Bansko. The best thing in bulgaria! Bansko seems to be one of those secret places known only to locals for a very long time.
I went to Bansko for the first time in February of this year. I did not know what to expect as i had never been to an eastern block country before.
Well was i in for a shock. I was expecting some building to be going on. Television is full of Bansko at the moment, with programmes interviewing people buying there or developers selling their apartment s. Nothing prepared me for how much!
The first half an hour was spent trying to find our apartment!
Okay thats the bad bit........after that it was uphill all the way! Our apartment was close to the Strazhite hotel which is quite well know and even housed the contestants for the European Biathalon Championships this year.
It turned out that Bansko old village is surrounded by the new building works. this on first seeing is quite shocking but the old village is in a world of its own. It has not been touched by the development and has a charm which needs to be seen.
The streets are cobbled (this is an understatement) and full of mexanas (pronounced mehanas). these are restaurents/pubs bulgarian style.
My first experience of a mexana was when a local started calling to invite my party in. There are men outside most of these to try to get trade and the longer you hold out the more they will offer. I went in to the first one i saw because the man outside offered a free drink to all of us. I later found out my other friends had held out longer and got free meals for their three kids! This was a lot better than mine as you really could not spend all your money even if you drank yourself stupid!
Most of the mexanas have live music and lots of smoke, this is from the cooking and also cigar\cigarettes. the food is splendid with mostly meat dishes but some vegetarian alternatives eg omelette, rice dishes.
We flew to Sofia which then can take between 2 - 3 1/2 hours. I think maybe the longer the better as this means less edge of road experiences!
There are many cash machines although they are not all working on the same day. One will work one day then next day a different one will.
If you need any skiing or walking supplies don't panic if you cant get them before your trip. I cant think of anything you cant buy there. This includes ski equipment or walking gear.
There are many gift shops although a lot of these sell the same things and the most taxing part is finding the cheapest. There is one lovely little craft shop on a corner on the way down the main street to the square. It sells all sorts, ranging from hair bobbles made from felt to delightful pottery. I cant remember the name of the shop but as you only get this when you buy something and it says it on the wrapping it wouldnt help much anyway! There is no name above the door.
Skiing is wonderful with magnificent views as you go up on the gondola. This year Bansko had one of the best snow records all season and even 2 metres falling on the Easter weekend. On the top you can buy meals of all prices and for kids of all ages there is the staple 'chip with cheese'.
If you are wanting a package holiday this might not be the place for you yet, but for something a little different with lots of character - try BANSKO.
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hi
thanks for the review.
when i said about the building works i meant if you turn on the television at the moment there is either a program on about buying in bansko or about someone who has bought in bansko. therefore most people know there is some building happening.
maybe this is a sky thing! anyway i hope this clears this up.
thanks
tazzywazzy 24.04.2007 15:53
Hi sorry for the lower rating, but I found your review a little difficult to follow, I read one particular sentance "I was expecting some building to be going on as the television is full of it at the moment" but I am still not really sure what you meant by it, try reading some other travel reviews to see how they are structured and what is required to achieve a higher rating, if you decide to re-write, I will happily come back and re-rate, this place sounds quite interesting, I think! x
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Advantages: cheap, traditional Bulgarian culture and buildings, excellent ski school Disadvantages: low altitude - though ski season usually runs from Dec - April
flickpugh 09.02.2004 (09.07.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Bansko
Advantages: cheap, traditional Bulgarian culture and buildings, excellent ski school Disadvantages: low altitude - though ski season usually runs from Dec - April
flickpugh 09.02.2004 (09.07.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Bansko
Apr 24th, 2007
(Apr 25th, 2007)
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