Hand made crafts: copper pitchers,, embroidery and lace tablecloths, wooden spoons, little wooden dolls with rosé oil and trinkets fill the shops,

This very important fort at Veliko Tarnovo was once called the "City of Czars" filled with royal palaces and patriarchal churches. Bulgaria's location between the Bosphorus and the Danube has made it very valuable. It has been dominated by Romans, Turks (for 500 years) - Ottoman Empire, Nazis, and the Russian communists to name a few. They gained their independence in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down and Russia lost her grip.

Yesterday, Friday, was a 9 hour adventure. We were on buses at 8:30 driving to Veliko Tărnovo through Bulgaria's rich farmland. They are 85% self sufficient. Most everything grows well in these flat fields. Many have vineyards in front of their homes. melons and rose oil are exported. Their main industry is a car factory in the southern part of the country and tourism. There was almost no traffic on the rural, rough roads. People would wave at the bus as we ...

The meals were superb and elegant, but we could fit three of our cabins in this Hilton Hotel room! And there were two bunk beds that weren't used in our cabin - don't think 4 people could even get around in the cabin, let alone , get along!

We are in Bucharest - fly home tomorrow. The last two days have been packed with no WiFi service available - Most frustrating ! Want to share a couple pica from the ship, then will tell about our days. I have to pay for WiFi here, so went down to the lobby to sign up. Got on the elevator and couldn't remember our room number. Tried 619. - some people from our trip were in there and let me call down to the desk. - to find out we're at 519!! The good news is w...