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Bulgaria, One place - two seasons, Sofia region, Southwest region

Elinovi adventures

posted by Dario
Feb 13, 2018 1145 3 0
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Today we head east from Sofia in search of adventurous emotions. The place I visited is not well known but I hope that through the pictures I made in the summer and winter I will set your curiosity on fire and give you an idea for ​​a one-day escape from the urban life.

  • Smolsko Dam
  • House-monument and House Museum of Elin Pelin

Smolsko Dam

The starting point to which we headed is the village of Baylovo, the birthplace of the writer Elin Pelin, for whom I will tell more later. Our main focus is on a cozy little corner, which is hidden at the foot of the Balkan mountain. The place is called Smolsko Dam and I dare to say that this is one of the most peaceful and picturesque places I have ever been to in Bulgaria.

The special thing in this little place is the paradise tranquility, which welcomes you in the first steps along the shores of the dam. Everything here is so perfect and peaceful that falling into a relaxing state is almost inevitable. The whole picture is accompanied by the surrounding pine forests, as well as a small chapel on the opposite shore, the name of the religious building is “St. Petka”.

As you can see in the pictures, the place is very different in both seasons and it provides different emotions for the soul and mind, and that is exactly my idea with this type of publications. To show and prove that Bulgarian nature is indispensable, in every season of the year, it is just breathtaking in every prospect!

Useful information:
The place is suitable for families with small children, providing opportunities for picnic or just a walk;
In the dam you can fish for a fee of 8 lv;
It is advisable to use high passable car to get to the lawn where you can leave your car;
It is located 60 km away from Sofia;
Once you pass the village of Baylovo, watch carefully for a narrow road that falls to your right. Important: the road is before you reach the village of Smolsko;

House-monument and House Museum of Elin Pelin

We had the opportunity during the summer to visit the house-monument and the house of Elin Pelin in his native village of Baylovo.

House-monument of Elin Pelin

First we visited the renovated home-monument, which is presenting a detailed biography of the writer through numerous pictures, documents and other accessories. Before entering the hall with all the objects, you pass through an extremely interesting mosaic, depicting all the characters of his stories, and so at the very beginning of your visit the nostalgia is born that makes you return to your school years with a smile .

Baylovo is the name of my little and beautiful village where I was born and I’ve lived my unforgettable child years

I was personally impressed the most of the desk that Elin Pelin was creating his stories on. The very fact that you are meters away from the place where this Bulgarian writer created his works makes you feel special. The other curious and funny moment was when we came across the writer’s diploma. I can confirm, like most of us, that he was not good at maths subjects at all, but, on the other hand, he was an excellent in painting!

After we replenished with this experience, the kind lady responsible for the monument home led us to the personal house of Elin Pelin. She was very responsive and told us interesting stories about the village and the genre of the writer, as well as the real events in Elin Pelin’s life, through which later he created the stories we are studying nowadays.

House Museum of Elin Pelin

The house is authentic for that time and is well arranged, all the belongings are original and are donated by the relatives of the writer. Visitors can walk freely in it and look at the household items that were used at the time.

portrait of Elin Pelin
portrait Ivan Stoyanov (father of Elin Pelin)

The experience in the village of Baylovo was extremely positive, because such places make me proud and happy that our country has such a history.

Useful information:
Work time:
Tuesday – Saturday 09:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 18:00;
Prices: 3 lv with discounts for students;
In my opinion, the place should be visited, at least because of the cultural wealth it provides as knowledge and history;
It gives you the opportunity to touch the Bulgarian history, which is not so far back in time, only 100 years;

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Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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