Sofia Weekend: Balkan Bites & Hidden Heritage

This trip starts in Sofia. On the first day, we’ll meet at 17:00. 

Please arrive by 5 pm on the day of arrival. On the day of departure, you're free to leave whenever.

This trip ends in Sofia. The trip officially ends at 09:00 on the last day, so we recommend planning your return transfers accordingly. For example:

• if you need to book a flight, consider the time needed to reach the airport and complete check-in procedures;
• if you need to book a train or continue your journey independently, consider the time required to reach the station or your next destination.

 If you have any doubts, you can contact the coordinator assigned to your departure for advice.

For this itinerary, traveling with a backpack is mandatory for logistical reasons and the convenience of the entire group - including yourself! Trolleys, bulky suitcases, or hard luggage are not allowed. The Travel Group Leader will provide guidance on the ideal baggage before departure via the WhatsApp group.

Find out the entry requirements for Bulgaria, and, if needed, apply for your visa through our partner Sherpa.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for Bulgaria – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

Bulgaria is in the Eastern European Time Zone (EET), which is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2). If it's 12 pm in the UK, it will be 2 pm in Bulgaria. For travelers from the USA, if it's 12 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), it will be 7 pm in Bulgaria. Bulgaria observes daylight saving time, so from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, the time difference changes to UTC+3.

Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN) as its currency. The daily exchange rates are approximately:

• 1 GBP = 2.25 BGN
• 1 USD = 1.85 BGN
• 1 EUR = 1.95 BGN

You can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices, or withdraw BGN from ATMs.

Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are widely accepted in Bulgaria. Most places accept Visa and Mastercard, but it's always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller shops or rural areas where card payment might not be available. ATMs are common in cities and towns, and you can withdraw Bulgarian Lev directly. While some places might accept Euros, it's best to pay in the local currency to avoid unfavorable exchange rates.

In Bulgaria, tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. If you receive good service at a restaurant, it's common to leave a tip of around 10 percent of the bill. For taxi rides, rounding up to the nearest whole number is a nice gesture. In hotels, you might consider tipping hotel staff like porters or housekeeping a small amount for their services. Remember, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service, but it's entirely up to you.

In Bulgaria, Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and restaurants, so you should have no trouble getting online. If you need reliable internet on the go, you might want to consider buying a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan. Providers like A1, Vivacom, and Telenor offer good options with various data packages. If you're traveling from a country in the European Union, you can also use roaming at no extra cost, thanks to the EU's roaming regulations. This makes staying connected pretty straightforward while you're exploring Bulgaria.

In Bulgaria, the official language is Bulgarian. It's a Slavic language that uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Here are some useful phrases you might hear or use:

• Hello: Zdravei (Здравей)
• Thank you: Blagodarya (Благодаря)
• Please: Molya (Моля)
• Yes: Da (Да)
• No: Ne (Не)

These expressions can be handy while exploring Bulgaria!

In Bulgaria, the standard plugs are Type C and Type F. The voltage is 230 volts and the frequency is 50 hertz. If you're coming from the UK, USA, or any other country that doesn't use these plugs, we suggest bringing a universal adapter to keep your devices charged. This way, you'll be well-prepared to plug in your gadgets without any hassle.

The main religion in Bulgaria is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with the majority of the population belonging to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Important religious holidays in Bulgaria include:

• Christmas on December 25
• Easter, celebrated on a different date than in Western Christianity, usually in April or May

Remember that during these holidays, many shops and services might have different opening hours.

When packing for Bulgaria, it’s good to be prepared for diverse activities and weather. Here's what we suggest you put in your backpack:

• Clothing:
  • Lightweight t-shirts
  • Warm sweaters or jackets for cooler evenings
  • Comfortable pants or jeans
  • Swimwear for the Black Sea coast
• Shoes:
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sandals for the beach
  • Hiking boots if you plan to explore the mountains
• Accessories and Technology:
  • Sunglasses and a hat for sunny days
  • Power bank for your gadgets
  • Camera for capturing memories
• Toiletries and Medication:
  • Travel-sized shampoo and conditioner
  • Sunscreen
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol
  • Motion sickness tablets if you plan on traveling by bus or car

Bulgaria offers a mix of experiences, so be ready for both urban and natural adventures!

The weather in Bulgaria varies significantly depending on the region. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Coastal Areas (Black Sea Coast): Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures around 25-30°C. Winters are mild, averaging 0-5°C.
• Plains (Central and Northern Bulgaria): Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures reaching 30-35°C. Winters can be cold, often dipping below 0°C, with occasional snowfall.
• Mountain Regions: Summers are cooler, ranging from 15-25°C. Winters are cold and snowy, perfect for skiing, with temperatures often below 0°C.

The best time to visit Bulgaria is in late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) when the weather is pleasant and the landscapes are beautiful.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

It depends on when you cancel, the status of your departure, and how much you have already paid. Here are all the cases.

If you cancel more than 31 days before departure - Departure not confirmed
You can cancel via email at hello@weroad.com

If it was your first unconfirmed booking (if you have more than one), nothing has been charged: no refund is needed.
If you paid the €/£/$100 deposit, it will be fully refunded.

Departure confirmed – you paid only the €/£/$100 deposit
In case of cancellation by the WeRoader, the deposit paid is not refunded. However, you can change your trip from your MyWeRoad Account and use the amount for another departure.

Departure confirmed – you paid the full amount
In case of cancellation by the WeRoader, the amount paid is not refunded. However, you can change your trip from your MyWeRoad Area and use the amount for another departure.

If you cancel less than 31 days of departure
You can cancel your booking at any time. However, in case of cancellation of less than 31 days before departure, no refund of the amount paid is provided, nor is it possible to change your trip, unless you have purchased Flexible Cancellation.
The private room fee, included in the price of your trip, is not refunded under any circumstances within this time frame, unless you have purchased Flexible Cancellation.

If you have Flexible Cancellation
With Flexible Cancellation, you can cancel up to 8 days before departure and receive a 100% refund of the price, including the deposit and the private room fee. The only amount not refunded is the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option itself.

PLEASE NOTE: before cancelling, keep in mind that you can move your booking to another trip or a different date. Find out how!

For any doubts about your specific situation, write to our team at hello@weroad.com - we’ll help you!

Yes, you can change your trip directly from your MyWeRoad personal area, up to 31 days before departure. If you purchased Flexible Cancellation, you have up to 8 days before departure.

How to change your trip from MyWeRoad

• Enter your booking
• Scroll to the “Change your trip” section at the bottom right
• Select a different date for the same trip or a completely different trip

Things to know

You can change your trip up to 3 times from your MyWeRoad personal area. Further changes must be requested by contacting our team at hello@weroad.com.
The new trip must depart within 12 months from the original departure date.
If your original booking included a private room, Flexible Cancellation, discount codes, gift cards, or vouchers, we will notify you before confirmation if they cannot be applied to the new trip.

You cannot switch to sold-out trips. For “On request” departures, we will check availability. For “Last spots” departures, availability in rooms of your same gender may not be guaranteed.
If there is a price adjustment: if the new trip costs less, we will refund the difference; if it costs more, you will need to pay the difference.

PLEASE NOTE: before cancelling, keep in mind that you can move your booking to another trip or a different date. Find out how!

In some cases – for example when a departure is not yet confirmed and it is your first unconfirmed booking – you can book without paying the €/£/$100 deposit upfront.

This means that you can secure your spot at zero cost: nothing will be charged until the departure is confirmed. Once the departure is confirmed, the €/£/$100 deposit will be automatically charged within 48 hours according to the terms agreed at the time of booking.

If a departure is “Available”, it means that the trip is not yet confirmed and we are waiting for a few more bookings… maybe yours!

The good news? If it’s your first booking on an unconfirmed departure, you can book without paying anything! Just. leave your credit card details as a guarantee: no immediate charge, €/£/$0 deposit.
In the meantime, wait for the departure to be confirmed before purchasing your round-trip flights!

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator;
   
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group;
   
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure;
   
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen;
   
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip;
   
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip;
   
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip;
   
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator;
   
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled;
   
• Activities paid through the Money Pot: they are carried out by third-party local suppliers and their conditions apply; WeRoad does not intervene in their management nor assumes any responsibility. For details on the money pot, see the General Terms and Conditions

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Yes, but the available options depend on the status of your trip and when you make the request.

If your trip is not yet confirmed
You can cancel your booking by emailing hello@weroad.com
free of charge, up to 31 days before departure.
Please note: if it’s your first unconfirmed booking, you will only be asked to provide a credit card, PayPal, or Revolut as a guarantee, but nothing will be charged. From the second unconfirmed booking onwards, a mandatory £/$0100 deposit will be required.

If your trip is confirmed
Fees are not refundable in cash. You are entitled to cancel up to 31 days before departure, but after this deadline, cancellation is no longer possible.

Flexible Cancellation
If you purchased the Flexible Cancellation option (available in the first step of the booking process), you can cancel your trip up to 8 days before departure and receive a 100% refund of the price, including the deposit and private room fee. The only non-refundable amount is the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option itself.

How to cancel your trip

• Write to hello@weroad.com
• indicating your booking code. 
• We will reply as soon as possible applying the cancellation conditions for your booking.

PLEASE NOTE: before cancelling, keep in mind that you can move your booking to another trip or a different date. Find out how!

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Group Leader has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. 

Generally, our groups have an average of 11 people. Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to travelers between 25 and 49 years old. The indicated age is meant to give you an idea of the type of group, but it's not a strict limit: it's possible to participate even with a few years more or less, as long as you can keep up with the pace and energy of the group you're traveling with.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Group Leader 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Group Leader is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Group Leader will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Group Leader assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email hello@weroad.com if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.