Place
Sozopol – Flagman hotel
Sozopol (Bulgarian: Созопол, Greek: Sozopolis) is an ancient seaside town located 35 km south of Burgas on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Today it is one of the major seaside resorts in the country.
The busiest times of the year are the summer months, ranging from May to September as tourists from around the world come to enjoy the weather, sandy beaches, history and culture, fusion cuisine (Balkan, Mediterranean), and atmosphere of the colourful resort.
Sozopol is one of the oldest towns on Bulgarian Thrace’s Black Sea coast. The first settlement on the site dates back to the Bronze Age. Undersea explorations in the region of the port reveal relics of dwellings, ceramic pottery, stone and bone tools from that era. Many anchors from the second and first millennium BC have been discovered in the town’s bay, a proof of active shipping since ancient times.
The current town was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Miletus as Antheia. The name was soon changed to Apollonia, on account of a temple dedicated to Apollo in the town, containing a famous colossal statue of the god Apollo by Calamis, 30 cubits high, transported later to Rome by Lucullus and placed in the Capitol.
Since 1984 Sozopol hosts the Apollonia art festivities every September, which include theatre shows, exhibitions, movies, musical and dance performances, book presentations and other cultural events.
42°24’53” N 27°41’51” E
Flagman hotel
You can get to the place from Burgas, Bulgaria (35 km), Varna, Bulgaria (149 km), Sofia, Bulgaria (418 km), Belgrade, Serbia (819 km), Istanbul, Turkey (423 km), Bucharest, Romania (348 km), by bus or train and from many cities of Europe by plane.
Main Bulgarian Airports:
Burgas Airport – 35 km from Sozopol
Varna Airport – 149 km from Sozopo
Sofia Airport – 418 km from Sozopol
Plovdiv Airport – 311 km from Sozopol
How to get a VISA?
Since 1 January 2007 the Republic of Bulgaria has been applying the European Union’s Common Visa Policy, subject to the terms of the Accession Treaty. Currently Bulgaria issues national visas only. Those visas do not give their holders the right to enter the Schengen area.
More information about countries whose citizens, holders of ordinary passports, require or do not require visa to enter Bulgaria is available here.
Requirements when entering the country
A foreigner may enter the Republic of Bulgaria if he/ she is a holder of a regular foreign travel document or another equivalent document as well as a visa if required.
VISA Application
To apply for a VISA you will need to submit an Invitation Letter to the Embassy. You can receive Invitation Letter from the Conference Organizers that will confirm that you are a participant in the conference. To obtain an Invitation Letter you have to send a copy of your passport via e-mail to bgcartography@gmail.com. On the copy, your full name, date of birth, date of expiry and the passport number should be clearly visible.
You can receive an Invitation Letter once you have successfully completed your registration and paid your registration fee.
Keep in mind that you should apply for a VISA no later than 1 month prior to the conference, as it takes time for VISA issuing. You may also be invited to an interview.
More information about visa application is available here.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Bulgarian Embassy in your country.
In case of VISA refusal, the registration fee will be refunded to you. Bank charges will not be refunded.
Useful information
Time:
Greenwich time + 2 hours, Central European Time + 1 hour
Electricity:
220 V., 50 Hz.
Post Office:
You may drop your post cards and letters at the Reception desk at your hotel or put them in the post boxes in the resort. Sozopol’s Post Office is situated in the central area.
Banks:
Banks are opened Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will need your passport for cashing cheques or exchanging currency. There are also ATMs at some of the Sozopol hotels.
Credit Cards:
The main international credit cards are accepted at the big hotels, shopping centers, the car hire offices and some restaurants. The stickers on the shop-windows or at the hotel entrances will provide you with information as to which credit cards are accepted.
Money:
The Bulgarian LEV consists of 100 stotinki. All payments should be made in the national currency. There are bank notes of 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Lev, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki.
The exchange rate is fixed at 1.95583 Leva = 1 Euro. It is advisable the exchange of foreign currency to be made at change bureaus or at a bank.
Pharmacy:
Usually is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is also a 24-hour pharmacy. You will be provided with more detailed information at the reception desk in your hotel.
Water:
Tap water is chlorinated but completely suitable to drink. Still, better drink bottled mineral water.
Beach:
All beaches are free. You will only be charged for using deckchairs and parasols.
Population:
The population of Bulgaria is about 7 500 000 people, 1 150 000 million live in the capital.
Official Language:
Bulgarian, belonging to the Slavonic language group.
Religion:
Majority – Eastern Orthodox; other – Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, etc.
Safe:
It is recommended to keep valuables and documents in the safe you will be provided at the hotel reception. In case of any loss or theft, please approach local organizers.
Restaurants:
The menu includes mostly dishes of both the Bulgarian and the European cuisine. Restaurants are usually open from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Some of them may be open as long as there are guests.
Shops:
Shops in the city are open every day, including Saturday and Sunday. They work from 9 a.m. till 9 p.m.