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Bulgaria Travel Blogs

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004. To be updated

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By VictorT
November 23rd 2006

Sofia

Europe » Bulgaria » West » Sofia

Bulgaria's beer
Mic's hand is there to give an idea of the size of this monster. His hand look like a liliputian's compared to the bottle. 2.5L. Wow.

The train ride from Bucharest to Sofia was a blast. The 3 frenchies who shared the compartment with me had alcohol and a pack of card! They showed me a new card game which was a blast and the night passed really fast. We were woken up at around 5:30AM and got off the train in one of the most confusing and beaten down train station I've seen in a long time. It seems that the train station's designer thought they were building a station for Moscow and forgot that Sofia is not like 15 millions people. It's way too big [View Full Entry]

By Ol_boss
October 23rd 2006

VT for three.. days

Europe » Bulgaria » North » Veliko Tarnovo

The Independance Monument at Veliko Tarnovo
Probably the most beautiful, evocative monument I have ever seen. It stands by itself in front of the old town, and despite the Russian influenced hard lines and carbon steel, the founding fathers are... [more]

The last few days have been so charged with life it's been incredible. Our vague travelling three (Val, Kinsey, and I) easily turned into a four as we made plans at our turkish host's place. It seems Cem also had little better to do than hang out with Americans, and the lack of a Bulgarian visa and threat of a night in a cell was but a small obsticle. The four of us piled into the overnight train loaded with Turkish dinner, wine, and deserts. I don't know what it is, but there;s something inherently epic about taking a train from [View Full Entry]

The Medieval citadel standing beside the old town

By Maestro the Vagabond
October 10th 2006

Bulgaria - Hearts of Fire to Thaw Even the Most Icy Travellers

Europe » Bulgaria » West » Sofia

Lovely Couples
Last night on the Town (Istanbul) with James and Zara (front) and Hanna and Rich (back)

I had one last night in Istanbul with part of the crew. We all had lunch together, then Paria and Vaughn had to take off. So that night I went out with Rich, Hanna, James, and Zara. We went to a different part of Istanbul, where the party was happening. I was surprised to learn what a party the nights of Ramadan can be. We stumbled upon this fair where they had a small story-show going on and lots of booths selling all sorts of things, like toffee....mmmm toffee so good. We parted ways the next morning and I set off [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 19th 2006

one day i will leave Plovdiv...

Europe » Bulgaria » South » Plovdiv

traditional bulgarian art

that day will be tomorrow. Up late of course, but still have time to be a professional tourist and see all the Plovdiv sights. Start with the obligatory church, this one the church of Sveta Bogoroditsa. Painted a camp pink colour it sits atop 176 steep steps. Inside an elderly crone locks her gaze upon me, her eyes piercing the back of my neck as I look unreverently upon the various photographs of Jesus her saviour. There's a possibilty that she is actually glued to the chair at the back of the church, a chair she once outgrew and then shrunk [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 18th 2006

Plovdiv improves

Europe » Bulgaria » South » Plovdiv

city of culture

Moved from the crappy Hostel >> PBI Hostel and found another one on the internet >> Hiker's Hostel. This is the same price 10Euros but has a far more friendly social atmosphere. There's washing facilities, HOT showers, a communal room and fantastic views out over the city. If you're staying in Plovdiv > I think this has to be the place. The only down side is that it's up a cobbled hill in the old town and if you've shredded your knee in the mountains you're in for PAIN. [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 17th 2006

plovdiv

Europe » Bulgaria » South » Plovdiv

don't stay here

Be My Guest Hostel/Sofia/Bulgaria Got up around midday and went upstairs to pay the rent. The grouchy hostile owner had been replaced by a friendly girl from Lithuania so I postponed leaving to chat over a cup of coffee and a cake. Got the tram to the train station North of the centre. Had some strange food in a cafe there >> it was a combination of peppers in some bizarre fizzing sauce, like popping candy. The woman in front of me in the queue had drained two of the dishes dry by ordering the whole lot, so I went for [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 14th 2006

RILA MOUNTAINS

Europe » Bulgaria » West » Rila Mountains

ooh the scenery
This is the view from Maliovitza

The Rila Mountains are awesome! Not in a rubbish jumping over a shoebox on skateboard way but in a truly awe inspiring >> this is nature and you are small and insignificant alongside it and you'd better learn some respect kind of way. Came out here Wednesday, a little later than the 9 O'clock start due to a crippling hangover. Had no time to really prepare > no food, no Bulgarian currency etc.. Got a taxi to the Yug Bus Station and a bus to Samakov. Here I changed buses for the one to Maliovitsa and the start of the hiking. [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 10th 2006

Waiting for a train

Europe » Bulgaria » East » Varna

dead time

Back in Varna but it's just a brief stop on my way somewhere else. Got to move on from the East Coast >> it's been nearly a week now... I've booked a train to the capital, FIRST CLASS on the 2215 and arriving early morning. I don't know what to expect from FIRST CLASS (unavailable in lower case), but you can imagine my excitement. ...hopefully upload some photos [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 6th 2006

first night food and drinks

Europe » Bulgaria » East » Varna

posh meal

Chances are these are just photos of strangers to you but by the end of the night they we were all best friends.. The cocktail bar on the sea front at Varna is a must followed by the Samba club with the balcony overlooking the sands. [View Full Entry]

By Zakabamzam
September 5th 2006

give me sleep

Europe » Bulgaria » East » Varna

sunrise

Arrive at 4am, no sleep and have to suffer the hell of the idiots at passport control. They NEED to know the exact duration of everyone's stay and where they will be down to the nearest minute. The queue takes about an hour for a hundred people and by the time I get out there's an empty airport. Manage to crash a lift into town with a couple of girls on a conference who have a car arranged to pick them up. Wander the streets a bit but it's no fun, go into the nearest bar and drink some beers. Head [View Full Entry]

Links: Bulgaria Travel Blogs (all) | Bulgaria Travel Photos | Bulgaria Travel Forum | Bulgaria Facts | Map of Bulgaria

Travel Blog » Europe » Bulgaria