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Bulgaria, Kyustendil region, Pernik region, Southwest region

Wild love of Shegava and Pchelina

posted by Dario
Mar 7, 2017 1802 0 2
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Wild love of Shegava and Pchelina

February gave us the first sunny and warm days this year and it was a great opportunity to travel. I decided it was time to visit some natural phenomenon or forest that is just beginning to smell like the fresh upcoming spring. We headed to the area of Kyustendil to enjoy two places that I had never heard or seen before.

I can say from the beginning that these two places are unique and there are not enough words to describe the beauty and the vibration of harmony which floats easily in the air. I hope the pictures will bring you with me to those two places and experience the emotion that we got through.

Table of Contents

  • Natural phenomenon Canyon Shegava
  • Dam Pchelina and “St. John Summer“

Natural phenomenon Canyon Shegava

As I already mentioned we headed to the Kyustendil region and more precisely to the village Razhdаvitsa (which I will give you more information about in the section “useful information”), where the road began to our first discovery. It is a natural phenomenon called Canyon Shegava in Konyiovskata Mountain.

I must admit that at the beginning I was not thrilled by the idea of ​​visiting such place but all that changed with my first steps between the rocky walls.

The canyon itself is very picturesque and beautiful. Since in the region Shegava vegetation is lush, the place is a veritable jungle of the temperate zone in which we find ourselves.

Curiously, every season here  contributes separately additional and different dose of beauty. We had the luck to visit it in a favourable time because most of the vegetation had not yet blossomed and spread its colors.

Looking at the rocky walls you can see different forms of rocks some of which bearing different names such as the camels, the turtles, the loner, etc., and others are waiting for your imagination to give them names. You will also see huge holes in the walls that are actually inaccessible caves, unless you’re adventurous spirited climber.

For me the place is heavenly because it is not popular and this largely contributes to the purity and tranquility that Shegava has. Besides the canyon one can enjoy the beautiful colors and joyful noise of Shegava River (a tributary of the Struma).

Mostly because of its nature and the beautiful wild spirit the place inspires every new visitor.

Useful information:
As I mentioned at the beginning, you should head towards the village Razhdаvitsa. Travelling on the road Sofia – Kyustendil, at Razhdevitsa you will turn right before you reach the town of Kyustendil;
In Razhdevitsa you need to get to the church of the village and there you can leave your car because the road to the canyon is difficult to travel by car;
Getting on the square outside the church, reach the right side of the community center and continue along the road. When the asphalt road ends, will begin a narrow road that should continue by its end. (Watch for the ruins of a medieval church at the beginning of the narrow road, as shown in the pictures). On the right side you will see a path that will take you into the canyon where you will truly enjoy the beauty of this phenomenon;
Note that this place is wild, meaning that there is no water fountains and benches for rest as common for eco paths;
It is advisable to put on stable high shoes and wear long trousers because of the dense vegetation;
I also want to salute here BABA TONY! A very cheerful and kind woman from the village Razhdevitsa. I want to thank her for the time and the pleasant chat. I’ve always enjoyed that type of people and I like to stop and talk to them, you learn something new from anyone you meet.

Dam Pchelina and “St. John Summer“

After spending several hours in the wild, we went to the second place where I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

The location in question is dam Pchelina and “St. John Summer“ – a combination of authenticity and breathtaking view.

The chapel is very small, but extremely interesting. First, because of its located the second, because of the year in which it was built (1350).

The little church is with patron “Saint John Summer” and is located in the former territory of the now-defunct, flooded by the waters of the lake Pchelina, village Pchelintsi, in the area called “Kamiko”, today located at 2 km northwest of the village Potsurnentsi.

The church is built on the spectacular cliffs on the south shore of Lake Pchelina (it is interesting that in the past it carried the name Lobos). You can enter the chapel and light candles, as well as see the murals that remain to this day.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the words are really not enough for me to explain the energy and emotion that I felt, sitting on the grass and watching the sun go down.

The site gives love to the soul, the view of the far panorama gives peace, and the water (in my case, water and ice) spreads happiness. All this combination can only charge you positively and make you feel supremely clean, emotionally.

Useful information:
The road that you need to take is Sofia – Kyustendil after going through the town of Radomir yоu watch for a note for Potsurnentsi village, which lies a short distance after the city on the right;
Continue on the main road of the village and get to the center, turn left by the shop located there;
You will reach a nearby neighborhood (you’ll recognise it with a fountain in the site), you go further and you will find yourself on a country road (watch for the signs pointing to the chapel);
Once you pass the lawn you will reach some houses and there it’s good to leave your car in order to continue by foot, as the road is very uneven;
After half an hour walking you will see the chapel in the distance, and the road leading to it;
The place is very beautiful in every season and it’s great for a one-day getaway;

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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.

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

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