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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. At dinner at one of the terrific restaurants (with amazing wine, as well!) Bulgarian Revival Architecture – different outside as well as in Inside of a mansion built in the Bulgarian Revival style Inside the unusual tunnel-shaped church at Arbanasi near Veliko Tarnovo. Notice how much black is used for all the paintings and how the icons cover every inch of wall space. 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! https://kips-trips.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5634.movhttps://kips-trips.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_5643.mov 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. 🌍✈️🥘 Save on Travel! Don’t forget to look at our promos to see if something catches your eye! Current Promotions

From Condé Nast Traveler Do you need a visa to go to Europe? It’s a question most American travelers don’t even think to ask, with United States passport holders having long traveled throughout most of the world without worrying about visa applications. But that’s set to change next year, as the European Union prepares new travel document requirements for American tourists. The European Union’s new visa waiver scheme, known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), was previously set to roll out in early 2024, but is now anticipated to launch “starting in the first half of 2025,” per the official ETIAS website. A European Commission spokesperson has confirmed with Condé Nast Traveler via email that as of August 2024, everything is on track to hit the target timeline of spring 2025. ETIAS is not a visa in the traditional sense; it only requires a quick online application, with approval delivered via email. Once it launches in 2025, ETIAS authorization will be required for all Americans traveling to all ETIAS member countries, which fall into one of four categories: full Schengen members like Spain, France, and Italy; European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland; future Schengen members such as Cyprus; plus European microstates like Andorra and Monaco. The European Commission first introduced the idea of a new pre-entry requirement to tighten border security in 2016. Since then, the timeline has been adjusted on multiple occasions due to technological needs required to roll out the new system, according to the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council. So what’s the hold up? The postponement is due, in large part, to setbacks in the building of another new IT infrastructure in Europe: the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace manual passport stamping with electronic registration. According to Anitta Hipper, another European Commission Spokesperson, ETIAS cannot launch until EES is fully operational as the traveler authorization system will rely on EES data to identify potential risks. The contractor in charge of creating these IT systems, eu-LISA, is working towards launching EES on November 10, 2024, with ETIAS launching in the following months. The revised timeline is linked to several factors, including “delays in developing the system at the central level by the contractor, but also in [EU] Member States when it comes to delays in preparation for the necessary equipment to use the EES at the border crossing points,” Hipper tells Traveler. “The Commission will continue working very closely with Member States and eu-LISA to minimize the impact of the delays and deliver interoperability under this mandate.” Do you need a visa to go to Europe in 2025? While many have compared ETIAS to a visa, Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist Nathan Cripps says the distinction between a visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an important one to temper any stress travelers may have in regards to the new requirement. “ETAs have been in use in various countries for many years and are considered simple, easy, and cost-effective,” Cripps says, pointing to countries like Canada and Australia that have made use of ETAs for decades. “The system is designed to make travel to Europe safer and easier, and once up and running it will soon become just another part of the routine.” How will ETIAS work? When Europe’s new authorization system is eventually implemented, travelers with passports from visa-exempt countries will have to apply for ETIAS online prior to their arrival on the continent. This requirement will affect citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among dozens of other countries. Unlike traditional visas, the application process for ETIAS is relatively quick and easy—it’s also inexpensive, costing only €7 (about $8) for a three-year approval. All travelers will need to fill out an ETIAS application regardless of their age. However, children under 18 and adults over 70 years old can apply for free. Travelers will simply fill out an online form with their basic biographical data and travel history. They’ll also respond to several security questions, and if everything checks out, they’ll receive approval via email within an hour. This will be the case for most travelers, although some may require additional security checks that prolong the process to up to 96 hours. “The most important piece of advice I can give travelers is to make sure to apply for your ETIAS at least 96 hours before your flight departs,” Cripps says. “Airlines will likely require proof of an ETIAS in order to board your flight, and while most travelers are expected to receive their approval quickly, you don’t want any surprises before your big trip.” Cripps also recommends that travelers set a reminder in their calendars ahead of when their three-year ETIAS approval expires to avoid future hiccups. “I do not see [ETIAS] as a big deal considering I am from the US and have a lot of passport privilege,” says Sojourner White, a remote social worker and travel content creator who has previously lived in Europe and plans to travel back there in the near future. “We are just not used to having travel restrictions, so people are freaking out, but honestly paying $8 is so much cheaper than what other people have to pay in order to travel in Europe.” She does, however, believe that the many delays are only going to further confuse travelers, especially when ETIAS is eventually implemented. “The constant rescheduling of the launch reminds me of the Real ID issues in the US. When you put out information prematurely people make plans with that information,” White says. “I foresee some problems, at least in the beginning, with people being confused as to what they need to do, especially if they are not seasoned travelers or it’s their first trip to Europe.” Her best advice for newer travelers so they don’t get caught off-guard? “Be in tune with the US Department of State website. They have the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) that I recommend everybody sign up

After a quick visit to the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid—home to Picasso’s iconic Guernica—we embarked on the high-speed train to Sevilla. Booking in advance (don’t forget your passports!) ensured we had first-class seats for the 2.5-hour journey, where we savored “Maria” cookies and sang along to our favorite tunes. Stay in Style: H10 Casa de la Plata Our base in Sevilla was the charming H10 Casa de la Plata, perfectly situated in the pedestrian-only old town. With spacious rooms offering street or courtyard views and a breakfast spread that included fresh churros with thick chocolate, it set the tone for indulgence. Even gluten-free travelers were well accommodated! The quirky artwork—a mix of historical and modern humor—was a fun conversation starter.             Pro Tip: Book your accommodations through Kip’s Trips to secure centrally located gems like this. Art, Architecture, and Awe in Sevilla Our cultural immersion started at the Bellas Artes Museum, showcasing religious art by Velázquez and Murillo. Next, we explored the stunning Alcázar, though we recommend hiring a private guide for a richer experience. The highlight? Touring the Sevilla Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with a knowledgeable guide from Walker Tours. Culinary Adventures (and Missteps) Dinner at El Nuestro Pan didn’t quite hit the mark, but the next evening’s tapas at Catalina La Barra was unforgettable. Grilled prawns, potatoes with aioli, and stuffed peppers with smoked bacalao were a feast for the senses. A Day Trip to Ronda: Worth the Detour? While scenic, Ronda fell short of expectations, with limited sights and challenging logistics for some travelers. However, tapas back in Sevilla redeemed the day. For more seamless day trips, let Kip’s Trips tailor an itinerary that suits your group’s needs. Granada’s Grandeur A long but rewarding day trip took us to Granada, where the Alhambra dazzled with its history and architecture. Lunch at Casa Gabriel was a splurge, but worth it for the quality and ambiance. Our guide, Juan Jose, made the experience truly enriching. Flamenco Finale The Flamenco Museum offered a glimpse into the art’s rich history, culminating in an authentic and beautifully performed show. A final evening of tapas and wine at Gusto was the perfect sendoff, leaving everyone with cherished memories and new friendships. Plan Your Perfect Spain Adventure! Looking to craft your dream Spain itinerary? Whether it’s finding the best accommodations, uncovering hidden gems, or curating cultural experiences, let Kip’s Trips expertise make your journey unforgettable. Book now for exclusive perks!

A group of 12 people got together for a special art, wine and food-focused trip to Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona. Hotels, activities and food adventures were curated by me, and our own private guide Luca made all the museums accessible and fun. By the end of our time together, we were all great friends! First was Madrid, where we stayed at the beautiful Villa Real across from the Palacio de las Cortes. Comfortable rooms with large bathrooms perfect for 2, everyone was very happy here. Also, there is an amazing permanent exhibit of Egyptian art that belongs to the owners of the hotel. Breakfast each day was a true delight – fresh, sweet fruit, hand-made pastries and breads, the best iberico ham (and I’ve had enough to know this was truly special!), eggs made to order, coffee drinks, etc. We were full for hours! The days we didn’t eat at the hotel, we visited Brown Bear Bakery just around the corner and that was fabulous – but, of course, pretty crowded most of the time. Excellent eggs, coffee, ·breakfast pastries, and even some lunch items. The first night we met at the Villa Real cafe for tapas – wines, tortilla (which is a Spanish egg and potato dish), ham croquettes and I had picked up an assortment of holiday cookies for everyone to try: roscas de vino, polvorones, mantecados, etc. Most were made with almonds and everyone loved them. Several people also stopped at the turrón place to taste Spanish turrón which in its traditional form is a hard nougat made with honey and almonds and is quite delicious. These days, the turrón company sells so many varieties it is mind-boggling! Dinner was at Zeraín, a Basque restaurant within walking distance from the hotel. I created a menu for everyone so that they could experience food they may not have tried or known to order. The menu was such that food restrictions were accommodated and everyone was able to eat things they would not normally have had. It was a hit! Of course, we visited the Prado, The Thyssen, the Reina Sofia and the House of Sorolla, with Luca providing a presentation each evening of what we would see the next day and with ideas how to pace our time. At the museums, we stood close by as he highlighted specific pieces of art. Next time we’ll bring our own ” whisper system” with headphones and a mic for Luca so we can hear his insights. After each museum visit we had tapas and debriefed on what we saw and what we learned. This is just highlights from first third of the trip, next blog post we’ll cover Sevilla and Barcelona.

Almost there! In the next week, we will be leaving for Europe for our daughter’s wedding in Greece, a one week trip to Bulgaria (one of the few places we have not yet visited!) and our group tour to Spain. Having written a little about our plans for the group in Madrid, we can turn out attention to Sevilla. We will travel by AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), the high speed train, and arrive in two and a half hours. The trip used to take almost eight, and it was one I did regularly when I was a student in Madrid, to visit a boyfriend in Granada. The hotel in Sevilla is called the H10 Casa de la Plata, a new place to stay for me. We will definitely visit the small but delightful Flamenco Museum, both for its charming exhibits of clothing and memorabilia, as for its very authentic “tablao” which takes place at 5pm. The flamenco performance we will see is not a tourist performance per se, in that the women aren’t wearing what we think of as fancy or flashy flamenco dresses, but more typical clothing with women’s hair up, a brightly colored shawl with some polka dots, and a dark colored dress with a few ruffles on the bottom. But, the “palmas”(hands clapping), “tacones” (heels tapping), along with the percussive guitar and plaintive voices all make for a moving experience. We will have time to walk through the Casco Viejo, Sevilla’s maze-like old town, and visit the Fine Arts Museum of Sevilla with our own guide Luca. During our time in Sevilla, we will take a day trip to Ronda and the white towns (so-called because the buildings are all painted white), and Granada to see the Alhambra. We will definitely sample some specialties of the region, including garlic soup, local fishes, salmorejo which is a thicker, more delicious version of gazpacho, and orange wine. Bienvenido a España!

The anticipation of an upcoming trip always fills me with delight and excitement. This trip in October, however, is unusual. For the first time since I was in my twenties and thirties, I am taking a group of friends and family on a 14 day trip to Spain. Many of you don’t know that I am a proficient Spanish speaker, lived in Spain, did two years of university there, and visit every couple of years as I still have friends in Madrid. It is always a delight to spend time with them, eat at new and different restaurants, attend the theater or concerts, go to flea markets and craft fairs, exhibits and more, all the while keeping my Spanish in good form.Why did I decide to do this now? Well, for many years, several people have said they would visit Spain “when I took them”. Finally, the time was right for the trip! At the end of October, we begin our tour in Madrid where we will stay at the beautiful hotel Villa Real. Although I will be handling the touring portion of the trip and curating visits to local restaurants and activities, Luca from Rome will be our own private tour guide. Scott and I had the privilege of touring with Luca one day last year when we spent the day in Rome visiting places that had newly opened or that had changed since our previous visits. Luca is awesome; he is an art historian with fabulous English who is able to invite people who are not art people, to explore art in ways that connect it to ancient and modern historical events. We will visit the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen and also have a chance to eat at some great restaurants. We will enjoy a ham and wine-tasting (there are many more types of ham in Spain than just ibérico, and we will try them all, paired with some delicious “blancos” (which is what Spaniards call white wine) And, of course, no visit to Madrid is complete without a stop for chocolate and churros. Not at the famous and touristy San Ginés, but at my favorite place, Valor Chocolate. The chocolate is rich and delicious and the churros hot and freshly fried. No cinnamon or powdered sugar here; these are Spanish churros, eaten plain and designed for dipping. In my next installment, I’ll write about our plans for Sevilla and then Barcelona.

Things have changed rapidly since my last post. Schools are closing, plays and concerts are cancelled or postponed, and trips are suffering the same fate. Our cruise in Amsterdam has been cancelled, so we must soon decide how to respond: refund the tickets outright or ask for a postponement to a future date with a bonus provided by the company. Right now, too much is going on for us to make that decision. The good news is that we are both healthy, we will not be traveling in the near future, and we are fortunate that we, as travel advisors, have access to accurate and timely information from trusted sources about COVID. If anyone is able to plan ahead to a future date and wants to schedule something, please let us know. Alternatively, anyone who would like any information or to talk about options, whether we booked your trip or not, please get in touch with us. We are happy to help in any way we can. My friends in Israel told me just the other day ” this, too, shall pass” and I hope they are right!

In just a few short months, the world as we know it has changed, perhaps forever. Sheltering-in-place has become the norm and most of us are trying to do the right thing by staying home and staying safe. But, as we do what is required, we won’t know for a long time how we will find things as the orders to quarantine ourselves are lifted and businesses begin re-opening, little by little. Some bright spots in all this for us is that we have been able to book a number of trips for 2021 and 2022. So even though 2020 is a bust, there is hope for a recovery as people begin to think about traveling again. I hope everyone continues to be well, and if you want to book something now for next year or beyond, we’re ready to help.

It is absolutely mind-boggling to us what is going on with COVID. We are staying inside and have for four weeks already. No one knows how much longer – maybe two to four weeks more or even longer. One can only do so much cleaning and cooking and watching TV before feeling bored and restless. Thank goodness we live near a beautiful reservoir with a great walking path alongside. Every day we walk and that, along with the posts people send of musicians playing together virtually and inspirational writings from poets and pundits all around the world, are keeping us going. As far as travel goes, keep dreaming and remember that we are here for when things get better again. Stay healthy and safe!

Today is our last day in Jerusalem and we were ready to go at 8:20 after checking out of the Arthur Hotel. We met our guide for today, Ofir, a friend of Ron’s, at Shamai St. at the Harmony Hotel, one of the other Atlas Properties in Jerusalem. He had a big van with extra luggage containers and all our stuff fit, including the new menorah and some artwork. We began our drive out of Jerusalem, on the same road as we traveled yesterday, past the same Bedouin boy and camel, but this time we didn’t stop for a photo. The drive took quite a while and as we passed Bedouin camps with goats, and other items of interest, Ofir narrated a history and culture of the area. The most complicated thing for us to understand was the ABC zones, which described who lived where and what the rules were regarding where each could and could not go. Finally we got to Beit She’an and we walked all around looking at the ruins, seeing the Tel (the hill where things get buried) and learning all about these exquisite Roman ruins, including the beautiful bathhouse, theater, shopping area and toilets! Afterward we ate lunch at what appeared to be a local strip mall where we had meat (shawarma was a specialty, Scott and I had ground meat kebabs of beef and lamb) with salads and freshly-made pita. Then we stopped for gelato, which rivaled any we’ve had even in Italy – dense, creamy, with unusual flavors. I had date/banana and passion fruit – yum! Next we drove past Yardenit and the Jordan River, Tiberias and then to Tsfat where we walked around the town, saw one of the charming synagogues from the 1500’s and browsed the few shops that were open at the time. We got to our hotel the Ruth Safed (or Ruth Rimonin) a 200-year-old palace turned into a way station and still a hotel. Charming lobby and rooms, and dinner was served in a large, beautiful space overlooking the town. Unfortunately, the buffet which cost $60 pp was ample but nothing was particularly good, unlike our excellent food at the hotel in Jerusalem. We’ll meet Ofir again in the morning for the next part of our tour.