With regard to COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions taking place I would like to kindly inform you that a state of emergency has been declared in Bulgaria – valid until 13 April 2020. All tours within the country have been suspended, traveling within the country is heavily restricted. Our boarders for incoming guests from most countries are closed as well. Restaurants and wineries are not allowed to welcome guests.
We do hope to welcome you in Bulgaria on our Food & Wine Tours very soon!
Via Vino & Odysseia-in team
*Update (3 April 2020): The state of emergency has been prolonged until 12 May 2020. The above mentioned restrictions remain.
*Update (18 May 2020): State of emergency is over since 13 May and most of the restrictions have been replaced by lighter regulations – working and carefully keeping distance and disinfection procedures. Open areas of restaurants and hotels are allowed to work. Such with inner areas, including wineries with inside tasting rooms will probably start working from 1 June. There are no limits for traveling within the country at the moment. From June boarders should be open – exact information to be announced.
*Update (15 June 2020): ALL wineries, hotels, restaurants and bars are allowed to work by keeping the necessary precautions measures, like disinfection, social distance, etc. Bulgarian citizens could travel to most of European countries, including France, Spain, Sweden. Please check the current situation and regulation of your authorities before traveling to Bulgaria.
*Update (21 Sept. 2020): Entering Bulgaria from EU countries is allowed – there is a form/declaration re Covid-19, which should be completed at the boarder. Check this web site before traveling: https://reopen.europa.eu/en For other countries – please ask for current information before your trip. Masks are obligatory indoors.
*Update (28 Nov. 2020): The second lock-down in Bulgaria has been announced – from today until 21 Dec. No group tours, tastings, closed wineries (for visits), restaurants, bars, no school for the kids, etc. Most of the small/corner shops remain open. From 01 Dec. there will be limits/bans for entering Bulgaria from countries outside of Europe – please check the current list.
*Update (21 Dec. 2020): The lock-down has been extended until 31 January 2021. There are some slight changes with regard to the restaurants in hotels – they are allowed to work only with their guests until 22:00h. All other restaurants, bars, wineries (for visits) remain closed.
Despite all, HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM VIA VINO!
*Update (01 March 2021): Bars, restaurants and resp. winery tasting rooms are open from 01 March – working inside AND outside with limited capacity for guests and necessary distance between the tables. Strict limits for incoming guests in Bulgaria are still valid – please check the current list. However some tours within the country are allowed.
*Update (22 March 2021): Another full lock-down in Bulgaria is in force from today. All bars, restaurants, schools, shopping malls are closed until 31 March (at least).
*Update (01 April 2021): The bars, wineries and restaurants, which have premises outside/tables/gardens are allowed to work. All indoor spaces remain closed.
*Update (12 April 2021): The bars, wineries and restaurants are opening from today.
You could follow the current, updated situation regarding restrictions about entering Bulgaria HERE.