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: 2/29/2004 Subject: Melnick without a car
Question Sorry to pester you, but let me ask a more specific question. From Sofia, is it feasible to visit Melnik, Pamporovo, and/or Veliko Tarnovo without a car?
Thanks.
Doug Herbert
Answer I assume you are the gentlemen whose first question I just answered, in two parts? If not I apologize for that assumption, but this question came up as I was answering that question? Anyway, I would not drive to Melnik from Sofia, unless there was some special reason to go there. I was there, the last time about 3 years ago being driven by Bulgarian friends, who had never been and couldn't understand why I wanted to go. It doesn't look very far on the map, but it took us the good part of a day to get there. There are some diversions and the road was poorly marked, so even Bulgarians had trouble finding the correct route.Not a pretty road. It is the direct route to Greece and the truck traffic tends to do a job on the road surface and there is much traffic.The town makes a good wine and there is a muddy stream down the main street and some caverns where wine is stored, also a monastery, but it is a place one really has to want to go. I believe there is also a Bonded Sales area now over the border in Greece where many Bulgarians now drive to make purchases and that must also tie up traffic.
Veliko is great, a quaint city built on hillsides. Nice small resturants with balconies that look out on the views.Some care is taken with maintaining it and there are even some floral displays. Sound & Light Shows when there are enough people in town. If you go don't miss nearby Arbanasi. That is a great place to wander in.Inexpensive crafts, resturants and walled houses....Mike Travel uses a great inn and you can sit on the balcony and see sheep and cows being taken out to the fields and hear the tinkeling of their bells.As to Pamorovo, it is a ski center. If you are the gentlemen who wanted to go to Plovdiv it would seem out of the way to go so far south to that town and if you did, I think that Smolyan, a bit further south is of more interest. Nice countryside down that way with many vinyards and hop growing. If you want to see a ski resort, why not go to Borovets, nearer Sofia. Both tend to cater to tour groups and few views are available unless you go up very high. The hotels are mostly in poor repair and catered to "workers" under Communism. Please feel free to respond with further, more specific questions. Also see comments to last person I just wrote and addendum, if it doesn't happen to be you. I know I could look back, but I might lose this whole thing, if I do so...the way the site is set up. Have a safe trip.
