Posted on by Pam

Sofia – Bulgaria

After our three and a half hour drive we arrive at Sofia, and we cross another border as well. We are now in Bulgaria!

Our Hotel is fabulous and right in the middle of the city!

Grand hotel Sofia
Grand hotel Sofia

One of our other tour party (Claudia) wrote about our Hotel…

Our hotel Sofia Grand Hotel, sits on one of the most beautiful squares. The hotel is luxurious, glowingly paneled in fine woods in hallways, and dripping with green marble bathroom surfaces, huge and comfortable.

The day ahead was full, so it was an early start. We began with a two hour walking tour, starting and ending from the hotel. Naturally we took plenty of photos to share.

An early morning start
An early morning start
The Largo, an example of Stalinist Architecture
The Largo, an example of Stalinist Architecture
Me posing with Bulgarian guards
Me posing with Bulgarian guards
The Ivan Vazov National Theatre
The Ivan Vazov National Theatre
The St George Rotunda
The St George Rotunda
A church
An interesting building
Another Church
Another Church
This church has lovely gardens. They are doing repair work on the church roof
This church has lovely gardens. They are doing repair work on the church roof
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
From another angle
From another angle
And a side view of the whole Cathedral
And a side view of the whole Cathedral
Looking in from the door of the cathedral. We weren't allowed to photograph inside
Looking in from the door of the cathedral. We weren’t allowed to photograph inside
The roof in the entrance way
The roof in the entrance way
Another view
Another view
Some old grave stones at one of the churches
Some old stones at one of the churches. They look Greek! Sofia means ‘Wisdom’ in ancient Greek!
The Statue of Sveta Sofia
The Statue of Sveta Sofia

The afternoon was filled with an add on tour to the Rila Monestry but I will do a separate post for that visit. I took soooooo many photos!

For our dinner we chose another add on tour and it was a great experience!

SOFO2 BULGARIAN FOLKLORE SHOW WITH DINNER
Take your seats for a fun-filled evening of wine, traditional
entertainment and hearty Bulgarian cuisine. Expect
delicious dishes prepared according to age-old recipes, an
authentic atmosphere and colourful folklore show featuring
traditional dancers, musicians and songs.

We were divided into two groups and sat at a table each. There's Robin at the end of the table
We were divided into two groups and sat at a table each. There’s Robin at the end of the table
That's our table from the other end. Look at the delicious food!
That’s our table from the other end. Look at the delicious food!
And this is the other half of our tour group. Well those who chose to go to the dinner :-)
And this is the other half of our tour group. Well those who chose to go to the dinner 🙂
Our folklore show featuring traditional dancers and musicians
Our folklore show featuring traditional dancers and musicians
And our tour director David and some of our tour group up dancing
And our tour director David and some of our tour group up dancing
Finishing off with fire dancing!
Finishing off with fire dancing!

The restaurant was up Vitocha hill so we had a little trip back to our hotel on the bus after dinner. Everyone was in good spirits so we continued the great evening by singing  ‘Abba” songs all the way back. Such a fun time 🙂

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