Has anyone been there? I'm planning on going for about 10 days as part of a large trip to Austria, Czech, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia. How much time in each city? I'm thinking 2-3 days in Sofia and Bucharest, a few days of side trips to the castle, monastery, etc. Is the coast worth a trip? Varna? I will be there late October so might be a little cool. Also should I fly from Vienna or train with a stop in Budapest? I will already be in Budapest in the first half of my trip (don't ask-complicated story as I will be in Africa). I will be flying out of Sofia via easy jet to London to catch my flight home!!
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
LTT, My wife and I were in both countries last September. The city in Bulgaria we visited is Stara Zagora. There is a very nice hotel there I can recommend. We were there three days and enjoyed it very much. We also visited Bucuresti and Constanta. Three days in the old elegance of Bucuresti would be enough. Two days in Constanta would be enough. Both are very interesting places. Let me know if you need details.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Oh, I neglected the train question. I have spoken to a few people who have taken the train from buth Sofia and Bucharest to Budapest. Naaaaa, i wouldnt to do that. Very long trip and very "sketchy" riding companions.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I have been to Romania and loved it... You could take the train from Budapest to the border town of Timosara and rent a car there and travel the area of Transylvania and the towns mentioned above... all are worth it and just driving through the villages is amazing. It is so easy to drive there. If I had to choose I would not bother with Constanta or Bucarest... they were fine, but not better than the smaller towns. It is also so reasonable and the food was fantastic. We also did go to the coastal area above Constanta and it was okay. We prefered the castles, etc. of the other areas we visited. I am a photographer so that often makes me like the places that are a little more obscure. I can send you a link to my slideshow from Romania and Hungary if you PM me.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
1-2 days each in Buchasrest and sofia is about enough. you should day trip to rila from sofia, and also look into day trip to plovdiv (overnight is better). also consider stop by veliko turnovo between bucharest and sofia for an overnight. if you have time for romania, put more time into transylvania region and see some small towns.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA
129 posts
Thanks for everyone's responses. Anyone know of any reputable tour guides/companies that do day trips out of the big cities?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Everyone has their own loves. Bulgaria and Romania, two of my favorite places in the world (after Budapest). Here you can hire a guide and a car for very little money and then get out and see the country. Bulgaria: Sofia is interesting and worth a couple of days but then you need to take it to the road. Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Varna, Burgas all great destinations. I would suggest you take you on at least a four night road trip ending in Burgas or Varna from which you can get a flight on to Romania or Hungary; or London for that matter. Pavlina Dochevia is a good guide (spelling??) http://www.easytouristguides.com/ or do it on your own. And don't miss the narrow gauge railway http://hum.phrey.net/2009/10/26/narrow-gauge-train-bansko-bulgaria/ Here is some more: http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/bulgaria (look at the top for the link to BU2 as well).
Romania: Bucharest is worth seeing if only to say you were in Bucharest. They have cleaned up one small tourist district and the House of the People is worth seeing at night when all lit up; again, just to say you did. Then get out of Bucharest and see this remarkable country. Again, I would choose a tour guide and do four night road trip. Sighisoara, Brasov, Sibiu, Peles Palace, Brahn, all worth the visit within easy reach of Bucharest. I know a guide that has been known in the past to drive guests on to Budapest. http://www.covinnus.com/index.html at the end of the Romanian tour. http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/easterneurope (and again look for the link to RO2 at the top of the page for more)
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Finally if you haven't been to Hungary, even if you have, Budapest is the perfect place to end a trip and wind down before heading home. But only after seeing Gyor, Eger, Pecs Szentendre, Godollo; or maybe just Budapest. http://budapestflat.shutterfly.com/bp1 An excellent guide in town and in the country is Andrew ILLES http://www.guideinbudapest.com Make sure you purchase the RSteves guide books and the videos are half bad either.
Posted by
Ottawa
3 posts
The best area of Romania is Transilvania (http://transylvania-discovery-tours.ro/)
My favorites: Peles Castle in Sinaia, Brasov (& Poiana Brasov), Bran Castle (Dracula's), Sighisoara, Maramures (Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, Barsana Monastery)...