• Bulgaria

    Free Tours in Sofia

    Of all countries, my first European adventure was Bulgaria, a country 99% of the world couldn’t pinpoint on a map if their life depended on it. I didn’t know much about Bulgaria other than it was in Eastern Europe and was known for yogurt. When I checked in my hotel, I stumbled across a brochure for two free tours in Sofia. The “Free Sofia Tour” and “Balkan Bites Tour.” Seeing how I didn’t have any plans, I figure I’d take advantage. Free Sofia City Tour Departure Time: November-March 11 AM and 6PM. Three times a day 10 AM/11 AM/6PM the rest of the year. Meeting Place: Palace of Justice Duration: 2 hours. Here…

  • Bulgaria,  Turkey

    How to Get from Istanbul to Bulgaria

    Getting from Istanbul to Bulgaria is quite simple, cheap, and convenient. From Otagar international coach terminal (Aksaray metro stop) in Istanbul you can purchase your ticket. There are several companies, but I went with Metro, which is probably your best bet. A one way ticket costs 75 Turkish Lira ($21 as of 2016) and leaves several times a day. I opted for the bus departing at 10:30 PM. I purchased the ticket in the morning and was able to leave my luggage at the station. The Journey to Bulgaria The bus itself was pretty nice, but a little too cold for me. Definitely bring a jacket regardless of the season. When…