I arrived in Bulgaria feeling a little frazzled after some visa troubles in Romania. It is worth mentioning that I was in my most critical of moods! The train station at Sofia is lovely, I would recommend the pizza from the café - probably the best pizza I have ever tasted. Apart from not understanding a word of the language and not even being able to read their alphabet, things were fine. That is until we left the station. The first problem was buying tram tickets. We had huge backpacks and it took the woman at the kiosk about 20 minutes to explain that we needed a ticket for them also. We got on the tram, but the locals told us we were going in the wrong direction, so we had to venture out once more onto the roads. There is a subway system (so you don't have to cross the roads) but it is busy and the traders who accost tourists can be tricky to shake off. When we eventually found the tram going in the right direction we didn't know where to get off. The guidebook we were working from was useless, so we ended up wandering around and getting very hot and cross with the world. So, we gave up. From this I have learnt some very important lessons. 1) When a Bulgarian shakes their head - they mean yes. 2) Never trust a guidebook in a city where you have no clue at all about the language 3) Always buy a map 4) Make use of the resources at the station - although it may be a little more expensive, get them to book you a hotel (if you can communicate with them) - at least then you will have a base to dump your luggage 5) Try to learn some of their language! Get a phrase book, take a course, anything - but make sure you know something in a country where the language is so different and English to not so widely spoken. I would say that Bulgaria is actually a lovely place. We gave up on Sofia and headed to Plovdiv. This town is easier to negotiate. Explore well, as there are Roman ruins and fantastic views only available if you head up back streets and away from the beaten path. The restaurant at the roman ruins in the centre of town does excellent food and fantastic fruit cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
One final word of warning - beware the trains. The timetables are not strictly adhered to and if you need to go to the toilet - I advise you to cross your legs if at all possible!
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hi i do not know if you read this but your review is not very correct i think. i am Bulgarian and from my point of view i think that your advises are not very good as well. You wrote that its good to buy a map but i am not sure you could find any in Sofia. also your comment that the English is not very popular its not true at all because almost all young people speak and understand it very good - especially in Sofia. And that our train station is nice- i am terribly sorry that i have to tell that but this is the worst place in our capital=( i hope that in the very neat future they will make it new and more modern but for now its .........but anyway thanks for the nice words for Sofia. its my favorite town and i loved living in it=)
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Advantages: Cheap hoilday, not overcrowded, friendly people,fantastic food,beer 30p a pint,Not a 'tourist trap' Disadvantages: Street vendors harassing you, hygiene in toilets, quite a long journey, can be crowded at PEAK times
bwsr2 07.07.2001 (08.01.2002)
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Review of General: Bulgaria
Advantages: Cheaper than Western Europe, Great nightlife, English-speaking, Stunning Scenery, Friendly inhabitants Disadvantages: Pricier than other Eastern European Capitals, Very busy in summer, Adverse weather in winter
bwsr2 15.02.2004 (05.05.2004)
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Review of General: Estonia
May 15th, 2001
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