7 Of the Coolest Things to Do in Bulgaria
Bulgaria may not be a mainstream tourist
destination, but that doesn't mean it lacks interesting things to do and see.
On the contrary, this small Balkan country has plenty to offer concerning cool
traditions, events and activities. Any of them can leave you dazzled and with
long-lasting fond memories of the place. Here is a quick list of things to do
here:
A dance with monsters - Bulgaria is home
to the rather unusual tradition of Kukeri. Men dress up as monsters with big
masks and plenty of bells attached to the waist area. Kukeri takes place in
villages all across the country from as early as January till March. The idea
is that these monsters and the sound they make will scare away evil spirits and
ensure prosperity in the area. The costumes are very elaborate and are
spectacular to look at.
Step on the embers - If you think
watching Kukeri was cool, you'd be thrilled to see the Nestinari. People
dancing on embers - Nestinari - is an ancient tradition, preserved in a few
places in the country. Watching these people dance on the smouldering embers
might make you worried. However, know that they are perfectly fine - they have
mastered this art to perfection.
Wake up early to collect roses - Bulgaria
is home to the world-famous Valley of Roses, which grows the local Rose
Damascena. This is the type used in a majority of top perfume and cosmetic
products. Roses are picked in June and tourists may usually join in on the fun.
You should keep in mind that roses must be picked at dawn to preserve their
essential oils, so that's one consideration for people who like to sleep in.
Listen to live music performances in the
mountain - The Ambaritsa chalet, which stands at 1500 meters, is home to the
Blueberry Festival. Hundreds of people head up the mountain to enjoy a weekend
of live music performances and take a look at various interesting crafts and
exquisite food.
Enjoy a different February 14 - You know
well enough that February 14 is St. Valentine's day. However, that is mostly a
Western tradition. Bulgaria has been influenced by it and makes honour love on
this day, but the country also celebrates the Day of the Winemakers on the same
day. If you happen to be in the country on this exact day, you should treat
yourself to a glass of wine in honour of St. Trifon the Pruner.
Check out seven lakes at once - Perhaps
the most visited tourist attraction in Bulgaria is the Seven Rila Lakes. The
lakes unveil magical scenery as you climb the Rila Mountain. Climbing on top of
Lake Peak is a fantastic opportunity to see all seven lakes at once.
Visit a place of worship of 4 different
religions - There is a place in the capital of Sofia where four different
religions have their places of worship co-existing peacefully. The place is
known as the Square of Religious Tolerance, where a mosque, a Roman Catholic
cathedral, a synagogue and an Orthodox church stand close to each other.
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