LGBTQ+ Backpackers Bulgaria Ski

It's the moment you've been waiting for. Today we arrive in Sofia, the fairytale capital famed for its rich local history, art galleries, scenic parks, bustling boulevards, local markets, and just about everything you can imagine. Meet your new group of friends who'll quickly become family tonight. This will be our first and final night in Sofia, so you may wish to arrive early and spend your afternoon sightseeing. With Bulgaria winning Eurovision this year, we have a feeling that Sofia is about to become VERY popular soon - so we're ahead of the trend!

Your group leader will take you to an incredible spot for dinner and drinks before we see where the night takes us. Let's raise a glass to all the memories we're about to make... And if you're wondering how to say "Cheers" in Bulgarian, it's "Наздраве" (pronounced "Nahz-drah-veh")!

Yesterday you met your crew, and today we meet our home base! Hop on a private coach as we journey to Bansko. From wooden chalets to soaring peaks, get ready for Bulgaria's ultimate winter wonderland. On the drive down, we'll play some games and a few more ice-breakers. Drop your bags later, then this afternoon we'll get our ski (or snowboarding) gear fitted, before exploring Bansko's old town. Those cobbled streets will make you feel pure wanderlust, especially when they lead to artisan food spots, local cafés and traditional taverns. Mulled wine? Of course!

Tonight we have another delicious group dinner planned at our hotel. We officially start skiing tomorrow morning, so how late you want to party tonight is completely up to you. Just know that Bansko's après is pretty legendary!

It's time! Fuel up on breakfast, grab your ski gear, and get ready to hit the slopes. Your first ski or snowboard lesson is today, so you can get your bearings and practice the technique. Or if you want to learn to snowboard, now's your chance! You'll basically feel like a pro in no time.

After our ski lesson, you can keep on exploring or hop on a ski lift to soak in the mountain views from above. Then later this afternoon, we'll regroup for après! Pick up your drink of choice, whether that's an Aperol Spritz, the local beer, or downing shots of Rakia. Either way, get ready to dance! Tonight, you guessed it, we'll grab dinner together before our first BIG night out... Don't be fooled by Bansko's cosy vibes; at night things get pretty wild!

Rise and shine! Nothing cures a hangover quite like fresh mountain air, so after breakfast we're grabbing our ski gear once more. Hold onto your phones as we ride the chairlift, because jaw-dropping views are incoming. Then hop off and get into mastering all those skills we learnt yesterday.

When the morning winds down, your afternoon is just getting started! And it's completely free, so you can keep on skiing or switch up the scenery with a wander in town. Whatever vibe you and your friends are feeling today, Bansko has got something to match it!

You know the drill! Chat with your friends over breakfast, then head out to carve up the slopes. They say that practice makes perfect, and today we are perfecting our skills in our final lesson.

Then it's time... Time for more après, of course! Our plans for tonight are dinner and an epic bar crawl. After a few Rakia shots, you may find yourself dancing on a table. When in Bansko! You're also free to take it easy breezy (especially since we've got a fun surprise planned tomorrow!).

Think of your craziest costume idea and times it by x1000. We wanna see it! Today we're going skiing together one last time, so bring on the onesies, the fancy outfits, or the outlandish headgear. Because even if you're the worst skier, you can still be the best-dressed!

When today comes to a close... Just kidding, we're only getting started! This is our final night in Bansko, and you can bet that we'll make it count. Your group leader has something really fun planned, and we don't want to give it away, sooo, let's just say it's one to remember!

And just like that, our winter adventure week is over. Even if you're not a ski pro, you've definitely found your people! We have a private coach journey today back to Sofia, and your group leader can help organise your next steps. Until next time!