Tommo, do you work for the Bulgarian tourist board.
I think it is a bit unfair to say Bulgaria is full of thieves. I have done a fair bit of travelling, and the place I have felt most threatened is parts of the UK.
This thread comes up a few times every year, but its never followed up with anything along the lines of trouble i had with, cos theres never any trouble- dont wory!
If staying at rila as we do just dont bother getting passports back at reception when you hand them in when you arrive. Just pick them up when you check out.
We split our cash and never leave valuables in room.
Year before last in Samokov in Boro, one mate was having a bath while other went to pool and someone came in and stole their wallets. Luckily passports were left in reception. Their fault though for leaving door unlocked! Just be careful!
We heard of one room getting robbed in Pamps this New Year but, considering there were about 2700 people there, it is not a big problem.