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Drive Greece - Bulgaria - Romania

Europe Destinations

The route to and from Athens – Sofia - Bucharest. Depart from Athens on 7.00 AM towards the Greek - Bulgarian border. The distance Athens - Sofia is 750 km and the journey takes about 10 hours. You can make a first stop in Lamia for coffee and then at the height of Korinos in Katerini make a second stop for rest. After 65 km arrive in Thessaloniki.


On the highway A25 from Thessaloniki to Serres follow the signs green to Kavala - Serres and then right towards Serres. in 100 km reach out from Serres, with a section of the motorway is still under construction. Before Serres turn left towards Bastion (about 40km) and arrive at the Greek - Bulgarian border. Here is an outpost composed by Greek and Bulgarian police where on presentation of ID card, new type, control is only typical. The potential delay is only due to vehicular movement. You can stop the free shop, the old duty free, for coffee, fast food, toilet or markets. Caution Bulgaria now belongs to the European Union is why the prices are not tax-free, so look for any deals there.

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BORDER GREECE – VOURGARIAS

BULGARIA

Entering the Bulgarian lands diversity of the Greek province of the Bulgarian evident. As you pass by many villages will make your impression of the lack of lighting, the lack of public spaces, such as squares, lack shutter homes, newspapers in the windows instead of curtains and so much more.

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To move someone on Bulgarian roads must obtain a toll card, the vignette about it at the first gas station you meet to be purchased. It is a self-adhesive card which enters the windscreen and you can move to Bulgaria. the market pays weekly toll card, vignette (about 8 €) which will pay in euros Lev or by credit card. In these countries it is better to make use of your credit card as the rates made by the bank to have issued and are shown in the first account. So you know exactly what you pay for your purchases.

Follow the road to Sofia crossing the European Road E79 until you reach the Straits of Kresna or Tempi of Kresna (Kresna). From now on for the next 45 km by Blagoevgrad (Blagoevgrad), the first major city in the country that meet, driving on the old road, with one lane in each direction and enough traffic. The city is located west of the country near the border with the Republic of Macedonia and is from Sofia 100 km. In Blagoevgrad are quite cheap stores for shopping, restaurants and cafes in the main feature pedestrian. Because it has two universities, the area has many students. After Blagoevgrad put back on the motorway until the nation's capital, the wisdom.

SOPHIA

Arriving in Sofia spend the night from the long trip and then continue northeast to the border with Romania. Before leaving Sofia should visit the church Alexander Nevski, the largest of this kind in the Balkans (3.170 sq.m.) The erection of (1892-1912) It was in honor of 200.000 thousands of fallen Russian soldiers who died fighting for the independence of Bulgaria in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878).

In front of the church there is a big square where staged an outdoor bazaar with many old objects, jewelry, embroidery and handmade images at very good prices. If you want to negotiate prices should know that most Bulgarians speak fairly well the Greek language because of their stay in our country.

Opposite the church Alexander Nevski there is the church of St. Sophia which is built on the oldest religious temples. In the mid-16th century. Ottomans added minarets and turned it into a mosque. It is the oldest Orthodox church in the city, It belongs to the type of cross-domed and stands out from the red bricks on the outside of. The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia got its name from the Hagia Sophia.

The most famous city square is pl.Sveta Nedelya (Agia Kyriaki) with the church, Cathedral of Wisdom. The temple was built between 1856 and 1863 on the foundation of the Roman city Oulpias and is always full of people as a parish church.

In the same square you can admire the Sheraton Sofia Balkan Hotel and behind the grand hotel Church St. George, built by the Romans, 2nd or 3rd century. It belongs to the architectural type rotunda and is open to the faithful certain hours of the day.

Within the square the pedestrian, opposite the church sveta Nedelya, there is a Flocafe (pl. sveta Nedalya 1301) where you can drink coffee and eat together with other Greeks, mostly students. Besides the sightseeing in Sofia, you can also do some shopping will find useful for your trip.

With reference point is always the same square, which is in the city center, Nearby this, there is a closed market Central Hali Shopping Center (blvd Maria Louisa 24). It is an impressive building 1911 with 150 stores, where they sell local products, fruits, pastries, clothes, leather goods etc.. To reach the market you have to pass under the underpass.

Underpass AND DEPTH IN THE CHURCH SVETA NEDELYA

MALL TsUM

Just beside the crossing there is the imposing commercial center TsUM which is worth only for its architecture as what sells is expensive and a little old-fashioned. A little further from the Sheraton a small Mall, the Mall of Sofia (blvd A. Stamboliyski 101). In the basement of the building works great super market where among other you can buy Bulgarian wines at very good prices. On the upper floors there are various shops, cafes and restaurants. attention to’ those selling shoes and bags as are Chinese and prices somewhat pinched for their value.

There are known multinational brands of clothes but the prices are the same as in Greece. It is worth visiting the Spanish PARFOIS store, something like ours Folli Follie, with bags and accessories as there is no branch in Greece. If you want to buy cream with rose water you will find many such shops with many products at very cheap prices. Some of them are in Bulgarian and shops that have opened in our country for example,. Liosia in Athens street a mini market that sells sausages, cheeses, beers, wines, cream with rosewater etc.. So no need to get from Bulgaria that exists in Greece. If you find yourself in Sofia winter to go skiing on Mount Vitosha which is the city only 22 km. The highest mountain peak is Cherni Vrah (2290 m).

SIDE MOUNT Vitosha

SKI CENTER Vitosha

The mountain is part of the National Park Vitosha which attracts many tourists for hiking as it has too many paths marked.

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Departure from SOFIA

Depart from Sofia and re-enter the highway following the signs to Varna. Here the road pavement is bad, but after the 110 km road traffic becomes Highway with more traffic and therefore requires greater attention. Along the way you can turn right to Veliko Tarnovo (Velico Tarnovo), a trip of about 110 km, to experience the first capital of Bulgaria. The city is large urban and cultural center, It has two universities and is in recent years the most popular tourist destination in Bulgaria. If you want to eat or shop here everything is too cheap.

Sightseeing is the Castle hill Trapezitsa, built by Emperor Justinian (6century. A.D.), the ruins of the castle Tsarevets on the hill and the church of the Forty Martyrs. There lies buried Kaloyan, Tsar of Bulgaria (1197-1207).

Check out the beautiful city of Veliko Tarnovo with path B to Rousse (Russian), about 110 km. The Ruse is a great commercial and industrial city, the fifth largest in Bulgaria, before the border with Romania. It is built on the right bank of the Danube and is called "Little Venice" as most of the buildings were designed by Italian architects. The architectural influences (19th-20th century.) from baroque, neo-Baroque, Art Nouveau and Rococo make an interesting city, which annually attracts too many tourists. Away from the capital Sofia 300 km and the Bulgarian Black Sea coast 200 km. When you arrive in Rousse have to pay passage to cross the Bridge of Peace and Friendship Ruse -Tziourziou (1954) length 2300 m, which is so called as half belonged to Bulgarians and Romanians half. The same applies when you return from Giurgiu (Giurgiu), the Danube to the Romanian city of Ruse, Bulgaria.

ROMANIA

Crossing the bridge we see the natural border between the two countries, the majestic Danube. After crossing the bridge there police and customs control by Romanians police. The control process is quick here and after purchase vignette, for your traffic on Romanian roads, in your interest to get the weekly toll card leave the border heading to Bucharest (80 km). In the first exchange should buy the currency of Romania leu as here do not accept euro.

BUCHAREST

Called Little Paris due to the Arc de Triomphe and other architectures of buildings. Founded by a shepherd named Bucur with. The 1459 during the reign of Vlad Pockets, It became a capital of Wallachia. The Vlad Pockets, son of Vlad Dracula, He was a rogue prince of Wallachia who strongly resisted the expansionist attacks of the Ottomans in the 15th century. The name derives from the way they tortured his enemies. With a wooden stake pierced his spine victim, without hit any vital organs. the victim, having conscious suffering for 48 hours left until his last breath (Tepes = Impaler). The Vlad Pockets inspired the writer Bram Stoker to write about the legendary Dracula, the name of the father of Dracula (dragon), Knight of the Order of the Dragon. During 1600 there were three Romanian provinces Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania, led by Michael Gennaios. The 1687 Transylvania passed to the hegemony of the Habsburgs and Wallachia and Moldova remained under Turkish rule until 19ai. The 1859 He ascended the throne of Wallachia and Moldavia Alexander Ioan Cuza who founded the state of Romania's 1862. The 1886 the Cuza was deposed and his position was taken by Prussian Prince Charles of Hohenzollern.

BUST Vlad POCKETS

Ceausescu SEASON

During the 80s, the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, He tried to turn the city into a great socialist capital-centered House of the People. The revolution that broke out in the country 1989 put an end to the Stalinist domination of the arrest and execution of Ceausescu and his wife (25-12-1989). The influences of the Ceausescu era are today major attractions as in the 90s made several interventions restoration and renovation of major buildings.

crossing Unirii Blvd a wide boulevard with wide roads, fountains in the middle and large sidewalks right and left with trees and benches. When the Romanians Unirii Blvd, which is a copy of the avenue des Champs-Elysées, in length 7 m greater in width 4 with the corresponding French Boulevard.

It is worth mentioning that the Champs Elysees length 1,9 m and a width of about 70 m. At the end of the avenue Unirii dominates the House of the People or otherwise Palace of Parliament (Parliament House) where the Romanian Parliament is now housed, one of the largest convention centers and the National Museum of Contemporary Art (2004). It is the third building area in the world (300.000,00 sq.m.), and 1st in the EU. The entrance is here 35 Ron with tour, if you are together with others. In this position there were many old homes and historic buildings that were demolished to take the place of this massive building. It took 20.000 thousands of workers and 700 architects to complete construction in just five years. The materials used, such as marble and crystal chandeliers from the country. It took 20.000 thousands of workers and 700 architects to complete construction in just five years. The materials used, such as marble and crystal chandeliers from the country. Ceausescu did not live to see it completed the building as executed earlier.

AFTER Ceausescu SEASON

O most central street of Bucharest is the way victory, with most attractions. Bucharest is the seat of the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church and here is impressive Patriarchate (οδός Hill Metropolitan Union Square) which is worth a visit.

Other attractions are the Arc de Triomphe (Street Arcue de Triumf) replica Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From here starts the road Kiseleff subsequently named victory. Tο Romanian Peasant Museum (The Romanian Peasant Museum) with the largest collection of folklore items (Soseaua Kiseleff Street 3) and outdoor National Village Museum (Teran Roman Museum) in the Cherastraou park (street Kiseleff 28-30, Herastrau Park).

The National Village Museum includes about 300 buildings and farms from all over Romania and 1996 He was named European Museum of the Year Award.

To enter the village will have to pay entrance 10 Ron or register if pensioners 5 Ron. Usually they do not ask identity. You will see small huts with rustic motifs from the Romanian rural life, various furniture, everyday objects etc.. The photographing inside of houses prohibited. Outside each cabin there are stalls for markets mainly ceramics and handmade knitwear with traditional designs. Within the Village at the entrance works and souvenir shop.

The Cherastraou park outside the gardens and has a large lake that you can reach it during your visit to the Village.

Bucharest has developed into a modern capital filled cafes, restaurants, shopping malls. The historical center of Bucharest, region Lipscani which little resembles ours Thissio - Monastiraki, It is pedestrian-filled cafes, bar, restaurants, Greek souvlaki eg. "Thessaloniki". Once you gets dark streets between the streets Franseza, parallel and Smardan filled with well-dressed Romanians living the dream of the time after Ceausescu. Do not forget to sit for beer or food in the pub Caru 'cu bere which runs from 1899. The building is art stained glass, chandeliers, live music and very friendly atmosphere. Here you meet all Bucharest so must necessarily reserve a table (www.carucubere.ro +40231137560, street Stavropoleos 5).

pubs CARU’ beer

This road takes its name from the Church of Stavroupolis (Church Staropoleos) which existed from 1724. It was built by a Greek monk and protected by Unesco.

In Franceza Street 33 there is a second Orthodox church Saint Anthony Church with features red brick.

Opposite the church is the Hanu’ Manuc, old inn of the 19th century. built by Armenian merchant Mamuc Mirzaian with stunning courtyard and wooden terraces, serving food (Franceza street 62-64, sector 3)

A bit further, in the same pedestrian street if you want to cool your palate with unique ice cream flavors, is the modern Cremeria Emilia (Franceza street 42) and opposite to the cafe's Maggelan (Franceza street 44).

For shopping there is a shopping center in the heart of the city and very close to the old town Piata Unirii, το Unirea Shopping Center. Downstairs is Fast Food, exchange office floors and many stores for shopping with good prices. Around the shopping center you will find many more shopping and the back side there is a big super market. General in Bucharest created many large department stores in various parts of the city where you can go by metro. All department stores sell the same clothes known multinational chains find them everywhere. Search local ethnic souvenirs products, textiles and embroideries that are not present in our country and here, still somewhat cheap. In beauty shops dm (Franceza street 60) you can buy the Gerovital facial creams, known Romanian gerontology at very good prices. The pedestrian street Franceza 54 There Carreffour Expess operated 24 hours. for fruit, vegetables, honey, etc. can go in the outdoor food market in Amzei. In Bucharest they do not get is why the euro will be hard if you have run out of foreign currency.

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caution

In Bucharest close attention to your wallet. The money you have with you, euro or currency should be in a safe place on your. Should the wallet you use frequently for your payments have means very little money you need for your daily expenses. Even when you open your wallet to pay anything in Bucharest will have the money you can not be in plain view to your next. There are groups of people who follow tourists from the hotel while you go up the path to follow. Very often approach tourists saying they are officers of the Tourist Police and make checking in passports. They asked to give their dollars or euro, wallet and various excuses. someone unsuspectingly, without requiring the presentation of their police identity awestruck opens his wallet and gives the money is inside .Also, another trick thieves pretend to approach you a taxi and tell you that sends the hotel to take you. Do not get in!

EMBASSY OF ROMANIA IN GREECE

Emmanouil Benaki 7, psychic, tel. : 210-6728875

EMBASSY OF GREECE IN ROMANIA

1-3 Pache Protororescu Street, sector 1- Bucharest tel. : 00401-2094170 , -2094171, -2094172,- 2094173-4, hours together : 09.00 – 16.00 from The- Fri. Email : [email protected]

GREEK CONSULATE IN ROMANIA

4-6 Ferdinand Street, sector 2- Bucharest tel. : 00401-2094190 , -2094191, -2094193, hours together : 09.00 – 13.30 from The- Fri.

Language : Romanian

Coin : RON (lei), 5 LEI GIVES approximately 1 €

polity : Democracy

Time : same with Greece

Bucharest City Population:1.913.000 (2012)

Indicative Hotels in Bucharest: ΜANSION boutique Hotel (4* Franceza street 11, +40314058111)), Hotel Royal (4* Ave.. Mircea Voda 28, +40215281100), Hotel Capitol (3*, Victoriei street 29, +40213158030).

EMBASSY OF BULGARIA IN GREECE

General Kallari 33A, Pl. arch Psychiko, tel. : 210-6748105

EMBASSY OF GREECE IN BULGARIA

33 San Stefano Str, Sofia tel. : +359294461030, 9433453 Email: [email protected]

GREEK CONSULATE IN BULGARIA

103 Evlogi Georgiev Str, Sofia, tel. : +3592 9691753, 9691755, 9691758

hours together : 09.30 – 13.15 from The- Fri. Email: [email protected]

Language : Bulgarian

Coin : Lev, divided into 100 hundredths, 1 Lev is about 0,50 €

polity : Democracy

Time : same with Greece

Sofia City Population : 1.211.000 (2012)

Indicative Hotels in Sofia : Hotel Sheraton Sofia Balkan, a Luxury Collection (5*, οδός Sveta Nedelya 5, +35929816541), Hotel Sofia-Novotel (4*, Ave.. 115Ν Tsarigradsko Shosse)

 

 


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8 Comments

  1. If you go by car Bucharest that will park your car there;It has parking;stealing cars;

    1. In Bucharest and country roads, must strictly obey the speed limit because there policing. In Bucharest and particularly around the main squares, Piata Unirii and Piata Victoriei is prohibited to park on the main streets. Several streets and outdoor parking lots where you can park and very close to the Historical Center (which is all pedestrianized).
      We streets behind the shopping UNIREA store (opposite the Historic Center) located in Piata Unirii and between Avenues, Boulevard Ion C. bratianu 1, Και Boulevard Coposu Unirii Boulevard.
      Specifically behind Bucarest Court (Courthouse), στην Unirii Boulevard 37 (is the central boulevard with fountains) and Hotel Roayal Bucarest, στην Mircea Voda Blvd. 28 there are enough parking spaces that result in Bulevardul Corneliu Coposu, ie behind the UNIREA store (walking less than 10 minutes).
      Caution, when you come back to get your car, mainly in the evening, to walk to the main boulevards and enter the narrow streets only when you get close to the car (do not try to “cut” road from narrow to get faster).
      For Palatul Parlamentului (Palace of the People) you can park right outside the entrance of the building as it has parking. If you want to walk is on the hill at the end of the Bulevardul Unirii (from Piata Unirii), very close to the Historic Center.
      Caution, Do not leave things in the car, B.C. bags with food, because they can break you window to see what you have inside. If you want more security for the evening better to consult the hotel where you stay overnight.
      Because Romanians are not very careful in driving, rather nervous, mainly around the central squares that are moving, better to give them priority in order to avoid an unnecessary crash.
      Finally if you stop a cop to give you a call, making sure that they are police seek evidence for the money you pay, otherwise they will end up in his pocket.

  2. Finally how many hours are from Athens to Bucharest road?I want to leave the other Friday the ix parakalo.efcharisto.aristes your information!

    1. The distance Athens – Bucharest is a total of about 1200 km. Details Athens – Sofia is about 730 km and Sofia – Bucharest about 450 km.
      The road from the borders of Greece to Sofia, except the Straits Kresna which is winding and a lane in each direction, They are all of good as you move into expressway highway. From Sofia to the border with Romania drive the old highway, with one lane in each direction. Here the road is narrow with several projects on the way as the Bulgarian road network upgraded.
      Then the road border to Bucharest is relatively bad. You should know that the speed limit is fluctuate from 50, 80 and 100 km.
      Additionally you need to figure some delays at toll, at the borders, attitudes you do or whatever weather conditions you'll encounter.
      We recommend you to stop for the night in a budget hotel in Sandanski or Sofia to divide the distance.
      If you follow the speed limit signs have to get from Athens to Sofia at about 7-8 hours.
      From Sofia to Bucharest it is hard to tell you how long to get there as 450 km may look less but unfortunately you need other 7 hours, about the final destination.
      Finally to point out that the streets of Bulgaria and Romania should observe the speed limit because there is usually traffic that stops fines.
      Thank you for your comment! We hope to have a great time and wait and your own experiences!

  3. Very useful information… planning to travel Christmas Romania helps poly… Well done

    1. Thank you for your comment! We hope to have a great time and wait and your own experiences!

  4. Well done ! very informative narrative

    1. Thank you for your comment!

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