As I’m sure you all remember, when we arrived for our most recent tour – southern Italy – I had managed to poke myself in the eye en route, resulting in a massive ruptured blood vessel in my eye. So instead of being able to introduce my best possible self, I instead looked like I had just been in a bar fight. I was lucky, though, because amongst our 18 tour mates was an ophthalmologist, and he could not help but spring into diagnostic action when he saw my horrific eye.
I don’t know what lies in store for us this morning with our 14 other Odysseys Unlimited tour mates but because I always strive for personal growth through goal-setting, I am meeting my tour mates with no visible injuries!
To pass the time after breakfast, Grace and I took a little walk. All of these shots are within a 5 minute walk from the hotel. (Third photo not mine.) The old town roads are yellow brick roads – and they’re so fun! They add an incredible amount of charm to the city.
The history of the yellow brick road is this: when Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria was getting married, he wanted Sofia to be a fashionable European capital like Vienna or Budapest. This was back in 1893 (note: first history lesson for you!). At the time, Sofia did not have a single paved road.
His Hapsburg cousins sent the yellow bricks as a wedding present but they were stored away until 1907, at which point they were finally installed over the few blocks from the royal residence to the National Assembly building. The bricks come from a clay pit near Budapest.
Right behind our hotel is this archaeological museum:
And here’s one more shot from the park in front of our hotel – the Grand Hotel Sofia – which is just gorgeous, with massive rooms and great showers.
Travels with Valerie 
I’m glad you managed not to injure yourself en route, always makes for a better picture and you look very nice in these! Love the yellow brick roads! I’m curious if this is your first Odyssey Unlimited tour and how it will compare to the other tour companies you have used.
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Thanks! Sofia is a big surprise! I was not expecting to like it so much. But it’s really lovely.
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BTW, CWsocial (Catherine) from the RS forum is either in Sofia or just left. Not sure, but could be a fun meet up.
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Hello – I had noticed that awhile back and emailed her but we’re not crossing paths:(
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Dutch and I are in Montreal for Eden’s graduation for medical school. Coincidentally, We are taking her to Budapest and Vienna as a graduation trip – leaving gathering 31st. Any suggestions for Budapest?
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Hi Camille! I LOVE Budapest. I’ve only spent 4 days there but would love to go back. My top sites were the Hospital in the Rock, the Jewish Synagogue and Holocaust Memorial, Parliament tour (pre-book). Their House of Terror museum of life under Stasi rule was really well done with good English signage. That Hospital in the Rock was as well and it was fun to wander that area and marvel that it was really used as a hospital. I loved the interior architecture of the state Opera House as well – you can book a short tour/concert combo that worked well for us. Have an awesome trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Great suggestions Valerie. Thanks for these. We are all enjoying your travel blog!
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You are welcome and thank you!!!!!! Safe travels!
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