Bansko Hits the London Underground

TOGETHER WITH

In this week’s Buzz:

• Closing my company and transferring my apartment: any good lawyers?

• Bansko Ski advertising on the London Underground

• Greece detains Bulgarian-registered cars for unpaid fines (after introducing new system this weekend)

• Leonardo hosts a Sicilian Evening

• Cover photo competition for the Bansko Notice Board group

• The Chef’s House reopens for the winter season this coming Friday

But who’s really behind the “Your Next Adventure” campaign?

This week, the Bulgarian part of Balkan Holidays showed off an advert on the London Underground: for skiing in Bansko, and it being “your next adventure”. This was something that sparked a small conversation on the post about Yulen (Bansko’s resort operator) and Balkan Holidays being one and the same. They aren’t, but they are. Confused? Let’s dive in…

Similar to lots of companies, brands and businesses in Bansko, many are interconnected. These two are separate if you just look at their ownership, but they are very much connected. Two main reasons: directors/shareholders of both companies (and companies connected to them) sit on the same boards of other organisations. The second reason is to look at the banskoski.com webpage for “hotels”. When you click/tap on the page, you go straight through to the Balkan Holidays page with all of the different hotels. If you look at the hotels on that page, it might give you an indication of some interconnections.

For those who remember, a few months ago in issue #40 of the Bansko Buzz, I linked to information about the UK arm of Balkan Holidays which announced they were ceasing trading. Interestingly, the Bulgarian side of Balkan is continuing to sell as a travel agent, but now solely through its Bulgarian company. (The Bansko Ski page linking to the BH hotels page? It wasn’t like that before.)

What does it mean for people booking their trips to Bansko? Previously, people would book their trips through Balkan Holidays UK benefitted in several ways by booking a package holiday: ATOL protected (covers in case any of the companies go bankrupt or cease trading: it’s like a 100% refund guarantee), one price to one company (and one contract under UK law), lower-priced flights, cheaper transfers, and (some would say the best benefit of all) fast passes for the gondola queue. Now, people will be booking with the Bulgarian company directly, and it seems to be just acting as a booking agent for certain hotels.

Altspace: a coworking space that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online at a coworking space, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant, painting & wine, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.

If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book a trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 99 New Posts, 💬 282 Comments, 👍️ 897 Reactions

I Want to Close A Company & Sell My Apartment: Lawyer Recommendations?
Richard wants to close his company in Bulgaria and “donate” the apartment it bought back to him. See the recommendations and why the process isn’t easy.

We’re Coming to Bansko in December. Will We Be Able to Ski?
Declan is coming to Bansko in the second week of December and wonders if he can ski. See what information people had to offer.

Is There a Good Internet Provider for a 6-month Stay?
Giovi is staying in town for around six months and wants an internet provider to use that is stable, fast and reliable. See who people suggested.

Cover Photo Competition
If you take really good photos, then why not enter the group’s photo competition?

Does Anyone Know What This Vegetable Is?
Roy shared an image of a vegetable he purchased at Billa without knowing what it was. Turns out quite a few people gave him tips on how to cook/eat it.

Local/Municipality News

Young People Gather for Green and Sustainable Project
Over this weekend, an eco-camp is being held for young people from Bulgaria and Serbia, to help them work on joint projects to develop their knowledge and skills in the field of ecology and sustainable development. Lectures on environmental topics are held, as well as essays, drawing and photography competitions. Read more [Translation required.]

FC Bansko Continues Unbeaten Run
The local football team in town (FC Bansko) continues their unbeaten run with six matches without defeat. Yet, they’re still mid-table at position 13 🤷. The next expected home game in Bansko is on Saturday 29th of November at 2pm against Vitosha.

Bansko Resort Faces Worker Shortage This Winter
It’s reported that nearly 5,000 workers are needed this winter in Bansko and surrounding towns to help service all of the people coming to the ski resort, with some hoteliers and restaurateurs concerned at the slow uptake of interest in jobs. [I’m not surprised, but that’s a story for another day, in the Beehive of course 😉]. Read more.

Local Kindergarten Wins Third Place in Competition
The local kindergarten in Bansko has won third place in a “Be Active” competition alongside 41 other educational institutions. Encouraging children to take part in sports and become more active (as part of a healthy lifestyle), the local kindergarten took pride in coming in third. Read more.

Greece Detains Bulgarian-Registered Cars at the Border for Unpaid Fines
Coming into effect yesterday (Saturday 8th), Greece implemented a system where if a foreign-registered car has an unpaid fine, it isn’t allowed to leave the country until the fine(s) have been paid. Not sure how that works with land borders and Schengen, but if you drive in Greece, it’s something to be aware of. Read more [Translation required.]

Plus Property Bansko: Local Real Estate Experts

If you own an apartment in Bansko and you’re thinking about selling, then we offer a free valuation and listing of your property. Currently, it’s the best time to sell in Bansko.

We help you through the whole process to get the best price for your property, offering a realistic for-sale price, ensuring that all local property and maintenance fees are paid, showing prospective buyers around, and making everything easy. We have lawyers on hand and use one of the best notaries in the area.

If you’re looking for a local property expert who can help get the best price for your property, contact us today.

SELL YOUR BANSKO PROPERTY

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Events Next Week

Bansko Runclub(ish) 
If you love running, the local Runclub(ish) will meet at 6.30pm at Altspace Coworking on Gotse Delchev Street on Tuesday (4th). They will run at a moderate pace, covering 5km and end up at a local bar in town for refreshments.

Spanish Speakers Meeting
¿Hablas español? On Tuesdays at 6pm at D & Vino on Glazne Street, a weekly meeting for Spanish speakers will begin. Grab a drink and have a chat with others in Spanish.

A Sicilian Evening at Leonardos
On Saturday (15th) at 7.30pm, Restaurant Leonardo is hosting a Sicilian evening: a 7-course menu from the Mediterranean paired with wines from BNK Wines, and with a live saxophone performance. Price is 180 BGN. More info [Translation required.]

Bansko Film Festival
The 24th edition of the Bansko Film Fest comes to town this month, taking place from Wednesday, 19th of November to Sunday, 23rd of November. The event, over five days, will have 83 films from 42 countries. Some of the films will be in English or have English subtitles. More info.

Inside The Beehive 🍯

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(€5 per month; cancel anytime)

Photo of the Week

Autumn around Krinetz Dam.

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