Learning a little more about the country’s modern history can enhance your experiences while on a Bulgaria tour. Detailed, complicated, and ever-changing, Bulgaria’s future is just as exciting as its past.
Following an unsuccessful revolution in 1876, Bulgaria finally won its freedom in the Russian-Turkish Liberation War (1877-1878). The Berlin Conference in 1878 separated the state into three parts. Under Todor Zhivkov, Bulgaria's leader from 1954 to 1989, the country thrived and became one of the most prosperous in Eastern Europe. Industrial growth in particular flourished, eventually contributing to over half the gross national product.
Bulgaria peacefully transitioned from autocratic communist rule to a democratic system in 1989. This change was unprecedented, and after the first free election in 50 years, a new Parliament was elected in 1990. Elected President, Zhelyu Zhelev, led this new Parliament in making a new constitution. This constitution is said to be one of the most democratic in Europe, and the first among former socialist countries. The two primary concerns of Bulgaria's foreign policy became the membership in NATO and the European Union. Pre-accession negotiations started on February 15, 2000 in Brussels. On December 1, 2000, the Council of Ministers of Justice, and Home Affairs of the European Union decided to remove Bulgaria from the negative visa list.
The Bulgarian monarchy made an extraordinary comeback in June 2001, when former King Simeon II was elected prime minister. The country's Turkish minority was represented in this election for the first time following the President’s encouragement for Bulgarians to be more tolerant of Turkish-Bulgarians. Those on a tour of Bulgaria may observe that the state is currently experiencing some challenges such as inflation and high unemployment. Progress, however, continues under President Georgi Parvanov. The country is in the line-up for entry into the EU in 2007, and membership of NATO was granted in 2004.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.