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Erion substituted Seldan as my guide on this occasion and he, being a youthful university medical student, was able to give me a thought-provoking young person’s overview of life in contemporary Albania, besides conveying the historical context of Communism under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. What I most enjoyed was learning about Albania, past and present, from the perspective of a young person. The narrative concerning the Hoxha tyranny was enlivened by personal and anecdotal accounts, supported by first-hand knowledge of events passed down through family generations. Overall, I was left with a better understanding of the many legacies of Communism on Albanian society, while at the same time learning about the challenges facing Albania in the 21st century, particularly the matters of contention affecting the iGeneration. Thank you, Erion.
Fun walk outside the city to the mountain foothills surrounding. Stefan was very flexible, not only guiding me on a genteel hike which suited my level of fitness, but he also explained a lot about Bulgarian society, culture and history. Very informative, plus a nice way to see a little of the Bulgarian countryside. Thank you.
Matthew geared the walk to fit my interests, having taken the time and trouble to ask me beforehand any specific areas or topics I would like to see covered. Besides showing me and explaining the major sites of Sofia, he managed in just over two hours to give me a social, cultural and historical snapshot of Bulgaria, his adoptive home, from his unique perspective of an Englishman living in Sofia. His style of delivery tended towards overviews, themes and trends, rather than minute detail which suited my style of learning down to the ground. In short, an entertaining and informative morning. Thank you
Ivo was our guide; Danny our chauffeur; both were informative and amusing. Ivo conducted the walk in a leisurely fashion, concentrating his delivery on Bulgaria’s Communist past. Yet, in response to the numerous questions he encouraged from his audience, Ivo veered off script quite regularly to relate how the era of Socialist domination still impacts contemporary Bulgarian life and society, some 30 years on. Overall, the story he had to tell was a compelling one, and relayed in perfect English. The tour concluded with a short ride in a Trabant, with Danny at the wheel, an experience that left me with the impression that its simple, utilitarian design was more ingenious than my school history books had led me to believe. In short, a worthwhile tour and a pleasant way to spend an autumnal morning in Sofia. Thank you.
Enjoyed the walk which gave me a further perspective on Sofia. Ideal as a complement to the mainstream city day tour.