Jumbo

If I were a child, I would definitely want to spend most of my time at Jumbo. It really is the "jumbo jet" of mega-stores for kids in Sofia, part of a Greek chain that has branches in Greece and Cyprus. A palace full of wonderful things, with an air of novelty about it, it slightly resembles Ikea in that it has plenty of goods for the home, and it's cheap. But Ikea is more focussed on grownups, while Jumbo will

The baby boom in Bulgaria

A light attempt at an explanation

would like to confess something. Until recently, in my mind and I am sure in the mind of many of my friends and acquaintances, I have associated the former high school classmate who is already married and settled with a few adolescent kids with the nondescript, pimpled, one-track, shallow and naive classmate, the one who married the first man that merely said hello to her at age 18. A person who has never

The Sofia Echo on the EC report on Bulgaria

The July 23 2008 report by the European Commission on Bulgaria, with its stark criticism of the country's shortcomings in the fight against organised crime and corruption, fuelled Bulgaria's domestic political drama and gave ammunition to Sofia's critics abroad. In the issue of The Sofia Echo published on July 25, there are full details of the key points of the report along with a summary of reaction.

VENUE REVIEW: flocafe

I suppose the brand name itself suggests a more casual and laid-back coffee-shop atmosphere - flo-w! But on the other hand, the vision itself and the setting of Flocafe is more of a bar and restaurant type indeed. Which means, firstly, that it is not actually a small premise at all, complete with stools and sofas, a bar and restaurant area and secondly, that it is not self-served, it has waitresses. It is a rather mixed up venue. But the fact is, it offers a small selection of kitchenette foods. We supposed this was simply due to being more refined in taste, as it consists of a few small pizzetti, bagels and salads, like shopska and Caesar, and various shakes, coffees and sweets.

South Park/Yuzhen Park (Южен парк)

Between Boulevard Bulgaria, Petko Todorov Boulevard, Sreburna Street and Gotse Delchev Boulevard, in Sofia.

Background: When Sofia was announced as the new capital of Bulgaria on April 3 1879, the city had only one public park - the city park, called Gradskata - which had been constructed on the site of a former Turkish park on the initiative of governor PB Alabin and under the leadership of city architect Anton Kolar. In the 1950s, Yuzhen Park was laid out in a paysage style, immitating English parks. It is divided into four sectors

A beauty sanctuary

Despite the fact that spa and beauty salons are springing up around Bulgaria's cities at any price and at any rate, the observant eye of a connoisseur, I might say, will instantly spot out the good stuff from the not-so-good stuff. Angel Face is such a good spot. It is situated in the southern part of Sofia, off Kozyak Street, just minutes away from the famous governmental hospital, aka Lozenets University Hospital, and

A day in Greenville

Greenville Spa Centre (in Greenville Hotel)

Greenville. The best way to imitate a weekend getaway within polluted Sofia just for an hour or two, or to pamper yourself for Christmas, or without any occasion just for the sake of it, it is to go to Greenville. Or any other cosy spa, I suppose, to your preference and to your closest location. However, this one has many assets. Firstly, it is located in a really pleasant park area with a view to Mount Vitosha, close to the ex-

The many wonders of the world, via cafe

It is an extraordinary place, in an extraordinary setting. At first one would say that its better location is, let's say, in the old town of Sozopol or Nessebar. For this special place carries the atmosphere of another century…of old Belgrade (for Singidunum is the old name of Belgrade). But suddenly you discover it among the ultra-modern apartment flats and penthouses and lavish concrete and metal offices in upper

Artist, bohemian and traveller

Retelling - simply a vague ersatz of the real bits and pieces. One should just experience the whole atmosphere of Lyuben Stoev's exhibitions and the wild, memorable, cranky parties afterwards. No matter what the exhibition is - picturesque, exotic Third World woodcuts or the more severe, ultra-realistic present-time Bulgarian replicas - it fixes itself in one's mind. Usually the after party is held at his brother's house (noted

Puzzle

PUZZLE is situated in a bit of a puzzling place; indeed it is somewhat of a riddle to find. Even though it is located in one of the best areas in Sofia, near the Kempinski Zografski Hotel and the US embassy, it is hidden among the new residential and office buildings there. In order to locate it, the best landmark to go by is probably the RUM, the supermarket on Cherni Vrah Boulevard, near the vegetable market. When you reach the RUM, turn right in the direction of South Park

Ko Bar & Dinner

WHETHER you are opting for an enjoyable ladies' long afternoon luncheon or scheduling a strictly business lunch - this is your place. You can take business partners or visiting relatives and friends to experience Sofia from this panoramic restaurant. For it really is literally a panoramic experience. In order to reach the venue you take a lift, and go right up to the top floor of the trendy, business building located at the corner of Tcherni Vrah and Vaptzarov boulevard (very close to Kosharite and a few minutes away from the US embassy).