Two Days in Sofia

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Add a new country to the list - Bulgaria! In two days we were really only able to visit Sofia. It was a very pleasant and walkable city. The residents were most considerate, helpful, and friendly. Historic sights, parks, and cafes were relatively close to each other and the city just seemed to be designed for walking. With so little time we hit a few of the main sights, had some great Bulgarian food, walked miles of city streets, and enjoyed fireworks and a musical preformance in front of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Churches and cathedrals are some of the main historic sights in the city. In fact, the city is named after one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox churches, dating back to the 6th century. We were only able to visit 2: the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1912) and the St. Nicholas Russian Church (1913). They were beautiful and impressive, both inside and out. The weather was so glorious, the days that we were there, that we had difficulty spending our time inside. So, we passed on the art galleries and museums and enjoyed the wonderful summer days walking the city.

Our bus trip to Thessoloniki, Greece took us through some lovely Bulgarian country-side. As many had told us, it was similar to the scenery of Tuscany and we would totally agree. With the resort cities on the Black Sea, the beautiful rural scenery, and the excellent food, this is a country that could persude us to return.

The last 11 days have been spent in the Greek Islands. This visit included Skiathos (with a day cruise to Skopelos and Alonnisos), Santorini, Paros (with a day trip to Antiparos) and Mykonos. Skiathos was a wonderful new discovery with new Greek friends and a beautiful wooded island with excellent beaches.

We are on the move again, leaving Mykonos later today and flying to Milan. Tomorrow, we'll be on buses and trains as we make our way to Switzerland.

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Photos

Sofia
The city's namesake statue.

Banya Boski Mosque
Constructed during the Ottoman occupation - 1576. It is one of the few mosques that wasn't destroyed during the communist era.

Church interior
One of the few cathedrals that allowed photographs inside. Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the church. It's near the Sheraton Hotel and the Sofia Statue.

St. George's Rotunda
Sofia's oldest building. It was built on top of the ruins of a Roman bath in the 4th century AD.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The glare from the sun has cancelled out the gold on the domes. A large stage was being erected in front of the church for the musical performance held that evening.

Comments

[June]

Following your adventures..
It was nice to know that you had been to Berlin,I was there the last 2 week-ends,both times ended up in the Sony Center....LOL I am also glad that you liked Skiathos,it is one of my FAV Greek islands...Have you been to Milan before? I LOVE the balcony gardens,and I am trying to model my tiny balcony 'Milan'style....Looking forward to your next blog...June

[Jane Laudano]

I am traveling with you
Pam, it is so wonderful that you mentioned cities and towns you have visited in Greece. I feel like I am with you as I am reading this book North of Ithaka. Have your tried all the interesting foods. I will have to ask when you get back . Can't wait to see more pics. Have fun.

[Sue Ondriezek]

Hi
We are in Florida for a short visit. Too bad we missed you, but we see that as usual, you are are having a much more exciting and fun time than we are. Love the blog. Hope some day to catch up with you. You are living the dream. Right now all our free time goes to building a house in Chelan and let me tell you we are way too old for that endeavor. By the way Pam, Late Happy Birthday, I am sure you celebrated it in style! Sue and John

[www.sejur-extern.ro]

Nice Picture
Nice pictures! Tell us about the people from Sofia...How are they?

[Pam]

Nice Pictures
The people were very nice and most helpful. They are some of the most considerate people on city streets that we have ever found.