Astronomical spring is officially here. A new season of plans, dreams, and journeys begins. Let’s take a look at what’s new on the Astom blogs this March. Happy reading!
Phuket – Self-Guided Tour
From Hrisi Blagoeva, Roads from the Notes
Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most popular island – an exotic blend of tropical beaches, Buddhist temples, a vibrant nightlife, authentic cuisine, and endless opportunities for adventures to the neighboring islands, making it one of the most sought-after destinations for travelers from around the world. This guide will take you on a tour of Phuket’s best attractions, organized into a self-guided itinerary. From touring Phuket’s more remote and beautiful beaches on a rented motorbike, to visiting Wat Chalong Temple and an elephant sanctuary, to Phuket’s Old Town and a famous distillery. You’ll also find ideas for day trips to iconic destinations like the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay, and James Bond Island.
Erma Reka: The Village of Widows
From Bozhidar Chotorov, Place.bg
In the southeastern Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, between the towns of Madan and Zlatograd, lies the little-known village of Erma Reka – often confused by name with the picturesque Erma River near the town of Trun. This is not a tourist destination but an old mining settlement with an unusual past and a somber nickname: “the village of widows.”
Our first encounter with it dates back to 1996, when we ended up there by mistake while navigating with an old paper map. It was a late autumn afternoon, and our wine-red Moskvich Aleko crawled slowly along what had once been an asphalt road, now broken and covered in thick mud. After one bend the landscape suddenly opened before us: hidden between steep, pine-covered slopes was a large turquoise lake, while a dense white-gray sludge seemed to “flow” from the valley toward it, cut by the winding channel of a small river. The scene was both beautiful and unsettling, leaving the unmistakable feeling that something here was not quite right…
Thirty years later we return to Erma Reka to tell the story of that first encounter—and to see what the place looks like today.
Palmanova – the star city of Italy
From Petya Kanzova, Travel with History
Imagine military strategy meets Renaissance perfection, wrapped in nine points of geometric brilliance. There are cities that impress with history. There are cities that impress with architecture. And then there are those that impress even before you set foot in them – when you see them from the air. Palmanova is just such a city. A perfectly shaped nine-pointed star, as if drawn with a compass, created not just as a city, but as an idea of perfection. It is the only city of its kind in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, even in all of Italy, that is not just beautiful, but a star-shaped fortified city designed by the Republic of Venice.
Palmanova impresses with its military architecture, history and peaceful atmosphere, different from the mass tourist destinations. If you are looking for a different place to travel in Italy – Palmanova is an excellent choice.
Routes and sights near Dupnitsa for an exciting family weekend
By Eli Ivanova, en.drumivdumi.com
In the second half of February, I had the opportunity to visit Dupnitsa, to take a closer look at the town and discover several new places and routes for me in the surrounding area. Although we have passed through the town of Dupnitsa many times, we had never stopped to get to know it before. After an interesting weekend there, I can already say that it is a very convenient starting point for walks and exploring interesting places in the region.
Some of them:
– Dupnitsa Fortress Kulata – on a panoramic hill in the city itself;
– Rila Park – a wonderful place for relaxation and walking with a wonderful view of Rila;
– Bistritsa Waterfall – a true pearl of Rila;
– Seven Rila Lakes.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of London (1 Day Itinerary + Map)
From Hristina, Check in Away
If you only have one day in London and want to see as much as possible without overspending, this self-guided walking tour of London is one of the simplest ways to do it. We’ve put this itinerary together as we both live in London and decided to offer a local’s perspective over what we think you can squeeze if all you have is just one day.
Bulgaria by train: Ultimate survival guide
From Stef, Kiss My Backpack
Bulgaria’s train system is often overlooked, but it remains one of the most practical ways to explore the country. This article by Kiss My Backpack breaks down how Bulgaria trains actually work – from navigating the Bulgarian railways timetable to choosing the right routes and avoiding common pitfalls. It’s a clear, experience-based look at the Bulgaria rail network, designed to help independent travelers move around the country with fewer surprises and more confidence.