Exploring beyond Sofia
Menu
  • Bulgaria
    • Ecopaths
    • One place – two seasons
    • Southwest region
      • Blagoevgrad region
      • Kyustendil region
      • Pernik region
      • Sofia region
    • Thracian – Rhodope region
      • Gabrovo region
      • Haskovo region
      • Kardzhali region
      • Lovech region
      • Pazardzhik region
      • Plovdiv region
      • Smolyan region
      • Stara Zagora region
    • Danube region
      • Pleven region
      • Silistra region
      • Vidin region
      • Vratsa region
    • Black Sea region
      • Burgas region
      • Dobrich region
      • Shumen region
      • Varna region
  • Abroad
    • France
      • Lyon
      • Strasbourg
      • Toulouse
    • Germany
    • Hungary
      • Budapest
    • Iceland
    • Italy
      • Florence
      • Genoа
      • Milan
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Turin
      • Venice
      • Verona
    • Netherlands
    • Portugal
      • Aveiro
      • Azores
      • Braga
      • Cascais
      • Coimbra
      • Évora
      • Guimaraes
      • Lisbon
      • Madeira
      • Óbidos
      • Porto
      • Sintra
    • Romania
    • Seychelles
    • Spain
      • Barcelona
      • Valencia
    • United Kingdom
      • Aberdeen
      • Edinburgh
  • Guests
  • About me
    • About me
    • Contacts
    • Collaboration
    • Blog life events
  • Български
Exploring beyond Sofia
  • Bulgaria
    • Ecopaths
    • One place – two seasons
    • Southwest region
      • Blagoevgrad region
      • Kyustendil region
      • Pernik region
      • Sofia region
    • Thracian – Rhodope region
      • Gabrovo region
      • Haskovo region
      • Kardzhali region
      • Lovech region
      • Pazardzhik region
      • Plovdiv region
      • Smolyan region
      • Stara Zagora region
    • Danube region
      • Pleven region
      • Silistra region
      • Vidin region
      • Vratsa region
    • Black Sea region
      • Burgas region
      • Dobrich region
      • Shumen region
      • Varna region
  • Abroad
    • France
      • Lyon
      • Strasbourg
      • Toulouse
    • Germany
    • Hungary
      • Budapest
    • Iceland
    • Italy
      • Florence
      • Genoа
      • Milan
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Turin
      • Venice
      • Verona
    • Netherlands
    • Portugal
      • Aveiro
      • Azores
      • Braga
      • Cascais
      • Coimbra
      • Évora
      • Guimaraes
      • Lisbon
      • Madeira
      • Óbidos
      • Porto
      • Sintra
    • Romania
    • Seychelles
    • Spain
      • Barcelona
      • Valencia
    • United Kingdom
      • Aberdeen
      • Edinburgh
  • Guests
  • About me
    • About me
    • Contacts
    • Collaboration
    • Blog life events
  • Български
Bulgaria, Kyustendil region, Southwest region

Separeva banya and its surroundings

posted by Dario
Sep 19, 2017 2194 0 0
Share

Rila, the mountain of rebellious water

 

Rila is one of those places that just grab us as soon as we step into its territory. Not only with its beauty, but also with the fresh smell of pine nuts that are accompanied by the playful sounds of the forest animals.
The mountain itself is a great and rich set of natural features that we can only admire and be inspired of.

Table of Contents

  • Sapareva Banya or Iceland of the Balkans
  • The indestructible church
  • The water ruler in Rila
  • Legend “Goritsa”

Sapareva Banya or Iceland of the Balkans

Everyone has heard at least once about Sapareva Banya. Most people have heard about this place along the natural hot springs and their healing effects, and I see it as an underestimated paradise combining natural tourism, tranquility in warm thermal waters, history and much more. However, do you know that the first settlement on the territory of today’s town of Spareva Banya dates back to the time of the early Neolithic. During the Thracians’ time, the settlement is called Germanea – from “germ“, meaning “hot“.

Therefore, the first landmark I will be talking about is directly related to hot water. The geyser of Sapareva Banya, which brings us glory beyond the borders of the country. Because it springs the hottest mineral water on continental Europe, which has a constant temperature of 103 ° С. In the eruption, the jet of water reaches the impressive 18 meters height. It has also been proved that water in the town cures diseases of the nervous system, skin, respiratory tract, locomotory system and even some types of poisoning.

Curious fact:
Local people share with me that regularly when people gather here they carry an egg to boil it themselves in the gayers’ tributaries and eat it.

The indestructible church

The next major landmark in the city is the church “St. Nicholas“. It is believed that it was built in XII-XIII century. According to a legend after the Crimean War, a group of circuses began to ruin it. One of them, however, fell down with the dome and died. The rest of them decided that this was a punishment from God for their deceptive work and ceased their actions.

The church has been completely inscribed from within, but unfortunately, only individual fragments are preserved today from the frescoes. It is interesting to pay attention to its distinctive structure – the “sunken brick” type, as well as the twelve-dome and arched niches, thanks to which it has gained its picturesque appearance.

Curious fact:
It has been found that  the initials of the born in the ancient city of Germanea, one of the emperor Justinian’s famous generals (527-565) – Flavius ​​Belisarius  were cut off at the altar stone ;

The water ruler in Rila

After Sapareva Banya I headed up to the thick forests to conquer the natural treasures of Rila.

I headed to the Skakavitsa waterfall, which is located in the Skakavitsa reserve on the territory of Rila National Park. The height of the waterfall is 70 m. It is the highest waterfall in Rila and one of the highest in Bulgaria – at 1750 m.

It also “works” all year round,  being taken into consideration that at some seasons the waterfall is more active.

Walking along the path to the waterfall I felt in another world. Coniferous vegetation and cones alternating here with fresh green meadows full of colorful flowers surrounded me. But the real idyll was when there was a moment where you reach an open and wide view of the waterfall.

It was at this moment that I felt like Alice in Wonderland or, in my case, Dario in the Land of Greenery. Whatever I write about the place is indescribable because just everything around me was so unrealistically beautiful and natural that I stumbled repeatedly, looking around as I walked to the cascade itself.

Curious fact:
On your way to the waterfall you will pass through Skakavitsa hut, it is the first hut built in Bulgaria;
In winter the waters of the waterfall freeze and are a suitable place for climbing;

Useful information:
By car, you can get the most out of the Green Prespa area. There is a wide and convenient car park where you can leave your vehicle;
From there it enters a path that enters the coniferous forests of Rila. Direction duration is 2 hours of normal walking;
The place is not extreme and is suitable for a walk with the whole family;

Legend “Goritsa”

After this breathtaking natural sight, I headed for another waterfall, a direct competitor to the beauty of Skakavitsa. 39 meters of height, it is the culmination of the cascade of the river holding the same name, which contains six smaller ones, preceded by the waterfall. Goritsa is picturesque, plump, lush and noisy – as the real waterfall should be.

Its name –  the river and the waterfall – owe the legend of a beautiful girl who lived happily with a shepherd. However, the local Turkish Bey wanted to kidnap her for her wife. Chased by his servants, she reached the rocks and jumped from them, choosing death before the gullible existence in captivity, away from the beloved.

Useful information:
The waterfall is very easy to reach. The trail is well maintained and you need 15 minutes to reach a panoramic site from which one can take beautiful pictures;
Parking is at the very beginning of the path. You can orient yourself by looking for a station that is still used to wash and clean carpets from the locals.

Share

Previous

Adventure: Teodora Dobrilova in Amsterdam

Next

Sredets, an archaeological treasure that has been accumulated over the centuries

About me

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

Subscribe

Be with me in every adventure!

* indicates required

legenddario

Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
Let’s dive in together into the amazing world of Let’s dive in together into the amazing world of Costa Rica! 🇨🇷

To many, Costa Rica’s charm lies in its lush rainforests, unspoiled beaches and abundance of wildlife. With breathtaking landscapes and a myriad of creatures – from toucans to monkeys to jaguars – it’s easy to see why. 

Where else can you hike active volcanoes, zip line through cloud-covered rainforests and surf warm turquoise waters within the span of just a few days? In this compact but diverse tropical paradise, exhilarating outdoor activities are abundant. 

Nature-seekers will roam thick jungles while beachgoers will sprawl across the powdery sands. It’s hard not to admire all the splendors this “Rich Coast” has to offer.

#CostaRica #PuraVida #LatinAmerica
Heading to the next stage of life ~ Since soon I Heading to the next stage of life ~

Since soon I will celebrate my 30th birthday, I’ve been reflecting back to the person I was when I entered my twenties, and while I still feel young at heart, I’ve evolved into a completely different person.

I must confess, I have mixed feelings about turning 30. While I cherish the memories and experiences I have gathered during this time, I have also however, had my share of setbacks. The most important aspect that has inspired me are the experiences that I have gathered during my travels. Meeting new people, understanding their culture and trying new cuisines have changed my perspective towards life in general. While I am still a child somewhere in my heart, turning 30 is a big deal because it is assumed that I am an adult now.

Here are my 30 most precious travel experiences before turning 30:

1. Exploring my home country.
2. Travelling solo.
3. Supporting small local businesses and entrepreneurs.
4. Learning a foreign language.
5. Saving money for traveling.
6. Making friends while traveling.
7. Cooking traditional dishes.
8. Trying traditional food everywhere I go.
9. Overcoming my fear.
10. Trying something new.
11. Travelling with family.
12. Travelling with friends.
13. Travelling for myself and not social media.
14. Going out my comfort zone -  uncomfortable makes life more comfortable.
15. Living in a foreign country.
16. Packing like a pro.
17. Visiting my (some of) dream destinations.
18. Falling in love in a foreign country.
19. Blending in with different cultures.
20. Taking a piece of every place with me.
21. Learning to say no (in different languages).
22. Learning to take decent pictures.
23. Documenting my trips.
24. Valuing experiences.
25. Making memories.
26. Rediscovering my favourite places.
27. Planning elaborate itineraries
28. Keeping it positive and never regretting to have climbed that mountain.
29. Some people around the world are born disadvantaged, not biologically, but socially.
30. Realising that the most incredible thing I can witness happens twice a day, and it’s free.

#life #20 #30
Your positive friendly reminder… Travel is, at Your positive friendly reminder…

Travel is, at its very essence, a tool – nothing more… nothing less. Broken down to its very essence, it becomes an instrument to fulfil our desires, attain new experiences and to discover a difference that is at least a step away from our local surroundings.

One thing that we can often forget is that travel also has the added benefit of helping us build a pretty solid amount of confidence too, something that we all stand to benefit from in the long-term, in our own personal development.

Follow this 5 simple steps and enjoy the best ways to develop your confidence, which can be learned whilst travelling:

✅ Be positive
✅ Embrace strengths
✅ Acknowledge weakness
✅ Listen to your head and heart
✅ Be an assertive traveller

#travelling #positivethoughts #confidence
The Life of a Traveler: What It Is Really Like Ha The Life of a Traveler: What It Is Really Like

Have you ever wondered what it is really like to travel often? Living the life of a traveler is full of paradoxes. Full of strange feelings. Full of grandiosity. Let me tell you what traveling is really like.

Choosing this life is more than a temporary escape. It will completely and entirely transform who you are.

So are you prepared for a journey of beauty, adventure and heartbreak? Read the next few rows.

✔️ Traveling is saying yes to life.
✔️ Uncertainty is a traveler’s homeland.
✔️ Traveling is a life of extremes.
✔️ About the unknown driving force.
✔️ Discomfort as a teacher.
✔️ Traveling is falling in love deeply with the world.
✔️ Always a stranger, but at home in the world.
✔️ Experiencing exhilarating freedom.
✔️ Understanding different perspectives.
✔️ In the life of a traveler, nothing lasts.
✔️ Travel teaches you everything.

This is what the life of a traveler is like: Be courageous. Follow the calling of your heart. It will lead you to a million places you would have never expected. And you will grow big. You will grow beautiful. You will grow so full of life it will make your heart burst with happiness. Some of us simply belong to the road.

#lifeofatraveler #travelthoughts #travelinspiration
The magic of Spain 🇪🇸 Double trouble - Dou The magic of Spain 🇪🇸 

Double trouble - Double S

Dive in the magnificent atmosphere of Segovia and Salamanca - two unique, original and beautiful cities 🌆
Photo dump Spain 🇪🇸 ⚔️ Portugal 🇵🇹 Photo dump Spain 🇪🇸 ⚔️ Portugal 🇵🇹 

#Spain #Portugal #adventure
Dear Portugal, I would never have pointed to a ma Dear Portugal,

I would never have pointed to a map and picked you. I wasn’t sure we would even like each other. I came with only a few belongings and even fewer expectations. But I had the desire to get to know you and see if I would stay. And like two people making an acquaintance at a dinner party, we searched for commonalities: exploring, an insatiable appetite for rice and seafood, a bond to the earth and the sea.

At first I fell for the little things. The promise of discovering new things every single day. That dazed feeling after a few glasses of fruity vinho verde. The melancholy while listening to Fado music. The rissois, natas and feijoada, the melt-in-your-mouth queijo fresco, delectable sardinha and unforgettable bacalhau. And surprisingly, even lamprey and percebe.

I loved the quiet irony of your lavish, impressive buildings next to your ancient, dilapidated houses. I even adored your temperamental weather, sunny in the morning and sometimes tempestuous in the afternoon.

And I loved your people. The grandmas dressed in black with their soft faces and culinary secrets. The fishermen with their old fashioned hats. The shopkeepers who actually mean it when they say “obrigada.”

And then I began to love you for your words, and the new feelings they gave name to.  For that elusive feeling of saudade –– untranslatable but described so accurately by the Portuguese writer Manuel de Melo: “a pleasure you suffer, an ailment you enjoy.” Or the chamego — the sense of intimacy, infatuation, and cuddling, all in one word.

Of course, there are things about you that I will probably never understand. You’re an old soul and I’m too juvenile. I’m impulsive whereas you are cautious and pensive. I have this incessant desire to be happy, but you have this habit of enjoying being triste.

But I’ve lived many lives in different parts of the world, I’ve been running around, not caring where I rest my head, not knowing where I’d end up. Perhaps I met you, Portugal, because something inside me had really been crying out for stillness, for a safe haven where I could finally become myself.

#Portugal #loveletter #Lisbon #porto
At the very lowest point on earth lies a natural w At the very lowest point on earth lies a natural wonder replete with a unique ecosystem, breathtaking desert views, and mineral treasures that have been attracting visitors for thousands of years: The Dead Sea. 

Located in the desert between Jordan and Israel, it is also the world’s deepest hypersaline lake. Although the high salinity of the water makes it almost impossible to dive.

#Jordan #sea #lake
Jordan’s Photo Dump 🇯🇴 #Jordan #album #A Jordan’s Photo Dump 🇯🇴 

#Jordan #album #Asia
Load more Follow me
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

You Might Also Like

Bulgaria, Guests
Nov 7, 2017

The favorite places of the bulgarian travel bloggers in Bulgaria 2017

Bulgaria is one of does places with rich abundance: from the rich history, through the breathtaking nature to the...

Read More
9 14
Bulgaria, Ecopaths, Sofia region, Southwest region
Nov 8, 2016

Ecopath ,,Beli Iskar”

“In the melody of the water”   Ecopath “Beli Iskar” is a magical place located in the...

Read More
0 0

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Copyrights © 2023 Exploring beyond Sofia. All Rights Reserved
Back top
 

Loading Comments...