Sofia: Unforgettable first impressions

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

The next adventure from my Winter travels begins. Come with me to Bulgaria, a beautiful land with amazing food and culture!

[@krasimirkirev7178]

You left Greece, remember? This is Bulgaria and this is Bulgarian yogurt. And this is not feta, it is Bulgarian white brined cheese.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

You are correct. All I mean when I make a comparison, or call it something I'm familiar with is because I have never been to that country before. I had just come from Greece at the time, so my mind was in a comparison mode. It's not meant as a disrespect if you thought that's what I was doing.

[@krasimirkirev7178]

Good man@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon

[@radoray]

In the Metro and other public transport, you can pay directly with a card. It's even more profitable this way. After paying for two tickets for the day at 1.60 = 3.20 BGN, the third time charges only 0.80 BGN. And you have automatically purchased ticket for the whole day for BGN 4.00. You can ride as much as you want.

[@HistoryDude235]

do you have to get a card somewhere or is it with your credit card?

[@radoray]

@@HistoryDude235Yes, Visa or Mastercard

[@tedv8323]

You can always pay with your card at the metro station.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It's been a few months but, I feel like I remember the card system being down. I misspoke in the video but, I do remember I wasn't the only person off the bus that didn't have cash and couldn't get on the stop there by the bus station that day. This was of course back in December

[@dwartbg1]

You don't need to use the ticket machines. You can just tap your phone or if you got the NFC enabled , or your card on the gates and it will unlock and withdraw the amount needed for a ticket. That's in every form of transport - buses, trams, trolleybuses, metro etc... You don't really have to use the ticket machines anymore.

[@nelsonvalencia7889]

So, Amazing Bulgaria is such a neat country. Got to add this to my travel list. 🤩🌏

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It's such a cool country

[@branzbea]

So amazing Bulgaria is such a neat country. Got to add this to my travel list ❤

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I loved my time in Sofia. I have to go back to experience the rest of the country.

[@RachaelMartin]

I don't know much bout Sofia, but it looks like an amazing city! Thanks for sharing! 😄

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It was great

[@nelsonvalencia7889]

Sofia looks absolutely charming. Can't wait to tag along on your journey and see what other hidden gems you uncover. Wishing you safe travels and looking forward to the next installment!!! 👌😍🌏

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Thank you so much!

[@TravelingAtoZ]

Bulgaria looks like a neat country. The little markets look so cute.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It's amazing

[@traveladvisorak6065]

Wow, you are visiting some nice places and with you we are enjoying the journey. Thanks for taking us to Bulgaria

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It's my pleasure

[@nelsonvalencia7889]

Your travels to such enchanting destinations are truly inspiring, and it's a pleasure to be along for the ride. Thank you for sharing your experiences and bringing us along to explore Bulgaria. It's been an incredible journey!!! 😍🌏

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I appreciate the support.

[@AmaiwanTraveler]

Sofia looks absolutely charming. Can't wait to tag along on your journey and see what other hidden gems you uncover. Wishing you safe travels and looking forward to the next installment! 👍

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

The next one is gonna make the stomach growl.

[@Travelsheesh]

Bulgaria look so amazing, all those decor and happening vibes make it perfect place to visit. The bakery items look delicious and tempting. Airbnb looks very nice to stay

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Thanks

[@thelonehiker4698]

It definitely looks like a great experience to ride through a different country and see the different landscapes on your way to Sofia and the food looks amazing

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Stay tuned for many more.

[@Migratory-Nerds]

Bulgaria - what a change from Greece! looks like another fun adventure about to start!

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Oh it was awesome

[@helenrabinowitz2398]

SOF'ya is how you pronounce the lovely capital of beautiful Bulgaria

[@PabloVillasenorPresents]

Your travels to such enchanting destinations are truly inspiring, and it's a pleasure to be along for the ride. Thank you for sharing your experiences and bringing us along to explore Bulgaria. It's been an incredible journey!

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Glad you're here for the journey

[@TheAverageTourist]

Seems like a nice accommodation! I think I'd like that tart yogurt drink for sure. Looked like a nice lunch. I like the history of the city and the architecture - very beautiful! And I'm always ready for a Christmas market.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Just watched that first sip. It packs a punch lol

[@TheAverageTourist]

@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon haha yeah your eye twitching gave that away pretty quickly!! 🤣 jk

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

😂😂😂

[@paradise-adventures]

The air bnb looks very cool. The entrance is a bit of a concern though. The Christmas market looks great and a nice way to spend the evening.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It can be tricky but it's actually a sense of added security since you need to technically go through 3 doors before entering the room.

[@KitatheExplorer]

Time for the next country! The place you are staying looks really nice. And glad there is a little more space if you were to travel with someone else. Lol 😂😂😂 at your first reaction to trying the yogurt. And gift cards are a pretty cool and unique item to collect. Enjoy your travels!

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I just wish they still sold them.

[@StepsbyKaatje]

I have never been in Bulagria. I like the place you're staying, the bathroom might be a bit small. I hope you slept we'll there ... The food looked good as always. Sofia looks really nice!

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

The bed was a bit more firm than I like but, the room was cozy.

[@AndysWorldJourneys]

ahhh Sofia! Interested to see how you find it. Some great views on that route from Greece too!

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I love it!

[@KayandGogo]

That pastry looks delicious 😋 That passport has lots of stamps haha 😄 amazing Bus journey looks great. We always like to stretch our legs after a bus journey. Air B&b looks great haha pinng pong balls and bat. I've never ate Bulgarian food t looks yummy.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Oh Bulgarian food is to die for.

[@vladimirmihnev9702]

You can use a bank card directly, as a ticket and it will just bill it up to 4 lv a day and after that its free for the day.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Yeah I found out how it all worked from my host later on. 😂

[@nelsonvalencia7889]

In the Metro and other public transport, you can pay directly with a Card. It's even more profitable this way. After paying for two tickets for the day at 1.60 = 3.20 BGN, the third time charges only 0.80 BGN. And you have automatically purchased ticket for the whole day for BGN 4.00. You can ride as much as you want. 😍🌏

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I learned that all later 😂. I was tired and straight off the bus and had no idea what to do.

[@SuneBerlin]

You get missed in Thessaloniki. The better point to start is near train station or opposite at Arda tur office. Sune

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Arda Tur? Is that another bus line?

[@SuneBerlin]

@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon it is my favourite bus line to Sandanski for nearly 2 decades....you missed again the culture between Thessaloniki Macedonian greek and northern Bulgarian makedonian culture...but sent the same shit as any else ...so have a nice time

[@yordanmerodiyski6680]

In public transport in Sofia, all that you need to do is place your credit or debit card in front of the reading device and you have a ticket! In the case of the check, you need to place the very same card you used in front of the reader provided by the person conducting the check. You don't need either cash or ticket :-)

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Yeah I learned all this after the fact 😂😭.

[@teribrady5227]

Christmas on St Patrick's Day? Haha. Wish you had shown the pastries at Starbucks. Often they have different selections than the USA.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I didn't take notice of them in Sofia. But, I've seen good ones in other Starbucks across Europe.

[@a4kata40]

Yogurt is not sweet originally 🙂 its sour.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Yeah found that out 😂

[@emoharalampiev1590]

Unless it's different for foreign cards (which I don't think it is, but then IDK) you are able to just beep yourself into the subway using credit/debit card.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Yeah I was told that later on after filming this 😂. I had arrived off the bus and couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do. The one person I ran across while I was down there didn't speak much English and sadly my Bulgarian is not so good.

[@emoharalampiev1590]

@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon Ah fair enough haha

[@a.n.6374]

5:37 When was this fillmed? The metro and all public transport buses/trams etc. take cards since january 2023.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

It was December 2023. I learned later on how the system works. However at the time, straight off the bus I couldn't figure it out and no one was around to ask. It was my first minutes in Sofia. My AirBnb host straightened me out eventually

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Honestly it was a nice walk though.

[@helenrabinowitz2398]

SOF'ya

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

So no "ee" sound?

[@helenrabinowitz2398]

Correct - no ee sound!

[@sisirubysis]

​@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon There's an "e", maybe not so long, but it's there. Other than that, you need to change where you put the emphasis on the word (it's on 1st syllabus) and you got it 😉

[@mybrokipp]

Stop calling bulgarian cheese Feta ffs :)

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

What's the Bulgarian name for it?

[@mybrokipp]

@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon Its called bulgarian cheese my dude and its way different from a Feta. Can also be called white cheese, but we just call it cheese aka " Сирене " in bulgarian.

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

@@mybrokipp so it's just called cheese. Gotcha I was just curious if there was a specific name for it.

[@grigorov1914]

​@@AdventuresOfATravelingDon"feta" is usually made from sheep's milk, whereas Bulgarian white cheese is most commonly made with cow's milk. We do have sheep's and goat's milk cheese as well, but it's still simply called "white cheese".

[@Drunken.Sailor]

Try to call the yogurt Greek, and you will never hear the end of it 😂

[@pauldumitrescu1955]

No good! 🤢😱

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

Sorry you feel that way