Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I'm looking for some advise please.
My family and friends have recently returned from Borovets and we all enjoyed so much we want to return next year. This time though we want to go Bed and Breakfast or even S/Catering, so as to enjoy the superb value for money local food and wines. The Rila was brilliant as a base (so close to the slopes, who wants more) but we felt we missed so much in the early part of the week being half board.
So has anyone found a way to acheive this apart from the studios at the Rila.
Anyone reading this and going there, please go to both The Golden Horn and The Crown, both are worth dodging the drag lift poles for. The Golden Horn do wonderful steaks, pork dishes and try the house dish "The Golden Horn".The local produced white wine is both cheap and very tasty.
I was very nervous before going about what i might find compaired with France, Austria, Canada and America as ski resorts, but once there my fears went and a welcoming atmosphere had me sold. Bulgaria offers that warm feeling which is becoming rare these days.
hope someone can help us
M

Not sure about B&B but I do it this way...

1. Fly to Sofia with BA (£16 loads of leg room and hardly any passengers
2. Get a lift / taxi to Borovets
3. Get a local friend and or a ski instructor you know to book The Rila (local prices)
4. No half board included thus eat out every night and grab something in the morning to eat on the gondola.
5. Ski hire sorted out by friend / ski instructor.

Bit of running around in advance of travel but it works for me and my mates. I did come accross some luxury villa that you can rent, put "borovets""villa" into google and you'll get it.

Glad you are keen to go back!!

Greg

Greg

We are travelling independantly this year. Booked flight with BA direct and Hotel Alpin direct also. They have their own site and are also available through BulgariaSki - cheaper on here than booking direct actually. If you look at properties under Borovets on here you will also see that there are a number of Chalets now available for rent.

If you book on here then you can also get ski packs although this year we have booked through the Albena Ski school which was used by the children last year!! You also get the advise of a Rep in resort. Our ski instructor from last year is picking us up from the airport otherwise most of the hotels will arrange a transfer for you.

There is a way around most things!! The world is your oyster as they say

Hope this is helpful

Ellie

Dubious, its a non profit making favour. Your best best is trying to get in contact with your ski instructor or just phoning the Rila direct.
I've been to Borovets 3 times, this year wil be the 4th. Your comments about the warm friendly people are spot on, thats why I and others here go back. Sure other European destinations probably have better skiing, but where else do you get such a warm welcome and such cheap booze... I love it!!
As for bars, I tend to sit in the bar at The Rila from about 5pm onwards, hold court for a few hours then get changed, come back to the bar for beer o'clock (8pm) significant Raki fines if late, stay another hour then grab some food from Franco's Pizza and also to see Tommy. After that I'm found wandering between Franco's and The Buzz bar where I prop up a bar and occaisionally throw some shapes on the dancefloor. To end the evening a quick tequila suicide with my mates and some chocolate pancakes before collapsing back at The Rila. GREAT!!!!!

Greg - I saw £16 and was thinking blimey! £168 makes more sense!

It might sound daft but often you might find it cheaper to book a holiday with Half Board rather than Self Catering. It just depends on the circumstances. Generally speaking HB is more money but you can usually get a cheap deal to BG as the place itself is so cheap.

Does anyone else on this board just book flights and sort their own accomodation? Does this save much money compared to a weeks HB accom / flights / hire / tuition @ ~£360?