All articles

Todorka peak (2.745 m) is a part of Pirin mountain range, located in southwestern Bulgaria. On the eastern slope of Todorka there are trails of Bansko ski resort. While on the western slope, at an altitude of 2,536 m, there are two lakes, called by locals «ochite na Todorka», which means «eyes of Todorka». However, there is another funny name, given by russian hikers «kidneys of Todorka». While the official geographical names of these lakes are Gorno and Dolno Todorino. A scenic pathway leads from Vihren hut to Todorka lakes. Route is medium difficulty, suitable even for hiking beginners. The time of round trip is approximately 7 hours.

Read more …

Starting point of the route is a village Dobrinishte. Further road passes along the mountain serpentine (2 km) to the chairlift. Dobrinishte lift works daily (all year round) from 8:30 am till 4:45 pm. Prices and detailed schedule can be found in the previous article. It's very important to keep track of time during the walk. If you'll late to the elevator, there are two possibilities: stay at the Bezbog hut (15-20 lv per night) or pay for the off-road taxi (can be quite expensive).

Read more …

A term «narrow railway» is directly related to the width of track gauge. In Bulgaria this type of railway is called a «tight ruler» (теснолинейка). Narrow railway is easier to build and cheaper to operate. The space between the rails in the Rhodope narrow gauge is only 760 mm, while the standard track size is 1520 mm. «Septemvri — Dobrinishte» is a last part of an old narrow gauge in Bulgaria.

Read more …

In the previous article we talked about what pitfalls await buyers of the secondary car market in Bulgaria. We would now like to provide specific instructions for selecting and inspecting a machine before purchasing. So, we offer you a detailed list for checking the condition of a used car.

Read more …

An extensive public transport system exists in Bulgaria only in large cities. Therefore, the next step after purchasing real estate is usually buying a car. We described how to register a car and get blue license plates in the previous article. This time we will talk about how to independently choose and buy a car, taking into account the characteristics of the Bulgarian car market.

Read more …

Bulgaria celebrates the 111th anniversary of its sovereignty on September 22, 2019. It was on this day that Prince Ferdinand published a manifesto declaring the country's independence from the Ottoman Empire. This bold step almost led to a new serious war in the Balkans, but with the help of Russian diplomats an armed conflict was avoided. Read on to learn how Bulgaria gained independence, what events preceded it, and why the Bulgarians ended up owing Russia a round sum of gold.

Read more …

Did you know that there is golf in Bulgaria? Entire settlements with SPA treatments, beaches and hotels, aimed at lovers of fine sports. Golf clubs are located in the most picturesque places in the country - in the mountains and on the coast. The locations, of course, were chosen with tourists in mind.

Read more …

Today I’ll tell you about mountainous Greece, namely about the Olympus mountain range, famous outside the country. Like any adequate person, I want to be more effective, healthier and more resilient. Summer isn't just about beach volleyball and drinks from the fridge. Summer is a great time to give yourself something new and try something more intense than trips from the minibar to the pool. Putting tea, cookies and chatting aside, I decided to organize an independent two-day ascent to the second highest peak in the Balkans - Mitikas Peak (2917 m).

Read more …

The problem of fleas is relevant not only in rural areas, but also in big cities and even the beach area. Many people are unaware of the danger until they come face to face with it. Insidious "Bulgarian" fleas can ruin your holiday, both in mountainous regions and on the coast.

Read more …

A whole library could be written about how deliciously they cook food in Turkey, however, we will try to mention the most important things within the framework of this article. You can start your acquaintance with Ottoman cuisine with coffee or tea. Traditionally, these drinks are served in small portions with a piece of Turkish delight and a glass of cool water. Turks treat the process of drinking coffee with respect and pay great attention to serving (this is not Bulgarian burnt coffee from a machine). For breakfast, you should try “menemen” - a type of omelette in the Turkish style, traditionally served in a special metal bowl with graceful handles.

Read more …