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Bulgaria, Danube region, Lovech region, Plovdiv region, Thracian - Rhodope region

The Balkan Heights

posted by Dario
Dec 26, 2017 2389 0 0
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For the love of freedom

Stara Planina, the most windy place in Bulgaria, is a mountain that offers a combination of amazing natural landscapes and significant historical monuments for Bulgaria. The very trip I had in this part of our country was extremely favourable in terms of time and experience. The adventure was during a sunny November day with my colleague bloggers from Shape Style and Healthy Inspiration by Joanna.

For me, this journey was an inspiration to re-discover myself, surrounded by breathtaking panoramas, and clear my mind from the parasitic thoughts that rotate in my everyday life.

The places I am going to tell you about today are very different from each other, but they carry the same symbolism – FREEDOM! The thing our ancestors have fought for at the cost of their lives and wrote the history of our nation. That is why I am happy when I visit distant monuments that pay tribute to the numerous nameless heroes who have paid the most expensive price so that today we can call ourselves Bulgarians (in my case, maybe you know it is a bit more complicated as I keep in myself not only the Bulgarian but also part of Italy, but these are small details).

Table of Contents

  • The Arch of Freedom
  • Monument of Liberty – Shipka

The Arch of Freedom

I confess, I did not know that this place exists, so I’m happy to travel constantly because I find such interesting places. As every country has rich history, it is quite logical to have an arc of victory, freedom, peace, and so on, but in most cases they are located in big cities (in Italy, example is Milan). In order to be distinguished, the Bulgarians have placed it at the modest 1595 m height of Mount Goraltepe.

The building itself is in socialistic style, which is understandable as it was built on the 9th August, 1980. It has been dedicated to those who died during the Liberation of Bulgaria. Under the structure itself, we can see depicted rebels from different ages, as well as Russian soldiers. They were symbolically welcomed with bread and salt from women in Bulgarian folk costumes, respectively in 1878 and 1944.

The two significant years are depicted from different sides of the monument, which is with the impressive hight of 35 meters. 1878 is on the north side of the arch, symbolizing the Liberation of Bulgaria. On the south side is 1944, when the state coup took place – the Ninth of September coup.

The place fills the mind with many thoughts about our history and all that is accompanied by the fresh wind of Stara Planina and the panoramas to the south to Rila, Rhodopi and Sredna Gora, to the north to Troyan and Beli Osam, and to the east and west you can see the others mountain peaks including highest- Botev.

The whole experience reminds me of one of the poems of Ivan Vazov, which I will allow myself to quote here:

Stara Planina is pretty a lot:

the flocks of herds, her beasts cheer,

winter snow dresses her shoulders,

spring at her feet hips bloom.

Useful information:
The Arch of Freedom is located in close proximity to the Troyan Pass;
Has a convenient and small parking lot;
As I mentioned the place is at 1595 m above sea level;
It is located 146 km away from Sofia via  Trakia motorway;
The location is extremely pleasant and is a good choice for a one-day escape from the city;
Keep in mind that you cannot visit it at any time of the year due to the extreme winter conditions at this height;

Monument of Liberty – Shipka

Whatever I write about this place, there will be no words to describe the emotion that is experienced when climbing the 894 steps. We were not able to visit the museum itself in the building but we certainly caught the sunset, which is more special for me.

As I mentioned at the very beginning of the publication, the theme is freedom. The Shipka monument is the highest symbol of Bulgarian freedom, so it is extremely impressive to visit it. The historical events here are familiar to everyone, but let’s make a quick review.

The aim of the monument is to perpetuate the feats of the fallen for the freedom of Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation in 1877 which led to the liberation of our country.

The monument itself is 31.50 meters high and is situated at 1523 meters above sea level and above the entrance of the tower stands a huge bronze lion, 8 meters long and 4 meters high. It was finished in 1930 and was solemnly opened in 1934. At the very ascent of the steps to the top you can see depicted scenarios from the battle against the Ottomans, which shivers us, but at the same time, they give us pride and respect for the freedom fighters!

Useful information:
I think Shipka is one of those places to visit at least once in your life;
In order not to miss the museum’s working time, like us, I will share it with you:
For the period 1 – 15 October 2017
from 9 am to 6 pm
For the period 15 October 2017 – 29 April 2018
from 9 am to 5 pm
Fees for visiting the Freedom Monument
For adults – 3.00 lv.
For students and pensioners – 1.00 lv.
Family ticket for families with children up to 18 years of age – 6.00 lv.
For children under the age of 7, disabled people and veterans of the wars – free entrance.

Talks:
in Bulgarian – 5.00 lv.
in foreign language – 10.00 lv.
lecture with film screening (in Bulgarian) – 10 lv
The place is unique as history, experience and view;
There is a parking lot at the base of the stairs;
The distance Sofia – Shipka is 244 km via Trakia highway;

These are just some of the places we have gained in the history of our country. After half a century under Ottoman domination, we must value our freedom and what our ancestors have done to exist as an independent state. I want to finish the publication with a favorite quote of mine about freedom.

“He only earns his freedom and his life who takes them every day by storm.” – Wolfgang von Goethe

The photos are in collaboration with Shape Style

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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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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.

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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 🇵🇹 

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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
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