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Bulgaria Travel Thread [was: Drinking Tap Water in Bulgaria....?]

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Old Aug 24, 2019, 2:08 pm
  #46  
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I'm a month or so behind but I finally got around to writing about Varna, Bulgaria.

Varna Bulgaria is a wonderful affordable luxury travel vacation destination in summer. Especially if you love the beach!

History buffs can also explore Varna’s Greek, Roman and Ottoman ruins.

But today Varna is best known for its bar-lined beach and promenade that fronts an enormous Sea Garden Park.

The beach in Varna Bulgaria is gorgeous, convenient and well-served.

It’s why you should visit Varna Bulgaria. And you won’t be disappointed.

The central Varna beach and its seaside promenade were built specifically to cater to beach vacationers.

The beach promenade is lined with restaurants, bars and clubs that provide access to the large and wide beach area.

The bars serve food and drinks during the day. And then many of them turn into nightclubs after dinner.

Beyond the beach you can explore the ancient history of Varna, walk Varna’s beach-side Sea Garden Park (aka Primorski Park), and dine in the Varna pedestrian zone or at the many beach-side restaurants.

We didn't really love the vibe of the city itself: the pedestrian zone felt pretty empty. But Varna's a great and cheap beach destination.

https://readyjetroam.com/varna-bulga...n-destination/

Disclosure: this links to an article I wrote on a website in which I have a financial interest.
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Old Sep 6, 2019, 9:54 am
  #47  
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Plovdiv was our favorite city in Bulgaria for exploring the fascinating history of Bulgaria’s various eras!

Ruins from Plovdiv's colorful history has been lovingly restored in Plovdiv and the main reason for a tourist to visit the city is to explore that rich heritage.

Highlights include the pedestrian area, the Roman stadium and theater, the old town and the former fortress site.

The Kaparna neighborhood is a cool place to hang out at night.

If we could do it all again we would have spent more time in Plovdiv. Can't recommend it highly enough!

https://readyjetroam.com/plovdiv-bul...rdable-luxury/

Disclosure: this links to an article I wrote on a website in which I have a financial interest.
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Old Sep 10, 2019, 4:58 pm
  #48  
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Just spent better part of a week there. Stayed in Sofia at the Marriott Sense. Wonderful hotel, great rooftop bar and new enough that the water tasted fine. Did a couple day trips. One to Plovdiv and one to Troyan and outskirts. Beautiful but doing around the edges.

in Sofia we did a couple tours. One private and the architecture was amazing. Also saw the changing of the guards. Everything was reasonable priced. Won’t go back but enjoyed it.

But the water was drinkable. The people are thin and smoke like chimneys.
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Old Sep 11, 2019, 11:46 am
  #49  
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Originally Posted by SJWarrior
Just spent better part of a week there. Stayed in Sofia at the Marriott Sense. Wonderful hotel, great rooftop bar and new enough that the water tasted fine. Did a couple day trips. One to Plovdiv and one to Troyan and outskirts. Beautiful but doing around the edges.

in Sofia we did a couple tours. One private and the architecture was amazing. Also saw the changing of the guards. Everything was reasonable priced. Won’t go back but enjoyed it.

But the water was drinkable. The people are thin and smoke like chimneys.
We visited Sofia from Bansko one weekend to hang out with some friends who were staying at the Sense. OMG, the prices at that rooftop bar/restaurant!!! 5 to 10x the price we paid anywhere else in Bulgaria!


Anyway, speaking of Bansko, we did just publish a couple articles about our time there.

One about why it's becoming a digital nomad hub. Basically it's cheap and there is a coworking there that attracts successful digital nomads who collaborate and do professional development. https://readyjetroam.com/3-reasons-w...tal-nomad-hub/

The other about Bansko as an affordable luxury vacation spot for skiing in the winter and hiking and other outdoor adventure in the summer. https://readyjetroam.com/bansko-bulg...l-destination/

In the end we spent most of the summer in Bulgaria. It was the cheapest place we've spent time as digital nomads...and that includes Thailand and Vietnam. And we got to enjoy the beach, interesting cities and we got a lot of work done and met a ton of interesting people.

We'll be back for sure!


Disclaimer: Those links are to articles that I wrote on a website in which I have a financial interest.
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Old Sep 24, 2019, 8:10 pm
  #50  
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Originally Posted by kokonutz
We visited Sofia from Bansko one weekend to hang out with some friends who were staying at the Sense. OMG, the prices at that rooftop bar/restaurant!!! 5 to 10x the price we paid anywhere else in Bulgaria!


Anyway, speaking of Bansko, we did just publish a couple articles about our time there.

One about why it's becoming a digital nomad hub. Basically it's cheap and there is a coworking there that attracts successful digital nomads who collaborate and do professional development. https://readyjetroam.com/3-reasons-w...tal-nomad-hub/

The other about Bansko as an affordable luxury vacation spot for skiing in the winter and hiking and other outdoor adventure in the summer. https://readyjetroam.com/bansko-bulg...l-destination/

In the end we spent most of the summer in Bulgaria. It was the cheapest place we've spent time as digital nomads...and that includes Thailand and Vietnam. And we got to enjoy the beach, interesting cities and we got a lot of work done and met a ton of interesting people.

We'll be back for sure!


Disclaimer: Those links are to articles that I wrote on a website in which I have a financial interest.
Greatly appreciated all your insight.
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Old Jun 16, 2021, 8:49 pm
  #51  
 
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Anyone have suggestions about getting from Sofia to Plovdiv? Was hoping to do a train; would rather not have to rent a car.
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Old Jun 16, 2021, 11:15 pm
  #52  
 
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Originally Posted by Single_Flyer
Anyone have suggestions about getting from Sofia to Plovdiv? Was hoping to do a train; would rather not have to rent a car.
There's a direct train. Takes about 2 1/2 hours.

https://razpisanie.bdz.bg/en/sofia/p...5B%5D=through&
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Old Jun 17, 2021, 4:27 am
  #53  
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Originally Posted by Single_Flyer
Anyone have suggestions about getting from Sofia to Plovdiv? Was hoping to do a train; would rather not have to rent a car.
Bus is fastest option. There is also the train: https://sofiaadventures.com/sofia-to-plovdiv/

(not my blog, so no disclaimer)

We took the train from Varna to Plovdiv. It was...um...rustic. A great adventure but not an efficient way to travel: https://readyjetroam.com/bulgarian-train-service/

Here's what we did in Plovdiv: walking tour, explore the incredible history of the city, sit at the Friends bar. https://readyjetroam.com/plovdiv-bul...rdable-luxury/

Those 2 ARE links to my blog which are chock full of affiliate links that pay me commissions if you click on them and then buy something. Consider yourself disclaimed.
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Old Jun 17, 2021, 10:33 am
  #54  
 
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The bus and the train are both good options.
Bus timetables/tickets are available on getbybus or busbud

Train tickets are here. https://www.bdz.bg/en

Plovdiv is worth 1-2 days - the city center is very nice, compact and walkable.

If you do end up renting a car, you have a bit more flexibility and can visit Buzludzha and Stoletov peak.
I have had a great experience with https://toprentacar.bg or https://lowcostcars.bg/ (same company, different price points). Beware, there are a few fly-by-night local car rental companies at SOF, which give you hell for any small scratches.

You definitely don't need a car if you only go to Plovdiv.
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