Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

Russian Tourists to Get Bulgarian Visas When Crossing the Border

Aleksandr Shatskih

It looks like Bulgaria is doing everything possible in its efforts of luring in more visitors. The latest idea? Bulgarian Finance Minister Simeon Djankov said that the country’s government plans to issue visas for Russian tourists right at its border crossing points, Novinite.com reports. The Finance Minister reminded in an interview that the Russian holders […]

Eastern Europe’s Best Bargain Ski Resorts

Aleksandr Shatskih

Given the rather depressing economic realities that many in Europe are forced to live with at present, they could be forgiven for thinking the luxury of skiing holiday is out of their reach. But a little look beyond the Alpine pistes, towards Eastern Europe, shows us that a skiing holiday doesn’t have to break the bank.

Bulgarian Tourism Growth Dependent on Optimism

Phil Butler

Ivo Marinov, Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism for Bulgaria predicts significant growth at a minimum of 3%. Visiting Veliko Tarnovo today the minister showed off a new tourism guide entitled “Get to Know Your Homeland”, that reveals some 17 key sites in the region. But even with new initiative and branding exercises, can Bulgaria get its just travel due?

Turkey Plans World’s Largest Airport in Istanbul

Aleksandr Shatskih

Turkey has big plans in terms of tourism as it plans to build the world’s largest airport in Istanbul according to Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim. This new airport will be near the Black Sea, will occupy a 77 million square meter plot, and, when it will be finished, will have a capacity of 150 million […]

Cyprus Tourism Boosted By Influx of Russian Arrivals

Aleksandr Shatskih

Cyprus might be struggling to come to terms with the prevailing economic woes around Europe, but you wouldn’t know it if you worked in the country’s tourism sector, which saw foreign tourist arrivals hit a seven-year high last year thanks to an influx of Russian visitors.

Russia Sees “No Obstacle” to Visa-Free Travel by 2014

Aleksandr Shatskih

Could visa-free travel to Russia finally become a reality? According to Russia’s top immigration official, such a move could happen sooner than many had hoped, with visa requirements for EU citizens being lifted by 2014 a ‘distinct possibility’.

Bulgaria Lures Tourists to Ski Resorts with Low Prices

Aleksandr Shatskih

Bulgaria continues to draw tourists to its winter resorts using low prices as a key element. Hotels offer a range of cut-price deals in order to be attractive in this time of the year. It seems that there aren’t as many visitors as hoteliers would want so they hope that they will get tourists’ interest […]

Mustache Mania Drives Tourism in Turkey

Aleksandr Shatskih

Turkey as a travel destination offers dozens of hair-raising attractions for the adventurous traveler, but recently the country has seen an influx of visitors looking for an altogether different experience – men in search of facial hair implants.

Camel Wrestling Championship Draws in the Crowds in Turkey

Aleksandr Shatskih

Last weekend saw thousands of Turkish ungulate fans turn out to witness the annual Camel Wrestling Championships in Selcuk, an event which saw more than a hundred camels decked out in fluorescent pompoms and veiled headdresses as they fought for the affections of waiting females.

Yeti Resort Hopes to Lure Tourists to Siberia

Aleksandr Shatskih

Ask anyone where you’re most likely to bump into the legendary Yeti and they’ll more than likely tell you that your best bet is somewhere around Mount Everest, in the Himalayas. But few people realize that the infamous ‘abominable snowman’ is just as likely to be found lurking further north, in Siberian Russia.

Cyprus Travel Sails – Everywhere In the UK

Aleksandr Shatskih

A huge advertising campaign will be taken to the many media outlets; TV, radio, posters, flyers, the works, by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation. A tagline the organization created to touch everyone’s heart is; “Cyprus in Your Heart” – striking words, representing Cyprus as it is; beautiful, scenic, from the beaches to the mountain tops, from ancient ruins, to ever more decadent cities.