Advantages: Great large town, that's compact and safe to explore Disadvantages: Probably only enough for a weekend; the Cyrillic language
...but just one corner of Sofia highlights it. For you have a grand Synagogue, where you recall the Nazi Occupation that took over the country, and mostly led to it becoming Soviet for the next forty years. The Jewish community is tiny now, although through local determination hardly any Jews were disposed of, and most freely went to Israel in the post-war years.
Next door, a nicely revamped market hall, which was probably the scene of lots of babushka-types ... ...one of the three attempts Sofia has at a main square. The Largo is an attractive rectangle that features the Party Building at one end, which used to be dwarfed by a Soviet star on top, and a poor statue of Wisdom at the other end, whose prominent nipples were thought better than Lenin.
In between there is the rare sight of a medieval church peeking out of an underpass, for it was built ten foot below modern ground level. There's a whole host of ...
theediscerning 27.08.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sofia (Bulgaria)
Advantages: Not too busy, good value for money, green Disadvantages: Not many "attractions", not much for children
Our visit to Sofia didn't get off to an auspicious start. The other half spent the eve of the trip throwing up in the only bathroom of a hostel in Veliko Tarnovo and we would have stayed there another day to permit his recuperation had we not already reserved and paid for our tickets to the capital. By the following day I was off my food and the day after that I was availing myself of the bathroom facilities, making sure I got my moneys worth! I ... ...ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Sofia is a rather compact city so, while it has trams and a short underground line, weekend visitors should be able to get to most places on foot. Those venturing out of town - perhaps to Mount Vitosha - will find the buses cheap and reliable. For other places in the Sofia region like Rila Monastery, there are plenty of companies offering excursions as well as the standard bus services. Sofia does have lots of museums ...
fizzytom 24.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sofia (Bulgaria)
Advantages: Compact, Affordable Disadvantages: Communist architecture
I've been living in Sofia since September 2004, so I've learnt quite a lot about it which might be of interest to any intrepid travellers out there who are thinking of going, or even better, may be I'll spark off a new interest in someone who's never previously considered it. A little history
Bulgaria used to be a communist country and has the unusual accolade of being an ex-communist country that voted the communists back in once they got the free ... ...For the visitor
Sofia is not a beautiful city in the usual sense of the word. But it has a faded glamour and once you begin to get to know it (give yourself a week) you will fall in love with it. Many buildings, it first glance, seem to be crumbling, barely standing even, but this is not the whole story. Look around and you will see some absolutely amazing churches, cathedrals and public buildings. The Orthodox Church favours awe-inspiring golden ...
Tricksty 15.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sofia (Bulgaria)
Advantages: Cheap interesting and friendly Disadvantages: Expensive to get too
Sofia is probably not your first idea of a holiday destination. Especially in winter!! It is, however wonderful. Dont go looking for stunning buildings expansive parks or world class cuisine. Instead, go looking for friendly and genuine people, cheap but good food and ice cold beers at 30p a pint. Stay in a family run hotel, travel on public transport and drink with the locals. Bulgarians are very inquisitive people. They love to know about you, ... ...each has a fasanating history. Sofia has been a crossroad of trade for many centuries and there are many different cultural influences from the Turks to the Soviets. Most importantly the beers. Zakokra and Kaminitza are the main beers. Both are good and come in a number of varieties. For me nothing beats an ice cold Zakorka on draught. Especially for 30p. Cheers ...
Jasonrow 28.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sofia (Bulgaria)
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