The first month of the year is already behind us, so let’s take a look at the best articles from our bloggers in ASTOM. Grab a cup of tea or wine and sit back because we are about to see some interesting destinations and events in Bulgaria and not only.
Dorkovo Pliocene Park – the home of the Auvergne mastodon
You love history, wonder what nature looked like on these lands millions of years ago, are curious and like animals, then the Pliocene Park in the village of Dorkovo is the place for you! As soon as you step inside, you are transported back millennia. In the middle of the hall you will notice a huge mastodon with a height of almost four meters and tusks three and a half meters long. Hidden speakers play sounds that help you go back in time and feel the place. On the wall there is a panorama of the surrounding nature at the time of the mastodon with the typical animal and plant species. The overall feel of this place is very pleasant and despite its small area it will help you feel the place as it was, even if only for a short time. And the memory of the visit will definitely stay with you for a long time.
Read the whole article here: https://mitkoontrip.com/en/Story/52/dorkovo-pliocene-park-the-home-of-the-auvergne-mastodon
Why do the digital nomads choose Bansko and what to do in your free time here
Bansko isn‘t just an ordinary ski resort. Easily accessible eco trails and extreme mountain adventures, snowy ski runs, magnificent spa centers, unique local cuisine, museums, galleries, interesting cultural events – the town offers all of that and even more. Therefore, Bansko attracts not only tourists, but also hundreds of digital nomads from all over the world. Read more on the topic in Kristina’s travel blog Our New Horizons (for English press the Google Translate button).
Milano for the Milan fans
Milan is the city that all Milan fans dream of visiting. The mythical San Siro stadium, Casa Milan and the Milan museum, fan shops… everything makes the heart of a Milan fan beat fast and the blood in his veins pulse in red and black colours. Read the article here: http://iskamdaletya.com/milano-for-milanisti/
The dramatic nature of the Vintgar gorge in Slovenia
The Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia, carved by the Radovna River between the Hol and Boršt hills, is about one and a half kilometers long. It is surrounded by steep slopes covered with beech forests. Along its length, the roar of the river echoes sometimes louder and violently, sometimes gently and even in a melancholic vibe. Small and larger waterfalls, rapids and erosion holes can be found around almost every bend. The trail meanders through narrow passages, rock cut sections, many bridges and man-made guardrails. The tourist trail winding between high sheer rocks, between ancient tree knocked down by the water element, and views, many breathtaking landscapes, as if they came out of the most picturesque wild nature. Read the article here: https://traveltasty.eu/2023/01/22/dramatichnata-priroda-na-defileto-vintgar-v-slovenia/
The rock arch near Tyulenovo village
The rock arch near Tyulenovo village is one of the magical places on the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Regardless of the season, it attracts photographers and travelers hungry for beautiful views. If you haven’t visited it yet, what are you waiting for?
It’s also interesting that in the village of Tyulenovo was discovered the first oil field in Bulgaria.
Read more about Tyulenovo here: https://savetite.com/tyulenovo-arkata/
Giorgia – https://savetite.com/
Experiencing a Vienna Ball – How Can You Actually Attend One?
By Lyubomira from Bulgarian On The Go
January is the month when Vienna comes alive to the sounds of waltz. This is the month when the ball season in Vienna begins, and thousands of visitors from all over the world put on their finest clothes and spend an unforgettable and glamorous night in the capital of music.
This January I got to visit a Viennese Ball for the fifth time in my life, and I decided it was time to describe the experience in an article, and share my tips on how to actually attend one.
You can read the full article on the Viennese Balls here.
Mandritsa – the Albanian village in the Rhodopes, Bulgaria
The village of Mandritsa, not far from the town of Ivaylovgrad, is Albanian and the only one of its kind in Bulgaria. It was founded in 1636 by three Albanian brothers. Тhey were milkmen and thus the name of the village – in Bulgarian „mandra“ is the place where the milk is processed and transformed to other dairy products.
Most Albanians settled in the village in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At the beginning of the 20th century, about 3,500 people lived here. According to a local woman only 37 people currently live in Mandritsa, and some of them still speak Albanian.
The main local livelihood in the recent past was horticulture and tobacco growing. A large part of the houses in the village are very old and have a similar architecture – adobe with two or three floors.
PERFECT DAY TRIP TO SINTRA FROM LISBON
Sintra – the fairy tale little town. It’s located close to Lisbon – it takes less than an hour by train to reach it. It’s the perfect escape from city traffic (but not the crowds, unfortunately – you might sometimes run into pretty huge lines). Sintra can boast with its palaces, castles and gardens, but to me the most impressive sight was Poço Iniciático (Initiation Well). This well is so beautiful and so incomparable that it might become the sole reason for your visit to Portugal.
2022 – YES to the bigger adventures 
And this year I followed my tradition of describing 2022 in travels! On the one hand, to remember all the exciting adventures for me and my travel buddies, and on the other – very special for all of you, to share my ideas, experiences, and travel inspirations! You should know – I don’t start writing the summary in December – it’s just that the exciting moments are always really until the very end of the year, and you can see it for yourself in this article!
Ski resort Kanin-Sella Nevea – ride above the clouds with a view towards the Alps and Adriatic sea
Slovenia is one of the closest to Bulgaria Alpine countries with many small ski centers. The resort Kanin-Sella Nevea is situated in both Slovenia and Italia at the altitude of 2300 m. The slopes here are various, the lifts are modern, the ski areas are linked and the ski pass is valid for both. The place offers wonderful conditions for piste and off-piste skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing, paragliding and hiking. Read more about this interesting winter destination here: https://www.sunandsany.com/2023/01/ski-v-alpite-slovenia-italia.html