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Bulgaria, Danube region, Gabrovo region, Stara Zagora region, Thracian - Rhodope region

 “Journey to the Past” – Day Five

posted by Dario
Nov 1, 2016 680 0 1
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 “Journey to the Past” – Day Five

  • Ethnographic village “Ethar”
  • Sokolski monastery
  • Kazanluk tomb
  • Museum of the Rose

Ethnographic village “Ethar”

 After the great day we spent in and around Silistra we headed to Gabrovo region. More precisely to our first scheduled stop – Ethnographic village “Ethar”. This place is unique for the Balkans and presents an authentic reconstruction of the typical time (XIX century) buildings. In the complex itself you can experience the processes of creating different types of objects due the preserved through centuries tradition of craftsmanship of metals, leather, clay and others. With the first step in the outdoors museum you will feel like going back in time and become part of the atmosphere itself. Atmosphere, soaked with long standing traditions, customs and crafts. The museum officially opened on September 7, 1964. In 1967 was declared a national ethnographic park and in 1971 was declared a cultural monument. To this day it is a place that brings people from all over the world and constantly attracts more curious visitors.

Useful information:
Hours: Summer: 08: 30-18: 00 , Winter: 08: 30-16: 30;
Price per visit 5.00 leva; student, student 2.00 leva; Retired 3.00 leva;
Ethar is completely under the open sky and offers the possibility of spending an unforgettable stroll;
You can buy original and unique artifacts (memories);
Starting from Gabrovo has numerous signs pointing to the complex;
Nearby settlements – Gabrovo 9 km, Tryavna 24 km;

Sokolski monastery

After we had a nice time in the museum we headed to the famous Sokolski monastery. This monastery dates from 1833 and preserved until today. It was originally male, but after destructive actions on nearby women monastery in the town of Gabrovo, the nuns moved here, making it in consequences for women. One of the most impressive sights here is the fountain of Kolyo Ficheto which is a circular shape with eight falcons.

Useful information:
You don’t need to pay any entrance;
In the monastery you can rent a room;
After reaching the complex “Ethara” there are signs to the monastery (the distance is only 4 km);
Close towns are Gabrovo 13 km, Tryavna 28 km;

Time progressed and we headed to our last stop of the day and generally last stop for “Holiday on the brink of summer” – Kazanlak. The area itself offers many adventure opportunities but with the limited time we had we chose the two most important for us –  Kazanluk tomb and the Museum of the Rose.

Kazanluk tomb

We headed to the tomb, which is located in the town of Kazanlak. This Thracian  sight is world famous because of perfectly preserved frescoes which are one of the few completely preserved from this ancient period. The original Tomb access is severely limited in order to preserve the paintings. But next to the original tomb there is a perfect copy of it depicted with all belonging elements and murals inside.

Useful information:
Work hours: May-November: 9:00 to 17:00 , seven days a week, from November to April the tomb opens only on request for large groups;
Entrance fee: adults – 3 leva, students – 1 lev;
Payable an extra 5 leva if you wish to shoot inside;
The tomb is a unique world heritage in human history!;
The murals are impressive and demonstrate the development of the Thracians;

Museum of the Rose

Ending with the Kazanlak tomb, we headed to the Museum of Roses. The very fact that this is the only museum in the world dedicated only to the rose, and its contribution to the culture of Bulgaria, makes it unique! Today, the museum Rose has a rich collection of objects, photographs and documents revealing the history of Bulgarian production of roses and rose oil. The exhibits are located in three areas. In the museum can be seen tools used in rose gardens, containers for storage and export of rose oil and water. A reconstruction has also been made of  a rose oil storage and the first laboratory for testing the purity of rose oil.

Useful information:
Hours: daily from 09:00 to 17:30 ;
Admission: adults – 6.00 leva, students – 2.00 leva;
The museum is a place for learning about customs associated with picking and processing of the Rose;

This is how we ended the day and our entire adventure “Holiday on the brink of summer”. Those were five unforgettable days full of emotions and breathtaking views. Days that I would not trade for anything, memorize every place I visited and will visit again! Once again I realized that the Bulgarian sights are extremely undervalued compared to all other European destinations.

Thanks to all who were part of this exciting adventure and thanks to all who follow me and read with interest!
There is still a lot of exciting adventures to follow!

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"Danube emotions" - Day Four

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Ecopath ,,Beli Iskar"

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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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legenddario

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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