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]]>History
It all started when Saint Ivan Rilski, a 10th-century spiritual pioneer, traded worldly pursuits for mountain solitude. His retreat to a cave near the present monastery inspired his followers to build a stone church—a tribute that persisted through the ages. Following Saint Ivan’s passing, his essence found a final home in the Rila Monastery.
Architecture
The Rila Monastery, AKA “St. Ivan Rilski,” stands as Bulgaria’s largest monastery, encapsulated by 24-meter fortress-like walls. Covering 8,800 sq. m., the monastery complex contains the residential quarters, the main church (“Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary”), and the historic Hrelyo’s Tower—unchanged since 1335. Architect Aleksey Rilets was the one to restore the monastery’s glory after an 1833 fire.
Come Visit!
Embark on a two-hour journey from Sofia to the Rila Monastery, where easy parking and a diverse souvenir shop await. Experience the monastery’s tranquility with offered accommodation and traditional food. Don’t forget to try the iconic mekitsa (fried dough) and distinctive buffalo milk—an authentic taste of Bulgarian tradition.
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]]>Koprivshtitsa
Although Koprivshtitsa is an easy day trip from the Bulgarian capital Sofia, it isn’t very popular with tourists, especially foreign ones. The town, founded in the 14th century, is nestled in a valley surrounded by the Sredna Gora mountains. It’s actually one of the prettiest places in Bulgaria, known for its 19th century Bulgarian Revival Architecture.
Hotnitsa Waterfall
This stunning waterfall is located close to the town of Veliko Turnovo. It is mostly known among the locals from the town. The naturally turquoise water makes it perfect for a swim on a hot summer day.
St. Paraskevi Church in Nesebar
The seaside town of Nesebar is famous for its ancient and medieval structures. St. Paraskevi Church dates all the way back to the 13th century. The well-preserved ornamental details make it especially captivating.
The Belogradchik Rocks
Belogradchik Castle is actually only a small part of the Belogradchik Rocks area. Just a short drive away you can find even more natural formations. Each rock is named after an object it resembles, the Witch, the Schoolgirl, etc.
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]]>The post Top 3 Coffee Shops in Sofia, Bulgaria appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Dabov Specialty Coffee
Dabov Specialty Coffee is famous around the city. They have their own blends that they distribute to over 100 local shops. Needless to say, you can enjoy a cup of delicious coffee and a sweet treat there whenever you stop by.
Drekka
Drekka may easily be the coolest place to have coffee in Sofia. Looking for an Instagrammable café to share your Sofia trip highlights from? Look no further. Not only you’ll enjoy amazing contemporary interior design, but their coffee is really good, too!
2 Giraffes Espresso Bar
Many people go here to work and it’s easy to see why. Any work is easier with a cup of great coffee and some of the best pastry in town. Head there with your laptop or simply bring a book and enjoy.
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]]>The post Spend a Perfect Day in Old Plovdiv appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The Hindliyan House was built in the style known as “national revival architecture,” just like many other buildings in the city. There’s a beautiful fountain in the building filled with rose water.
When in Plovdiv, you should absolutely visit Kapana. It’s the city’s creative center today, but in the ‘90s it was nothing but a big parking lot. Here you will find charming cafes, art galleries, and small boutiques. It’s a part of the city that’s known for being vibrant and youthful.
Don’t forget to check out Old Plovdiv during the night. The city offers a great selection of red wines that you can taste in many bars around the town. You can also book a wine tour if you want to learn more about the local winemaking, which is a big deal in the area.
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]]>The post Belogradchik Rocks are One of Bulgaria’s Top Natural Wonders appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Located on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains and near the town of Belogradchik, this rock formation is one of Bulgaria’s top natural landmarks and tourist attractions. It mostly consists of sandstone and conglomerate rocks, reaching up to 200 meters in height.
. . #moodygram #bulgariaSome of the rocks have pretty interesting shapes, and that led to many myths and legends over the years. They’re even named after people and objects they resemble, and there are centuries-old tales associated with each.
It is dating back to Roman times and has such an incredible role for the Balkan history. A Bulgarian cultural monument of national importance.
Some Wikipedia facts and numbers: The fortress's walls are over 2 metres (6.6 ft) thick in the foundation and reaching up to 12 m (39 ft) in height. Three separate fortified yards exist that are connected with each other through gates. The fortress has a total area of 10,210 square metres (109,900 sq ft). The rock formations in the area served as a natural protection, as fortified walls were practically only built from the northwest and southeast, with the yard being surrounded by rocks up to 70 m (230 ft) high from the other sides. Initially, the Belogradchik Fortress served for surveillance and not strictly defense. • • • #belogradchikfortress #belogradchikrocks #belogradchik #bulgariangirl #bulgaria #bulgariaofficial #bulgariatravel #bulgarianature #bulgarian
If you ever decide to see the Belogradchik Rocks in the flash, there are several other tourist spots you can check out on the way. The Belogradchik Fortress is located below the rocks, while Venetsa Cave is easily accessible by car.
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]]>The post Plan a Trip to Bulgaria for the Varna Summer International Music Festival appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Working within the context of Classical Music, the festival has several strands that developed over the years, notably the Renaissance and Baroque Music, the Music Lab—Varna, and the Intermezzo program that runs together with the city’s International Theatre Festival. There are also programs for children, cross-genre events mixing with exhibitions, films, and dance.
The festival was honored in 2019 with the EFFE label, a European quality stamp, and was named one of the 24 best festivals in Europe, a testament to the ambitious programming. In 2020, the festival takes place in open-air venues and if the pandemic is still with us in 2021, we assume the festival will find a way to take place.
Over the years, the festival hosted some of the world’s best and most renowned musicians, conductors, and orchestras including the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, baritone Hugo Oliveira, and acclaimed pianist Toshiki Usui. The festival runs from July until October and is a must-go for classical music fans.
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]]>The post World Heritage Hot Spots That You Might Not Know appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>While countries like Italy and China probably aren’t a surprise for boasting many sites on the list, other smaller and more overlooked countries don’t get as much love for their richness. Here are three places that might surprise you.
Bulgaria
Despite being a relatively unvisited country in southeastern Europe with only 7 million residents, Bulgaria is rich in World Heritage Sites, containing 10. Some of the most standout places to visit include the Boyana Church in Sofia, the ancient city of Nessebar, and the Madara Rider rock carvings.
#burgas #bulgaria #photooftheday #photograpy #photographer #fotoğraf #fotografer #fotografia #objektifimden #objectif #objektif #kadrajimdan #kadrajizmir #kadrajturkey #kadrajturkiye #kadrajtürkiyeSouth Africa
South Africa also has ten World Heritage Sites, with a special focus on natural and cultural landscapes such as its Fossil Hominid Sites, the Cape Floral Region, and the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape. You can also visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Tunisia
Would you believe that Tunisia, a small country in North Africa of only 11 million inhabitants, has eight World Heritage Sites? Its history as an important part of the Roman Empire weighs heavily on its list of sites, with the ancient city of Carthage and the Amphitheatre of El Jem reflecting this history.
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]]>The post These Are the Cheapest European Destinations appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Bulgaria
Most lists will put Bulgaria as the cheapest country in Europe. Although it is inexpensive, it is not at all underdeveloped or unsafe. Transportation is reliable and there are plenty of budget flights to Sofia, the capital. Vitosha Mountain and the 7 Rila Lakes are both beautiful day trips from Sofia. Hostels are easily found for less than 10$ a night, and a good sit down meal can be even less.
Ukraine
If you are looking for a much bigger country with lots of different cities and things to do then Ukraine might be the place. Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, and Kharkiv are all huge cities with non-stop activities and cheap attractions. Although the roads and public transportation are not as reliable as other countries, the cost of living even in the big cities is incredibly low.
UI Design | PhotoPoland
Known as one of the cheapest countries in Europe, Poland is a great place to start (or end) a trip due to its central location and close proximity to Western Europe. With lots of big cities, history, and some good nature as well, this country is well backpacked. While everything is affordable, the low cost of beer and other drinks makes the cities a big hit for travelers wanting to party.
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]]>The post A Weekend in Sofia, Bulgaria Anytime of Year appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>To start with, St Alexander Nevski Cathedral is an incredible sight to see. Its massive structure, dating back to the 1880s, is a great picture from the outside, while the cathedral can hold 10,000 people. Fascinating old churches are laid out throughout the city, including the St Nedelya Church, the location of the deadliest terrorist attack of the 20th century. For history lovers, the National History Museum will cover the history of Bulgaria.
Vitosha Boulevard, perhaps the most famous street in Sofia, is a great place for shopping. Even if you are not into upscale shops and restaurants, the view of Vitosha Mountain in the background will take your breath away and it’s definitely worth a visit.
For the outdoor lovers, Vitosha Mountain is the iconic backdrop of the city. With many public transportation options available, it’s an easy day trip and there are trails to choose from for all distances. If you are looking for a little more intense trip, the Seven Rila Lakes is an absolute beauty! Whether it be winter or summer, the views from this hike are incredible and it is only 1.5 hours from the city.
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