When it was announced that a low-cost carrier decided to launch flights between Sofia and Varna on the Black Sea coast, me and my friends were thrilled. Finally, we thought, the days of long-hours of travelling to and from Varna were over.

Being born in a city that is 450km from Sofia becomes a problem, especially during the summer, when all you can think of is the sea and you can't wait for the weekends to arrive.

Long holidays are great but the problem is that they last no more than two weeks and the summer goes on for at least two months.

So until now the routine has been the following: end of Friday comes, we gather and head for Varna, usually packed in one car.

From personal experience I can say that the trip lasts at least five-and-a-half hours. So, if one leaves Sofia at 6pm, at about 10.30pm Varna can be reached. Because the weekend is just two days of free time, Friday night is spent at some of Varna's night clubs in order to have time to recover on the next day which is spent entirely on the beach. Saturday afternoon is reserved for family visits and the night is again spent out of the house, but carefully avoiding heavy alcohol for the driver (in 100 per cent of the cases being myself) who has to take the cheering crowd of Varna-born Sofians back to Sofia the next day. So in most cases one gets a day and a half of free time in Varna during the weekend.

So imagine my excitement when I was given the prospect of travelling to Varna in 30 minutes on a Friday night and coming back for the same time on Sunday night.

And there I was carefully booking a two-way ticket at the low-cost carrier two weeks ago. It cost me 150 leva, which, if I had to take the trip alone with my car, was 30 leva more expensive. Well I thought it is worth it.

It was 7pm and I was at the airport 30 minutes before boarding time. And then the speaker said that my flight was delayed by an hour and 45 minutes. “Great I thought, there goes my plan for the night”.

What followed was a long stay in the smoking room that fortunately still exists in Terminal 1 of Sofia airport. When the aircraft finally arrived from Italy we were loaded on it in less than 10 minutes which I think is a record speed. At that time I was a bit angry at the company, for having delayed the flight for so long but the air hostesses' smiles melted all the ice I had in me (which I think they are trained to do). I started thinking that I could still make it to the night club where we had a table booked for us. And yes this is how it happened.  Forty minutes later I was at Varna airport. Ten minutes later I was at home taking a shower followed by a quick dinner, sorry Mom you know how it is.  

The next day was spent on the beach not feeling any fatigue from the long hours spent on the road. It was great. Sunday was even better. I cannot remember the last time I have spent a Sunday afternoon in Varna if I don't count holidays.     

The return flight went with no delays and at 11.30pm I was back in Sofia taking a shower.

Recount: flying to and back from Varna is slightly more expensive than travelling by car but it definitely pays back. And if one can plan his time ahead, unlike myself, the ticket can actually cost less if the booking is made a month in advance. I know because I already booked a flight in September that will cost me exactly the same as going to Varna by car.