluk", that is, a hangover.
Liquor Menta
This is another popular drink. The basis is ethyl alcohol and mint. Fortress - 25 degrees. A distinctive feature is a mild taste, rich green color and fresh aroma. On sale you can find bottles of different capacities - from liters to small 200-gram scales. It is not often drunk undiluted. The liquor is very sweet and concentrated. But summer cocktails based on it are simply wonderful. The drink goes well with Sprite, ice cream, cream, lemon and other ingredients.
Tourists who are not afraid of experiments can try a unique local cocktail based on Cop, milk and sour cream. The most famous is the cloud cocktail. For its preparation in equal proportions take strong aniseed "Mastic" and "Menta". Drinks have different densities, so they are poured in layers and try not to mix, then they are decorated with cream. "Cloud" is well suited for a date with a loved one.
The strong "Mastic" symbolizes the masculine principle, and the delicate sweet mint liqueur demonstrates the charm of a woman. Local residents believe that this cocktail sharpens the senses and promotes rapprochement. Savvy housewives use liqueur in cooking to prepare various desserts.
In this country, there is where to turn around the tourist. People from Russia are traditionally treated well in Bulgaria, because we are linked by a long-standing friendship that developed back in the Soviet years. There will also be entertainment for those who love mindlessly soak up the beach, connoisseurs of architectural beauty and ancient monuments. Believers will have the opportunity to visit holy places revered by Christians. Those who are jealous of their health will find many springs with healing water here.
Athletes will love the ski resorts that will suit even beginners. The country is small, so in one trip you can visit several regions and gain a variety of experiences. Family vacations are also good here. Children will not be bored, and the trip is relatively inexpensive. Over the past decades, the service has also undergone changes for the better. We guarantee that after your first visit to these hospitable and welcoming places, you will certainly want to come back here again.
