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Eastern Europe: Bulgaria Road Trip

thanks to a wedding and a lot of Bulgarian friends I had the excellent opportunity to discover part of Bulgaria, below I'll let you know the whole experience


Route was: Belgium - Sofia (plane) - Plovdiv - Etar, Gabrovo - Arbanasi - Veliko Tranovo - Seaside (Vlas, Nesebar, Pomorie) - Sofia - Belgium


We went by car out of Sofia, might be a good idea to rent one, although I guess that there should be busses reaching all these areas. The road is quite good so no stress about that.

From the airport to the city center you can use a friend (like I did, I know, lucky), taxi or public transport. You can check info about the public transport here. The taxi my Bulgarian friend was using is called Yellow 333, you can check the rates on their website.

SOFIA

take the time to walk around the city as you will find along your way not only the most important touristic attractions but you will also have very nice surprises along the way.


What we did?...we took the metro till Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski Metro Station (1 Leva) and from there we headed to the Cathedral Saint Alexandar Nevski.

after taking a few pictures we continued our way to the Saint Nikolas Russian Church (Tsurkva Sveta Nikolai). From there further towards the square, where you can find the Council of Ministers and the Presidency, in the underground you can discover the East Gate of Serdica Ruins.

Close by you can also find the Church of St. George "is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia" (Source)

After so much walking around we stopped to get some banitsa which is a traditional pastry in Bulgaria, the most traditional version is based on white Bulgarian cheese, it is AMAZING!

Take a moment to relax to one of the very nice cafés they have around. We had a cold double espresso at Memento Cafe (address: Vitosha boulevard 32) afterwards walk around the streets and stopped for people watching and one of the restaurants around :)

In the evening we went to River Side restaurant which is on Vitosha mountain, after checking ways to get there we decided to grab a taxi. We paid 15 leva towards there and 8 back. Once in the square you can see singes indicating the way to the restaurant.


If on a Sunday in Sofia (summer time) take some beers and go to the square of the National Theatre you will have the chance to see people practicing Bulgarian traditional dances if in the mood try to learn the steps along is quite fun (and intense workout :P)


PLOVDIV


We continued our trip to Plovdiv. the city will be culture capital in 2019 and they have put quite some effort in arranging everything nicely around.


We stopped first at the Central Perk cafe (address: Bulevard 6-ti septemvri 128 Plovdiv)... yes...it is exactly what you think: the copy of the coffee place in the famous series Friends. It is fun to pass by, though the owners should have put a bit of more effort in setting up the place.



From there recharged with energy on a 40 degrees day we went at the tourist office got ourselves a map and headed towards the Old City which dates 6000 BC .. imagine the history over there!!! :D

Of course as our favorite sport are the breaks, take the time to stop of one of the very nice coffee terraces around.


Right at the entrance of the old city the terrace looks like:

The city is very nice and I fully recommend it. So put it on your list if in Bulgaria.

KAZANLAK


This city is famous for all the fields of roses from which the famous Bulgarian rose oil is produced and for the production of guns...there is not much to see really but if on the way to Etar you can stop right at the exit of the city where on the right hand side there is the research institute for roses, they have a small museum that explanis how the rose oil and parfume is produced.

Entrance is 3 leva.


So basically the city is the city of Guns 'n Roses in a way :P


Unfortunately we could not go due to lack of time, but as far as I heard and saw from the distance you should definitely try to keep The Russian Church in Shipka in your itinerary.


ETAR, Gabrovo


if you love traditions, customs and excellent food then you have to go and visit Etar. The place is set up as an open air museum, showing different houses, customs, craftworks from Bulgaria. The best about all while you walk through the village you can snack along very nice food.


Entrance fee: 5 leva

VELIKO TARNOVO


"Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the city is situated on the three hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. On Tsarevets are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls." (Source)

Entrance fee: 5 leva

With this in mind, I will leave you think of the Black Sea ;)

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