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According to 2018 data, the city has a population of 1,400,384 and the whole Sofia Capital Municipality of 1,500,120.[157] The first census carried out in February 1878 by the Russian Army recorded a population of 11,694 inhabitants including 6,560 Bulgarians, 3,538 Jews, 839 Turks, and 737 Romani. Some of the biggest telecommunications companies, TV and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and web portals are based in Sofia, including the Bulgarian National Television, bTV and Nova TV. The architecture of Sofia's centre is thus a combination of Neo-Baroque, Neo-Rococo, Neo-Renaissance and Neoclassicism, with the Vienna Secession also later playing an important part, but it is most typically Central European. During the Second World War, Bulgaria declared war on the US and UK on 13 December 1941 and in late 1943 and early 1944 the US and UK Air forces conducted bombings over Sofia.
Avalon View
The city center contains many remains of ancient Serdica that have been excavated and are on public display, including Complex Ancient Serdica, eastern gate, western gate, city walls, thermal baths, 4th c. Church of St. George Rotunda, amphitheatre of Serdica, the tombs and basilicas under the basilica of St. Sophia. Since 2015, the National Art Gallery, located in the former royal palace, the National Gallery for Foreign Art (NGFA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art – Sofia Arsenal were merged to form the National Gallery. The crypt of the Alexander Nevsky cathedral is another branch of the National Gallery. It holds a collection of Eastern Orthodox icons from the 9th to the 19th century. Sofia concentrates the majority of Bulgaria's leading performing arts troupes.
Arts and entertainment
There are different boulevards and streets in the city with a higher amount of traffic than others. These include Tsarigradsko shose, Cherni Vrah, Bulgaria, Slivnitsa, and Todor Aleksandrov boulevards, as well as the city's ring road.[201] Consequently, traffic and air pollution problems have become more severe and receive regular criticism in local media. The extension of the underground system is hoped to alleviate the city's immense traffic problems.
River cruise lines cancel European sailings after Austria locks down borders
Some of the neighbourhoods constructed after 2000 are densely built up and lack green spaces. There are four principal parks – Borisova gradina in the city centre and the Southern, Western and Northern parks. Several smaller parks, among which the Vazrazhdane Park, Zaimov Park, City Garden and the Doctors' Garden, are located in central Sofia. The Vitosha Nature Park (the oldest national park in the Balkans)[116] includes most of Vitosha mountain and covers an area of 266 square kilometres (103 sq mi),[117] with roughly half of it lying within the municipality of Sofia. Vitosha mountain is a popular hiking destination due to its proximity and ease of access via car and public transport. Two functioning cable cars provide year long access from the outskirts of the city.
All affected Avalon river cruise and cruisetour bookings received a full (100%) monetary refund, including on prepurchased through Avalon Waterways packages and services. Due to the COVID pandemic, Avalon Waterways suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all riverboats) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through late-July 2021. Inaugurated in 2020, the company's "Your Way" program allows Avalon cruise passengers to "chart their own course, at their own pace". Passengers can relax in spacious staterooms featuring satellite television, private bathrooms and hotel-style beds with Egyptian cotton sheets. Each ship highlights a variety of resort-style amenities, including gourmet dining and quality entertainment from local musicians. Panoramic picture windows on every ship provide magnificent views of passing landscapes.
(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021
Avalon shares the flavors of the world with the freshest local ingredients prepared by our talented chefs and served in your choice of venues on board. Our Avalon FlexDining® approach to onboard dining experiences has tossed out the idea of restrictive seating times in limited settings. Choose from options like a breezy al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill, an elegant four-course dinner in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room, or a more casual culinary setting in the Panorama Bistro. Whichever table setting you choose, you’ll savor local flavors as well as the familiar favorites you love. The transformations of Bulgaria into the People's Republic of Bulgaria in 1946 and into the Republic of Bulgaria in 1990 marked significant changes in the city's appearance.
Douro River cruise itinerary (Avalon Alegria)
Featuring the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising, your Avalon Panorama Suite is actually river cruising’s only Open–Air Balcony® — with living space that’s 30% larger than the industry standard. And you’ll never have to choose between lying in bed or seeing the view because, unlike other river cruise cabin designs which put their beds against the wall, Avalon’s Comfort Collection BedsSM actually face the view — so you can stretch out and watch the world go by. Private automobile ownership has grown rapidly in the 1990s; more than 1,000,000 cars were registered in Sofia after 2002. The city has the 4th-highest number of automobiles per capita in the European Union at 546.4 vehicles per 1,000 people.[200] The municipality was known for minor and cosmetic repairs and many streets are in a poor condition.
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Our floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows eliminate the need for a space-wasting balcony, giving you more room to stretch out with 30% more living space than the industry standard. When you retreat to your suite, you’ll never miss a moment of the ever-changing views. So dream on before you drift off in a bed with the dreamiest views in river cruising. No two travelers are alike—so Avalon would never expect you to enjoy the same cruise experiences as everyone else. Whether you like to paddle a kayak or paint a canvas, each day on an Avalon river cruise is an adventure of the mind, heart, or heart rate if you prefer.
Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion - Cruise Critic
Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion.
Posted: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:24:06 GMT [source]
There are more than fifteen swimming complexes in the city, most of them outdoor.[156] Nearly all of these were constructed as competition venues and therefore have seating facilities for several hundred people. Avalon Waterways itinerary options are categorized into 3 classifications (CLASSIC, ACTIVE, DISCOVERY) allowing customers to tailor their cruise according to personal preferences, special interests, and activity level. The DISCOVERY programs target specific interests (like painting workshops and cooking classes) themed on the region's culture. ACTIVE programs target more energetic passengers and include options like guided jogging tours, cycling, hiking, paddling.
In 2019, the company introduced the so-called FlexDining on all boats in the fleet. The company's headquarters (as part of the Globus family) are in the USA (Littleton, Colorado). Avalon's current President is Pam Hoffee (promoted from Managing Director in May 2022). Other company executives include Scott Nisbet (CEO-Chief Executive Officer), Steve Born (CMO-Chief Marketing Officer), Camille Olivere (CSO-Chief Sales Officer). Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe).
CLASSIC programs are based on lectures (history- and culture-themed) and walking tours guided by professional local experts. Avalon Waterways cruise prices also Include city tours and excursions (with a local guide), but these visits and their features are subject to change (a substitute will be offered). All Avalon cruise rates in our articles are per passenger (double occupancy, airfare not included).
The city eventually fell to the Byzantine Empire in 1018, following the Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria. Sredets joined the uprising of Peter Delyan in 1040–1041 in a failed attempt to restore Bulgarian independence and was the last stronghold of the rebels, led by the local commander Botko.[95] During the 11th century many Pechenegs were settled down in Sofia region as Byzantine federats. The city was destroyed in the 447 invasion of the Huns and laid in ruins for a century[77] It was rebuilt by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. During the reign of Justinian it flourished, being surrounded with great fortress walls whose remnants can still be seen today. Avalon's FlexDining allows all passengers to choose dining venue and times, an alfresco lunch (Sky Grill), less formal Panorama Bistro, 4-course dinner in the dining room restaurant.
The city was also an applicant for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but was not selected as candidate. In addition, Sofia hosted EuroBasket 1957 and the 1961 and 1977 Summer Universiades, as well as the 1983 and 1989 winter editions. After the abolition of Communism in 1989, Sofia witnessed the construction of whole business districts and neighbourhoods, as well as modern skyscraper-like glass-fronted office buildings, but also top-class residential neighbourhoods. The 126-metre (413 ft) Capital Fort Business Centre is the first skyscraper in Bulgaria, with its 36 floors. However, the end of the old administration and centrally planned system also paved the way for chaotic and unrestrained construction, which continues today.
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