I spent a boring week in Bulgaria in the Rodopi Mountains. I didn't get into any trouble! Normally I would do Europe by myself but I managed to find a group tour for exactly the same dates I needed for far less than I could have come up with. I didn’t realise it was a rambling holiday. It’s a walking holiday which I could have coped with as all walking (there was walking everyday) was optional. What I couldn’t cope with was the group. They were not optional!
We were based in a lodge in beautiful surroundings. Unfortunately there was nothing to do except go walking. I’m not much of a walker; I tried the first 2 days and then gave up. It wasn’t the walking, boring as it was but it gave you something to do. It was the group I was with that was the problem. What a bunch of whingers…and they were very old apart from one or two who were fun. The tour leader (she was training someone so
wasn’t really on duty) she was fun to chat with but the others were hard work. Don't even get me started on my room mate! I think I’m getting less tolerant of people as I get older. Do you find that or is it just me? I could have coped with breakfast with the group as some of you know me I pretty much skip breakfast for the extra time in bed, so no problems there. But lunch and dinner too, that was way too much. No free time of your own just to chill. So I had 2 free days away from walking and more importantly away from the group. It was bliss. I spent the 2 days sleeping, eating, drinking my own supply of Baileys and reading, yes in that order. Occasionally I looked at the pretty views. I skipped the traditional last group meal to avoid the crappy menu. I hate it when people tell me what I can and cannot eat. If I go to a restaurant I will choose my own food. Just because I’m with a group doesn’t mean I want
the local guide to set a menu that I have to stick to and pay loads of money for it. His mark up was outrageous. No matter how nice the English guide was about explaining how there has been a price increase since Bulgaria joined the EU. If that was the case then I wouldn’t have be able to have a fabulous meal with one of the guys from the group for a third of the price of the group meal. Obviously the price increase only occurs
with the local guide. Nice way to make extra money I guess. They're not getting my money!
PLEASE NOTE THE PHOTO OF THE 4 VILLAGE LADIES IS NOT MINE. GOT THE PIC FROM AN OUTDOOR GALLERY IN SOFIA.
