Lovely old Towns Archives • Neverending Journey

Dolen Village, Rhodope Mountains – Bulgaria’s secret gem

Veneta Nikolova5 February, 20265 February, 2026

by Veneta Nikolova5 February, 20265 February, 202601039

Dolen Village in Bulgaria seems frozen in time. Unlike nearby villages Kovachevitsa and Leshten, it hasn’t been transformed by tourism or concrete developments. Many houses are empty and crumbling; the narrow streets are overgrown in places, riddled with ruts and barely passable. There’s not a single paved road, no...

Petrich: Hidden Treasures of Bulgaria

Veneta Nikolova6 January, 2025

by Veneta Nikolova6 January, 202501762

The region around the town of Petrich in Bulgaria hides a treasure trove of fascinating landmarks. This area, rich in history and natural beauty, invites travelers to explore its ancient ruins, mystical sites, and captivating stories. Join me as I take you on a journey through some of the most...

Authentic Rural Tourism in Bulgaria – Discover Pirin Village

Veneta Nikolova6 January, 20256 January, 2025

by Veneta Nikolova6 January, 20256 January, 202501315

If you don’t like old places, if abandoned areas and decaying houses overtaken by ivy and forgotten history repel you, if you have no interest in history and find conversations with the few elderly villagers of our mountain settlements boring and tedious—quickly exit this article. The village of Pirin will...

Svilengrad is a “gold mine” for open-minded travelers

Veneta Nikolova3 February, 20233 February, 2023

by Veneta Nikolova3 February, 20233 February, 202302180

The town of Svilengrad is located in south-central Bulgaria, at the border with Turkey and Greece. It is considered as one of the most important border towns in Bulgaria. In the past Svilengrad used to be known as the Bulgarian Las Vegas because of the many casinos and gaming halls,...

The town of Haskovo – on the trails of history

Veneta Nikolova3 February, 20233 February, 2023

by Veneta Nikolova3 February, 20233 February, 202302550

The town of Haskovo is a gateway to the Eastern Rhodopes, which in turn abound with amazing trails to exlore the historical past. But before heading out into the countryside, I recommend you to take a stroll around the town, which boasts its renovated centre of parks, fountains and beautiful...

Sofia – One of Europe’s Oldest Cities | Travel Tips for Bulgaria’s Capital

Veneta Nikolova23 June, 20223 February, 2023

by Veneta Nikolova23 June, 20223 February, 202301282

Bulgaria’s capital is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Sofia ’s landscape is a blend of Eastern and Western architecture, from the Roman and Ottoman empires as well as Brutalist buildings. The architecture of this city of 1.2 million people is still shaped very much by its recent socialist...

7 must-visit attractions in Koprivshtitsa

Veneta Nikolova26 March, 20206 February, 2026

by Veneta Nikolova26 March, 20206 February, 202605855

I have visited Koprivshtitsa many times. That is why I believed this picturesque mountain town had nothing new to surprise me with. I expected crowds, souvenir shops and I feared it had sacrificed its authenticity to tourism. But I was wrong. On my last visit, Koprivshtitsa made me fall in...

8 best things to do in Veliko Tarnovo

Veneta Nikolova25 March, 202026 March, 2020

by Veneta Nikolova25 March, 202026 March, 202004274

Over one million tourists visit Veliko Tarnovo each year. This places Bulgaria’s former capital first in the ranking of most visited tourist sites in Bulgaria. The town is full of life all year round. The cultural calendar in this town is always full of events . You can attend all...

Zlatograd – Bulgaria ‘s golden city

Veneta Nikolova22 March, 202025 March, 2020

by Veneta Nikolova22 March, 202025 March, 202003082

Zlatograd has always been “the gateway to the wide world”. People here say this is where Bulgaria begins, and with good reason. A gentle breeze from the Aegean Sea reaches this small town on the country’s border with Greece. Through the ages Zlatograd has brought different cultures together . They...

The village of Brashlyan – lost in the past

Veneta Nikolova20 March, 202025 March, 2020

by Veneta Nikolova20 March, 202025 March, 202002580

People in the village of Brashlyan still remember the times when the settlement was full of life and the local school found it hard to accommodate the kids from the area, willing to study. Now there are no more than 50 people left there. Silence and timelessness can be found...

Tutrakan – the unknown Bulgaria

Veneta Nikolova10 March, 202025 March, 2020

by Veneta Nikolova10 March, 202025 March, 202004006

Tutrakan is a small town located at the endmost point of Bulgaria, to the North facing the Danube and the barren Romanian plains on the other bank. Tourist routes rarely reach this point, perhaps because it is so remote and difficult of access, because of the bad roads leading to...

Kovachevitsa – a journey back in time

Veneta Nikolova10 March, 202025 March, 2020

by Veneta Nikolova10 March, 202025 March, 202003129

Believe it or not, places such as this still exist in the 21st century. Kovachevitsa looks like the set for a costume drama. Some even call it the Bulgarian Hollywood – some of the most popular Bulgarian movies are set against the background of its ancient stone houses. But you...