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Personally, I love traveling to Europe. Whether for history, architecture or gastronomy, it’s always a safe bet. This summer, I was looking for an affordable destination to spend ten days or so, and my choice fell on Bulgaria. Little known to Quebecers, it nevertheless has much to offer. I’ll guide you through this land of mountains, seashores, ancient monasteries and picturesque villages.
There are no direct flights between Montreal and Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. As the destination is not very popular with Quebecers, flights are expensive and involve stopovers. During my research for September, I found prices around $1,800 with one layover or $1,600 with multiple layovers.
It is always possible to use credit card or airline reward points to cover the costs, but if you are saving your points for another project or haven’t accumulated enough yet, there is another option. I chose the self-transfer hack. The trick is quite simple: you search for the cheapest ticket to Europe in a search engine and then search again from that destination to your chosen vacation destination. So we have two reservations that are not linked together.
How to do this? On flight comparison sites like Skyscanner, you can enter “Europe” or “World” in the search bar. You then choose the cheapest option, which will usually be Paris or London for departures from Montreal.
In my case, I found a round-trip flight to Paris for $795. From Paris, I then booked a round trip to Sofia at $250 via Munich. A total of $1,045, a significant saving compared to the initial price of $1,600. Furthermore, the bookings were among my eligible expenses to apply the $100 travel credit, which comes annually with my HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® (which is now discontinued). I was thus able to bring the cost of the ticket under the $1,000 mark.
Since a layover was necessary anyway, you might as well choose a destination you like and decide on its duration. However, allow enough time between bookings because since they are not linked, the airline is not required to rebook you on another flight if you miss your connection. So it’s wise to spend the day or night on site to avoid stress. Warning: major cities have several airports, so check airport codes before booking to avoid having to make transfers.
Thanks to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, I was also able to enjoy the National Bank lounge for free with my guest upon departure from Montreal.
Then, as I was traveling on an economy flight in Europe, the baggage allowance was only 7kg per person. So I used my $150 annual travel credit to reimburse the cost of checked baggage.
There are very few Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Bulgaria, so it’s best to use booking platforms like Booking and its Genius loyalty program to save on hotel stays. If you hold the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card, you can also use the Scene+ Travel portal powered by Expedia to use your points or accumulate more on your hotel stays.
To travel between major cities, a bus and train network provides connections. It is also possible to pay for day tours from Sofia, through Viator or Civitatis, for example. However, if you’re comfortable driving a manual vehicle, I suggest you rent a car. Prices are ridiculously low and infrastructure is in good condition. As an example, it cost us $85 for an 8-day rental, including liability insurance and unlimited mileage.
By paying for the reservation with a travel credit card like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card, you are covered for damage and collisions. Simply refuse the rental company’s insurance. Additionally, to avoid paying unnecessary conversion fees during your spending abroad, the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite +* Card is the perfect ally to accompany you.
The Bulgarian toll road system works by scanning the number plate. Afterwards, the user must go to the service station and pay the bill. However, we found it convenient to pay a fixed price for the road tax sticker, so we didn’t have to worry about it. This option was offered at the rental center.
Regarding parking, only Sofia will cause you headaches, as street parking is limited to 2 hours during the day and must be paid by text message and then billed to the phone account. However, it is impossible to pay with a prepaid SIM card. You will then need to use 24-hour parking lots.
In winter, it’s ski tourism that draws people to the country.
It must be said that with more than 600 thermal springs scattered across the country, it is good to rest there after sports, in all seasons.
In summer, the coasts are crowded with Russian tourists and those from Western Europe. Several seaside resorts have sprung up along the coast, and there’s no shortage of activities for the whole family. In the west of the country, the mountains attract hikers and fans of other mountain sports.
70% of rose water production is produced in Bulgaria. So, if you go there in the spring, you will see the rose fields in bloom and can visit a rose water distillery to learn about the making of this product.
Furthermore, Bulgaria is a wine producer that has nothing to envy others in terms of quality. Each region cultivates its own typical grape varieties, and it’s a pleasure to discover them, and to move away from the traditional grapes that are found internationally.
Historically, it is possible to visit numerous monasteries, museum villages, or ancient ruins.
Chances are you won’t be spending most of your trip here. The Bulgarian capital, with its austere appearance, is a good starting point to refuel before hitting the road. In a few hours, you will likely have toured the main attractions, which are all within walking distance. The Free Sofia Tour is a good option for seeing the city’s points of interest, accompanied by explanations and anecdotes about the country.
I cannot overlook the gastronomic experience of the Secret by Chef Petrov restaurant. If there’s only one thing I can recommend, it’s this. Just a dozen guests a night, a 22-course tasting menu, and nothing less than a three-hour culinary show, packed with stories about ancient cooking techniques and molecular cooking experiments hosted by the chef himself.
If you are only passing through for 2-3 days, you can travel from Sofia to the Rila Monastery by public transport or with a tour operator. Perched in the mountains, it’s the country’s number-one attraction. Another popular day tour is to go on the magnificent Seven Rila Lakes hike.
Often referred to as the country’s most beautiful city, Plovdiv is a must-see. Take a stroll through the old town, or marvel at the colorful buildings of its bustling downtown. Even on a Monday evening, the terraces were full. Its green parks and hills, providing a viewpoint over the city, are also appreciated. There are several vineyards around Plovdiv.
The smallest village in Bulgaria, it is known for wine production, but also for its extraordinary landscape of rock and sand formations that surround it. The center, which can be explored on foot, is full of restaurants and guesthouses. You can go hiking in the Melnik pyramids, or visit historic houses.
A ski village that transforms into an outdoor base for hikers who will take on Pirin National Park. The popular ascent of Mount Vihren is accessible from Bansko, as is the spectacular traverse of the rocky Koncheto ridge. There are trails for all levels, suitable for family walks as well as thrill-seekers. To reward yourself after the effort, end your day in the many thermal baths of Banya, the neighboring village.
The second largest city in the country, Varna sits on the Black Sea coast. A university city, it is lively beyond the summer period. From culture to magnificent monuments, offering beaches right in the city center, it is a destination that cannot disappoint you. Move away from its center if you prefer quieter beaches and apartments with sea views at ridiculously low prices. It is the perfect city to go out and find a nice little cafe or a quality restaurant after spending the day relaxing on the beach.
For nearby excursions, stop off at the Petrified Forest to observe 50-million-year-old rock columns, unless you’d prefer to visit Baltchik Palace and taste Bulgarian wines.
Coastal town for holidaymakers. It is built on a peninsula in the same way as the town of Nessebar. Both have an old part with traditional wooden fishermen’s houses.
Nessebar has made a name for itself in UNESCO, but in my eyes, Sozopol is prettier. Wander through the stone streets and enjoy the cliffside terraces overlooking the turquoise-blue sea. You’ll probably end up with your feet in the sand at the nearby beach.
If you like the look of multi-storey villages, you’ll love Veliko Tarnovo. The meandering Yantra River completes the magnificent picture of the city. The main attraction of this city, which is one of the oldest in the country, is its magnificent medieval fortress built in the 12th century. Imposing, it is surrounded by ramparts onto which a sound and light show is projected a few days a week.
In conclusion, Bulgaria is a safe and easy destination to travel to. The variety of activities and the gastronomy rich in fresh products ensure that there is something for everyone. Affordable, you won’t have to tighten your belt because everything there costs half the price of what we might pay here. If you dare to venture off the beaten track, you’ll be in for a real treat.
Savings this way:
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