Day 1: Saturday, Oct. 21 – Sofia Adventures
After a restful night at Le Fleurs in Sofia—where the high-fashion vibe meets quirky functionality—we kick-start our Bulgarian adventure! Our guide Petar from Traventuria is not just well-versed in the history of Sofia; he’s also charming and has terrific English. Our day begins with a tour around Sofia’s stunning architectural landmarks. From the grand cathedral to intricate mosque and synagogue (a testament to Bulgaria’s wartime compassion for its Jewish community), each site tells a story that captivates us. The highlight of our morning? The bustling Women’s Market where we tried bäñista, a heavenly puff pastry filled with sheep cheese—flaky perfection paired beautifully with rich cappuccino!
The afternoon takes us on an exhilarating drive to Rila Monastery—a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 14th century. Its Moorish-inspired design and serene atmosphere leave us awestruck. Dinner at Moma is nothing short of delightful! We tuck into an array of local appetizers served alongside warm bread that melts in your mouth. My ghuvetch, reminiscent of hearty beef stew, contrasts nicely with Scott’s more flavorful vegetable dish paired expertly with local red wine. And guess what? All this culinary bliss comes for about $65—unbeatable!
Day 2: Sunday, October 22 – Plovdiv Bound
We check out bright and early for another day full of discovery! After grabbing some quick café capps (and more bäñista, not nearly as good this time), we set forth toward Plovdiv. Lunch at Bix Tech introduces us to sach, a cast-iron delight loaded with chicken, potatoes, veggies—and oh my—the grilled trout steals the show!
Arriving at Ego Hotel is like stepping into minimalist chic after our earlier stay; simplicity reigns supreme here! Our exploration continues as we stroll through Plovdiv’s old town marveling at ancient theaters (who knew there were so many amazing and almost-intact Roman ruins in this country) and historic houses showcasing exquisite Bulgarian Revival architecture. Dinner means fresh pasta from Fresh Pasta—a creamy fettuccine pesto that turns out simply divine paired with refreshing sour cherry juice.
Day 3: Monday, October 23 – Fortress Finds
Starts early again; breakfast offers familiar comforts yet leaves us yearning for something special. But soon enough it’s off to Asens Fortress where history whispers through its majestic ruins followed by tranquil moments at Bachkovo Monastery adorned by stunning mosaics.
Feeling adventurous this evening leads us to D’Asti Italian restaurant where salads burst forth in flavor alongside comforting tomato soup—all topped off by delectable cacio e pepe pasta crowned by fresh burrata cheese!
Day 4: Tuesday, October 24 – Rose Oil Wonders
Morning brings intrigue as we embark on an excursion towards Damascena—a beautiful estate dedicated entirely to rose oil production! Learning how this fragrant oil is distilled amidst picturesque landscapes proves enchanting.
Next up on our itinerary is lunch in Kazanlak where I savor deep-fried meatballs perfectly accompanied by marinated cabbage salad before heading towards Veliko Tarnovo—a true historical gem. Petar had lots of great stories to tell about this area.
Day 5: Wednesday, October 25 – Cultural Immersion
Breakfast greets us once more before venturing uphill toward Tsarevets Castle ruins—it’s quite the hike but worth every cobblestone step! Exploring Veliko Tarnovo unveils artisan craftsmanship down craftsman’s street where we admire woodworking and leather goods though resist purchasing—they’re just too beautiful not to touch! Dinner treats us splendidly once again; Shvitsilana serves whole baked fish alongside grilled veggies followed by dessert that sends taste buds soaring—puff pastry drizzled lovingly over caramelized cream adorned elegantly beside pistachio ice cream… divine doesn’t quite capture it!
Day 6: Thursday, October 26 – Backtracking Through Time
A repeat breakfast fuels our trek back towards Sofia wherein Etara showcases traditional craftsmanship—from woodworking techniques during yesteryears through charming displays still in use today—a peek into life circa the late 1700s truly enchants us further within these cozy shops brimming with creativity all around. They even have one shop with ovens from the time period turning out unique cookies – not my favorite, but fun to see them baked.
This evening was the amazing restaurant out of town where we had a delicious meal, beautiful folkloric music and dancing right near our table, and a display of walking on fire which was fascinating. We were required to be very quiet and not use any flash so as not to distract the walkers. Definitely worth seeing and something very unusual!
With hearty meals punctuating each journey onward (like bean soup which was so satisfying and inexpensive), we finally arrive back at Les Fleurs—but alas! A dim, small room greets us yet again—with leaking showers causing aggravation. We would definitely not choose this hotel but the location is definitely amazing!
This is a video of people “walking barefoot on fire”, something of a religious experience, as total darkness and silence are required from the spectators.
Wrapping Up This Enriching Escape As Friday dawns, our departure time approaches swiftly—we reflect fondly upon every culinary encounter and the remarkable architectural and historic sights. We loved our 10 days in Bulgaria and highly recommend a trip to this interesting country. And the prices are so much lower than those in Western Europe! So why hesitate? Let Kip’s Trips whisk you away on your own enchanting Bulgarian journey. 🌍✈️🥘
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