Visiting Bulgaria for two weeks, July/Aug, and wondering if any of Ricks Tour attendees have returned yet (or anyone else!) who has traveled recently and can recommend hotels/backdoors/restaurants? We are traveling independently but following Rick's Tour itinerary.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I haven't been there recently, but I can give you a few ideas on Sofia. Send me a PM.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
Was there 3 summers ago. Traveled in from Macedonia and visited Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo before continuing to Bucharest, Romania.
Hard to make any recommendations when you don't list the towns/cities/places you are interested in visiting. If you post where you are going we may be able to provide more info.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Hi,
Was just in Bulgaria for 10 days in April. Sofia shows all the signs of a lack of wealth. We enjoyed ourselves, but if you are expecting a spruced-up city, this isn't it. The Book market, churches, and food were worth the trip. Be very cautious about your restaurant bills. Even in the "most famous" Bulgaria-food famous places. Substitutions, and over billing with no embarrassment when caught.
We also spent several days in Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria. VT has much more of the romantic feel a person would expect. It is a few hour ride by bus. In both cases we stayed with the Hostel Mostel. Anything from a private apartment to a dorm room and free all you can eat breakfast, pasta supper with a beer, and English speakers willing and able to help.
wayne
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, usa
44 posts
Arnold,
We are doing the Rick Steves tour but on our own (renting car).
Sofia, Rila, possibly adding Melnik, Plovdiv, Nessbar, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Koprivshtitsa (although all accomodations booked due to the folk festival) and back to Sofia before flight out next day. 14 days including flights in/out.
Wayner - thanks for the info - I pm'd you about Sofia info.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
Nicole:
We only traveled to Sofia, Plovdiv and VT. I actually liked Sofia - found it an interesting city - not as toursity as Budapest or Vienna but with a number of things to see. We skipped Rila since it would have taken us a whole day to get there and back.
Hotels - in Sofia, stayed at the Sheraton (using points) - great central location, good views from the balcony
Plovdiv - stayed at the Dali and Dafi Hotels. Did not book ahead. Both nice and mid priced. Did not book ahead. From Plovdiv, we took a bus out to visit the Bachnakov? monastery which is about a 30 min bus ride. Easy to get to.
VT - Stayed at the Pink Bakery. V. friendly service. Got a mini apt with a kitchenette since there were 4 of us. They also had regular rooms. Again, did not book ahead of time - just showed up and looked at a number of places. Only some of the higher end 4* places were sold out due to tour groups - but plenty of other mid range options overlooking the gorge were available.
You can also view the Light and Sound show in VT without paying. Get a good guidebook - I use lonely planet. From VT, Arbanassi is a nice village about 5 km away - easy taxi ride.
Hope this helps.
One other recommendation - you can get free guides to a number of the places you are going to from inyourpocket.com. (Varna, Sofia, Plovdiv). These are great guides written by locals and are the most upto date.