Sofia (Bulgaria)

For the first time theediscerning is hereby dabbling in foreign climes - no, not a first trip abroad, but a debut excursion into the esteemed realm of Ciao travel writers. That's what these competition thingies are for, of course. To start with, a smallish city both tucked away in the middle of Eastern Europe's old Soviet / Warsaw Pact areas, yet far enough away from us in the UK to have some of the mystery and oddity the near east brings - Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. You will increasingly see this as a location for a long weekend holiday, for it is yet another fine eastern European city ... more

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 suppose the ill thing was due - almost three months of rich food, too much alcohol, late nights and living life to the full was bound to catch up with ... more

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 vote! Economically, it's had its ups and downs, particularly in 1996 when everything went haywire and the average standard of living plummeted. But ... more

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, your home and mostly your opinion on their country. I am lucky enough to have some very good Bulgarian friends who introduce me to so many of Sofia's ... more