The One Day You'll Want To Have Cash on You

In this week’s Buzz:

• Where can I get an authentic English breakfast in town?

• The mayor reminds people of the hazards on the mountain

• Where to go on New Year’s Eve

• Charcuterski on Christmas Eve

• What’s happening with electronic payments around New Year’s Eve

• Christmas concert this coming Tuesday

• Does Bulgaria have enough printed Euros for January?

Bulgarian banks announce how the Euro switch-over will affect their systems, apps, and payments.

Bulgarian banks have announced when their systems will be down for customers (online banking, apps, etc.) and for people using their services (ATMs or card payments in shops, restaurants, bars, etc) during the NYE/NYD switch-over. Some banks are also suspending the ability to pay utility bills from December 29th to January 2nd.

See the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency’s article here (translation required).

So, what should you expect on NYE/NYD? Well, I’m planning for there to be close to zero electronic payments (card payments, bank-to-bank payments, or ATM withdrawals) from around 9pm NYE to 3am NYD.

During this time, I’ll have cash in BGN on me. (In January, you can continue to pay in cash in BGN alongside EUR.)

People have suggested they’ll use Revolut, but I’d expect their service to be slower given the number of users expected to use it between 9pm NYE and 3am NYD.

Also, be aware that if something in the system breaks during the switch-over, some services may become unavailable for several days. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 157 New Posts, 💬 371 Comments, 👍️ 1,957 Reactions

Where Can We Get An Authentic English Breakfast
Sami is wondering where people recommend visiting for the best full English breakfast in Bansko. See what places people suggested.

What Will The Ski Conditions Be Like At The End of March?
Jonathan is thinking about coming to Bansko to ski at the end of March/beginning of April and wants to know what the conditions will be like.

Are Shops Open On New Year’s Day?
Jacqui is arriving in Bansko on New Year’s Day and wonders whether any shops are open and where to go. See what advice people had.

Yulen Removes Some Discounts From Loyalty Programme
Ivaylo shared information about one key discount being removed from the ski season pass loyalty programme, affecting people who want to park on the mountain. See the post for the discussion.

Bansko & Beyond

Where to go on New Year’s Eve
If you want to head out for a meal and drinks on New Year’s Eve, then I put together a list of some great places to go. My top pick would be Smokey Mountain: a three-course meal with unlimited local drinks (until midnight) and live music for 175 BGN. A reasonably priced night compared to lots of others. Read more.

Mayor Reminds People About The Mountain and Safety
On Saturday, the local mayor of Bansko reminded tourists and mountain lovers about the conditions on the mountain, being prepared, and not to take any unnecessary risks after a 60-year-old man from Plovdiv died while hiking. Read more.

Modernisation of Street Lighting Extends to Other Parts of Municipality
The local municipality has completed more of its project to improve street lighting in other towns and villages within the municipality. These improvements brighten the footpaths and pavements while also reducing energy costs. Read more.

Kindergarten Celebrates 60 Years With a Concert & Charity Bazaar
A local kindergarten in Bansko (ZDRAVETS) celebrated its 60th anniversary with a concert. Before the concert, they held a charity bazaar to raise funds for the Bansko For You Foundation, raising nearly 5,000 BGN. Read more.

NOW is The BEST TIME To Sell Your Bansko Apartment

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.

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Events Next Week

Wine Tasting
On Monday (22nd), at Anita’s Art Studio from 6pm to 8pm, there will be a wine tasting event of Bulgarian and other European wines, with cheese, crackers and fruit. Price is 35 BGN. More info.

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
This will take place tomorrow (Monday 22nd) at Smokey Mountain. The quiz starts at 7.30pm and the entry fee is 10 BGN. More info.

Bansko Christmas Concert
On Tuesday (23rd), starting at 6pm, there will be the “Gift from the Heart” Christmas concert in the large hall of the Nikola Vaptsarov-1984 Theatre. More info.

Children’s Workshops and Events at ZZ Playland Cafe
ZZ Playland Cafe has put together a calendar of events and workshops for children at their location on Gotse Delchev Street. These include painting workshops, a chocolate workshop, and a Christmas party on December 23rd. More info.

Charcuterski on Christmas Eve
On Wednesday (24th) at 12 noon at the top of the gondola, there will be a Charcuterski. They'll do some early-morning runs, then meet at the top of the gondola near the umbrella bar (look out for the Altspace flag). Bring drinks, meats, cheeses, and crackers (think charcuterie board style). Christmas jumpers encouraged.

Nomad Christmas Eve
On Wednesday (24th), starting at 6pm, there will be a Nomad Christmas Eve event at the new Bansko Lounge in town. There will be Christmas Olympic Games, a White Elephant gift exchange, and a potluck dinner. More info.

Telescopes Under The Stars (Planetarium)
These take place on Fridays and Saturdays 7pm to 8pm (price 7€) and lectures on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm to 4.30pm (price 5€). The lectures will be in English or Russian. More info.

With the Scent of Christmas Exhibition
Running until Tuesday 20th of January, the Young Bulgarian Artists Association will have a "with the scent of Christmas" exhibition at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko. Display times are when the information center is open.

Painting & Wine at The Kempinski
On Saturday (27th) from 6pm at The Kempinski Hotel, (price 31€). More info.

Children’s Christmas Workshops at Lotus Vibe
On Sunday (28th), Lotus Vibe will be hosting a Christmas workshop for children from 3.30pm to 5pm. Parents/Guardians should contact the organisers to reserve a place. More info.

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Photo of the Week

Skiing on the mountain.

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