Hi everybody

My friend and I just bought tickets to Sofia in the end of July to discover the country.

We will start with some days in Sofia and would really like some tips for cool bars, shops, galleries, areas where the local students go.

After some days we would like to see more of the country.
But how is it for two Scandinavian girls in Bulgaria?
Is it ok to rent a car and drive around in the country? Is it safe enough?
(We are both use to travel around the world). Is it best to rent an old car? Or is it ok with one from one of the big companies? Any tips for a company?
Or are there good transportation with busses or trains around the country?

Do you have any suggestions what to see around the country?
We like to hike or sail the kayak - is it possible somewhere?

We would also like to go to the sea - but not to the very touristet areas - could you recommend some nice places??

I know this was a lot of questions but if you are possible to just answer a few of them we would be very happy!!

Bedst regards,
Stine & Birgitte

I can't answer most of your questions but one place I would recommend for a visit if you get a chance is the Rila Monastery. It's a really wonderful place and the murals that cover the walls have such vivid colours due to the rare air high up in the mountains.

Have a great trip
Clive

Bars in Sofia: The Library, Bourbon Street and Svejk pub. Galleries: Gallery of the Union of Bulgarian artists and Sofia Municipall Gallery of Art. Interesting towns/villages and sights outside Sofia: Rila Monastery,Koprivshtitsa, Belogradchik, Melnik, Bansko, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Varna. There is good transportation, not necessary to rent a car. The busses are cheap and weel connected. Trains dont run everywhere but are good for long distance travelling. Sailing is possible in Balchik at the black coast.Its popular amongst the Bulgarians, so is Varna with the beach. Golden sands is very touristic. If you have questions, you can mail me. Have fun, Bulgaria is a cool country. And about safety, its safe for girls to travel around. watch out for fake police however.

I had thought of renting a car during our past trip to Bulgaria, but was glad that I didn't.

Just about all the road signs are in Bulgarian (which, of course, makes sense), but I can't even read cyrillic.

Also, you may want to add both Plovdiv and Veliko Turnovo to your itinerary. You can check my pages for things to do in those places. Also, definitely agree on visiting Rila Monastery.

You don't have to worry for nothing. You can rent a car. Most of signs in Bulgaria
are doubled on Latin and Cyrillic. As any other country and in Bulgaria has a crimes. If you don't leave your car open in middle of the forest and if you don't leave your money in open bag you don't have any troubles. I recommend you if you to travel by day and if you stop somewhere that place to be on some liveliness place. I am not sure but maybe rent companies offer for rent GPS with map of Bulgaria if you need some. If you want any additional information you can write me
and i will reply on your e-mail. Have a nice stay here in Bulgaria! In Sofia one of the best dance centers are Sin City. If you want to go to places that students go you can go to Student City and there more of clubs, pubs, cafeterias and disco clubs. I don't recommend you to travel with train because the trains in Bulgaria are very slowly and dirty. The BUS transport is OK and there is buses to any point of country, they are not expensive and atmosphere is fine. You can rent a car from europe cars or sixt that's rent a car companies. If you want you can ask me any questions and i will try to give you an answer. It is hard to find not touristet sea resort but you can try some of next Nessebar, Sozopol, Obzor, Primorsko, Pomorie and etc. You can make kayaking but i am not sure where. I recommend you to see the castle "Carevec" in V.Tyrnovo City and Rilla Monestry, you can visit Asenova Krepost castle too and many other interesting places in our country. Have a nice stay in Bulgaria ladys!