Spartacus
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Was recently in Bulgaria from 21/10. The Nassebar resort was very good. Excellent hotel. Plenty of food and drinks. The group was an interesting mixture of personalities, but all inherently very nice people. The included and optional excursions were good, although the optional excursions seemed to be rather overpriced. Our tour operator Lynne was good and sometimes I felt sorry for her having to put up with volatile behaviours undoubtedly fuelled by the unrestricted alcohol served by ever-smiling barmaids. All in all, a very interesting time. I suspect a human anthropologist would have a very interesting time on one of these holidays. Loved every minute of it. However there is not a lot to do in Nassebar. It is a very sleepy little town. So if you want plenty of peace and quiet with good walks on the beach and good views from your hotel room balcony, go for it. Internet connection is no problem. I certainly wanted the peace and quiet and I got it. 😃
Spartacus
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
One other thing, if travelling to Bulgaria keep in mind -

a) Bulgarian airlines throw your luggage around. I bought three bottles of honey and three make-up boxes made of sea shells. One of each was completely destroyed.

b) Do take a travel kettle and whatever beverage you drink in the mornings.

c) If going in summer, take a beach towel.

d) If you are 'coloured' or 'black' like me, be prepared for a prolonged examination of your passport even though I am British. I certainly seemed to have held up the queue for a long time. Finally lost my patience and asked the immigration lady if there was a problem. To which I was told there is no problem. She took an incredible ten minutes. I understand this is not unique to me. Other people who are coloured had the same experience. Overall, they are not very friendly at the airport. Do not buy anything in the airport. It is all as expensive as it is in Heathrow or Gatwick.

e) Bulgaria is overall a very backward country compared to the rest of Europe. Hotel staff are excellent, friendly and will bend over backwards to make your stay comfortable.

f) Things are very very cheap to buy. 3 Levs for a bottle of honey [1.5 pounds]. A packet of cigarettes is one third the cost here.

g) Bulgarian red wine being very nice is a myth. It is nowhere as good as the ones from France.

EssexJill
(Member)
I too had a great time in Bulgaria ... although some people did seem a little "negative" ... in particular some of the newbies to "Just You" definitely had the wrong idea about how much attention they should get from the Tour Mgr on an escorted holiday.... personally I think Lynne did a brilliant job !! I didn't notice a problem with people being affected by the drink myself ... perhaps because I was on the dance floor most of the time .. the entertainment team were brilliant & did their best to keep us occupied !! I went on all the trips and found them interesting & informative ... the trip up into the mountains is a must for anyone wanting to see the real Bulgaria. I agree the resort was very quiet but you have to remember that their season really finishes in September ... it would be interesting to go back when things are buzzing and compare. Off to Egypt in March with Solos ... can't wait !!
loopylou
(Member)
Hi Jill

I am going to Bulgaria in June flying out of Gatwick on the Bulgarian airline, do you know if this airline provides food on the flight. Also would you advise taking a kettle etc.

Thankyou very much

JustAndy103
(Member)
Hi All

I was on this trip last year, Returning again next Month. And I has a great time.

One has to remember that this country is coming out of the clutches of Russia. Where a great deal of their History was erased and destroyed. And will take a few years yet before they are in line with other parts of Europe. If anyone can recall Cyprus back in the Late 70s & early 80s. The Bulgaria is in a very similar state.

Bulgaria has so much to offer. The Hotel is fantastic situated in a decent little spot. The local town although small is very quaint and is within walking distance ( But not along the beach )

I look forrward to my return trip

Andy

JustAndy103
(Member)
'EssexJill' wrote:

I too had a great time in Bulgaria ... although some people did seem a little "negative" ... in particular some of the newbies to "Just You" definitely had the wrong idea about how much attention they should get from the Tour Mgr on an escorted holiday.... personally I think Lynne did a brilliant job !! I didn't notice a problem with people being affected by the drink myself ... perhaps because I was on the dance floor most of the time .. the entertainment team were brilliant & did their best to keep us occupied !! I went on all the trips and found them interesting & informative ... the trip up into the mountains is a must for anyone wanting to see the real Bulgaria. I agree the resort was very quiet but you have to remember that their season really finishes in September ... it would be interesting to go back when things are buzzing and compare. Off to Egypt in March with Solos ... can't wait !!

Hi EssexJill.

The thing with the all inclusive holidays. Is that travellers are free to do more or less what they want and when they want it. For examples meals are from 7am until about 9pm etc. Therefore it can be difficult for a T.M to be sitting around the hotel all the time. This was my 1st beach ( all inclusive trip ) Where I was more used to guided tours, Where The TM is with you most of the time. Generally though on the beach trips, They will give you several meeting times and a place to meet in the event of any information which needs to be passed

Regards Andy

JustAndy103
(Member)
Hi All

I have Just recently returned from my 2nd trip to this resort

Although Bulgaria was not my original destination . I was delighted to return . And even more ecstatic that the weather was a great deal better than last year and actually managed to relax. by the pool or beach every day. And also managed to pop myself into the out door pool. Despite the locals thinking we were bonkers.

I was very lucky to be re acquainted with the same Tour Manager that I had last year. "Jana " you were brilliant and a little diamond if you read this.

There was a group of 15 of us to which on the main got on very well and we certainly had a diverse range of people which enhanced the group .

Due to the lack of numbers we only had the one excursion to which was the wine tasting . And was a lot better than last years as it was a different vinter .

This year we went via a slightly different route. Last year Gatwick to Vianna . But this time Heathrow to Burgas via Sofia.

To which I preferred the 2nd route as the drive to the hotel is only about half an hour.

The Hotel, Food and staff were friendly at all times . The animation team were entertaining and encouraging at very funny.

It would have been better though if there was a few more people around the hotel . As we were at the start of the season . And we more or less had the vast hotel to ourselves. But on the plus side , we had no queues

. It was great to be recognised and remembered from last year.

All in all it was a great little break . To which I would like to return next year .

Regards Andy