Grumpy in Bulgaria

As a way of introduction I have the dubious pleasure of working in north western Bulgaria in a place called Kozloduy. Originally I was driving a Merc 220 clk but the roads took their tole on it, so while my wife was at home having a break pondered what to do with the merc then she saw a 2003 Range Rover TD6 (73k) and the rest is history!
Have had the car for nine months six months in Bulgaria and yes it's had it's moments and in Bulgaria moments turn out to be major problems as being in the boon docks parts and good mechanics are few and far between. Driving it over here is a pleasure hardly any traffic on the roads and the roads are being improved slowly and there are hundreds of green lanes to mess about on, and diesel is 78p/ltr which helps.
Is it worth driving to Bulgaria as a tourist may be not the place is not set up for touring camp sites are few and far between but there are plenty of cheap hotels mostly in need of tlc but the prices refect this, food no comment fairly poor outside the big towns and no variety just bland local cuisine, but on the positive the drive through Europe is good and perfect for the TD6.
Yours to a crisp Grumpy.

ah im moving out that way soon, let me just see where the hell Kozloduy is....

ah your north, im moving west.

Ps, presumably your an expat.... ?

I am wondering on whether to travel around Bulgaria, looks a beautiful place, despite people talking me out of it saying its a dangerous place.
In my opinion it cannot be anymore dangerous than England judging on what goes on here.
Where are the best places for a nice quiet family holiday please?

I had no trouble at all when I was last there.

And I wouldnt be moving there with 3 kids if I didnt think it was safe. People have this misconception about it, thinking its all gypsies and the like. Which it utter balls.

What sort of holiday do you want? Beach? City? into history or extreme sports type things?

I agree with you, I have met many Bulgarians and they seem fine to me, there is good and bad everywhere.
I would like somewhere with nice views bit of history and local bar,restaurants, it will just be me and the wife so something nice and quiet mate

Just fly into Sofia,

all the bars and restaurants, and loads of culture both there and within an hours taxi drive (which is so cheap its mad!) Stay on the outskirts and its relatively quiet.

Or maybe veliki tarnavo as thats quite "cultural"

Take a few spare quid and buy a house whilst your there!

Cheers Vil
How much are we talking for a straight away move in property for 3 people ?
Unfortunately it will need to be in good state as i am no longer able to do the D.I .Y due to my knees lol
I am just looking up Sofia, thanks

depends if "straight away move in" means an inside loo....

We have bought our school building (which will be a 6 bedroom house) for £2050, that comes with 3/4 of an acre. But its a total renovation project, roof etc in good nick but no windows or doors etc.
Then we also bought a 2 bedroom cottage and 4 bedroom house on the same 1/2 acre plot for £1500. The 2 bedroom is essentially move in now if you dont mind roughing it a smidgen. Needs boiler etc but has electricity and running water.

A ready to move in largish 4 bedroom house in the country - £20,000 would get you a good un.

Two of us , both around 22 yrs old drove through Bulgaria and although it is a beautiful country it had drawbacks way back then in 1966. We were refused beers in a café/pub type place and when we went in the whole place went quiet and no-one would talk to us. It was behind the 'iron curtain' then so I suppose they were suspicious of us.

i think its changed a wwweeeeeee bit