When in Sofia the Metro underground is superb and very cheap, reliable and safe (55p a trip) and the tube goes directly to the airport if flying in and out of Sofia.

Car hire is very cheap out of holiday season, but expensive in the summer when most Bulgarian’s head for the black Sea coast.

Train and bus travel throughout Bulgaria is also very cheap, but only the main cities. Some of the main attractions are difficult to reach without going on an organised tour.

If you plan to live in the country used cars are expensive compared with the UK but running costs are low, if you buy or import a vehicle the registration process is slow so when at ‘KAT’ (police) I recommend using a ‘Fixer’ to do the paperwork while you relax and have a coffee it can take all day!

I went down the 4×4 route as I live in the mountains and have five months of snow each year, so an old but trusty Suzuki is is my car of choice.