The time has come to make a retrospective of the first six months of 2023 listing all the experiences I accumulated and enjoyed. This is an engaging exercise as I realized how many things have happened and how this impacted my life. Thus, let’s dive deep into the first six months of 2023 and make a retrospective of all the experiences and travels.
Table of Contents
First six months of 2023 retrospective: January is the month to plan
In the first place, in December I am usually busy with the year’s end and I leave all the planning for January in terms of experiences to live and travels to do throughout the upcoming year. This has been said, in January I reflected on the main themes of each month and planned accordingly. With this in mind, this is what the next six months look like.
February – work, work, work and hidden gems in Sofia not to miss out
As I had a lot of work commitments in February, I dedicated February to my job. In view of many interesting events happening at work, I had to go to Sofia on a business trip and had the time to visit a few hidden gems that I hadn’t had the chance to discover yet. Below, I listed a few of them:
Kambanite (The Bells) Park in Sofia
The Bells Park in Sofia is an interesting place to visit as you can discover different bells of shape and size coming from all the countries in the world. They symbolize the tolerance and friendship of all the nations. A unique place to visit although it is out of the beaten path as it is located near Business and Garitage parks. Nevertheless, if you have a prolonged stay in the Bulgarian capital, take the metro and visit it!
Tram Stop Vishneva in Sofia
Moreover, it is a secret place, the Vishneva tram stop is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sofia. Not to mention that It is a little bit far away from the city centre and veiled between the trees. Check it out in winter when it is covered under the snow if you are looking for great photoshoots to make!
Saint Sofia Church catacombs
Saint Sofia Church catacombs are not among the famous tourist attractions in Sofia but are worth visiting. They are located close to the cathedral Alexandre Nevski and it will take you no more than 30 minutes to have a tour there. Bulgaria is a real gem for all the history addicts, so do not miss it out if you are passing by the Sofia city centre.
Dar Bozhiy Graffiti or the girl with the bread that represents Rada in a traditional “nosia” painted by Nasimo
Dar Bozhiy Graffiti by the famous graffiti artist Nasimo is a real chef-d’euvre. It can be admired on Tsar Asen Street near the National Palace of Culture. More about Nasimo’s work can be found on his website
March 2023 retrospective – Hiking to Shipka monument and Girls Escape in Athens, Greece
Hiking on the occasion of National Liberation Day in Bulgaria
The National Liberation Day in Bulgaria is celebrated on the 3rd of March every year and I follow a tradition of going on a hike to the Shipka monument. This has been said, In March 2023, I went on a hike to the symbol of Bulgarian liberation – the Shipka monument and enjoyed all the celebrations around this date. The trail was covered with snow and we met the commander of the Bulgarian army in the picture below ):
Girls in travel in Athens, Greece
After the snow, the sun, and by the end of March, my girls in travel gang and I, we headed to Athens in Greece. I had no expectations, except that I wanted to see the Acropolis. Not only we stayed in a hotel with a great view of the Acropolis, but we also discovered the Roof Top Bar A for Athens, we visited the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum of Athens and we did some souvenir shopping in the Thiki Greece shop. An epic girls’ escape to be repeated!
First six months of 2023 retrospective: April – mindblowing Santorini, Greece
The first six months of 2023 retrospective continue with the best romantic escape with myself I’ve ever had! I truly believe that Santorini is the most romantic place in the world. What can I say about Santorini? Well, if you are planning to visit it, choose accommodation close to Fira (the capital) as you will be able not only to walk around freely, but you will be able to catch a bus and go to Oia, the red, black and white beaches and to hang around. I stayed in an amazing hotel in Cyclades style. If you are interested, please check it out: El Graco Resort Fira
Retrospective of May 2024 – Serbia, Hiking in Bulgaria and Rafting in Bosnia and Hercegovina
Serbian road trip – Nis, Beograd, Novi Sad
I dedicated the first six months of 2023 to visit the Balkans. After Greece, I headed to Serbia in May. I wanted to visit Nis, Beograd, and Novi Sad and I made it! In addition, that was a trip with my mother as we have a family tradition to go on a road trip every year in May. I admired some funny statues in the city centre of Nis (in the picture below), St Sava Church in Beograd and the beautiful aristocratic buildings of Novi Sad! I am glad we made this trip to Serbia as I managed to add one more country to my bucket list.
Hiking to Mazalat Hut in Bulgaria
Besides, this Balkanic adventure in Serbia, I went on a hike to Mazala Hut in Bulgaria. There are some famous picks and huts in Bulgaria that I would like to conquer one day like Ambaritza Hut, Vihren peak and others. But before that, Malazat Hut was on my Bucket list. As a result, I went on a hike to Mazalat Hut and had a great time. It was raining, but the weather was warm. In addition to a day spent in nature, I made some good friends on my way ):
Rafting on Tara River in Bosnia and Hercegovina
Lastly, I went on a Rafting on Tara River in May. I have to say that that was the apogee of the month! I wanted to go on a real adventure in a mind-blowing place and that was the Rafting Adventure on Tara River offered by Rafting Centre Drina Tara.
In order to make the best out of this adventure, I went on an organized trip from Bulgaria to the Rafting Centre Drina Tara in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Journey group as they could offer me an all-inclusive package including the round-trip ride by bus, accommodation, the all-inclusive meals, all the attractions like rafting, jeep-safari, zip line and others.
If you are willing to try rafting at least once in your life, I highly recommend doing it in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you are from Bulgaria, the easiest way is to contact Rafting Centre Drina Tara and they will take care of your stay.
First six months of 2023 retrospective: June – Romania and Transfagarasan Road Adventure
Last but not least on my first six months of 2023 retrospective list comes Romania and most notably the Transfagarasan Road. I dreamt of visiting this mesmerizing road and seeing free-walking bears on it. This epic road is listed among the best road trips to embark on before you die and for a reason. It is as picturesque as you see it in all the pictures on the web and it is worth planning a trip there. In brief, the best time to travel around is between May and October as in between it is closed.
To conclude, I have to say that thanks to meticulous planning from my side, I was able to visit all these beautiful places and to live these adventures of the first six months of 2023 to the fullest!
Stay tuned for more places to visit with me and thanks for reading!