In case you missed it, I'm currently traveling through Europe, exploring hidden corners and must-see spots in Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the UK. I've been posting daily updates from my adventures on Facebook and Twitter, but in case you missed some of those, I've also decided to put together a weekly round-up to update anyone who's interested on what I've been up to for the past 7-ish days.
Here we go with Week 3! (With the days being cumulative.)
Day 15
Day 15 was one of the best and worst days of the trip at the same time. We caught a morning bus from Sofia to Rila Monastery, which consisted of 3 hours on 2 separate buses (neither of which had air conditioning OR windows that opened, which made it stifling hot), and 1 driver who kept nodding off at the wheel. We somehow made it in one piece, however, and spent some time gawking at Rila before the skies opened up in a very welcome thunderstorm. From the monastery, we took a mini bus to the small Bulgarian village of Gorno Draglishte. There, we took an evening stroll and got invited in for tea by a local lady, and then dressed up in traditional clothes after dinner to do Bulgarian dances with two local old ladies.
Day 16
Today was another day to experience village life — this time in Bulgaria. We had a leisurely morning, with me taking a walk for about an hour to marvel at the mountains and meadows. Did YOU know Bulgaria had this kind of scenery?!? After breakfast, we took a short mini bus ride first to a village with a very old and historic church, then through the Bulgarian countryside to the resort town of Bansko. Once in Bansko, most of the group opted to go to a dancing bear sanctuary up in the mountains. The road to the place was treacherous, but thankfully we had a very good driver. After the bear sanctuary, it was back to Bansko to wander around town and have some dinner at one of the many taverns in town.
Day 17
A glorious free day in Bansko. We could have gone hiking, but seeing as it was too hot to move and no one could tell us if the 4-hour hike involved shade, none of us was really up for it. Instead, I spent my day roaming around Bansko (which is actually adorable in the summer when there's no skiing to be had), reading my book, and giving my weary body a rest.
Day 18
From Bansko, it was on to the historic city of Plovdiv. Bulgaria's second-largest city is perhaps also one of its most interesting. Here, you can run into history just about everywhere, from the Roman stadium poking out from underneath a major shopping area to the amazingly well-preserved Roman amphitheater. After lunch in Plovdiv, we took a walking tour of all the major sites and somehow managed to not pass out from the oppressive heat.
Day 19
We had a free day in Plovdiv, which I began by re-visiting the Roman amphitheater and wandering around the city center before the heat of the day really kicked in. Once it got too hot to stand, I went with 2 others to seek out a place to swim. As fate would have it, we ended up hanging out with our Plovdiv tour guide from Day 18 and his girlfriend at a local water park. It was like heaven. That night, we caught an overnight bus to Istanbul — easily the nicest bus I have been on so far in Europe!
Day 20
After a slightly harried arrival in Istanbul in the early morning hours, I went on a 4-hour walking tour of the city with Urban Adventures. The tour, called “Hidden Istanbul,” was fantastic, and took me to all the main sites (Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market) and plenty more. I saw so many amazingly beautiful mosques! After the tour I slowly made my way to my hostel, and then set out to see Hagia Sofia in person. This was perhaps one of my favorite experiences of my entire trip so far. Hagia Sofia is AMAZING. After taking way too many photos, I called it an early night and crashed before 9 p.m.
Day 21
My second and last day in Istanbul was jam-packed. I began the morning with a visit to the Basilica Cistern, followed by a longer stroll through the Grand Bazaar. Afterwards, I hopped on a 2-hour bus tour that went all over the European side of the city, giving me a nice overview of what I need to see next time. I then had a bit of downtime before a quick dinner and a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus. I'm already missing Istanbul, and I haven't even left yet!
The Week in Numbers
Each week, I'll try to give you an idea of how I'm traveling, and what things generally cost.
- Number of flights: 0
- Number of trains: 0
- Number of buses: 4
- Number of mini buses: 2
- Number of times it's rained: 3
- Number of times I've nearly passed out from the heat: Too many
- A meal in Bulgaria: $3-$8 USD
- Bike rental for 1 day in Bansko: $9 USD
- Entry to Plovdiv amphitheater: $1.90 USD
- Entry to Aqua Land in Plovdiv for the day: $5 USD
- Street food in Turkey: $0.50-$2 USD
- Entry to Hagia Sofia: $13.75 USD
- Entry to Basilica Cistern: $5.50 USD
- 2-hour cruise on the Bosphorus: $27.50
*Note: I'm not quoting the price of accommodation, as it's mostly been included so far.
So there you have Week 3 of my European adventure! Come back next week for Week 4's round-up.
If there's anything more you want to know about my weeks, tell me in the comments!
If you missed previous weeks…
*Note: Intrepid Travel has graciously provided me with a complimentary 18-day tour through Eastern Europe. But all opinions, as always, are entirely my own.
Bulgaria looks beautiful! Not really how I pictured it at all.
I know, right? I was really taken by surprise by Bulgaria. Such a beautiful country, and virtually no one knows about it!
More nice photos, Amanda, and I especially enjoyed your photos of Istanbul. I’ve never been but have wanted to go since learning about the Hagia Sophia in my art history courses many years ago.
Thanks, Jenna. I can highly suggest a visit to Istanbul. The city has so much history and is so interesting! Not to mention that it’s also beautiful.
Those poor dancing bears! It’s why I never like to do anything with animals for tourism, there’s too much of a chance that they are not being treated properly.
I know! I had kind of heard of them before, but I never knew how cruelly they were treated until we visited the bear sanctuary. The poor things! Some of them are blind, and others have clearly been driven slightly mad by the cruel tactics their former owners used to train them. It was very sad, but very worth learning about, I think. I’ll definitely be writing about them in the future!
As always, you make me want to dust off my passport! Do you think September/October would be a good time to visit Bulgaria?
I think September/October would be a lovely time to visit Bulgaria. It would probably still be warm, but not so hot that you don’t want to go outside! I’d say it would also be less crowded with tourists, but Bulgaria isn’t exactly a tourist destination to being with, so I don’t think you’d ever have to worry about that!
Bulgaria was a surprise to me too – very beautiful landscape. I wished I’d had more time to explore it. It wasn’t easy to find a local guide who could take me for a hike in the mountains..
Tourism hasn’t quite caught on in Bulgaria, I don’t think. It’s still very much a developing country, but I think it’s very rewarding to visit.
Can’t believe it’s three weeks already. That was one great trip! These pics are awesome! Hagia Sofia is on my list for a while… Ah-h, may be next year…
I can’t believe it’s already been 3 weeks, either! Craziness! Just 5 days from now I’ll be halfway through my trip already!
I’d never considered Bulgaria as a destination before, but think I just changed my mind. And Istanbul – oh, I’m envious!!
Romania and Bulgaria are both well worth visiting, in my opinion! And yes, Istanbul… amazing!
Istanbul was one of my favourite cities – I love the way it straddles European and Eastern cultures –
Seeing your photos makes me think a return trip should be back on the list 😉
Istanbul was great. I definitely want to go back and spend more time there sometime in the near future!
Nice photos, I really like the lamps in the Grand Bazaar. Bulgaria looks like a very nice place.
Thank you, Lawrence! And yes, Bulgaria was indeed quite nice.
Looks like you’re having a brilliant time, Amanda! Happy travels to the rest of your journey — and I’m jealous of you getting to go to Bulgaria! Our last housemate in Oz was from there, so we had been introduced to the culture a bit back home.
Yes, I’m definitely having a great time so far! Bulgaria was so interesting to experience – very different from what I expected! I highly recommend you check it out for yourself sometime!
Bulgaria looks just so beautiful!! Those streets and the women are beautifully shot.
The Hagia Sophia gardens are lovely and pretty! Loved your pictures.
Thanks, Arti!
Bulgaria looks awesome. Plovdiv and the Rila monastery are beautiful. And what I can say about Istanbul. What an amazing place. So bad the heat was oppresive. I have high tolerance to heat (I’m from the Caribbean) but feel like it takes away a lot of energy.
Bulgaria was really hot, too, and Greece is even worse. I keep hoping I’ll get used to it, but no such luck! I’m just taking it slow and trying to stay indoors as much as possible! Definitely still loved Bulgaria and Istanbul, though.
It sounds like a diversity-filled trip! I knew Turkey was supposed to be colorful, yet had no idea how beautiful Bulgaria is, I just love Bulgarian cheese. Heard of its dance bears though, adorable creatures!
I had no idea how beautiful Bulgaria was, either! It was definitely a nice surprise.
I always enjoy reading your travel reports and I eagerly anticipate the Week Round-Up every week!! I am officially envying your travels! I love the photos your took of the Hagia Sofia…and the photos of everything else for that matter!
Aww, thanks Rebecca! I’m glad you’re enjoying my weekly round-ups! I’ve enjoyed putting them together – helps me look back on the trip!
Love all the photos. Looks like you are having a grand time. I love that you call Aqua Land – Heaven. I haven’t been to a water park in like ages, would love to go to one again. Well as for Istanbul, I know I’ve mentioned my love for it way to much. Glad you spent some time there and looks like you saw the right things. Did you happen to go up the Galata tower? The view is stunning.
I AM having a grand time! I’m loving everything (well, except sweating my ass off everyday).
And, on that particular day, Aqua Land may have even been better than Heaven. Lol. It was SO hot in Plovdiv, so it was lovely to find such a fun (and cheap!) place to go and cool off.
No, sadly I did not make it up Galata Tower. I wanted to, but simply ran out of time. That, and Istanbul was quite hazy when I was there, so I’m not sure the view would have been all that great anyway!