Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Report on Borovets/ Ela
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 02-29-04 21:41Report on Borovets/ Ela
Hello.
Ive just returned back home safe and sound from Bulgaria. I must say that I had a great time. I went out there with a couple of other mates and it all went like clockwork.
The Tour Company
We went with Crystal there are 2 reps out there. Ruper and the New Zerland chap. We didnt see them about too much but Rupert seemed to be a bit up his own nose and the New Zerland chap that done the welcome meeting just struct the wrong note and seemed like he could'nt even sell me a pint ...
Ive just returned back home safe and sound from Bulgaria. I must say that I had a great time. I went out there with a couple of other mates and it all went like clockwork.
The Tour Company
We went with Crystal there are 2 reps out there. Ruper and the New Zerland chap. We didnt see them about too much but Rupert seemed to be a bit up his own nose and the New Zerland chap that done the welcome meeting just struct the wrong note and seemed like he could'nt even sell me a pint ...
Hello.
Ive just returned back home safe and sound from Bulgaria. I must say that I had a great time. I went out there with a couple of other mates and it all went like clockwork.
The Tour Company
We went with Crystal there are 2 reps out there. Ruper and the New Zerland chap. We didnt see them about too much but Rupert seemed to be a bit up his own nose and the New Zerland chap that done the welcome meeting just struct the wrong note and seemed like he could'nt even sell me a pint of beer ( and i love beer). We went on a few trips and the only thing he done was to put us off some other ones.
The Flights (from Gatwick).
Outbound was a bumpy ride with a lot of turblance but no trouble in checking in. The Return went really smoothly we were even 15 minutes early in landing back at gatwick.
The Hotel
We stayed at the Ela. It was clean and food was eadiable although if you were not down in the restaurant by 9:00am or 7:00pm they tended not to replemish the food once it had gone. Also after those times the food was a bit too cold. The receptionst/ bar starf were always really freindly ad helpfull. Only minor point. the cleaners seemed to be a bit tight on the toilet roll. I had heard reports on it but its better than school toilet rolls but not off the andrex standard.
The Bars
Found the best bars are the onces people were out there trying to attract you in. Went mainly to the Hotel Ela bar, Titanic and Mamacities, although we did go into quiet a few others also. went in the Happy Duck once also nice pub, but too quiet plus the singer just couldnt sing.
The Titanic bar
It was great. Played loads of 80's music. The procolamers (500 miles), the drininking song plus loads of other greats too. the Bar staff and girls were great.The flaming drink they served with a flamethrower was really good too. Went in there a few times now I hav the T-Shirt to prove it also.
Mamacities.
Went in there on the BBQ and wine tasting night. We had a ball. im a Ale drinker. never really explored wines. but that No 7 Red was amazing. Endedp up taking some back with us. Went in there again for some more and the music was good also especially once a few of us were singing along with the band. I think we paid £6 each and we got the meal, 8 glases of wine, a bottle for every pair and a winning botttle as we guessed the mystery wine, exceelnt value.
Ela Bar
The bar was always a bgreat place to relax to for a nightcap before bedtime with an excelent waitress.
The Skiing
My two mates went so the Ski school. 1st day they ended up doing 5 hours of skiing. A bit too much for the 1st day. The sking was good. although the piste maps dovary greatly. The Red runs vary from a blue to a deep purple shall we say. The midde stop on the cable car isnt even marked and then we kind of made up and asked instructors where we were at times. A few too many drag lifts for my liking but I was expecting that anyway. As the week got on it got more and more icy and the hill tops were getting very windy which closed down the cable car for a couple of days. theer was enough skiing to keep me happy for the week though.
The Ski Equipment
We had the rental skis frm behind the gondla. the boots were one fix in. They were really uncomfortable. The skis were OK. On the 1st afternoon i ended up buying my own. it cost me £80. Bargin the people in the shop were eally helpfull. knew what they were talking about, answered all my queries about boots. Excelent
.I also rented out a pair of snow baldes for 10 leva on the last day. never done that before. they are great fun. You can even turn on ice (bonus) give it a go. for £3 a day rental you cant go far wrong.
General
nice resort. Although i dont think you caould stay there longer than 10 days (max)
People there are great. had a Great time. wud i go back again???? I would suggest not, as i like to go to different countries and places. I would recomed it to others though. I may even try the black sea in bulgaria some time also.
Last point The Lap dancing bars. yes its all small place and you cant miss them but we didnt find anyone forcing us in or trying to push us there either.
Very Last point
Chaning of money
Bsest place was the post bank at 2.94 to the pund as apposed to the crown places whcih were at 2.82. BUTTTT the post bank only opened at certain times and the differnce was very small when you converted it back to pounds to be really bothered about it.
Great Holiday, Nice Poeple, maybe go back there some other time. Thanks guys/ girls for all your information you posted on here. It put me in a great stead for the holiday i just had.
Cheers
Michael
Ive just returned back home safe and sound from Bulgaria. I must say that I had a great time. I went out there with a couple of other mates and it all went like clockwork.
The Tour Company
We went with Crystal there are 2 reps out there. Ruper and the New Zerland chap. We didnt see them about too much but Rupert seemed to be a bit up his own nose and the New Zerland chap that done the welcome meeting just struct the wrong note and seemed like he could'nt even sell me a pint of beer ( and i love beer). We went on a few trips and the only thing he done was to put us off some other ones.
The Flights (from Gatwick).
Outbound was a bumpy ride with a lot of turblance but no trouble in checking in. The Return went really smoothly we were even 15 minutes early in landing back at gatwick.
The Hotel
We stayed at the Ela. It was clean and food was eadiable although if you were not down in the restaurant by 9:00am or 7:00pm they tended not to replemish the food once it had gone. Also after those times the food was a bit too cold. The receptionst/ bar starf were always really freindly ad helpfull. Only minor point. the cleaners seemed to be a bit tight on the toilet roll. I had heard reports on it but its better than school toilet rolls but not off the andrex standard.
The Bars
Found the best bars are the onces people were out there trying to attract you in. Went mainly to the Hotel Ela bar, Titanic and Mamacities, although we did go into quiet a few others also. went in the Happy Duck once also nice pub, but too quiet plus the singer just couldnt sing.
The Titanic bar
It was great. Played loads of 80's music. The procolamers (500 miles), the drininking song plus loads of other greats too. the Bar staff and girls were great.The flaming drink they served with a flamethrower was really good too. Went in there a few times now I hav the T-Shirt to prove it also.
Mamacities.
Went in there on the BBQ and wine tasting night. We had a ball. im a Ale drinker. never really explored wines. but that No 7 Red was amazing. Endedp up taking some back with us. Went in there again for some more and the music was good also especially once a few of us were singing along with the band. I think we paid £6 each and we got the meal, 8 glases of wine, a bottle for every pair and a winning botttle as we guessed the mystery wine, exceelnt value.
Ela Bar
The bar was always a bgreat place to relax to for a nightcap before bedtime with an excelent waitress.
The Skiing
My two mates went so the Ski school. 1st day they ended up doing 5 hours of skiing. A bit too much for the 1st day. The sking was good. although the piste maps dovary greatly. The Red runs vary from a blue to a deep purple shall we say. The midde stop on the cable car isnt even marked and then we kind of made up and asked instructors where we were at times. A few too many drag lifts for my liking but I was expecting that anyway. As the week got on it got more and more icy and the hill tops were getting very windy which closed down the cable car for a couple of days. theer was enough skiing to keep me happy for the week though.
The Ski Equipment
We had the rental skis frm behind the gondla. the boots were one fix in. They were really uncomfortable. The skis were OK. On the 1st afternoon i ended up buying my own. it cost me £80. Bargin the people in the shop were eally helpfull. knew what they were talking about, answered all my queries about boots. Excelent
.I also rented out a pair of snow baldes for 10 leva on the last day. never done that before. they are great fun. You can even turn on ice (bonus) give it a go. for £3 a day rental you cant go far wrong.
General
nice resort. Although i dont think you caould stay there longer than 10 days (max)
People there are great. had a Great time. wud i go back again???? I would suggest not, as i like to go to different countries and places. I would recomed it to others though. I may even try the black sea in bulgaria some time also.
Last point The Lap dancing bars. yes its all small place and you cant miss them but we didnt find anyone forcing us in or trying to push us there either.
Very Last point
Chaning of money
Bsest place was the post bank at 2.94 to the pund as apposed to the crown places whcih were at 2.82. BUTTTT the post bank only opened at certain times and the differnce was very small when you converted it back to pounds to be really bothered about it.
Great Holiday, Nice Poeple, maybe go back there some other time. Thanks guys/ girls for all your information you posted on here. It put me in a great stead for the holiday i just had.
Cheers
Michael
re: Report on Borovets/ Ela
Nicely structured report Michael...... well done!!!!!
Glad you had a brill time.
Pamporovo Pete
re: Report on Borovets/ Ela
Hi PeteThanks for that and all you tip bits ve seen on the board over te last month. One question i do have though is. Whats the main difference between Pamps and Borovets?.
The ski runs look more diverse and more challenging than pamps. As we went round Borovets found we just kept on bumping onto people we knew all the time which was really nice.
Michael
re: Report on Borovets/ Ela
Well, there ain't a lot to choose between the 2 really Mike. Pamps has some really challenging reds and blacks as well as the famous 'Wall''.I prefer Pamps purely because it is like a 2nd home for me as I have been going there for so many years.
If you are hooked on Bulgaria, why not give Pamporovo a try next year and decide for yourself?
Either way, you cannot fail to have a great time in either resort.
Pamporovo Pete
re: Report on Borovets/ Ela
Yes very well structured report I agree, but I can't help myself from commenting on a few of your points:
I have just returned from a week in Borovets and I also booked with Crystal. Whilst my hotel was crap I have to say that our group found the 2 Crystal reps were an absolute asset to the company. Rupert is certainly a bit a of larger than life character (with a name like Rupert) but I never met someone with such an abundance of good-time energy! He is perfect rep material. The 'NZer ...
I have just returned from a week in Borovets and I also booked with Crystal. Whilst my hotel was crap I have to say that our group found the 2 Crystal reps were an absolute asset to the company. Rupert is certainly a bit a of larger than life character (with a name like Rupert) but I never met someone with such an abundance of good-time energy! He is perfect rep material. The 'NZer ...
Yes very well structured report I agree, but I can't help myself from commenting on a few of your points:
I have just returned from a week in Borovets and I also booked with Crystal. Whilst my hotel was crap I have to say that our group found the 2 Crystal reps were an absolute asset to the company. Rupert is certainly a bit a of larger than life character (with a name like Rupert) but I never met someone with such an abundance of good-time energy! He is perfect rep material. The 'NZer chap' goes by the name of John and he was our rep. We all went to his welcome meeting that he performed in front of at least 60 people and were thouroughly entertained. We were sold to, but it was done well and I saw the majority of people hand in their booking slips to him. I am sure he makes tidy cut on the trips but they are such great value for money we didnt care.
Michael, you said you were put off the trips and then later in your report you say you had a blast on the Wine Tasting event! I react like this because I think it is unfair to Johnny boy! If any crystal mangement are reading this - you have a good team out there, to be honest it was quite refreshing to have a non-british rep! If you read this John, its the Fraser party from Olymp! G'day mate.
I will definitely be returning to Borovets although steering clear of Olymp hotel. Maybe the Samokov next time.
Regards
Dean F
I have just returned from a week in Borovets and I also booked with Crystal. Whilst my hotel was crap I have to say that our group found the 2 Crystal reps were an absolute asset to the company. Rupert is certainly a bit a of larger than life character (with a name like Rupert) but I never met someone with such an abundance of good-time energy! He is perfect rep material. The 'NZer chap' goes by the name of John and he was our rep. We all went to his welcome meeting that he performed in front of at least 60 people and were thouroughly entertained. We were sold to, but it was done well and I saw the majority of people hand in their booking slips to him. I am sure he makes tidy cut on the trips but they are such great value for money we didnt care.
Michael, you said you were put off the trips and then later in your report you say you had a blast on the Wine Tasting event! I react like this because I think it is unfair to Johnny boy! If any crystal mangement are reading this - you have a good team out there, to be honest it was quite refreshing to have a non-british rep! If you read this John, its the Fraser party from Olymp! G'day mate.
I will definitely be returning to Borovets although steering clear of Olymp hotel. Maybe the Samokov next time.
Regards
Dean F
re: Report on Borovets/ Ela
MichaelI have just read your report on Crystal and the Ela, Pete described it as a well structured report, I was just wondering whether your parents enjoyed themselves, as your grammer and spelling are like those of a 10 year old. I strongly disagree about the two Crystal reps as when I stayed with them two weeks ago, I found them to be not only helpful but very knowledgable about resort.
Regards Dave
re: Report on Borovets/ Ela
Hello Chaps
I'm sorry if my the grammar I used isn't off the highest standard. It was written on a Sunday evening when I was slightly tired. I was just giving our opinion of the reps, Which I feel was honest one. You may of course disagree with it you are more than welcome to. It is just my opinion.
Yes I did enjoy the Bulgaria, Boro, The Skiing and the people. My only slight gripes were the Ski instructors and the Reps who we just didn't get on with. I thought the best rep was ...
I'm sorry if my the grammar I used isn't off the highest standard. It was written on a Sunday evening when I was slightly tired. I was just giving our opinion of the reps, Which I feel was honest one. You may of course disagree with it you are more than welcome to. It is just my opinion.
Yes I did enjoy the Bulgaria, Boro, The Skiing and the people. My only slight gripes were the Ski instructors and the Reps who we just didn't get on with. I thought the best rep was ...
Hello Chaps
I'm sorry if my the grammar I used isn't off the highest standard. It was written on a Sunday evening when I was slightly tired. I was just giving our opinion of the reps, Which I feel was honest one. You may of course disagree with it you are more than welcome to. It is just my opinion.
Yes I did enjoy the Bulgaria, Boro, The Skiing and the people. My only slight gripes were the Ski instructors and the Reps who we just didn't get on with. I thought the best rep was actually the Thomson girl that escorted us to and from the airport and the Sofia Trip. She actually took time out to see us all personally on the coach. Then on the return journey she gave us a detailed briefing.
I am sure Rupert was OK. He just gave off an air off "I'm better than you approach" which was very off putting to us. I'm not saying that he was bad, just not my cup of tea. My only experience with the NZ rep was listening to him in the welcome meeting, where a fair amount of people walked out during his chat. He didn't at any stage grab my attention, his Jokes didn't work on us ,again not my cup of tea. He may be really nice chap but I never got to chat with him face to face.
As for the ski instructor I feel my friend's were put into a higher group skiing on the 1st day for 5 hours without lunch. They took the Monday off then, when they joined back up with the class was whey beyond there ability and it had dropped down from 12 to 5. Thus they felt more relaxed in taking the skiing at a slightly slower pace, so they could enjoy the mountain and the stunning views that Boro has to offer.
Those were the only two minor points against the Holiday to Bulgaria. We did enjoy it, and I would go back again.
Michael
PS Personal comments about myself are not very welcome when I was just expressing my views. I also suffer from dyslexia, don't worry keep having jabs, feel free, I'm not one to stop you.
I'm sorry if my the grammar I used isn't off the highest standard. It was written on a Sunday evening when I was slightly tired. I was just giving our opinion of the reps, Which I feel was honest one. You may of course disagree with it you are more than welcome to. It is just my opinion.
Yes I did enjoy the Bulgaria, Boro, The Skiing and the people. My only slight gripes were the Ski instructors and the Reps who we just didn't get on with. I thought the best rep was actually the Thomson girl that escorted us to and from the airport and the Sofia Trip. She actually took time out to see us all personally on the coach. Then on the return journey she gave us a detailed briefing.
I am sure Rupert was OK. He just gave off an air off "I'm better than you approach" which was very off putting to us. I'm not saying that he was bad, just not my cup of tea. My only experience with the NZ rep was listening to him in the welcome meeting, where a fair amount of people walked out during his chat. He didn't at any stage grab my attention, his Jokes didn't work on us ,again not my cup of tea. He may be really nice chap but I never got to chat with him face to face.
As for the ski instructor I feel my friend's were put into a higher group skiing on the 1st day for 5 hours without lunch. They took the Monday off then, when they joined back up with the class was whey beyond there ability and it had dropped down from 12 to 5. Thus they felt more relaxed in taking the skiing at a slightly slower pace, so they could enjoy the mountain and the stunning views that Boro has to offer.
Those were the only two minor points against the Holiday to Bulgaria. We did enjoy it, and I would go back again.
Michael
PS Personal comments about myself are not very welcome when I was just expressing my views. I also suffer from dyslexia, don't worry keep having jabs, feel free, I'm not one to stop you.
