About Walter Wornick Expertise I can answer questions about travel to and within Bulgaria. I can advise on sites to see and historic significance of many towns, cities and areas in Bulgaria. I am especially interested in the many monasteries and Eastern Orthodox churches in the country, places of horticultural interest, railroads, museum villages, folk festivals and places of scenic beauty, agricultural products, wines and birdlore.
Experience I have visited Bulgaria, as a tourist, six times in the last six years. I have traveled widely in the country and have many contacts there. I have some knowledge of the history of the country and collect books about Bulgaria for reference purposes.I do not speak Bulgarian, but have associates who do.
Publications I have written about trips to Bulgaria for the International Travel News and the Ascutney Travel Newsletter.
Education/Credentials I have an MS in Education and some advanced work.
Question I will be traveling in Bulgaria for a week with my husbands family in June. There will be 9 of us and we will first be in Romania for a week. We are looking at traveling from Brasov to Veliko Tarnovo on June 26, then staying there two nights, then travel to Koprivshtitsa, stay one night, go to Plovdiv, stay one night, go to Bansko, stay one night, visit Rila Monestary on the way to Sofia and depart on July 3.
Is this too ambitious? I am having trouble finding good transportation information between Veliko Tarnovo and Koprivshtitsa. Can you give any insight? Do you know anything about Bansko? Would it be better to stay two nights in Plovdiv, then travel to Sofia and do the Rila Monestary as a side trip from there?
I have seen your recommendations for Mike Travel, but can he accomodate 9 people? And how can I find him?
Answer I'm sorry, but I wrote you a long answer last night and when I clicked to submit it, I lost it. We keep getting notifications that there are problems with the site and it is being upgraded, but it is not what it used to be...Sorry..
I will give another brief response. Brasov to Veliko would seem to be a long day, especially with delays at the border. You didn't say how you will be traveling? Just that you seek info. on transportation between Veliko and Kopriv.You also ask about Mike Travel. They can be reached, by e-mail at <miketrvl@mbox.infotel.bg> I have used them 7 times and expect to use them again this fall. I know they have a van that can handle 9 people, as they use it for small tours.Depending again on how you intend to travel, you might hire it, with driver/guide and they could book accomodations for your group. They could meet you in Ruse on the border or perhaps Gora, near Veliko if you are coming in by train.
Veliko is interesting and you might stay in Arbanasi, nearby which is also of interest. There might be a Sound & Light show in the evening in Veliko since it will be in June. I would think it more practical to go over the scenic Shipa Pass from there to Kazanlak. Much of historic and scenic value along the way, Memorial Church, Museum Craft village of Etra, etc....Kazanlik has an Ethnographic Museum and Rose Museum. Then on to Plovdiv and a wander in the Old Town.
I don't think it would be practical for you to go to Bansko. The road is not great and there is not much there. It is necessary to walk higher up to get much of a view. Better to go by way of Troyan to see the Monastery and Craft museum and the museum town of Kopriv. You could either stay there or go the short distance to Sofia (stopping to purchase some Halava?-Turkish candy, made along the road. Rila could be a one day trip out of Sofia and there are many places of interest in Sofia and nearby.
With such a large group, I would think it would be necessary to prebook accomodations if you want something clean and reasonable.Please feel free to ask any aditional questions you may have and have a safe trip...
