In our column "Feel Bulgaria with…"We regularly introduce you to interesting travelers who, through their stories and wonderful shots, virtually take us to beautiful and interesting places in Bulgaria. Today we introduce you to Svetlana Tsvetanova - a wonderful young lady who impressed us with her beautiful shots and wonderful stories. Here is what she shared with us about herself:
Hello! My name is Svetlana Tsvetanova and photography is my way of connecting with the world. I love traveling and discovering hidden corners in Bulgaria - from majestic mountains to quiet villages and small, unknown places. Nature recharges and inspires me, and each new place gives me a chance to learn new stories, try traditional foods and get acquainted with different cultures and customs that enrich me. For more than 5 years now, I have been developing my Instagram account, where I share places for every taste. Each of my photos is an attempt to capture the magic of the moment and tell the story of a given place. I want people to feel the beauty and richness of Bulgaria through my shots and be inspired to travel more.
In the following lines, we present 5 great places for a walk, personally recommended by Svetlana. Here they are:
1. Berkovsko Kale
Kaleto Forest Park is located on a high hill above Berkovitsa, where you can see the remains of a late antique, medieval fortress. From the height, you can see views of the city and the Balkans and the surrounding area - you can hardly get an idea from my photos with this thick fog, but it was still very beautiful.
How to get to the place:
It is located near Vazova House or, more briefly, if you are in the center facing the clock tower, you go down the alley that falls to your right and at the end of it you will see a two-story establishment. There is a bridge with benches along it, this is the beginning of the path. And before you cross the road, there is a large sign and you can't get lost.
You can also get there by car, because the road is asphalt, but we chose to walk, which takes no more than 20 minutes and I recommend this option. We had turned on our navigation, because in places the road forks and we were hesitating where to turn.
2. Gorge Canyon
It is located between the villages of Smilyan and Koshnitsa (Smolyan). On the road to Koshnitsa there is a small sign on the left of the road and steps that will lead you to the place.
Tip: I recommend taking a boat trip, although it takes about 10 minutes, max 15. It's both enjoyable and you learn something about the canyon. There is a phone number to call and make a reservation, but we, and many others, were without one. You may have to wait a while, especially if there are a lot of people who want to go. We got there on the weekends, but anyway, the trip is short and the wait doesn't take long.
The price for a boat trip is 10 leva per person. Ideal to combine with a walk to the Kaleto Fortress in the village of Koshnitsa.
3. Monastery of the Seven Thrones
Its official name is “Holy Mother of God” or Osenovlag Monastery, but it is better known as “The Seven Thrones”. It is located about 85km from Sofia and 25km from Lakatnik station, which makes it ideal for a day trip. The road passes through my favorite Iskar Gorge, which makes the trip even more enjoyable. Arriving at the village of Eliseyna, cross the railway crossing on the right and then continue 12km along the road to the village of Osenovlag.
According to legend, seven boyars founded seven beautiful villages near the monastery - Osenovlag, Ogoya, Ogradishte, Bukovets, Leskov Dol, Zhelezna and Lakatnik. For this reason, the church has 7 thrones, which is not seen anywhere else in Bulgarian churches.
4. Kovachevitsa, Leshten and something else…
3 Places for a unique walk in the Rhodope Mountains…
Leshten – a paradise hidden in the heart of the Western Rhodopes, where peace reigns. You can leave your car on the square and walk along the cobblestone streets…
The Kanina River Canyon is a less well-known route, but it is worth stopping by and enjoying the views that open up. You can easily miss it because it is off the road. The direction Kovachevitsa falls to the left - there is a gazebo overlooking the canyon.
Kovachevitsa is located only 8km from Leshten. The village is small, but it cannot fail to grab your attention with its houses. One of the symbols of Kovachevitsa is the church "St. Nikola" - the most valuable monument of spirituality in the entire region. In Kovachevitsa I also have a favorite establishment, where I stay every time I visit - the pub "Bratyata".
Find great places and recommended businesses in our business directory…
5. The Heart of Godech
The walk will take you about an hour and a half. You need to get to the village of Ravna, where you can leave your car. The route is marked with red wooden arrows and passes through a small monastery. There is a place with a slightly steep climb, but it is short.. The views along the way are incredible, and from the Heart itself even more so!
If you have time, you can take another 20 minutes and walk to the other landmark - the Bench with the Platform. From there the views are even more magnificent. The route is also suitable for children.
These were just a small part of the unique places that the amazing Svetlana can show you – to get even more inspiration, follow her on Instagram / svetlana.cvetanova / and get inspiration for your next travels around Bulgaria and the world.
The photos and video in the publication are the property of Svetlana Tsvetanova and their use in other articles or materials without the author's consent is prohibited!
See more:
Feel Bulgaria with Maria Tarashmanova
Feel Bulgaria with Silvia Stoyanova
Feel Bulgaria with Victor Georgiev
