Whats the transfer time to my resort?
If there has been a lot of snow, it can slow up transfer times
(a small price to pay!). If you get caught in traffic, obviously
this will make a difference. The question could just as well
be "how long will it take me to drive round the M25",
but for the main, these times are about right:
Sofia to: Bansko 2.5 hours, Borovets 1-1.5 hours, Pamporovo
3.5-4 hours.
Plovdiv to: Bansko 4 hours, Borovets 3 hours, Pamporovo 1-1.5
hours.
On rare occasions, both Sofia, and Plovdiv get fogged in. If,
in the unlikely event of this happening, you will be diverted
to Burghas. This takes a long time to transfer
Is there a time difference between Bulgaria and home?
Yes. Bulgaria is GMT+2 hours. In the summer, like us, they put
the clocks forward an hour as well. This means they are always
2 hours ahead of us.
Where's the best place to get Bulgarian Lev?
No definitive answer to this question. The best places are usually
banks, although some hotels occasionally have a good rate. Travellers
cheques have to pay a commision to be changed, which can be
quite expensive. You can change notes anywhere, although they
must be clean (ie no rips or tears, or writing on them) and
in good condition (please note: at the time of writing Scottish
banknotes are NOT accepted). Bulgarian lev can be bought at
home now, but the exchange rates are abysmal for us. One cheap/convenient
way of getting Lev, is to use your credit/debit cards in the
cashpoints. The charges are reasonable, and the exchange rate
usually slightly better than anywhere else. One word of caution,
be very wary of the small kiosks that advertise a very good
rate. The rate shown is normally for exchanging something like
£500. The rate for smaller transactions is substantially
less. You have been warned.
I've heard Bulgaria is run by the mafia?
Difficult question this. No doubt there are some criminal elements
operating in Bulgaria, as there are everywhere. Personally,
I've never had/seen any problems, although I have heard of people
complaining about them. I don't know whether they were shown
a membership card or something? Perhaps, if a doorman is having
trouble with someone it doesn't hurt to give the impression
that they belong to an organised crime gang? I don't want to
make light of this question, but we, nor anybody we've ever
known, has had a problem.
Quality of hotels?
A 2* will be VERY basic and if you want good standard's go for
4* and above or newly built or renovated hotels. The star system
in Bulgaria, is not the same as other countries. If you need
to know about a specific hotel, post a question on the forum.
What's the food like?
Everything from awful,to excellent. Most hotel food is acceptable,
some of it fantastic even (hotel Murgavets Pamporovo). Eating
out is very cheap though, and you are spoilt for choice. This
is a bit of a subjective question, as what someone likes, another
may not. In the past, we have been with fussy children, and
even they enjoyed the food.
How much are ciggies?
The local cigarettes are called "victory". They are
as good as the major brands, and only 1-2 lev a packet.
How much is beer?
Depends where you drink. If you're in a quiet little bar, off
the beaten track, it's very cheap. If you're in a nightclub,
it could be as much as 5-6 Lev (£2) for half a litre.
Spirits are very cheap compared with prices at home. One irony
is, the mixer you put in a measure of spirit (ie vodka and sprite),
will be more expensive than the spirit!
Should I take my E111?
The E111 form is no longer valid. You will need a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary healthcare during
a visit to an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
Bulgaria is now a member of the EEA and as such the EHIC will
be recognised, but how well, or the level of treatment you will
receive is uncertain.. For this reason, it is vital to get good
travel insurance.
What gear do I need to take?
Skiwear obviously. Thermal stuff if you get cold. A good pair
of walking boots with a good grip for the icy paths. Gloves
hats etc etc, lip balm, sunglasses/goggles, camera, proper ski
socks (no seams to hurt your feet), mains adaptor, batteries
(expensive in Bulgaria), in fact, if you think something might
be a good idea, it probably will be!
Do I need a mains adaptor?
Yes you do! It is the standard two round pin European one, and
the voltage is 220V AC 50 Hz.
What's the best way to keep in touch?
Mobile phones work just about everywhere in the ski resorts,
but are very expensive to use (check with your mobile network
to find out just how expensive). After that, hotel phones are
not badly priced (about 1-2 lev/min). The cheapest way to phone
home, is using the local card phones. Phonecards can be bought
in lots of places, but beware they are not a fixed price. You
might pay more for them in some shops, rather than others, shop
around! For £20-£40 you can buy personal mobile
radios (PMR) at home. These use the standard european frequency
(446Mhz), and can be used easily. They give a range of between
2-5 miles, dependant on where you are. American versions of
these radios are available on places like ebay. They are more
powerfull,and use different frequencies. They are not legal
in Bulgaria, or the European states, however I have never heard
of anybody using them and getting caught.
What's the weather like?
There are links to various weather/snow forecast sites from
the main site
www.skidvd.co.uk
Will there be snow when I get there?
The snow usually starts falling around Christmas time. Some
years are better than others. Obviously, it is dependant on
the weather, and we all know how easy that is to predict !
If so how deep will it be?
Once again, if it been snowing a long time it will be deep,
if not, it won't. Sorry, there really is no definitive answer.
When I go out in the evenings will I be able to wear high heels?
You can wear anything you want, but the paths and roads do get
very icy. While the traders clear the paths near their shops/bars/restaurants,
you'd be better off wearing a supportive boot with good grip.
Are the pavements slippy?
Sometimes, they are very slippery. Take care! It would be a
shame to slip and hurt an ankle while on a skiing holiday.
Where can you buy snow boots?
There are lots of places selling ski and snowboard equipment.
Have a good look round before buying though, as prices can vary
quite a lot. On the whole, the price of equipment in Bulgaria
is very good value.
The tour operator ski packages seem to be a con, so should
I buy my ski pass when I get there?
NO! If you try and buy a lift pass when you get to the resort,
you WILL pay more for it. If you have the option to buy it from
your tour operator, take it. On some late bookings, tour operators
will not provide lift passes. If this is the case, you will
have to purchase a full price pass. If you are local,or know
someone who is ;) you may be able to buy the reduced price pass.
Do children need a lift pass?
Children under 7 do not need a lift pass. The child lift passes
are available to kids 7-12 years old.
What happens if I lose my lift pass?
If you had your photo taken when you purchased it, you can get
a replacement for a small charge. If not, will have to pay for
another, at full price, and claim it back off your insurance
(if possible) when you get home.
Do I need a photo for my lift pass?
No you don't, but you do need to pay a 12Lev deposit which you
get back at the end of the week. The lift passes are electronic,
and only have to worn on the left side of your body (in a pocket/back
of a glove etc etc), to open the gate. In Bansko now, they take
a photo of you that goes on the card.
Are the bedrooms in the hotels hot?
Every one we've stayed in have been hot/warm. If it's too hot,
open a door/window, or turn off the radiator.
Are there really prostitutes in the nightclubs?
It's not unknown. If they are there, they arrive very late,
and keep themselves to themselves. They will not bother you,
or your family. In the last couple of years, the hotels have
cracked down on them, and they are very difficult to spot, even
if you're trying.
What time do my lessons start?
It depends on your instructor, usually between 9-10am. Lunch
somewhere between midday and 2pm. Finish lessons about 3-5pm.
How long are my lessons?
Usually about 4 hours, but depends on your instructor. They
frequently stay with you for longer.
How long are my skis?
It all depends on your height/weight/ability. You will be kitted
out on the first morning of your skiing holiday with the appropriate
skis.
How do you say hello/thanks etc etc
Hello: zdravi/dober den
Please: Molya
Thank you: Blagodaria/merci
Cheers: Nazdrave
I dont undestand: ne razbirim
For a quick lesson in Bulgarian, click this www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/quickfix/bulgarian.shtml
Do you know Krassi?
LOL ! Yes, I think after a visit to Bulgaria, we all know a
Krassi, it's a very common name.
