Bulgaria Away - 6th June 2009 [Archive] - Page 10

NeilMcD

07/05/2009, 3:42 PM

Lads if you want to know what the lads are alluding to. Look at Fraziers on a Sunday afternoon after an Old Firm game. Thats not an anti Celtic comment its an anti scumbag comment as there are loads of genuine Celtic fans before anyone jumps down my neck. Howerver there was an element on some trips that put it this way you would not want your daughter or sister to go go anywhere near.

lionelhutz

07/05/2009, 3:42 PM

Does anyone know if you have to order the Bulgarian currency from the bank or would they have it on the day??

Would our ATM cards work in Sofia?

Polster

07/05/2009, 3:45 PM

How many would you reckon from experience should make Sofia ?? :confused:

3-4k hopefully

danonion

07/05/2009, 3:48 PM

Anyone want to adopt a yank for this qualifier. Don't know any other supporters here with enough money to travel...

Polster

07/05/2009, 3:49 PM

Does anyone know if you have to order the Bulgarian currency from the bank or would they have it on the day??

Would our ATM cards work in Sofia?

I'm 99% sure our cards will work there, but best check with your bank. Also may be actually safer to have a few bulgarian notes on you, in case people watch the atm's or you need money in an emergency :)

cobra

07/05/2009, 4:02 PM

Does anyone know if you have to order the Bulgarian currency from the bank or would they have it on the day??

Would our ATM cards work in Sofia?

ATMs ok for getting out money, you will get better rate over there than in the banks here but not much good if like myself your landing around midnight.
What ever yez do dont change money at Sofia airport as its the worst exchange possible

The Scientist

07/05/2009, 4:03 PM

or you need money in an emergency :)

u wouldnt be suggesting ladies of the night would you? :D

AidoM

07/05/2009, 4:05 PM

Does anyone know if you have to order the Bulgarian currency from the bank or would they have it on the day??

Would our ATM cards work in Sofia?

Just checked with some of the banks and they do not carry the Bulgarian Lev as a matter of course, you will need to ask your bank to order it and it may take about a week or ten days to get it in. The banks will charge comission.

I have been in touch with First Rate, who have the foreign exchange in the departures area of Dublin airport and they carry it. The rate they give is 1.83 lev = �1. The rate is fairly constant. They charge commission @ 2.25% up to a maximum of �12.70 (which is converting �600). If you keep your receipt they will change back notes on the return without charging commission.

I gave them the heads up that there would be a lot of fans heading through the airport in the days leading up to the match and that they should order a good bit in to have available.

I know there are banks in Sofia and that they will change it but I think that they may rip us off maybe not quite as bad as foreign exchange places or hotels. If you use your ATM card in Sofia you will be charged for using it to get a non euro currency as well as the comission for converting it.

I just think that it might be better to get it here before we go.

Polster

07/05/2009, 4:08 PM

u wouldnt be suggesting ladies of the night would you? :D

God no, I'm sure they have swiping facilities anyway :)

EastTerracer

07/05/2009, 5:19 PM

Just checked with some of the banks and they do not carry the Bulgarian Lev as a matter of course, you will need to ask your bank to order it and it may take about a week or ten days to get it in. The banks will charge comission.

I have been in touch with First Rate, who have the foreign exchange in the departures area of Dublin airport and they carry it. The rate they give is 1.83 lev = �1. The rate is fairly constant. They charge commission @ 2.25% up to a maximum of �12.70 (which is converting �600). If you keep your receipt they will change back notes on the return without charging commission.

I gave them the heads up that there would be a lot of fans heading through the airport in the days leading up to the match and that they should order a good bit in to have available.

I know there are banks in Sofia and that they will change it but I think that they may rip us off maybe not quite as bad as foreign exchange places or hotels. If you use your ATM card in Sofia you will be charged for using it to get a non euro currency as well as the comission for converting it.

I just think that it might be better to get it here before we go.

Most taxi drivers are more than happy to take Euro if you have it. The ATMs will work fine for cash withdrawals but I can't remember if there is an ATM at the airport.

EastTerracer

07/05/2009, 5:21 PM

Anyone want to adopt a yank for this qualifier. Don't know any other supporters here with enough money to travel...

How are you getting over Danonion? I'm flying from JFK on the Thursday night (via Zurich)

Jicked

07/05/2009, 5:42 PM

I'm sure it's already been dealt with before, but I haven't seen it anywhere....anyone know what cost of a pint/meal etc is in Sofia? Cant be that much if we're paying �3 a ticket!

mypost

07/05/2009, 6:09 PM

I have been in touch with First Rate, who have the foreign exchange in the departures area of Dublin airport and they carry it. The rate they give is 1.83 lev = €1. The rate is fairly constant. They charge commission @ 2.25% up to a maximum of €12.70 (which is converting €600). If you keep your receipt they will change back notes on the return without charging commission.

I know there are banks in Sofia and that they will change it but I think that they may rip us off maybe not quite as bad as foreign exchange places or hotels. If you use your ATM card in Sofia you will be charged for using it to get a non euro currency as well as the comission for converting it.

I just think that it might be better to get it here before we go.

You won't need €600 for a few days in Sofia. Half that will cover everything.

I wouldn't fancy lining up in queues trying to read the Slavic alphabet in Sofia banks. :o As a general rule on travelling, I would change the cash before going over, use the bureau de change if necessary over there, and only use ATM's as an emergency measure.

SouthAfrica2010

07/05/2009, 6:11 PM

Yep already looked on all the Bulgarian Irish bar meuns and they charge a wopping 1 euro for a pint of local brew. So guess the local bars charge 50 cent or less for it. For foreign beers beers except to pay max 2 euros a pint.

Moscow Mule

07/05/2009, 6:29 PM

SuperDave

07/05/2009, 6:58 PM

make sure your atm card has a cirrus logo on the back of it, or something similar, otherwise it won't work over there. laser cards from the major banks should be fine.

Newryrep

07/05/2009, 7:03 PM

Come on, Amsterdam, Paris and Stuggart, I would say right up there with the greatest Irish atmospheres for an away game or any game. The Croke Park thing is a seperate issue, and I fully expect the atmosphere to be restored when we get back to paddy cullens chicken goujons and pints.

I'd love to see 10k+ in sofia if we could of, because you can be guaranteed it would add hugely to the atmosphere and help the boys.

Polster cant comment on the first two but there were enough reports on here from regular travellers about tossers who travelled who were too ****ed/doped up that they were barely aware of why they were there or where they were. Didnt see anything myself really untoward in Stuttgart just a couple of ****ed up fans ruining some street game played with empty bottles back near the square after the match and generally acting the *****.

At least one Irish fan with an english accent got abused, as she did in also in Prague and Bari by some ****ed up 'fans'. Safe to say if they are tossers in Newry/Dublin/Kerry etc they are going to be tossers in Bratislava, Prague Stuttgart etc.

Anyway heres to a great atsmosphere home and away what ever the numbers

paul_oshea

07/05/2009, 7:24 PM

cobra

07/05/2009, 8:37 PM

Came across this firm on a Bulgarian forum who does transfers from Sofia airport. The OK taxis would probably be slightly cheaper but there a lot of dodgy ones there too. Thought I would put this up for yez as some of yez might prefer this option, going for it myself as arriving at midnight and want to get to city centre quick as possible(5km away from hotel he tells me:()
This is what he sent me:

Hi ,

We have availability, to confirm booking pls provide name for the pick up nameboard, number of passengers and number for contacts.

The hotel is zone 1 about 5 km from center of city and 3 km from stadium.

you can use our email and web adress:

office@bulgariatransport.com
www.bulgariatransport.com (http://www.bulgariatransport.com/)

I can provide special rates for the fans, pls inform the people to email me, (ALEX ) for the rates as follows:

1-4 people by car : zone1 - 8 eur; center zone - 12 eur; zone2 - 14 eur.
4-6 people by MINIVAN: zone1 - 12eur; center zone- 18eur; zone2 - 20eur.
6-8 people by MINIBUS: zone1 - 16eur; center zone- 20eur; zone2 - 23eur.

Look forward to your reply,

Many thanks,

Alex (cool)

captkeen

08/05/2009, 2:59 AM

Hi.Am travelling to bulgaris,where are most people going to meet up before the match.

paul_oshea

08/05/2009, 7:52 AM

Hi.Am travelling to bulgaris,where are most people going to meet up before the match.

The pub.

Newryrep

08/05/2009, 8:09 AM

Came across this firm on a Bulgarian forum who does transfers from Sofia airport. The OK taxis would probably be slightly cheaper but there a lot of dodgy ones there too. ......... your reply,

Many thanks,

Alex (cool)

I was reading Trip advisor and the problem with the dodgy taxis is that they look very similar to the legit ones bar one change of letter which in the Crylic??? alphabet isnt easy to spot. The legit ones have a booth/desk in the terminal where you agree a price and they allocate you a taxi

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g294452-i3713-k2290463-Advice_for_taxis_in_sofia_please_read-Sofia.html

cobra

08/05/2009, 8:43 AM

I was reading Trip advisor and the problem with the dodgy taxis is that they look very similar to the legit ones bar one change of letter which in the Crylic??? alphabet isnt easy to spot. The legit ones have a booth/desk in the terminal where you agree a price and they allocate you a taxi

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g294452-i3713-k2290463-Advice_for_taxis_in_sofia_please_read-Sofia.html

Was there in Dec at Sofia airport and got one of the YELLOW OK taxis(the goodies) 10 lev(�5) to train station(20 mins in taxi), the dodgy OK taxis as far as I know are white(the baddies) and from what I have heard, they may have letter change but also have same phone number except have an extra digit. You will get quoted good prices outside by in your face taxi drivers(the uglies) but once you hop in them and get left to your destination, suddenly metre gets mentioned and your screwed.

Another thing in Bulgaria is some of the restuarants, menu for the tourists and a cheaper one for the locals, hard to compare prices between the 2 as the Crylic writing is totally different to ours.

JT,New'09

08/05/2009, 12:19 PM

If you are female yes there is, and Neil can help out with that.

:) Cool this is me ill see you at the bar so !! :p

http://devilliers.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/hot_faith.jpg

lionelhutz

08/05/2009, 1:49 PM

Just checked the google map and the Radisson (where we're staying) is less than a km away from the stadium and just over a km away from Murphys Irish bar - go on ya good thing ya!!

NeilMcD

08/05/2009, 2:49 PM

:) Cool this is me ill see you at the bar so !! :p

http://devilliers.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/hot_faith.jpg

Not really my type ha ha

Paddser

08/05/2009, 2:55 PM

Just checked the google map and the Radisson (where we're staying) is less than a km away from the stadium and just over a km away from Murphys Irish bar - go on ya good thing ya!!

As far as I can recall there is an Oirish Bar called Flannagans in the Radisson Hotel.

More importantly, does anyone where the main square for a meet up is?

paul_oshea

08/05/2009, 3:09 PM

Cool this is me ill see you at the bar so !!

http://devilliers.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/hot_faith.jpg

Do you like rabbit food?! ;)

This is Neil, ;)

http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/huggybear.jpg

paul_oshea

08/05/2009, 3:17 PM

:) Nice Reply !! Bottem line is were all going for the same reason to support the team with the hope to win , and add points to the board to qualify for the World Cup.
Im going for the reason stated above .......oh and for a break from this country and the depression of this bluddy recession, its a trip to look 4ward too , for the atmosphere , the build up , the match , and the crack , the weather, the beer and good clean fun :cool:.........

...and the riding. well not for me obviously.

paul_oshea

08/05/2009, 3:19 PM

Anyone want to adopt a yank for this qualifier. Don't know any other supporters here with enough money to travel...

You can join our group danonion, so long as you are not one of these:

ah no you'll meet loads of lads and everyone is sound. I am the soundest but everyone else will still chat to ye.

lopez

08/05/2009, 3:26 PM

;) Is there some kind of Initiation needed to be accepted as a so called "Porper Fan" ? :ball: Or if you cannot make every single away game does that mean your less of an Irish football fan or even 1/4 or 1/2 a fan ! ?:rolleyes:I'd say going for the football firstly makes you a proper fan. Not how many games - money - you've been to this year. or in your life, which might be half that of mine. See the complaints about Bratislava for an idea of what I'm talking about.

As for these people not going to far flung places unless they don't support Ireland, well they, er, don't. Macedonia in 1999 was poorly attended for such a crucial game, as was the play off in Bursa (which I didn't attend). OK, money's tight, but that was the final game. If money's tight, I'd go to that game.

Don't think there was 40K going to Georgia either. No, they just pop up in the orbit of the cheap flight, cheap beer and cheap women, in which Bratislava, Prague and Tallin are perfect. If you include drugs, then add Amsterdam. And oh if there is a football game that I can keep awake for, well that's something to tell the mates back home about aswell. And as Neil states, visiting a football site is definitely not for them.

mypost

08/05/2009, 3:27 PM

The match needs have been accommodated:

http://www.railwaymarket.eu/7160/Bulgaria+New+section+of+Sofia+metro+launched.htm

The Metro looks very limited. Is there a Metro stop at the Central Rail Station?

paul_oshea

08/05/2009, 3:45 PM

This is what a proper fan looks like:

http://www.virginmedia.com/sport/galleries/biggest-fan.php?ssid=7

horney

08/05/2009, 8:44 PM

Just checked with some of the banks and they do not carry the Bulgarian Lev as a matter of course, you will need to ask your bank to order it and it may take about a week or ten days to get it in. The banks will charge comission.

I have been in touch with First Rate, who have the foreign exchange in the departures area of Dublin airport and they carry it. The rate they give is 1.83 lev = �1. The rate is fairly constant. They charge commission @ 2.25% up to a maximum of �12.70 (which is converting �600). If you keep your receipt they will change back notes on the return without charging commission.

I gave them the heads up that there would be a lot of fans heading through the airport in the days leading up to the match and that they should order a good bit in to have available.

I know there are banks in Sofia and that they will change it but I think that they may rip us off maybe not quite as bad as foreign exchange places or hotels. If you use your ATM card in Sofia you will be charged for using it to get a non euro currency as well as the comission for converting it.

I just think that it might be better to get it here before we go.

I am wondering what you will need �600 for aido mmmmmm. i wonder

horney

08/05/2009, 8:47 PM

buy the way just booked two of us with ebookers for �840 down as a weekend break only place that has'nt copped on and ripped off people

Greenforever

08/05/2009, 11:18 PM

buy the way just booked two of us with ebookers for �840 down as a weekend break only place that has'nt copped on and ripped off people

Well at �840 I reckon you've been ripped off

Dublin London �30 return

London Sofia �90 return

3 nights raddison�180

Total �300 in 4 star hotel

Match ticket �5

mypost

08/05/2009, 11:30 PM

buy the way just booked two of us with ebookers for �840 down as a weekend break only place that has'nt copped on and ripped off people

That's more than the packages. :confused:

E-bookers is a crap website anyway, and prices should be viewed as a guide only.

cobra

08/05/2009, 11:54 PM

E-bookers is a crap website anyway, and prices should be viewed as a guide only.

Totally agree, every time I look up flights on that site, its a case of :eek::eek:
But still some people recommend this site(e-bookers) on different forums:rolleyes:

gufct

09/05/2009, 12:12 PM

Anyonw got spare accomodation or willing to share a room .Booking Flights right now but dont want to be paying single room charge.

gufct

10/05/2009, 8:29 AM

Got flights Shannon/Gatwick/Sofia for �228 from Thursday till monday well pleased,Havent booked a hotel yet as i reckon if i get someone to share will get a good hotel B&B for �40

Superhoops

10/05/2009, 10:35 AM

Got flights Shannon/Gatwick/Sofia for �228 from Thursday till monday well pleased,Havent booked a hotel yet as i reckon if i get someone to share will get a good hotel B&B for �40

Try here (http://www.bookinhotels.com./). A choice of hotels with B&B rooms �40 to �45 per night

The Bit O'Red

10/05/2009, 11:56 AM

Well at �840 I reckon you've been ripped off

Dublin London �30 return

London Sofia �90 return

3 nights raddison�180

Total �300 in 4 star hotel

Match ticket �5

Which airlines did you get those flights with Greenforever?

gufct

10/05/2009, 12:11 PM

Try here (http://www.bookinhotels.com./). A choice of hotels with B&B rooms €40 to €45 per night

booked the Hotel Niky http://www.hotel-niky.com/aboutus_en.html booked a suite for €80 b&b looking for someone to share it now pm here or ring 0872930738.

Babysis

10/05/2009, 9:35 PM

At least one Irish fan with an english accent got abused, as she did in also in Prague and Bari by some ****ed up 'fans'.

Cheers Newry:). Just on this point, I am now doing this trip on my own, so I want to put myself somewhere central and amongst half decent fans, so where are people staying in sofia? :)

mypost

10/05/2009, 9:40 PM

For places to stay, I'd recommend staying near to Metro stations, in order to be able to get around. There's only about 10-odd stations, but it's the best way of getting around.

gufct

10/05/2009, 10:16 PM

Cheers Newry:). Just on this point, I am now doing this trip on my own, so I want to put myself somewhere central and amongst half decent fans, so where are people staying in sofia? :)

staying in the niky hotel very central. You flying wed or thurs from shannon.

Sligo Hornet

11/05/2009, 7:25 AM

Cheers Newry:). Just on this point, I am now doing this trip on my own, so I want to put myself somewhere central and amongst half decent fans, so where are people staying in sofia? :)

You won't be on your own Babysis......Watford crew housed in Hotel Les Fleurs, right in centre!......only down side, Newryrep also in same Hotel:(

http://www.lesfleurshotel.com/

cobra

11/05/2009, 8:25 AM

booked the Hotel Niky http://www.hotel-niky.com/aboutus_en.html booked a suite for �80 b&b looking for someone to share it now pm here or ring 0872930738.

Ye jammy git, you must have got a cancellation, that joint is booked up since November, was the 1 hotel highly recommended to me , supose to be in great location. Might try them again, see do I have any luck