Bulgarian Beginnings: A Stroll in the Park

Hello Bulgaria. I have an affinity for Bulgaria — so overlooked and underappreciated…and so charming in a Slavic way. In my student days I spent lots of time exploring Bulgaria and its capital city Sofia: playing chess in the park, watching paranoid people huddled on street corners talking sports and wishing they could talk politics, seeing locals dutifully lining up to visit waxy figures in public mausoleums. Today, I’m back in Sofia in those same parks where people still gather and the old guys still play chess. But, while it’s still one of Europe’s poorest countries, Bulgaria is free and, step-by-step, building a new prosperity.

I finished this video with a bandstand in the distance where little schoolgirls were dancing to the latest pop tune. Only later was I reminded that this is the exact spot where the mausoleum of Bulgaria’s first communist dictator, Georgi Dimitrov, once stood. This is where the grandparents of those little dancers spent a good part of their rare vacations lining up to view Dimitrov’s embalmed body — the Bulgarian version of Lenin’s Tomb.

(Hold on — this clip is as smooth as a piggyback ride. We’re just kicking off a wild ride through Bulgaria and Romania.)


This is Day 44 of my 100 Days in Europe series. As I research my guidebooks and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences and lessons learned in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and beyond. Find more at blog.ricksteves.com.

Comments

6 Replies to “Bulgarian Beginnings: A Stroll in the Park”

  1. Is there a possibility I could just please shake your hand when you’re in Bulgaria. I am a Canadian living near Nesebar and my wife and I have been living vicariously through you over the years (we’ve traveled to 37 countries and followed many of your paths). I just want one photo…please please… I can meet you anywhere.

  2. Hey, Rick, are you making any appearances while you are in Sofia? It would be cool to see you in person! I grew up watching your show back home in the States, and it was one of the things that inspired me to go abroad when I got older!

  3. Hey, Rick, are you making any appearances or anything while you are in Sofia? It would be really cool to see you here in person, as I grew up watching your show back home in the States, and it was an influence on my decision to go abroad when I got older!

  4. My brother and I travelled on motorcycles through much of Bulgaria just one year ago. The roads are wonderful! Plovdiv, I found, was quite lively and cosmopolitan. Traveling along the Black Sea coast, and judging by the population’s clothing you’d think your were in Laguna Beach, California (if it weren’t for the tractors). Bulgaria shouldn’t be overlooked by any traveler to Europe.

  5. Hi Rick, So glad to see you are in Bulgaria! I’m sure you have all of your connections already lined up, but if you are coming to the Varna area and would like an extra tour guide, I would love to meet you and show you around. I first came to Bulgaria in 2007 with the Peace Corps, fell in love, got married, and have now settled here with my husband and two young children. It’s true that not a lot of Americans know about this great country, so I love showing it to them when I get the chance. I’m a big fan of yours and I do speak Bulgarian, so if, by chance, you are interested in this area, shoot me an e-mail and I would love to help. I look forward to following you through your 100 days of Europe and especially hearing about your experience in Bulgaria! It’s a beautiful place to be with a lot to discover. Happy Travels!!

  6. Hello Rick! I took my 5th Rick Steves tour to Bulgaria last year with my 80 year old mother and sister. At first they couldn’t figure out why I wanted to go to Bulgaria. Now they know! It is a wonderful country to explore! Love being able to revisit thru your blog and look forward to the new show on Bulgaria. Love Stefan!!! He was our guide and such a wonderful soul!!!

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