Blog Posts
5 Ways to Travel When You Have No Enough Time
“Work fills your pockets, but adventures fill your soul,” has been told American actress Jamie Lynn and she’s definitely right. Therefore in recent years traveling near and far has become a mania for many people. Once you have discovered this magic, you do not want to stop and continue to search for new and unknown places.
However, what to do if your work defines your daily life and you don’t have enough free time for adventures?! Well, there are different options. Here you are some useful tips.
Weekend Escape
These are two whole days and you can have unforgettable memories with your loved ones. It’s not enough time to go to the other end of the world, but you can start with a closer destination. If you focus on the native beauties, you can fly from one end of Bulgaria to the other in no time.
Go somewhere close
According to some theories, our civilization has started here (from Bulgaria). Even if this is not right (we don’t know), it is a fact that interesting people lived on our lands, who left us a rich heritage. So it is enough to search for curious entertainments around the place where we lives, and we will certainly be able to make an interesting list of activities a step away from us.
Become a local tourist
Do you know enough for the city where you live?! Take advantage of some free time and rediscover the beauty around.
Optimize your time
Don’t try to see everything – it’s impossible. You can go to the same destination second time, right?! You will be surprised how rested you will be if you choose one or two places to visit on your trip. This is one of the traveling purpose, isn’t it?! To take a break from the daily rhythm, to discover new beauties, to learn new curious things and to accumulate interesting memories?! In this regard, you shouldn’t forget that the great things are difficult for planning.
The Russian Church in Sofia – a Really Special Place
The temples in Sofia are not one or two, as is the case in all major cities. However, the Russian Church of St. Nicholas is more special than the rest. And the reason for this is not only the impressive architecture, nor the golden cubes or the always beautiful flower garden near the main entrance. There is no way to walk past such a building and not to fall in love with it, but there is something more spiritual and a little bit more mystical, too.
Interesting facts about the Russian Church
Construction began in the late 19th century and continued for many years. It is consecrated in 1914 on the eve of World War I. It is built on a plot of the Russian Embassy because of the needs of Russian emigrants in the capital, but the original idea is for a small chapel. However, the church become a centre of the numerous Russian immigration. After 1947, it passed under the authority of the Moscow Patriarchate, as it is today.
The impressive murals that adorn the walls of the church are work of a team of artists. Vasily Perminov, who is one of the authors of the murals in the cathedral temple “St. Alexander Nevski”, headed the team. In architectural terms, we see a combination of modern and traditional with preserved ancient Russian elements, combined with Old Russian mosaics and carvings.
But why is the Russian Church so special?
In the crypt of the temple is the tomb of Archbishop Seraphim Sobolev or just St. Seraphim, known as the Wonder Worker of Sofia. He arrived in Bulgaria in 1921 and became famous for his great love for people and for helping them a lot. He had the ability to heal incurable diseases through prayer. In his lifetime, Seraphim said, “We must see our brothers as angels, and their sins as diseases.” He believed that one person did not become bad for his bad actions and therefore could forgive everyone.
The stories of the people he helped are thousands. They also talk about his ability to predict the future and read the thoughts of the others. The day before he died, he told one of the laymen:
“When I leave, write me letters. If I am blessed with the opportunity to meet the God, I will intercede for you and ask him to help you”.
Most Searched Travel Destinations for Last Year
Traveling is a real magic – to discover new incredible beauties, to meet strangers, different cultures and traditions and to have unforgettable memories. That is why most people love to travel.
Top 10 travel destinations for 2019
These are the most searched travel destinations last year in Google, because… Google knows everything. We are not sure these are the most visited places, but it’s worth to see them.
- The Maldives
- Japan
- Bora Bora
- Las Vegas
- Mexico
- Alaska
- New Orleans
- California;
- New York;
- Costa Rica.
How Much the Different European Nations Eat
Is it true that we are what we eat? So let look at things more generally. How much the different European nations eat? Of course, the appetite and the quality of nutrition are an individual choice for each of us, but we can still make regional generalizations that give a very interesting picture.
Where in Europe people eat most?
Leaders at this list are Belgians with an average of 3,793 calories per day. They are followed by the Austrians with 3784 calories and the Irish with 3591 calories, according to Eurostat statistics. After them in the ranking are France and Germany with respectively 3524 and 3539 (as in Italy) calories per day.
Where in Europe people eat less?
It may seem strange, but Bulgarians are at the forefront with 2877 calories per day. We are followed by Slovakia with 2902, Croatia with 3052, the Netherlands with 3147 and Sweden with 3160 calories.
**************************************************
If you are a fan of the good food, come to Simona restaurant to enjoy the cozy atmosphere here and the incredible taste of our meals. Our mission is to bring pleasure to our guests. That is why we offer you a special menu to meets your high expectations!
What You Must See in Sofia if You Only Have a Day
You are in Sofia but you do not have much free time for tours because your program is overflowing?! Still want to make the trip not only rewarding but enjoyable?! Then let us help you with some guidelines for what you should see in the capital if you only have one day!
Where to start the Sofia tour?
One day is too short period, but you may try to visit the most interesting places. So here are some suggestions for a quick and easy tour.
If you are free at lunch hours, you can take a bus trip – City Sightseeing Sofia. The tours last just over an hour and are organized every day of the week, starting at 12:00 noon. This is good way to see the most iconic places in the capital. And with the help of an experienced guide you will also learn interesting things about different sights. But if you prefer a more secluded experience, you can also enjoy private tours.
Another option for those who prefer to organize their time alone is a walking tour of the central part. A good starting point is the metro, in particular the Serdika metro station, where the 120 meter long platform reveals archaeological finds found during the construction of the underground road.
Ancient Sofia
Leaving the station, the ancient experience continues with the remains of the foundations of residential buildings from the ancient town of Serdika. Take a walk among them and visit the Church of St. Petka Samardzhiyska, where you should go up to the second floor, too. It is located at one exit of the subway. It was built in the 11th century on the foundations of a Roman tomb since the 4th century. According to the hypothesis of the bulgarian writer Nikolay Haitov, the Bulgarian Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski was buried at this place.
Then you can continue your walk through the Central Department Store, next can make some selfies in front of the Bashi Bashi Mosque and the former City Mineral Bath. After that you can proceed to the Council of ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Presidency. Even if you aren’t keen on politics, buildings are definitely worth a look. We recommend that you go through the underpass opposite the metro exit because you will be able to see more remains of the ancient Sredets.
And if you are already tired, you may end up with shopping or with a walk along the Vitosha Boulevard. Along the way you will also see the Church of the Holy Sunday, in which the relics of Serbian King Stefan Uros II were stored in the 19th century. The temple has been known for its bloody terrorist attack since April 16, 1925, too, but we will not go into detail about it. For a final, you can have a drink something at one of Vitosha’s many cafes.
More suggestions for the tireless ones
There are a few other places interesting for visiting, although we don’t believe you’ll have the power to do anything. One of them is the magnificent Alexander Nevski Monument. Nearby you will find the monument of the Unknown Warrior and the sculpture of Samuel, as well as the Basilica of Saint Sophia and the archaeological museum below it (in case you manage to go at its working hours).
Have a good time!
*******************
Afterwards, we are waiting for you at the cozy Art Hotel Simona and the 24-hour Simona Restaurant, where your stay will have a pleasant art taste. It is only 3 km from the city center. Excellent service and an amazing atmosphere are among the details that will take care of your good impression of the city.
The Rhodope narrow-gauge in the top 10 of the best train journey
Here you are one good reason for national pride for all bulgarians. The Rhodope narrow-gauge is included in the Top 10 best train travel in Europe of the prestigious British newspaper The Guardian. It is also getting one more recognition – the most scenic train journey on the Old Continent according to the readers.
If you have not yet travelled on the this line – Septemvri-Dobrinishte, Bulgaria, which is the only working narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria, you have to do it. The distance between the stations is 125 km and it takes about 5 hours at an average speed of 25 km/h. The slow travelling gives you the way to enjoy the magical nature. The railway pass through 3 mountains, 2 valleys and 6 rivers.
Narrow gauge in Bulgaria
“Time moves slow on the Septemvri-Dobrinishte railway in south-west Bulgaria (150km south of Sofia). Two weeks into a fairly austere trip in the Balkans, we found ourselves whisked away by the slow, narrow-gauge train that connects the Upper Thracian Plain with the Rhodopes, Rila and Pirin mountains, winding its way through narrow gorges and idyllic river valleys for five hours. The line features suited station-masters ushering families into the spartan carriage: it was a rare treat to stand in the open-air passages between them. We stopped for the night in the spas of Velingrad (2½ hours from Septemvri), imagining ourselves as extras in a Wes Anderson rip-off, before continuing on to Razlog”, The Guardian.
- Tickets (€9) bought at stations, not available online, bdz.bg
**************************************************
If you want to enjoy the unique atmosphere and great service welcome to the Art Hotel Simona. We offer not only accommodation but a real experience. Free parking is available, smoking area and modern 24/7 restaurant.
