Bulgaria guide ‘wonderful’

After a stay in Munich for Oktoberfest, my husband, Steve, and I visited Bulgaria, Oct. 1-4, 2013, which is not just a country to check off your list. It has a lot to offer. 

We retained the services of Patrick Peneff as our guide, a decision we made based on a Mart ad and some reviews we had seen in ITN (including Jan. ’13, pg. 32 & July ’12, pg. 30).

After I emailed Patrick in March 2013, he responded immediately and then called me. He offered several options and price levels. To arrange an individually crafted itinerary over four days and three nights, we paid him about €650 (near $883), which included airport transfers, accommodations, breakfasts, a car, petrol and museum entry fees.

From the time Patrick picked us up at the Sofia airport to the time we returned, the experience was flawless. The accommodations were great and the meals some of the best we’ve had. We stayed in Hotel Renaissance (Vazrajdane sq. 1) in Plovdiv, with its charming owner and wonderful breakfast, the VIP Apartments (28, Neofit Rilski St.) in Sofia and the Family Hotel Gorski Kat (2630 Rilski Manastir), near Rila.

Patrick speaks perfect English, has an obvious passion for all things Bulgarian and knows his country’s history. He’s an excellent driver. We saw parts of Bulgaria we could not have seen on a regular tour. 

Leading us to Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century and featuring beautiful frescoes and iconostasis, to the wonderful city of Plovdiv, with its extensive Roman ruins, to Thracian graves and many more sites, Patrick made our trip memorable. He was a wonderful guide.

BETTY RODRIGUEZ

San Diego, CA