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Budget Travel in Europe -- Think Bulgaria
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That's it folks, if you want your money to go further in Europe, you need to think about Bulgaria.
I would suggest starting in Prague, move on to Budapest and Bucharest, and then on to Bulgaria. Don't worry about credit cards on this trip, your wallet will never be empty.
It's a bargain, but don't tell everyone.
When we arrived in Sofia they were putting the finishing touches to the main street. When these construction men get to work, they do the whole street in one go; new road, new tram tracks, and a brand new pavement -- sidewalk.
Welcome to the Maria Luiza Blvd., with the minaret of Banya Bashi Mosque on the far left, and Sveta Nedelya Church at the end. Late spring snow still crowned the distant mountain. What a backdrop!
This is how Sofia will open her arms to you when you walk down from the station. If you've come from Romania, you'll notice that everybody on the Vitosha Blvd. seems to be shopping, or watching the others from the outside tables -- you'll pay extra for a glass of water with your coffee though.
There are plenty of large hotels, many of which have been privatized, but the prices can be as high as Germany or Switzerland.
If you are on a budget, then there are some clean enough rooms at the Kom Hotel, outside the station. Head towards the Novotel on the left and you'll see the big red sign.
It's not really a hotel, just an old lady making 20 German Marks for her rooms.
The stairway doesn't look too inviting, and the shower system in the toilet is quiet something, but the beds are clean enough.
If you get there late, you could be stuck with the windowless partitioned space; just like the budget barrack rooms in Bombay.
When looking for accommodation in Bulgaria, it's handy to know that XOMEA (without the horizontal in the western A; an upturned V if you like) means hotel.
We headed for one of these in Varna (Bulgaria's elegant resort on the Black Sea), and found an old man outside the hotel with spare rooms in his apartment. Follow these people, you'll save a fortune, and supplement their pension.
If you're coming down along the Black Sea from Romania, there is very little traffic between these two countries, apart from the long distance buses to Istanbul.
There are no hotels at the border, so a lift to Varna will need to be negotiated; in US dollars or Deutsche marks.
Varna is an elegant city with a busy pedestrian area, and plenty of cafes and restaurants to watch the fashionable world go by from. The food is good quality and ridiculously good value. It's almost a shame to leave; but we're going back.
There is only one train from Varna to Burgas, at 6.22 am. If that's too early, take bus 41 or 22 to the Bus Station.......
It's on your right, one stop after McDonalds.
Buses leave at 8.30 or 16.00, and take about 3hrs, depending on your luck; they do suffer breakdowns.
Another interesting route between Romania and Bulgaria is across the Danube at Vidin. The ferry seems to stop for lunch, and the connections are not too good. But then who wants direct transportation all the time, slow down and enjoy the travelling; that's the beauty of Bulgaria.
If budget travel is not your cup of tea, then go to Switzerland. But if you miss Bulgaria before it gets all commercial, you're missing out.
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