Alone In The RHODOPE MOUNTAINS, BULGARIA | Traditional Villages + Natural Attractions
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ต.ค. 2020
- This is one of the most STUNNING places in Bulgaria! If you are looking for off the beaten path sites in Bulgaria, where the locals go to vacation, look no further than the incredibly Rhodope Mountains in the south central part of Bulgaria. I went on an amazing 5 day road trip where I saw small villages like Gela and Devin, the ominous Devil's Throat Cave, went off-roading in a Jeep to Eagle's Eye Look Out and tried some amazing traditional Rhodopean food. I hope you guys enjoy the video and check out this beautiful area yourself! xx
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Alina
The Rhodope mountains are absolutely stunning, far and away my favorite place to vacation. We own a cottage in a tiny village high up in the mountains and escape the heat of summer there every year. I have lived all over the world but in Bulgaria I found my home. Stunning scenery, deep culture and unbelievable history await around every turn. The people are generally very friendly and almost always eager to point you toward an exciting adventure. Like with most countries in the region, there is a deep set pride in the country and it's history. You can quite literally spend a decade or more delving into the history of this fascinating country. Plovdiv for example is one of the oldest consistently occupied sites in the world. Every week I see new archeological digs pop up, uncovering anything from Roman aqueducts to Thracian pottery.
Yes. There is something special in Rhodopes. And something special in most of the people of Rhodopes. Where are you from?
@@jordan9339 I was born in Zimbabwe but am of British and Dutch descent. Bulgaria is the first place I have lived that feels like home since leaving my birthplace. Everywhere else I have lived I felt homesick for Africa, now when I visit Africa I find myself homesick for Bulgaria. Such a lovely country with amazing people. I especially love the people that live in the villages in and around the Rhodope Mountains, such honest, down to earth people that are always friendly and helpful :)
@@Xaltar_ Yes, the people in the villages are like that. I want to visit Zimbabwe too. My father worked in Nigeria and I was lucky to visit Africa as a kid. And I love it.
So interesting to see my country through a foreigner's view👍
Exactly my point :) Sometimes watching such videos inspires me to go explore something new for myself :) Good Job Alina ;)
Im from Bulgarian
I am insane and i watch all the videos from people that are going to Bulgaria. And it is fun to see how amazed they are. From the people, culture and everything.
Hi, i m from Romania and indeed you have an extraordinary country. I visit BG a few times per year and i enjoy it every single time. From the Black Sea to the mountains .. the food, the places, Bansko, Plovdiv, Nessebar, and all the other small villages and large cities .. just beautiful.
But, wait ... we're not so "foreigners" anymore 🙂
You need to find yourself a big old bulgarian guide to protect you from the bears and wolves 😉😉
Rodophe the best place ever!!!
Тhis is my beautiful Bulgaria!
5:00 I'd totally drive the rental car on that dirt road. There's nothing more fun than doing things like that to rental cars.
My beautiful homeland ❤️❤️❤️🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬
Bulgaria looks fantastic.
@Vladimir Markov Не говори глупости!
looks like a lot of fun to me . luv it !
Hi, Alina. If you come to Bulgaria again, I can recommend you more beautiful places with wonderful views.
Just one note - the hike to the Eagle's eye is like an hour-hour and a half in each direction, so maximum 3 hours total for the round trip if you want to walk it. Everything else you described very well :) Thank you!
Great Video, Alina! I really liked that you went to Devil's throat cave. This cave is one of the most mysterious places in Bulgaria. There was a several researches and questions , where the water from the waterfall goes... some guys have tried to throw a balls with paint to see if the water comes out through the small river at the other side of the cave, but no results. Thats one of the reasons about the name (a water that disappear ). Further more, there was a couple divers and scientists , so they both have decided still to enter from where the river comes out and get more information about the waterfall. They both died ,as you probably saw their gravestone around the place. For more mind food ill add that the couple has died from heart attack, not drowning. That gives questions, what they saw inside.
I hope you find that interesting. Great Video once again and Regards from Bulgaria
The best way to see Bulgaria is by watching your videos, easy and safer than being there in person
Thank you for lovely video. I work in Bulgaria for Norwegian government and Bulgaria is amazing , just home after 3 weeks in Bulgaria.
Ha !! Bulgaria added on my list 🤩
Welcome!
@Vladimir Markov какво тоалетна сме бе още е много хубаво има много по-зле от нас ама какво да очаквам от човек който еднва ли излиза навън.... #GodblessBulgaria #Bulgaria #БългарияЕВелика
sorry for the roads but maybe this is part of the adventure, even if its frustrating. Some gems must remain hidden and not so easily reachable. In fact i as bulgarian would like it to remain like this, seeing what the world does with their gems. Open the roads and soon you will see restaurants up there, parking lots, hotels, much more people and their trash polluting everything...
But anyway with each upload i feel so thankful to you for showing up to the world how good out country is, i'm so happy that you like it, i really really hope some day you will visit it again and hopefully drink a coffee together
You left you comfort "grandma lane" and now you're better driver 😊 yeaa i "sow" you heart pressure was a little high in some moments 🙃 but this adrenaline keeping you alive and sensitive. Great job, Alina 😎
Alina, your videos are inspirational and they give me hope during this tough winter. I was in fact born in Bulgaria, but have not seen most of these places. I also immigrated to Canada when I was a child. Going back to Sofia was a big culture shock for me the first time, now I can see it being a second home base. I would love to travel more in the future. : ). Thanks!
When I visited these tourist attractions I was also terrified by the roads even though I am Bulgaria, especially last meters before the cave; yet the view is worth it and I am certainly going back! Enjoy your trip! :))
Glad I wasn't the only one! Thanks!
Good job on the video. I liked your editing, drone shots, background music etc.
The roads are part of the atraction :D We love them :)
Bulgaria Above All !!!
i have known Bulgaria only in history books and now your video,although its only a video, is already enough to satisfy my imagination.thanks.
What have you read about us? :D Greetings
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
Everywhere you visit is beautiful. Your smile and attitude make them even more so. Enjoy your videos and peeks through your window to the world very much. Keep up the great work and continued safe and blessed travels!
BULGARIA Is so cool
It really is!
@@AlinaMcleod Yes .............Really 😊
Well done Alina for showing the world what a lovely place Bulgaria is.
@Vladimir Markov just like you,💩
Every summer in Gela is a bagpipe festival. It's interesting to see people compete playing on bagpipes traditional music.
Rila lakes area is amazing
That would be awesome to see!
По растерянному порой лицу Алины, можно понять, что болгарская реальность шокирует пришелицу из Западного мира!
great job. beautiful video from road trip in south Bulgaria. keep walking.
Родопите имат своя ДУША, своя ЕЗИК, и своя ИСТОРИЯ. 💗💗💗
Your vlogs are so well made, comparing to others! Nice views, nice music, good mixing, good story and no time wasting non-sense! Thanks!
I love Bulgaria!
Alina, Bulgarians owe you a big bucket of gratitude for showing off their country’s beautiful forested and mountainous terrain, and unfamiliar-road attractions 👏🏻! A little road improvement and some additional center lines would make it more tourist friendly. I admire your bravery, inquisitive and positive style, and your sensibility about safety. I’d say it was Divine Providence who put you in touch with the Jeep ride to Eagles’s Eye. What a great time to have this fun in your life (even though I know it’s also hard work)! God continue to bless you, sweet woman! With much admiration! ☺️
Go to the Seven Rila Lakes. You won't be disappointed.
That is the next video on Monday!
It will be cold this time of the year. I would recommend you to wait for next summer.
Wow Bulgaria is so pretty!
@Vladimir Markov here is commented on Bulgaria, as nature and natural resources.
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
Beautiful video. Thanks for making it. I was curious with you being surprised by the road. Here in Scotland. Away from the central area (with Glasgow and Edinburgh.) Most roads are single lane roads. Whilst definitely annoying, I think it would ruin our country having great weaving highways everywhere.
Love this place! Thanks for your costly precious work!
Hey! You showed us how cool is to travel solo! Beautiful places, delicious food! So relaxing watching you explore! Keep going 😁
Thank you so much 😁
Lovely mountainous place, good food, great!
1:53 "...pancakes fluffy sort of things" these are called Buhti, or also Mekitsi. 😉. Usually served with traditional feta cheese, or/and marmalad. They are the best and most delicious when are prepared while you are still asleep in the morning by your Bulgarian granny, waiting for you freshly baked in the morning. Welcome to Bulgaria. Awesome video 👏
I'm actually from a little town in the Rhodope mountains called Smolyan :)
Great to see you again.
Thanks for sharing these amazing places with us. Makes me wanna go there soon. Keep the vids coming. Cheers.
A good thing about hiking & meeting a group of hikers. They always ask you to join them & hike together. Happened to me once & I can say that I made new friends.
Thank you for showing the world what a lovely place my country is 😇🥰☺️
Great video! This area is one of my favourite from Bulgaria! I think if you had some doubts to come in our country(which is reasonable) after this road trip you forgot all about them. Enjoy your stay and do as much hikes and road trips here! Bulgaria's nature is just amazing! Have a great trip :)
Nice trip Alina, I was really excited by the cave and by the atmosphere of those small villages! Also, the drone is always a plus when you shoot videos in natural settings
Wow what an incredible video Alina! What an adventure that was! I felt bad for you at one point when you were driving, that looked very nerve wracking. Those steps going up from the cave were no joke. Did you go out on the lookout thing? You did such a great job with the road trip videos
I'd reccomend also visiting Melnik and surroundings. Lovely sunsets from sandy hills up there. Actually can think of a thousand more places but you'd need a few years to spend around. Enjoy your stay here in Bulgaria!
Omg I want to go to Bulgaria! All your videos have shown how beautiful it is. I’m so impressed😍❤️
Thanks babe! You totally should!
You're welcome!
You are welcome and especially if you want to visit PLOVDIV and RHODOPE MOUNTAIN you can count me as a free guide .
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
Wow! What a feast for the eyes in this wondrous video of such a stunningly beautiful area, in off road Bulgaria! Such risks you took on such insanely treacherous mountain roads (especially after not having driven in so long!?). The incredible challenging cave, the spectacular drone shots of the mountains, valleys gorges and river. The food looked out of this World too! God protect you always, Brave and Beautiful Alina, in your continuing odysseys!
Thank you very much!
The road around Devilv's cave and Yagodina is so narrow, because it is canyon, and national park, so they can't destroy the nature for a better road.
I was looking to see if anyone mentions this but both places are in a natural reserve not just a park. The state of the roads can't be help and that has spawned a shady business with... you've guessed it... illegal off road jeeps going deep into the reserve...
@@SouthStormSpreadsSandSnow u r not aware at all my friend:) 3-4 m widening at the mountain, especially near Devin would take A LOT of time. The owners of guest houses and so on there will not allowed too
Those roads are amazing - very beautiful and very fun to drive on. I've been there last summer just driving for fun back and forth and I love them! ;d It really isn't so hard to learn how to drive on such roads. And it takes seconds to pass each other if both cars have decent drivers..
@@SouthStormSpreadsSandSnow no no ;d;d I get what you're saying and somewhat agree, but I love cars and I truly enjoy roads like this. So don't put words in my mouth. I'm not sure what JEEPS have to do with it, when we are talking about the Trigrad and Buynovo gorge?
th-cam.com/video/wmxbIB5JuCI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/YfL_rFYvU80/w-d-xo.html
Same with the road to Belica. www.google.com/maps/@41.83289,24.8777444,3a,75y,163.37h,91.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLrr0hovRv4rwroKVq8kakg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 It's amazing and I love it! I wish there were more narrow twisty roads like that..
9:18 Also, that is not driving lessons, we can see later in the video, that it took her minutes to learn and not do that again.
Woaah, Alina got thru the Bulgarian road network without a single accident! That fact alone, is amazing. But it is not all! She also scared/intimidated all wolves and bears in the Rhodope and made the mountains safer place! After such incredible adventures, I believe she officially deserves the title First Class Survival. Joking, please do not feel offended. Enjoyed the video. Have not visited The Rhodope for almost two decades. It is a lot more commercialized than it used to be. Stay safe and best of luck.
P.S. I checked your Greek content. Was surprised you did not visit the Olympic village while exploring Athens. It is a must and i saw it with my own eyes 2 years ago.
How did you knew about Trigrad? It is so small, distant, almost in Greece, difficult to get to. We love to ride our bikes there with my wife. Bikes are narrow, no problems with the narrow roads :D. And you can smell the forest better on a bike. And yes! This is the most stunning part of Bulgaria for me too. We were there riding back and forth through Rhodopes month and a half ago, and I want to be there now again.
I live in one small town in Rhodope and I am so happy to see you enjoyed your stay! You've gone to some of the most magnificent attractions, but there is a lot more. Hope you come back one day! Amazing video! Greetings!
Good evening from me
I really hope you enjoyed your trip in my country.If you come again i suggest you visit Plovdiv,Bulgarevo(a village near Kaliakra,Tylenovo,Camping Krapets and the small town Kavarna.) and Veliko Turnovo. :)
Great soundtrack. Loving the tracks you decided to pick, so suiting, unlike a lot of annoying techno I see on other videos :D
Thank you :)
Thank you for showing us the natural beauty of Bulgaria. I breathe a sigh of relief when you returned the car to the car rental. Some of the roads you covered are indeed treacherous and not for the faint-hearted. I'm glad that you made it and also made the right call at the right time to give it up to avoid taking unnecessary risks. I always see a little brave girl in you. Enjoy your trip and stay safe! Love.
This one had everything! Dramatic music, precarious situations, unexpected Jeep ride, holy grail of a view. I’m kinda falling for Bulgaria 😇
@Vladimir Markov Защо пишеш глупости под всеки коментар?
@Vladimir Markov :Колко пъти трябва да напишеш един и същи коментар , за да си пуснеш отровата?
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
Just wonderful , thank you for bringing the place I lived, love and miss soooooo much back to life for me with every video .
Coming to Bulgaria/Sofia for Christmas👍
Would you like to describe what is sooooo bad about Sofia and it’s infrastructure, maybe you could be a little bit more specific?....
@Vladimir Markov I don’t want any photos/videos I would like for you to describe to me and TH-cam what’s so bad about Sofia... I’ve been visiting Bulgaria and Sofia for many years and I’ve not seen any problems?...
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
Those towns are beautiful and their foods look amazing. I must go there one day. Thanks for sharing.
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
You definitely have to visit the river Arda's region. I mean all the village above Smilyan and Mogilitsa
Great video Alina! I just like to add an interesting fact for the Devil's Throat Cave that you didn't mention! It is an arresting fact that nothing carried into The Devil’s Mouth Cave by the river emerges back from it. Many attempts have been made to track pieces of wood and other material through the cave, but they all vanish without a trace on the underground river, arousing curiosity and tantalizing the imagination. Experiments performed with dyes have shown that it takes more than 1½ hours for the water to traverse the short distance from one opening to the next, fueling speculations about an extensive system of underground streams in the cave.
Yeah that's crazy!
I've been to the Greek part of Rhodope. Such a beautiful mountain range, so much nature!
Thanks for enabling me to “accompany” you on your amazing and, at times, harrowing excursion through the Rhodope mountains. The quality of your photography was impeccable as was your narration (both oral and written). It was adult (I’m 75) education at its best.
You are so welcome!
@@AlinaMcleod, indeed! I really admire how articulate you are. Love your smooth voice, and distinct enunciation. You sure you’ve never been to college? 😉😘
@@AlinaMcleod Hey, loved the video. Wha't the intro music, i must have it!
Hi 👋🏽 what a beautiful country thanks for letting me come along I always waiting for you for next video I always enjoy 😊 being in your company bless you and always be safe 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏾
Прекрасно, момиче, благословено да си! Филмите, които създаваш за моята Родина България, са невероятни. Едно американско момиче, ме изумява с това, което прави за България! Бъди жива и здрава и пак ела в България, винаги си добре дошла!
Hi Alina! Your video series on Bulgaria has been excellent! You have uncovered and discovered a fantastic hidden gem in Europe. Bulgaria has so much to offer in terms of diverse geography, amazing history, rich cultural traditions, and incredible scenery! And we have a fine collection of well-crafted videos, fun to watch, created by an excellent driver!
I’m not sure what your immediate travel options look like moving forward, given that the EU has now officially removed Canada from the list of countries that should not be subjected to incoming travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that individual EU member nations can still set their own rules, but your next stop(s) might influence other countries you can ‘easily’ visit in the near future. Be happy, safe and healthy, Alina! Drive on!!!
Thank you and glad you liked it! Yes, I'll be staying in the Balkans for the next couple of months since they're quite open and then closer to the new year I'll try and see how I can get into the EU.
I really miss my homeplace the Rhodopes. Thank you for the vids!
The drone footages you use are awesome! Your videos are not just some trip memories but also a work of art! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much :) I'm glad you enjoy them
Thank you for showing this country, I want to go there too
Greetings from croatia to Albanian 🇭🇷🇦🇱👍
Thank you for beiing there! And showing good stuff to the world ^^
Glad to see U mask Up!!!
Alaina v r enjoying ur narration as well as the beautiful scenic treat, thank u a lot.
Another awesome video, loved the drone footage. Thx for inserting the food and prices - awesome
Beautiful places,! would love to visit Bulgaria one day. The countryside and food looked delicious with kind people helping you out. Love your filming and drone footage! Thanks for sharing.
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
**FOOD LOOKS AMAZING!!!**
Hi Alina , You have done an excellent job showcasing Bulgaria. What a hidden gem it is or I guess I should say was ! Thanks 👍
There is still the Rila lakes video to be released, i'm sure it will be the most interesting one ^^
Hi David! Bulgaria is still here, hasn't gone anywhere, and it's still a gem. Greetings.
Thanks for making this interesting video
You are most welcome!
If you are a fan of hiking, then you can go to Malyovitsa. It is an amazing over there and the view from top is outstanding.
Wonderful stuff. Some people are joy to be around and this is what I like about these videos. Thanks
I love this region from my country, people there are very kind as well. Local meals are delicious. Thanks for the great air footage of Trigrad's gorge. I didn't see the road to the Yagodina cave which is maybe 50% narrower :) Both caves, Devil's Throat and Yagodinska are strongly recommended for a visit, especially the second one.
Great video again .. I'm glad you visited some of the best places in Bulgaria 👍🙂
Thank you! :)
**GLAD YOU TURNED AROUND!!!**
Great and you've been through my area.
There is so much to see in our country. I'm waiting for the next episode. Best regards.
@Vladimir Markov BS bro, you're just a typical Bulgarian who doesn't even respect his own country enough not to say such stuff when foreigners are involved..
Anyway
Keep well and be safe bro.
@Vladimir Markov just like you💩👈
The part in Rhodope Mountain in which you were is my favorite! This year for example I was 3 times in a town called Trigrad, that's like right after the Devil's throat cave! This one vehicle road is my favorite. Every year we go to Trigrad, so I know this part of the Rhodope Mountain pretty good. The best things to see in this part are Trigrad, Devil's throat cave, Ygodin cave, Eagles eye and Wolf Rock! :)
The drone footage is really good. You have to learn the golden rule of travelling: what is the best type of off-road vehicle? A rental car, lol. I've been down roads like that in Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Wales, Northern Ireland etc. Where it gets really fun is when you're on roads like that in low cloud or fog and you can see maybe 10m in front of the car. And then you see headlights coming towards you and you have to get around them when you can't see anything.
lol that would not be fun
So many exciting twists and turns in this video I can't begin to understand or list all of them attracted me so much you handle those ridiculous roads very well better than I probably would I would have given up long before you did excellent camera work I loved your shots from the drone really show duty that you miss otherwise keep smiling and stay safe cheers!!
Thank you very much, Michael! :)
I really like this video. I like how you don't hide anything. Those traffic frustrations are stressful. Two thumps up.
Really enjoyed this video, The small towns, villages....Finding some simple life. No rushing.
Great videos 👍 wonderful places. Next year I'll be sure to include some of them in my motorcycle 🏍️ journey around Europe. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
The fluffy bread for breakfast is called mekitsi and they’re sooo good
WELCOME TO BULGARIA MY FRIEND
There are a lot of beautiful places in Bulgaria, especially in the Mountain. That is why I spend at least 40-50 days every year in the mountains in Bulgaria. There are 3 international tracks (E3, E4, E8). The E3 is known as Kom-Emine and starts by the mountain, finishing at the Black Sea. The E4 is also interesting track which starts from Sofia, Vitosha mountain, then Verila, Rila, Pirin, Slavianka. The E8 track cover the Rhodope mountain and it can be planned to include the eastern Rhodope.
nicely done...inspiring to return to the motherland. Coming from Sofia, I never really explored these gorgeous areas. Well done!
Thank you :)
Hello, Alina.
I am Nia from Bulgaria.
I like your videos very much.
You can visit Iskarsko defile (Stara planina). There are a lot of place There. The most beautiful are Lakatnishki skali and Cherepishki monastery.
Thank you for the suggestion!
Alina, what a great vlog ,Shiroka Laka looks fantastic, I’ve travelled to Bulgaria many times , Varna feels like my second home, but as soon as this damn virus is gone I really must take a trip to this town, the hotel looks beautiful and very authentic, so get these travel restrictions ended and let me go to Shiroka Laka.
I’m getting really fed up being stuck in Scotland when there’s a whole world of new places waiting to be discovered, roll on 2021
Hope you get to do a trip soon!
Great video! Absolutely love your videos and the places you choose to visit. Whoever is giving the tips, so far so good! You are right to listen to the locals. Bulgaria is full of gems, and while we know them, most people from outside don't. I guess the combination of russian and english is perfect to communicate with people here. Road less traveled, hmmm? So I am sure someone already said it , but Perperikon! Look it up! Just, look it up. That is if you are still in the country. And Near it there are stone mushrooms, far less impressive, but while you are there... The other thing most people don't pay attention to are Tracian toombs. There are several that worth the traveling, although they are down south. I have no idea if they are open now, though. Keep up the great work. You are safe here. :)
Thank you for the suggestions! I just arrived to North Macedonia but will definitely be back to Bulgaria sometime!
Wow. I'm really enjoying this entire series of videos from Bulgaria! The entire area just looks so beautiful and peaceful :)
Glad you like them!
@@AlinaMcleod Merci pour ces vidéos elles sont magnifiques ! Continuez
@@AlinaMcleod bonjour ! Quand es ce que tu nous fais une vidéo sur la France 🇫🇷 ?