Venue and location

The American University in Bulgaria (est. in 1991) is an American style liberal arts university offering first-rate education.

AUBG is accredited in the US and in Bulgaria and the diploma is recognized worldwide. The University offers 10 primary BA programs, 2 secondary ones, as well as an Executive MBA program. It provides the best state-of-the-art facilities in the region: high-tech classrooms, computer labs, comfortable dormitories, a modern English-language library, and a unique student center. Renowned scholars mentor students who represent more than 40 countries. Most graduates continue their studies at the best universities in the world. AUBG alumni are one of the most sought-after specialists who occupy top positions at multinational companies, national governments, or leading NGOs worldwide.

The conference will take place at the Skaptopara Campus of the American University in Bulgaria.

12 Svoboda Bachvarova St.
Blagoevgrad 2700, Bulgaria

• Google Maps

Things to do

You will be busy with a packed conference program and the all-conference dinner, but we hope you’ll find a bit of time to enjoy Blagoevgrad.

Local information

Blagoevgrad is the major town in the picturesque Southwestern Bulgaria and one of the most important economic and cultural centers in this region. Blagoevgrad also allows easy access to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia (approximately 100 kilometers to the north) and to the borders of Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia.

Blagoevgrad is renowned for being surrounded by many historic sights and attractive tourist places to visit.

• The town of Blagoevgrad is very pleasant to walk around. There are large portions of downtown devoted only to walkers.
• You can have a nice walk in nature to Bachinovo Park that runs parallel to the Bistritsa River. At the end of this nice walk you can enjoy the beautiful Bachinovo lake and taste traditional Bulgarian cuisine at Vodenitsata tavern or just relax over a drink at the local café.
• Another place for a nice walk is the old town Varosha, a typical Bulgarian style neighborhood where the town’s orthodox church is situated.

Food & drink

The town also offers a range of restaurants with different cuisine such as traditional Bulgarian, Chinese, or Italian food, as well as pastry shops and fast food chains. Tap water in Bulgaria is fresh, free, and safe to drink.

• GetLokal
• TripAdvisor

Entertainment

The large pedestrian area in the center of town is dotted with cafés, small parks, an opera house, a theater, a historical museum, and a cinema. The vibrant nightlife of Blagoevgrad exceeds with its many clubs and discotheques.

In May Blagoevgrad celebrates many holidays and there will be a variety of cultural, musical and public events, organized by the Municipality.

Practical info

Time zone

Bulgaria is in the Eastern European Time zone (EET). The difference between Greenwich Meridian Time zone (GMT) and the time in Bulgaria is +2 hours.

Weather

In May, the weather in Blagoevgrad may be quite warm during the day and slightly chilly at nights. The average temperatures range from 25° C to 11° C. Rain is very likely so an umbrella and a light raincoat are advisable, as well as a light sweater for the evenings.

Currency & exchange

Bulgaria is a member of the EU but is not in the euro zone. The national currency is the lev (plural leva). One lev is made up of 100 stotinki. You can exchange euro for leva at any bank or exchange bureau. The euro-leva exchange rate is fixed and is about 1 euro=1.95 leva. However, for dollar to lev exchange, it is best to check the currency exchange rate of the day.

• Banks are usually open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm although some banks may stay open until 5:30 pm. All banks are closed at weekends and on public holidays.
• Exchange offices or exchange bureaus usually have longer working hours. Most of them work until 6:00 pm.
• Most major credit cards are accepted in Bulgaria. Cash dispensers are marked “Bankomat” and are available at the airports and all over town.

Telephone services

Mobile phone coverage is almost 100% anywhere in Blagoevgrad.

When calling Bulgaria from abroad dial +359 followed by the area code - 073 (omitting the initial zero – i.e. 73) and the number required.

Emergency numbers

For general emergencies, ambulance, fire, or police: dial 112

Health and medicare

We advise you to have Health & Travel Insurance before coming to Bulgaria. Emergency cases will be dealt with locally at the AUBG Health Center.

Electricity

Electrical current in Bulgaria is 220 V/50 Hz. Round. Two-pin European style plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate on 110/120 Volts need a voltage converter and a plug adapter. International adaptors can be found in the major electric shops.

Taxis

Taxi drivers generally do not speak English, so a few simple phrases in Bulgarian will be useful:

• Conference venue. “Amerikanski Universitet Biblioteka” refers to the Balkanski Academic Center (BAC) where the conference will be held.
• Hotels. “Hotel Park Bachinovo”, “Hotel Ezerets”, (the hotel name prefigured by the word “hotel”).

You can get from almost any part of town to another for about two euro (four leva). Taxis are willing to wait for you for as long as necessary. They do not expect tips but it is nice if you tip them.

Hotels will be happy to call taxis for you, but just in case, it’s good to have a phone number of a trusted company.

• Mega Shans (Mega Chance):
  • 073 88 22 22
• OK Taxi:
  • 073 83 21 21
  • (+359) 0887 21 00 00

Languages

Bulgarian is a Slavic language and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Street signs are in Cyrillic and shop signs may be in either the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet. Restaurants will usually have menus in both Bulgarian and English and servers will be able to communicate with you in English.

Some phrases to get you started:

• Hello – здравей (zdrah-vay)
• Good morning – добро утро (dohbro ootro)
• Good afternoon – добър ден (dohber den)
• Good evening – добър вечер (dohber vecher)
• How are you? – как сте (kaak stay)
• Goodbye – довиждане (doh-veezh-duh-nay)
• Thank you – благодаря (blah-go-dar-iya)
  or мерси (Fr. Merci, pronounced mersee)

Smoking

Bulgaria is smoke free in all public buildings as well as in restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. Designated smoking areas are located outside.