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Exploring beyond Sofia
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Bulgaria, Guests

THE FAVORITE PLACES OF THE BULGARIAN TRAVEL BLOGGERS IN BULGARIA 2022

posted by Dario
Nov 1, 2022 193 0 0
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The freedom to travel is definitely what we can call 2022. Little by little, travel has returned to its former form and people have started to get to know old and new places in Bulgaria and abroad again.

On this occasion, we have collected a series of trips with the favorite places of some of the Bulgarian travel bloggers from ASTOM (Association of the Owners of Tourist Online Media), with which to prove to you how rich our country is, but also to inspire you for the next trip, because yes traveling in Bulgaria is always a good decision!

Table of Contents

  • Dario from Exploring beyond Sofia: Holy Spirit Waterfall
  • Stanislav from TravelTasty: The Golden church near Veliki Preslav village
  • Mariana from Nomads time: Aquae Calidae
  • Maria from TravelingBuzz: Spano Pole shelter in Pirin mountains
  • Kiril from Iskam da letya: Popovo Lake
  • Rositsa from Trips with Rosie: Muratovo Lake
  • Giorgia from Tips from Giorgia: The rope bridge to Lisitsite village
  • Nadezhda from Traveler diary: The Chilingira Eco-Path and the view over Vacha Dam
  • Stanislava from Sun and Sany : Macedonia Hut
  • Trayan from Backpack Nerd: Ecopath Bistrica – Zheleznitsa
  • Elena from My Places to Visit: Village of Mostovo

Dario from Exploring beyond Sofia: Holy Spirit Waterfall

Near the highest village on the Balkan Peninsula – 1500 meters above sea level in Rhodopes mountain village of Monastery is the waterfall “Holy Spirit“. Its height is about 15 meters and is located on the river Manastirska. Its location is about 1.5 km. walk from the centre of the village of Manastir. It was declared a natural landmark in 1965, and the area of 0.5 ha around it is protected.

Водопад Свети дух

Stanislav from TravelTasty: The Golden church near Veliki Preslav village

The Golden church near Veliki Preslav village, known as well as the Circle one because of the specific shape of the building, is maybe the most beautiful example for the importance of the Christianity, which the ancient Bulgarian tsar Simeon The First have given strengthening the position of the First Bulgarian Kingdom in front of the other monarchist. Together with the dynamic development of the literature and the culture, he invested a lot of efforts to become equal with the Byzantium monarch. An example of these aspirations is exactly the Golden church, built close to the south entrance of his new capital Preslav.

As an alumnus of the University of the Palace Hall of Magnaura in Constantinople, received the Christianity by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Simeon The First thought that the new religion would not only bring the young Bulgarian state out of the fog of paganism, but also unite the Bulgarians scattered between the three seas. That is why he started the construction of the temple. The building was completed around the nine hundredth year, inlaid to the finest detail with the achievements of the “Pliska-Preslav” culture. This was also the hidden symbolism of the church – to single out and emancipate the Bulgarians, who were too strongly influenced by Byzantium after their Christianization.

Mariana from Nomads time: Aquae Calidae

The guests of Burgas can visit Aquae Calidae – the healing mineral spring and the restored bathroom of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520 – 1566). You’ll find it absolutely remarkable, lined with marble and typical oriental ceramics.

The place was famous far and wide since Antiquity and the Thracian era as the Sacred Spring of the Three Nymphs-Healers. In 339 BC, Philip of Macedon used its healing waters during his campaign against the tribes.

Aquae Calidae has its curious role in the creation of the Bulgarian state south of the Danube River. In 680 during the Battle of Ongla, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus (668 – 685) announced to his army that he was leaving the battlefield to cure his gout at the healing spring. This was interpreted as an escape and the demoralized Byzantine army was defeated by Khan Asparuh. The thermal spring was renamed to Thermopolis.

The mineral baths were destroyed at the beginning of the 13th century by the Knights of the Fourth Crusade. 300 years later Suleiman the Magnificent restored them as a hammam as a gratitude for his healed gout.

Today, that is one of the “new” sights of the city of Burgas. It’s been open to visitors since 2015. Guests can watch the history of Aquae Calidae based on 3D mapping. Here you can also find a cafe, souvenir shop, playground, amphitheater, museum and a brand-new spa center.

Maria from TravelingBuzz: Spano Pole shelter in Pirin mountains

Spano Pole shelter grabs the attention with its beautiful bungalows with red roofs with white dots which reminds us of small mushrooms. The mountain shelter has 10 bungalows and one big common sleeping area which can fit more people inside. If you want to visit the shelter, you should book a night in advance as it gets booked out fast. The shelter has a kitchen which prepares delicious soups, meals and breakfast for its guests. The hosts are very welcoming and smiling, they will make sure your stay is comfortable. They are ready to share any tips and advice for the hiking trails around. The shelter can be reached from the town of Sandanski (~2 hours) or from Vihren hut (~3,5 hours) above Bansko.

Kiril from Iskam da letya: Popovo Lake

The hike to Popovo Lake is one of the easiest and most pleasant routes for a one-day hike in Pirin. The starting point of the route is the Gotse Delchev hut, from which you can take a lift to the Bezbog hut and the Bezbozhko lake. Next comes “The soul taker” – the steepest part of the route, but once you climb it, the majestic beauty of Pirin awaits you. The breathtaking views awaken the the feeling of harmony and happiness. The senses cannot get enough of the beauty of nature.

Popovo lake is located at an altitude of 2233.5 m. It is the second largest in our country and in the Balkans. In the middle of the lake there is a small island covered with squat, which people call “Kilimyavka” because of the various legends related to the history of the lake.

The entire route from the Bezbog hut to Popovo lake and back is about 7 km long and we, coming from the sea side, without much mountain hiking experience and with a child in the company, did it in 4 and a half hours with time for breaks and photos included.

Rositsa from Trips with Rosie: Muratovo Lake

The Pirin mountains are harder to hike in than the Rhodopes, but they have a specific magical sense that few other mountains in Bulgaria have. Muratovo lake is one of the easier to reach spots in Pirin. At night you can see countless stars and a bright and beautiful core of the Milky way galaxy. You can leave your car near Vihren hut and then take the steep rocky trail to Muratovo lake. The hike is about an hour and a half and you can take a break right in the middle – take a 5 minute detour to lake Okoto.

Giorgia from Tips from Giorgia: The rope bridge to Lisitsite village

If you are on your way to the Eastern Rhodopes, make sure to include the bridge to the village of Lisitsite (which means “foxes”) on your bucket list. This is the longest rope bridge in Bulgaria with its 260 meters length. Apart from the bridge itself, you are going to be impressed by the views surrounding you, the nature and the reflections in the mirror waters of the Studen Kladenets dam. An interesting fact is that the rope bridge to Lisitsite is the village only land connection with civilization. Make sure to visit it!

Nadezhda from Traveler diary: The Chilingira Eco-Path and the view over Vacha Dam

Vacha is one of the largest dams in our country and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places we have visited ever. Breathtaking views – these two words describe the best way Chilingira eco-trail. With a length of almost 2 km, the route offers an extremely pleasant ride almost entirely on flat terrain, except for the first third of the route. In less than an hour, we enjoyed charming panoramas, and the end of the path became our favorite moment – the rock Kutriov Kamak and the view towards the entire dam.

Stanislava from Sun and Sany : Macedonia Hut

Macedonia Hut is located at 2166 m in the Mechi Prohod area, Rila mountain. It was built in 1937 on a voluntary basis. The hut is cozy and well maintained, the food is delicious. It offers a wonderful view of both nearby and distant peaks, as well as the valley of Blagoevgrad. If you are looking for a peaceful place, away from the crowds, you will find it here. The south-western parts of Rila are one of the least busy places for tourists. The route I recommend starts from the Bodrost hut through the Macedonia hut, the two peaks above it – Angelov and Golyam Mechi peak, as well as returning through the ridge of the Parangalitsa reserve to the Kartala ski park. Beautiful panoramic views, tranquility, million stars and handfuls of blueberries are just some of the things that await you during the warmer months. In winter, it is a great option to go for ski-touring, contemplating the white hills around you.

Trayan from Backpack Nerd: Ecopath Bistrica – Zheleznitsa

A favorite place for an early morning walk, especially during the fall season. Provides an opportunity to capture interesting forest shots at any time of the year.

Also known as Galunka, the eco-trail is suitable for people of all ages. With almost zero unevenness, it connects the villages of Bistrica and Zheleznitsa. Its length is a little over 4 kilometers and can be easily passed in an hour and a half with several breaks and photo pauses. There are also a number of dedicated picnic areas.

My son (2 years old) also had a lot of fun collecting all kinds of forest treasures that Galunka had carefully left along her way.

Elena from My Places to Visit: Village of Mostovo

As if out of a postcard, the wonderful village of Mostovo is perched on a small hill at the foot of the Rhodope Dobrostan hill. Surrounded by the gentle embrace of the Rhodope Mountains, the village changes its clothes every season – sometimes it is snow white, sometimes it is lush green, sometimes it is speckled with the patterned carpet of autumn. The truth is that its nature is beautiful at any time of the year and invites you to visit it in any season. Located 27 km from Asenovgrad and 160 km from Sofia, the village is in the middle of an energy triangle – Krastova Gora, Belintash and Karadjov Kamak, and precisely from here depart the walking routes to these sanctuaries. The trails are scenic and pleasant, so don’t hesitate and sweep the backpack on your back.

The village cannot boast of many sights, but the picturesque nature and old houses with flower gardens give it enough charm. Still, take a walk to the pretty white church of St. Dimitar, which is located at the foot of the village. There is also the natural stone bridge from which Mostovo takes its name. Ask the locals where the small cave with healing water is in the middle of the village, chat with a grandmother or just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Browse the favorite places of Bulgarian travel bloggers for:

2017

2018

2019

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2021

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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
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
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