• Bulgaria,  Bulgarian Dress,  Folk Embroidery

    Bulgaria part 2: From a rural retreat to the historic capital

    Following a day of medieval history, archaeological finds and dramatic landscapes we headed to the small village of Gorsko Slivovo, near the Devetaki Plateau. Our accommodation for the next two nights was to be the Bilkarskata Kashta – the ‘Herbalist’s House’ run by hospitable and friendly couple Mariella and Misho. The house lived well up to its name. The large garden was full of plants and flowers, a huge variety of herbs, a plot of tomato plants, grape vines and more.   The terrace was decorated with bunches of the dried herbs along with other curios around a wooden roof and a large table. All the rooms had their own…

  • Bulgaria,  Bulgarian Dress,  Weaving

    Bulgaria part 1: Pre-historic, Roman and Medieval history

    The sunflowers that cover the landscape of Bulgaria, a mark of the country’s identity and number one on the ’30 things not to miss’ in the Rough Guide, had come to the end of their season on my recent visit in mid-August. They looked quite sad, crumpled up and heads drooping. However, this only drew my attention to the rest that this country has to offer – much more than just beaches and skiing as many UK tourists associate the country with. Bulgaria has a long and rich history, a distinctive cultural heritage and is full of natural and cultural beauty. Our group was led by the charismatic, knowledgeable and…