After almost three years of reconstruction works, the Stara Zagora zoo has recently re-opened its doors introducing lots of new inhabitants: a pair of kangaroos, newborn deer and a monkey. Birds The 7-hectare Stara Zagora zoo has been an emblematic place in the city for 65 years. The number of its inhabitants is constantly increasing: now, the zoo is home to 400 animals that reside in 50 houses along picturesque alleys. An adult ticket is just 2 levs (1 euro). Noisy parrots are the first hosts that meet visitors. Different […]

September is the month of pumpkin in Bulgaria and pumpkin cake experiments. Collected huge fruits will be one of the main parts of a daily diet till July: from sweet milk soup to baked pumpkin with meat. With this post, I share the insights about the most authentic Bulgarian curiosities related to the fruit: the museum devoted to pumpkins and the most known pumpkin cake in Bulgaria – tikvenik. 3 health benefits of pumpkin Before you start cooking the pumpkin cake, first, learn about some unique nutritive values of pumpkin […]

Along with a busy beach season in Burgas, at Atanasovsko Lake in the Burgas Saltworks factory is happening another significant seasonal activity – salt harvesting. Everyone can watch the process daily while doing SPA procedures or watching birds at the lake. To understand better the meaning of salt extraction, learn the most remarkable aspects of this ancient and traditional region craft. The original salt-related activities are great options for free things to do in Burgas to experience the culture of the region. 24 centuries of the history of salt extraction […]

In the midst of the butterfly season, learn more about these magnificent insect species that can be spotted in Bulgaria! I prepared this post after my excursion to the Regional Natural History Museum of Plovdiv. Why include it in your list of Plovdiv attractions? It’s the only museum in the country where you can interact with gorgeous butterflies. Learn 5 useful tips before visiting the Regional Natural History Museum of Plovdiv: Organize a visit Entrance to the Plovdiv Regional Natural History Museum is every 30 minutes. The maximum number of […]

There are dishes for festive and daily occasions, and some for enjoyable weekends – when there is no need to go anywhere, and all family is engaged in cooking. For our Bulgarian-Ukrainian family, the most frequent choices for this season are Lyutenitsa, a typical tomato sauce of Bulgarian cuisine, and Deruny, traditional potato pancakes in Ukrainian cuisine. Ukrainian cuisine & Bulgarian cuisine: a perfect mix of vegetables In their familiar forms, both dishes (summer highlights of Ukrainian cuisine and Bulgarian cuisine:) date back to the 30s years of the 20th […]

What better way to experience such an original place as Istanbul than to walk through it with someone who knows the culture, history and people? The growing number of Istanbul free walking tours as relatively safe types of entertainment is one of the positive consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for art, food, and history lovers. The post covers the financial, organization and varieties of guided Istanbul walks. Cost of ‘free’ walking tours Since the capital of Turkey is closer to Burgas than the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia, I try […]

June in Bulgaria is the month of the rose, the main flower symbol. And many gorgeous rose landscapes become must-visit places in Bulgaria. With this post, I share information on the most beautiful locations with roses in Bulgaria, where one can take pictures up to November. Bulgaria is one of the biggest rose-oil producers in the world, and a country that has been closely related to the beautiful flower for centuries. These days, flowers are starting to bloom in their wide varieties, and this beauty is celebrated with the Festival […]

The unforgettable sightseeing tour in Málaga (Spain) begins from Málaga Airport where the arrived visitors encounter the vertical gardens. It’s amazing how smartly the recovering from the long-lasting pandemic city integrated ecological ideas into their environments. Consider exploring other fun Málaga sights: The Atarazanas Market, Málaga’s Roman Theatre, Málaga Cathedral and the Soho Street Art district! Málaga Airport With its innovative vertical gardens, Malaga Airport is definitely one of the most interesting attractions of Malaga. With over 20 plant species, the massive green panels all over the terminal building represent […]

A sleeping overweight mermaid, a gigantic elephant, a set of castles, animals and people’s heads made part of the first of this season’s free sand art workshops on the Burgas beach (Bulgaria). With this art initiative, twice a week, sand artists Remy and Paul Hoggard bring together people of different ages and nationalities in creative masterclasses. Every Saturday and Sunday, the area next to Baywatch turns the Burgas beach into an outdoor laboratory with an exhibition. Sand and seawater are the materials for everyone who wants to make their own […]

On the eve of Orthodox Easter, the post explores how powerful invisible forces – religious narratives – shape our lives with special apps and communities created to deepen one’s spiritual beliefs or expand cultural values. Developing role models For most people, the Easter season is the only time of the year to think about the sacred. A visit to a church, consumption of a traditional dish, or simply a Facebook liking of an Easter post is the frequent expressions of that seasonal religiosity. Connecting with saints through apps (e.g. Online […]