We made overnight and last sightseeing during our Balkan trip in Hollókő – a two-street village nestled in a tranquil valley. Above the village is a 13th-century castle built against Mongol invasion. Old Village (Ófalu) has 67 houses and outbuildings protected by UNESCO. The village has...
On our way to Slovakia, we passed Hortobágyi – a village in 800 km2 large national park in eastern Hungary, rich with folklore and cultural history. One of its most iconic sites is the Nine-holed Bridge. This Arch bridge is the longest road stone bridge in historic Hungary prior to 1921...
We made a second visit to Saxon village located in a long valley surrounded by hills and vineyards. The village was founded in 1283 and is dominated by Saint Mary’s citadel and church. This hilltop medieval construction, surrounded by three fortified walls, has been listed in UNESCO.
In the morning we have visited a nice and compact city on the Tarnava River. It is located in the historic region of Transylvania. German craftsmen and merchants, the Transylvanian Saxons, were invited here by the King of Hungary during the 12th century, to settle and defend the frontier...
Short late afternoon visit of one of the most beautiful Saxon villages in Transylvania protected by UNESCO with a great fortified church built in 1100 AD. In 1185 Saxons colonized the area settling in the south-east of Transylvania and built many colorful traditional buildings. The Viscri...
This 3rd century BC Thracian tomb discovered in 1982 and listed in UNESCO was unfortunately closed (whoever set Tuesday as closing day?). It was found in 1982 during excavations at East Mound Necropolis of Sboryanovo. It was constructed in the first quarter of the 3rd century B.C. and...
Overnight under the stars inside Rusenski Lom Nature Park below UNESCO listed monolithic Church of Ivanovo hewn out of a solid rock. It’s located on the high rocky banks of the Rusenski Lom, 32 m above the river. A stair system in the rocks provides access to the various churches and...
We spent a few hours in a lovely town in Burgas Province, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The cobbled streets of the old town are lined with ruins such as Byzantine-era fortifications and baths. The ruins of the 5th century Church of St. Sofia include stone columns and large arched windows...
After a good sleep, we made a short hike around Hizha Banderitsa with an excellent alpine landscape and Baikushev’s pine – 1380-year-old tree. This national park is also home to bears and wolves and well known for the high-altitude Vihren Peak, with forested ridges and...
We arrived late to the monastery, so we just made a short visit to the premises, I stepped on the stairs leading to the first floor and immediately I was kicked out by super unfriendly monk (they really do not like visitors, unless you pay for the accommodation there). Early morning we...