As per the tradition, it’s time to recap on the best moments of the second part of 2020. The second part of 2020 was full of unplanned trips, amazing sceneries, great life lessons and hard work on my blog.
Table of Contents
July 2020
Scuba diving in Shkorpilovtsi
First, my birthday is in July and I offered to myself the best experience I could have on the seaside – scuba diving in Shkorpilovtsi. I love scuba diving and I highly recommend you to try it at least once if you haven’t done it yet.
New Home Office
Furthermore, the best acquisition of the month was my new home office. Having a dedicated space to work is one of the best decisions I’ve taken this year.
The best moments of August 2020
In August it was time to hit the road. I needed to clean up my head and signed up for the first trip I found. In a word, it was a weekend escape in Pirin Mountain passing by the Dancing Bears Park in Belitsa.
Dancing Bears Park in Belitsa
First of all, we visited the Dancing Bears Park in Belitsa. The sanctuary is very well organized and 21 bears live there actually. The team working there take care of the wild animals and they seem to fully recover from their terrible previous life. It’s a great spot to see wild animals in their natural habitat.
Bansko
After the Dancing Bears Park in Belitsa, we headed to Bansko where we spent the night. As it was the summer season, the ski resort was almost empty and I could enjoy a great walk without any tourists on my way. I have to say that this walk was one of the best moment in the second part of 2020 for me. In other words, I needed it desperately and it came at the right moment.
On my way back from the walk it started raining and a double rainbow appeared. That was a reminder that after the rain there’s always a rainbow.
Bezbog Hut and Popovo Lake
On the next day of our trip, we went hiking to Bezbog Hut and Popovo Lake. Mother Nature is the best place to escape the hectic city life if you need a break. Especially a hike in the mountains where you walk without thinking about anything.
The Palace of Euxinograd
Therefore, in August I visited a great touristic site in Varna – Euxinograd. I have to say that I was really impressed by the Palace of Euxinograd and highly appreciated a guided tour where I could learn interesting facts about the Palace of Euxinograd.
The best moments of autumn 2020 – September
Likewise, September was in the air and unexpectedly it was time to take the road again. But this time it was totally unplanned.
Lisitstite Suspension Bridge, Utrobata Cave, Devil’s Bridge and Meanders of Arda River
Needless to say that unplanned trips are the best ones! I did not plan to travel till I received an offer I could not resist. And I thought why not?
By all means, that’s how I ended up visiting Lisitstite Suspension Bridge, Utrobata Cave, Devil’s Bridge and Meanders of Arda River in one long weekend only.
All these places of interest are located in the Eastern Rhodopes mountains and are unique. I am not going to tell you more about them and instead, I will excite your curiosity to go visit them by yourself.
October 2020
Fortunately, October has surprised me with nice weather and one day me and I friend of mine, we headed to the Late Antique Fortress of Sveti Atanas Cape in Byala and Cape Emine.
Antique Fortress in Byala
Late Antique Fortress of Sveti Atanas Cape in Byala is the last place on my list with places to visit during summer 2020 and I MADE IT! The Late Antique Fortress of Sveti Atanas Cape is located in a park where you can see an Early Christian compound, a public bath, tens of houses, warehouses and craft industry edifices, wineries and kilns for household pottery. Back at the days, there were also streets, water supply system and the canalization of the town.
Cape Emine
Our day trip ended at Cape Emine, the end point of the trail Kom – Emine.
November: Sveshtari and Demir Baba Teke
In November I finally visited The Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari and the Alevi Mausoleum Demir BabaTeke in Razgrad region.
The Tomb of Sveshtari
The Tomb of Sveshtari (located in the village of Sveshtari) was found in 1982 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb’s architectural decor is unique – the painted murals and the female figures in relief are very well preserved and extremely impressive.
Unfortunately, it’s forbidden to take pictures inside and that’s why I cannot show you any. As a horse skeleton was found during the excavation works, archaeologists consider that most likely the tomb was the grave of Dromichaetes – a king of Getae. If you are interested in Thracian civilisation, do not hesitate to add the Tomb of Sveshtari on your Bulgarian Bucket List.
Demir Baba Teke
As I am interested in visiting different temples of worship, I was curious to see the second place of interest in the region called Demir Baba Teke. It’s an Alevi Mausoleum and is considered being the resting place of Demir Baba – a 16th century Alevi Saint. Most noteworthy the mausoleum has been constructed on an ancient Thracian sanctuary. There is also a holy spring with crystal waters in the surrounding yard.
To reach the monument you have to go downstairs through woods. You will mention that pieces of clothing are tied on the trees. These garments are tied for health according to the local superstition.
The best moments of Christmas 2020
Christmas in Varna
December is a synonym of Christmas decoration and presents. Varna city centre was beautifully decorated with huge lighting installations. With this in mind, one evening we went for a walk to immerse ourselves in the Christmas atmosphere and to take some pictures.
Secret Santa
At the same time, we had a Secret Santa at work and I’ve got loads of presents – coffee, warm socks, a plaid, a book and a passeport for travellers that I hope to use very soon.
Working on my blog
And to conclude, I used Christmas holidays to watch Christmas movies, to relax and to work on my blog.
Thank you for being with me and stay tuned for more great content coming up in 2021!