Bulgaria
Proven Bulgaria Destination Management Company: DMC and
Planner
for Specialist Incentive, Conference, Event and Convention Travel Organisers Worldwide
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AIMS INTERNATIONAL
(IAPCO / IATA / EVENTIA / MPI / SITE / INCON / ICCA) |
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COUNTRY MAP
(Map by kind permission of the CIA Official Website)
General Information
Company
AIMS Sofia since 2005 is part of AIMS International Group, which was founded in 1979, and continues a long and successful tradition of service to the conference, event and incentive travel industry. AIMS Sofia is full representative legal entity and focuses on organisation and hosting of major conferences, regional events, incentives, social programs, congress management and professional destination expertise countrywide and abroad.
Added value service is our AIMS Design studio for advertising, creative design and print which has been especially established to manage orders for the Group and supports our business clients with advice, concept and realisation of their projects.
Destination
BULGARIA Economic growth and Investment climate
Bulgaria is a full member of the European Union since January 1st 2007.
The country has been through vast changes in politics, business environment and investment climate. The predictability, quality and competitiveness of Bulgaria’s economy are due to the macroeconomic and financial stability.
Bulgaria offers Europe’s lowest operational costs and europewide the most favourable taxes (10% corporate income tax, 0% in high-unemployment areas, 10% flat tax on personal income, VAT reimbursement and tax exemptions in certain areas, equal treatment of domestic and foreign companies, and government support for priority projects).
BULGARIA Diversity and Attractiveness
Ample opportunities for all season outdoor recreation, natural beauty, diverse culture and art activities, famous cuisine and wines are just a few of the reasons to visit Bulgaria for all types of leisure and business trips.
Bulgaria is situated on the Balkans, a mountain range running out centrally across the country, with the Danube River in the north, 370 km Black Sea coast in the East, unspoilt nature and large preservation nature areas, excellent road connections with the neighbours Greece and Turkey in the south, and quick access to Macedonia and Serbia in the west.
The Capital City Sofia has modern and dynamic charm, cultural flair and many sights worth seeing with competitive prices, high-quality accommodation and popular entertainment spots. Sofia stands out as a calm and a safe city for guests compared with most of the European capitals. Guests of the city can explore its rich historical heritage represented in UNESCO World listing and get a taste for further exploration in the country. Many of the sights provide the perfect backdrop for all kinds of events, adding a unique and memorable perspective to the programme.
Example Programme
DAY ONE
Arrival at Sofia International Airport. Welcome cocktail at arrival hall with traditional Bulgarian hospitality ceremony. Light snack in downtown Sofia and panoramic tour of the city centre. Check in at hotel. Live cooking dinner meal – Chef will explain culture of food habits and prepare traditional dishes in front of the group. Back to hotel and enjoy your evening as well as a Bulgarian welcome gift.
DAY TWO
Full day trip to a destination of the groups’ choice, including lunch and an afternoon social program making traditional souvenirs by hand. Return to your hotel and enjoy a light evening cocktail with a dinner as well as Bulgarian traditional dance show program.
DAY THREE
Half day excursion, group photos and transfer to the the airport.
Suggested Sightseeing
HALF DAY TOUR
Sightseeing Tour of Sofia
A fully qualified and multilingual guide will familiarise you with the most important sights of Sofia – Alexander Nevski’s Cathedral (biggest Orthodox Church in the Balkans), National Art Gallery, typical landmark houses of merchants of the 19th Century, Parliament, Sofia University, Churches and Museums, parks and shopping areas. A linking story to Sofia’s ancient past – roman ruins, baths with running hot mineral water, amphetheatres, etc. Informal atmosphere and cosy glimpse of Sofia can be enjoyed in an oldtimer tram, guiding you quaintly through city life. At the end of the tour a must is a meal in Kopitoto (a restaurant located in Vitosha Mountain 1350m) with fantastic views to Sofia, approximately 30-40 min from city centre.
Boyana Church – a UNESCO World Heritage List
The Boyana Church is one of the few complete and perfectly preserved medieval monuments testifying to the significant contribution of Bulgarian monumental painting to European culture in the Middle Ages. It was built in three stages: in the late 10th and early 11th, the mid 13th, and the mid 19th centuries.
Worth visiting in spring or summer is also the Boyana Waterfall, just 4.5 km from the church - the biggest and the most beautiful waterfall in Vitosha mountain (water falls from over 15 m).
FULL DAY TOURS
Plovdiv town and Bachkovo Monastery (within 2 hours from Sofia)
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and the Cultural capital of Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon centuries of cultures. The Old Town with houses from the National Revival period (18 - 19 century) is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman theatre), is located there and is still used for open-air performances.
One of the oldest monasteries in the Bulgarian lands is Bachkovo Monastery, south of Plovdiv and founded in 1083. It is known for its original architecture, rich collections of old icons, jewellery, coins and church plate, the library preserves many valuable pieces of books and old manuscripts.
Visit to Rila Monastery
The most impressive monument from the Bugarian National Revival period rises amidst the rugged beauty of the Rila Mountain, just 120 km from Sofia. It still fascinates present-day visitors with the pure and harmonious line of the buildings' colonnades, arches and vaults, spacious rooms richly decorated with murals.
The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church and the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century.
The monastery also houses a rich museum collection of valuable old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewellery, carpets and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books.
Visit to the town of Koprivshtitsa
One of the most charming small Bulgarian towns, still preserving the atmosphere of the National Revival period, is hidden in the mountain folds 111km east of Sofia. It is a Bulgarian museum town with a large number of houses and monuments - 383 in all - most of which have been restored to their original appearance. A unique collection of ethnographical treasures, old weapons, National Revival works of art, fine fretwork, household weaving and embroidery, national costumes and typical Bulgarian jewellery has also been preserved.
Specialists say that every house in Koprivshtitsa is a work of art. The houses dating from the second half of the 19th century have exquisite painted facades and sunny verandahs, with carved ceilings and stylish European furnishings.
Theme Party Ideas for Incentives
Wine Tasting
Bulgarian Wine and cheese degustation in the National Archaeology Museum with professional sommelier. The venue is one of the well-preserved points of interests, being converted in different functional areas during the centuries and finally becoming the place in the heart of the city to keep wonderful pieces of all archaeological eras. Your own experience in distinguishing different wine types and a competition to differentiate, blind, between red and white wines. Selection of most famous brands will encourage the participants.
Historical Train Excursion
A fascinating trip to Plovdiv in historical train. The luxurious train Corona Express was produced especially for the Bulgarian royal family. The authentic decoration has been preserved and at the same time the mechanic characteristics have been improved in order to make your journey comfortable. It is possible to use the carriage cars for small size group meetings and organise catering throughout the trip. A test drive of the train will certainly impress you too.
Old-timer City Journey
Visiting the main city attractions and driving to the National History Museum in old-timer cars – a few km journeys to the foothills of Vitosha Mountain.
Olympic Games in Vitosha Mountain
Sofia is one of the very few European capitals that offer the astonishing beauty of a mountain - Vitosha Mountain is reachable in only 20 minutes from the centre and is favourite outdoor destination all year round. All sorts of activities can be organised as well as “Olympic Games” for large groups.
A Few Extra Touches
A Festival of the Roses (usually June) – it originates from the celebrations held at the beginning of the rose-harvesting period; old rose growers used to organize pageantries in which manufacturers paraded, dressed up in rose flowers; manufacturers from the whole valley are singing and dancing during the festival – the most interesting ritual is the harvesting in the rose gardens.
Fire Dancing (Walking on coals with bare feet) – usually end of May and beginning of June – this ritual covers almost the whole territory of south-east of Bulgaria - Strandzha mountain; the fire dancing is an ancient ritual performed from the Thracians – bringing health, success and fertility through the year.
The Bulgarian Koukeri (mummers) - It celebrates the end of winter and beginning of spring; the mummers wear a mixture of men’s and women’s clothes, scary masks, belts laden with bells; they carry wooden swords or sticks – all that to scare away the barren winter and the evil spirits, associated with it, and to let in spring and the fertile season.
Convention Centres & Social Venues
- National Palace of Culture
- Inter Expo & Congress Centre
- National History Museum
- Former Royal Palace and National Art Gallery
- Archaeological Museum
Welcome Gifts
- Boutique Bottle of Original Rose oil
- Traditional Bulgarian hand crafted souvenirs
- Wood carving sculpture
- Book of Sofia or Bulgaria
- Wine bottles
Specialist Groups
- All types of Special Interest