road tripping bulgaria & romania: is this loop too ambitious?
We’re mapping out a 3-week road trip through Bulgaria and Romania, starting and ending in Sofia. I’m excited but also a bit nervous—my knees aren’t what they used to be, and I’m already picturing myself limping through cobblestone streets in Sibiu or Sighișoara. We’re thinking: three nights in Sofia, then hitting places like Vratsa, Belogradchik, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Brasov, Bucharest, and then looping back through Varna, Nesebar, Plovdiv, Bansko, and Rila.
Here’s my concern: are we biting off more than we can chew? I remember our last trip to Italy—Google Maps said 2 hours, but it took us 4 with all the stops, bathroom breaks, and wrong turns. And don’t get me started on finding parking near old town centers! I’m also wondering if we’re missing any hidden gems along the way, or if we should spend more time in one place and less in another.
Has anyone done a similar loop? Did you regret rushing through certain towns, or wish you’d skipped a stop? And for those who’ve driven in these countries, how bad are the roads, really? I’m not looking to relive my pothole nightmares from rural Ireland. Any advice on must-see spots, or places to avoid, would be a lifesaver. I want to make the most of this trip without coming home more exhausted than when I left!
#roadtrip #bulgaria #romania #Travel
