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.
Expert: Walter Wornick Date: 3/17/2002 Subject: Driving in bulgaria
Question Is it safe/adviseable to drive in Bulgaria. I recently read an opinion in www.epinion.com stating that there were problems with police as well as the potential of robbery. I anticipate traveling in Bulgaria in July of 2002.
Thank you,
MJMaloney
Answer You didn't indicate in your question whether you are renting a car elsewhere and driving into Bulgaria, or renting a car in Bulgaria, etc. If this is part of a trip to several Eastern European countries and you want to vist Bulgaria, you would have no alternative than to drive in.
I personaly would not drive in Bulgaria. First you have to contend with signs in the Cyrillic alphabet, for the most part. These are few and often far between, even pointing to roads to major sights. Except for highways between major cities, which have been repaired with funds from the European Community, roads are very poor. There are many interesting villages and monasteries in the mountains and they are difficult to find if you don't know the way and can't ask in Bulgarian. Maps are also difficult as they use old and new names for places.
It is true that there are Police roadblocks and posts along many roads and you often have to slow down for them but they don't bother anyone very much. There are also police with radar along the roads, even in obscure places. If they happen to stop you, they will try to shake you down for whatever they can get, since you are a tourist. A few years ago I met a businessman who had rented a car in Varna and drove it to Sofia. He was stopped by Police along the way who told him it was illegal to drive a rental car out of it's area and fined him on the spot.
It is doubtful that anyone would bother you along the road, but cars parked overnight anywhere can have parts stolen and protected parking is limited. Traffic and parking in cities like Sofia and Plovdiv is also very difficult.I hire a driver/guide and with all car expenses, hotels, transfers, touring it costs about $110 a day, depending on the type of accomodations you want. There is also a long wait to drive across borders, especially from Romania and you do better coming in on the train.
All this is written by someone who always travels elsewhere by rental car, but in Bulgaria, I use Mike Travel listed elsewhere on this site. It's a great country to visit and I am off there for my 7th trip end of April. Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
