Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Tour operator or by yourself?
Author:Denis
posts : 35 (Beginner)Date : 01-03-11 13:33Tour operator or by yourself?
hi guys! we are thinking of going in Bansko in March, is it better to book a holiday thru tour operator or go there by yourself? Latter option is much cheaper I suppose... We are thinking of booking a hotel, flight and hire a car for a transfer from Sofia to Bansko. Any advise is very valuable as we are absolute newbies....
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
DIY much cheaper as you say. Massive choice of rentals in Bansko some real bargains to be found. Steve C can sort transfers for you lift pass from the gondola plenty of hire shops for gear.Anything else you want to know just ask.
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Both have pro's and cons , there are alot of good cheap owner owned apartments that can be rented , deals on ski mhire etc , car hire is very easy ( just be carful of out of hours charge on drop off and collection of car too , usually needed to be paid in cash at collection of vehicle) Drivin g in bulgaria is ok too , just take your own sat nav with up to date maps , as sat nav hire can get expensive , and be carful where yo park as they tow cars away very qwickly
www.banskoski.com for ...
www.banskoski.com for ...
Both have pro's and cons , there are alot of good cheap owner owned apartments that can be rented , deals on ski mhire etc , car hire is very easy ( just be carful of out of hours charge on drop off and collection of car too , usually needed to be paid in cash at collection of vehicle) Drivin g in bulgaria is ok too , just take your own sat nav with up to date maps , as sat nav hire can get expensive , and be carful where yo park as they tow cars away very qwickly
www.banskoski.com for info and pass prices
www.explore-bansko.co.uk for ski deals etc / accomodation
www.piry.bg/en for complex
www.banskoski.com for info and pass prices
www.explore-bansko.co.uk for ski deals etc / accomodation
www.piry.bg/en for complex
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Hey Denis,
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to organise and travel yourself, as absolute newbies. So there's no probelem by flight booking, but it starts by booking the hotels for good prices and need some skills and time to find good offers and the hardest it's to drive your self from Sofia to Bansko. May be you try this later and check out for the first time how you can use public transport, much easier and cheaper as car hire and driving in Bulgaria. May be you can checked out the B+B ...
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to organise and travel yourself, as absolute newbies. So there's no probelem by flight booking, but it starts by booking the hotels for good prices and need some skills and time to find good offers and the hardest it's to drive your self from Sofia to Bansko. May be you try this later and check out for the first time how you can use public transport, much easier and cheaper as car hire and driving in Bulgaria. May be you can checked out the B+B ...
Hey Denis,
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to organise and travel yourself, as absolute newbies. So there's no probelem by flight booking, but it starts by booking the hotels for good prices and need some skills and time to find good offers and the hardest it's to drive your self from Sofia to Bansko. May be you try this later and check out for the first time how you can use public transport, much easier and cheaper as car hire and driving in Bulgaria. May be you can checked out the B+B in Bansko which was pushed some days before, and try to catch a cab from Sofia Airport to Central Busstation and use a bus, if you can find a early flight.
Sune
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to organise and travel yourself, as absolute newbies. So there's no probelem by flight booking, but it starts by booking the hotels for good prices and need some skills and time to find good offers and the hardest it's to drive your self from Sofia to Bansko. May be you try this later and check out for the first time how you can use public transport, much easier and cheaper as car hire and driving in Bulgaria. May be you can checked out the B+B in Bansko which was pushed some days before, and try to catch a cab from Sofia Airport to Central Busstation and use a bus, if you can find a early flight.
Sune
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Hi Dennis,We have done both.
Two years ago when the planes couldnt land due to too much snow the tour operator really looked after us.
Last year we did DIY, but this year the deal was that good with Balken that we decided to go with tour op again!.
I just weigh it up each year and go with the cheaper option, but do feel safer with the tour op option and at £444 each inc full ski packs and transfers I dont think you can go far wrong
Pete
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
guys, you are the most helpful, thanks a lot!!! speaking of tour operators, which ones you would advise?Denis
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Hi DenisBalkan Holidays everytime
Been to Bansko 5 times on the trot
Last year I paid £325.00 that's everthing in apart from food
Flights/Accom/Ski Hire/Boot Hire/Liftpass/and ski school
Oh and transfers to the resort and back
Incredible value
Best time to go def late Feb and throughout March
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Denis,
When the snow prevented planes landing at Sofia we were with Crystal (Thomson owned) The planes were landed at a coastal airport! We were bused to a hotel, put up over night, fed beakfast and lunch then taken back to the airport and we flew over to Sofia the nxt day.
This weather hit all companies and talking to people in the resort Thomson were the only company to find accomodation, the rest left their punters in the airport, with very little in the way of support!
So to answer ...
When the snow prevented planes landing at Sofia we were with Crystal (Thomson owned) The planes were landed at a coastal airport! We were bused to a hotel, put up over night, fed beakfast and lunch then taken back to the airport and we flew over to Sofia the nxt day.
This weather hit all companies and talking to people in the resort Thomson were the only company to find accomodation, the rest left their punters in the airport, with very little in the way of support!
So to answer ...
Denis,
When the snow prevented planes landing at Sofia we were with Crystal (Thomson owned) The planes were landed at a coastal airport! We were bused to a hotel, put up over night, fed beakfast and lunch then taken back to the airport and we flew over to Sofia the nxt day.
This weather hit all companies and talking to people in the resort Thomson were the only company to find accomodation, the rest left their punters in the airport, with very little in the way of support!
So to answer your question! Crystal would be my 1st but I always check all companies and cost up the DIY option.
Good DIY option is to book your own flights and transfers and then get an accomodation plus ski pack deal with Balken (making sure you select the acc only tab on their web site!)
We are using Balken for a full package this year as the deal was too good to turn down!
Good luck and please ask if you need any further help.
Pete
When the snow prevented planes landing at Sofia we were with Crystal (Thomson owned) The planes were landed at a coastal airport! We were bused to a hotel, put up over night, fed beakfast and lunch then taken back to the airport and we flew over to Sofia the nxt day.
This weather hit all companies and talking to people in the resort Thomson were the only company to find accomodation, the rest left their punters in the airport, with very little in the way of support!
So to answer your question! Crystal would be my 1st but I always check all companies and cost up the DIY option.
Good DIY option is to book your own flights and transfers and then get an accomodation plus ski pack deal with Balken (making sure you select the acc only tab on their web site!)
We are using Balken for a full package this year as the deal was too good to turn down!
Good luck and please ask if you need any further help.
Pete
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Funski,That was an amazing deal u got yourself last year
Pete
re: Tour operator or by yourself?
Hi PeteWell would you believe the year before was even better
Scheduled flights out of Heathrow
everything else I mentioned above BUT upgraded to the Hotel Strazhite because the resort was quiet in March and they have closed our booked hotel early
Cost ..... you ready for this!!!
£278.00
I was stunned !!!!
