My name is Marion Vermazen. I am a traveler, hiker, reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, YouTuber, Spanish and French language student, knitter, weaver and genealogist.
This morning after breakfast we drove into the Lidl store in Velingrad and bought six big bottles of water.
Velingrad is located in one of the largest geothermal regions in Bulgaria. There are more than 90 mineral water springs in and around Velingrad. When we got back to the hotel we took advantage of the spa facilities.
After we got back to the room Duke went down and had his hammam massage. He said it was good.
We had another great buffet dinner.
To go to our next blog you can click here.
This morning we left Sofia and headed south. We picked up a rental car at the airport in Sofia. From there we drove south for about 2 hours. We are in Velingrad about half way between Sofia and the Greek-Bulgarian border.
We are staying at a fabulous hotel and spa, the hotel Arte Resort and Spa. They have an indoor pool and outdoor pools plus saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis. Dinner and breakfast are included in the price. The dinner was an excellent buffet and we realized that there are lots of families staying here. We saw play rooms and game rooms with cameras so parents sitting in the restaurant or bar could keep an eye on their kids in the play room. Duke booked a hammam massage for tomorrow.
If you want to read my next post from Velingrad click here.
Our last full day in Sofia was lovely and restful. We’re still working on conquering jet lag. I didn’t fall asleep till well after midnight so it was heavenly to sleep in until almost 10. Duke’s first task today was to get a haircut.
I stayed at the barber shop long enough to get a picture of Duke in the chair. While I was waiting I had a nice chat in English with a young boy (about 10 I think) who had just had his hair cut. He seemed eager to practice his English and it was very good.
It was a nice sunny day so we went for a couple walks. We had a good view of the mountains that overlook Sofia.
We had an excellent dinner at a nearby restaurant called Cava.
Tomorrow we leave Sofia. If you would like to see my next post click here.
Today we went out exploring in Sofia. But before that we had breakfast at our hotel. When we went down to breakfast they gave me a red rose and said, “Happy Mother’s Day!” Today is Mother’s Day in Bulgaria!
After breakfast we went out for a walk. We started at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and then went to the Bulgarian Orthodox Cathedral.
Next we went to the Art Museum and the Regional History Museum.
When they were building the Metro station that we came into last night, they discovered the archaeological ruins of Serdica, the Roman Town that was in this location in the 4th century AD.
On our way back to our hotel we stopped for coffee on Vitosha Blvd., the main pedestrian street of Sofia. it was packed with people. I’m sure that was at least partly because it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and also Mother’sDay.
For dinner we went to a nearby traditional Bulgarian Restaurant called Izbata II. the food was really good and everyone was friendly.
To read my next blog post about our last day in Sofia click here.
What a day!!
We had a very nice breakfast overlooking the Danube.
Our plan was to take a taxi from Ruse, Bulgaria across the border to Bucharest, Romania where we would pick up our rental car. Duke had booked a taxi to pick us up at 10:45 and of course we had a rental car reserved near Bucharest Airport.
We waited in the hotel lobby but the taxi never showed up. The owner and staff at Ruse Boutique Hotel were wonderful. We even had a long talk with the owner who has been to Reno!
Eventually after making several phone calls and sending several messages we were notified that the taxi had been cancelled!
The desk clerk booked us a new taxi and in short order we were on our way to the ExpediCar rental car office about five miles from Bucharest airport. The taxi driver was friendly and we had a nice ride.
We had to call the rental car office again because they had no sign on the street.
After a few more phone calls eventually we were seated in their office. There were two guys behind the desk. I didn’t ask for their names.
They asked for papers. Everything started out fine.
Passport ✔️
Drives license ✔️
International drivers permit ✔️
Credit card ✔️
Things went down hill from there.
Our credit card was no good! They said it had to be an embossed credit card?!?
Embossed credit card ✔️
We met that requirement so they threw up a new hurdle. It has to have the word “credit” on the card !?! None of our credit cards say credit card on them.
So they wouldn’t rent us a car!?!
I don’t know what their scam was but there definitely was something illegal or at least shady going on. I don’t know if they weren’t happy that we didn’t want to buy their insurance or if they didn’t like Americans or if they wanted a bribe. Who knows! I am sure that if we had an embossed credit card with the word “credit” on it there would have been some other excuse.
As we were leaving I gave them my card and told them they can read all about or experience on my blog and watch it on my YouTube channel. He smiled and said don’t be too hard on us!!
So now we had to get to the airport. To get an Uber I had to download the Uber app. But eventually we got an Uber to the airport.
At the airport Duke booked another car with a pick up point a 15 minute walk away. We walked to the address but there was nothing there and then when Duke looked at his phone he had an email saying the reservation had been cancelled because they didn’t have a car!
So we walked back to the airport. On the way a security car stopped to ask why we were in such an empty part of the airport! But we got back to the airport and Duke rented a car at the rental car desk. Of course this is much more expensive than the original reservation.
So we have a car! The drive to our hotel was short. We got to our room and celebrated surviving!
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