We passed through on our way back from Istanbul, but I saw nothing but the central train station. This time, 10 years later, Sofia was the start of the Balkan trip.

It did not start off as imagined. Car rental companies apparantly do not allow you to cross into Macedonia. I did not know. But luckily, a friendly clerk phoned up a friend who owned his own rental agency. 

The guy come to the airport, gave us a car and - though I could have easily been taken advantage off in the situation (no car and the whole trip planned around the road trip) - it all worked out!

Just outside of Sofia I visited the Rula Monestery before crossing over to Macedonia.

Upon return I decided to have a glass of wine instead of the regular beer to celebrate the successful trip.