Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I stayed over the New Year at the flora. I have previously been to Borovets in 1999-2000 New Year but have been to the alps a few times since.
Overall, my family and friends had a great time; the novices in our group found the experience fantastic. And those better skiers also enjoyed the skiing. I was worried about the queues at the lift/gondola but avoiding the 10 o’clock ski groups and the 12:30 ½ day ski pass queue and you will be fine. The flora was very acceptable and all in our group said they were pleased with the accommodation.
Food; the flora breakfast was fine with enough healthy selection to keep you regular and plenty of the usual bacon and eggs etc
The mountain food was expensive I large roll one toasty and two hot chocolates £20
At the bottom of the slopes the prices are a lot less. I don’t mind paying good money for good food but the snacks were not particularly good quality on the mountain. Generally the food was; you get what you pay for. Some in my group were more cost conscious and paid as little as £30 (two adults two children with drinks) for an evening meal and felt it was good value. The most we paid was £80 for 2 adults and 2 children with drinks and that represented better value than my alps experience, There are plenty of bars which you can get burger and chips with a beer for £6 so there is plenty of choice for all. Spending a little more on French or Australian wine is a tip I would recommend, as the Bulgarian red is very ropey (unless heated)
Instructors for the beginners spoke English, The ones I spoke to had a Borovets qualification and their tuition again looked fine for that level.
All in all I was a great Holiday with everyone saying they would return, I have checked with the Nationwide and got an appreciably better rate than friends who changed money in resort (so thanks message board for the advice)
I never saw a prostitute, Dead Dogs, Gangsters or any other of the scare stories that I read about but pick your places it is a little like Blackpool with snow but there are nice places to drink at and eat and have a great holiday.
Have a great trip
Pat

Oh yes one other point I have just remembered I was ripped off in a supermarket, Overcharged by 8 lev. It was late in the evening and really busy: I only had a certain amount of money on me so I added up the items as they went into my basket so was aware of the total price she said 8 lev more that it should have been, as soon as I showed concern for the price the girl on the till went oh yes sorry I pressed 6 items not 1!!! I let her know my feelings and all the people in the queue started to add up their items!!
P

One of the tricks with Bulgarian red wine is that they will refill a bottle with their home brew out the back, bringing just an open bottle to your table. Had a huge fight in Bansko a couple of years ago when we ordered a pricey bottle of BG red (which is usually pretty good by the way) and it came with a flourish and an already pulled cork (as in 'we've just opened this for you') that was bone dry. The wine was terrible on tasting and we refused to pay, at which point it all kicked off with the cooks coming out hollering and threatening. Luckily I was with Serbs who have little time for Bulgarians on a good day, so it was quite an event. Shame as the food was good.

Wine should be opened at the table and if it comes opened, send it back.