Every year on 1st of March, Bulgarian people celebrate a centuries-old tradition called the day of Baba Marta (baba means ‘Grandma’ and Marta means ‘March’), related to sending off the winter and welcoming the approaching spring.
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Wearing and giving martenitsas
On that day and a few days afterwards, Bulgarians exchange and wear the so-called “Martenitsas” – decorative pieces of red and white twisted threads, symbolising health and happiness and a lucky charm against evil spirits. The Martenitsas are given away to friends, family and colleagues and are worn around the wrist or on clothes. In some villages in the mountains people decorate their houses and domestic animals.
Martenitsa is made of twined red and white threads – woolen, silk, or cotton. The most typical Martenitsa represents two small dolls, known as Pizho and Penda. Pizho is the male doll, usually in white colour. Penda is the female doll, usually in red colour and distinguished by her skirt.
Martenitsas come in a variety of shapes and sizes: bracelets, necklaces, tassels, pompoms and balls.The white is a symbol of purity, innocence, beauty and joy. The red is associated with health, vitality, fertility and bravery.
According to the tradition, people wear Martenitsas for a certain period, the end of which is usually associated with the first signs of spring – seeing a stork or a fruit tree in blossom. After that people can tie them on a blossoming tree for fertility thus giving the tree health and luck, which the person wearing the Martenitsa enjoyed while wearing it.

Baba Marta in the Bulgarian folklore
In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Marta is a mythical figure who brings with her the end of the cold winter and the beginning of spring. Baba Marta is believed to be a grumpy old lady whose moods swing very quickly and it reflects in the changeable March weather. The belief was that when she was smiling the weather was sunny and warm, but if she got angry the cold would stay longer. By wearing the red and white colours of the Martenitsa, our predecessors asked Baba Marta for mercy. They hoped that it would make winter pass faster and bring spring.
Young and old would take care to keep Baba Marta in a good mood. Young would get up early before anybody else in order to meet the first day of March and rejoice Baba Marta with their youth and beauty. Old women would knit twisted strands of red and white threads to decorate the house. They were believed to protect people from diseases and evil forces. The housewives used to hang out red aprons, belts, rugs or twisted threads in front of their houses, hoping that when Baba Marta saw them, she would laugh and make the Sun shine bright again.
The custom of wearing Martenitsa is probably one of the most interesting Bulgarian traditions. According to one of the many legends, this tradition is associated with the founding of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD. The first martenitsa was made by Ahinora, the wife of Khan Asparuh (the founder of Bulgaria) in the second half of the seventh century, when Asparuh crossed the Danube and found the Bulgarian lands. Ahinora, while waiting for her husband, decided to send him wishes for good health and prosperity. She tied a twisted white and red thread to the leg of a swallow and send the bird to deliver the message for health and love.

https://bnt.bg/news/the-bulgarian-tradition-of-baba-marta-and-martenitsa-134433news.html

The Sveshtari Thracian Royal Tomb is part of the historical and archaeological reserve of Sboryanovo in Northeastern Bulgaria. Sboryanovo is a unique complex consisting of settlements, temples, and necropolises dating back to the Antiquity. Over 140 archaeological sites have been found on the territory of the reserve.

The most significant find is the Sveshtari Thracian Royal Tomb. It was constructed in the first quarter of the 3rd century BC and represents a unique monument of the Thracian tomb architecture. It has a significant size. Its length is 7.5 m, its width at the facade is 6.5 m, and the height of the tomb chamber (on the inside) is 4.45 m. The tomb was constructed by large limestone blocks. It consists of a dromos (corridor) and three premises-chambers. An individual arch covers each chamber.

The tomb decoration is influenced by the Hellenistic culture but it is transformed by the vision and beliefs of the Getae (a Thracian tribe). The unfinished decoration on the walls and the ceiling shows that the ruler had died before his eternal home was completed. The chamber ceiling is held by statues of women with raised hands (caryatids), whose faces still preserve the remains of colorful decoration. On the ceiling is depicted a scene of deification of the ruler.
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Due to its remarkable architecture and its artistic decoration, the Sveshtari tomb is included in the list of global cultural inheritance of UNESCO in 1985.
Source: https://bulgariatravel.org/

In addition to its magnificent sights reminiscent of the Mediterranean, Albania also hides its own small tropical paradise, aptly called the Blue Eye. Perhaps the most breathtaking sight in Albania, the Blue Eye is located about a 30-minute drive away from the coastal city of Saranda on the road to Gjirokastra.

The landscape leading to the Blue Eye uncovers an anomaly of nature, as you will find yourself surrounded by palm trees, wild ferns and tropical plants, as well as dense, mountainous forest vegetation of oaks and sycamores, all at once!

This vegetation is kept lush and glorious by the spring flowing down the mountain into the Bistrica River. The fresh water spring from the Gjerë Mountain flows into the Blue Eye and creates a natural pool. Its actual depth has not yet been determined. Many divers have tried to get to the bottom of it, to no avail.

As you look into the center of this pool, you will begin to understand why it is called Blue Eye. The deep blue sapphire waters of the center form the pupil of the eye and are surrounded by the vibrant emerald green and turquoise of the iris. The surrounding vegetation forms the eyelashes. The waters, though deep and blue, are so crystal clear that they reveal the rocks and vegetation at the bottom. The water maintains an “only for the brave” temperature of no more than 10 Degrees Celsius (50 Degrees Fahrenheit).

The Blue Eye is an oasis of fresh air and cool climate, a tropical paradise that can rival any view of Venezuela or the Maldives. Those who have had the fortune of seeing the Blue Eye have felt god-like and omnipotent. And you can too!

​Sources:
https://www.intoalbania.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/

Shiroka laka Village is located in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. The name of the village derives from the old Bulgarian word “laka” – curve, bend, meander.

Shiroka laka was founded in the 17th century and has now become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria. The village has preserved its architecture from the Bulgarian Revival Period, its musical culture, beautiful landscapes, and rich history.
 
Shiroka laka is famous for its beautiful, authentic Rhodope houses that lie amphitheatrically on both sides of the river. The local master builders were well-known throughout the country.
 
The village is also renowned for the folklore traditions it has preserved. Some of the most eminent singers and bagpipe-performers of Rhodope folklore songs were born in this village. The National School of Folk Arts was established in Shiroka laka in 1972.
 
Some of the most emblematic places of interest in the village is the Ethnographic Museum. It is arranged as a house of a wealthy Rhodope family from the end of the 19th century. Another site worth visiting is the Church of the Assumption which was built in 1834 in just 38 days by all the people of Shiroka laka.

The scenery, the architecture, the fresh air, and the venerable pine trees of this place make Shiroka laka one of the most interesting villages in Bulgaria.
 
Source: https://bulgariatravel.org/

Ioannina is the capital of Epirus, an administrative region in north-western Greece.
 
The city's foundation has traditionally been ascribed to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD. And the city's emblem consists of the portrait of the Emperor Justinian crowned by a stylized depiction of the nearby ancient theatre of Dodona.
 
One of the most notable attractions of Ioannina today is the inhabited island of Lake Pamvotis. There are six monasteries on the island, some of which were also colleges during the years. The island' s winding streets are home to many gift-shops, tavernas, churches and bakeries.
 
Another attraction is the Ioannina Castle. Byzantine baths, Ottoman baths, Ottoman library, and Soufari Sarai are located within the castle' s walls. Also, the old Jewish Synagogue is located within the walls of the castle and is one of the oldest and largest buildings of its type surviving in Greece.
 
Ioannina has one of the most beautiful caves in Europe. It is called Perama and was formed about one and a half million years ago. The beauty of the chambers defies description. It seems impossible that the hall of the Cross, with its limestone worshippers, was formed without human intervention, and yet, it is a natural sculpture of truly stunning proportions. The Hall of Legendary Palaces looks like a fairy house. The stalactites projecting from the ceiling look like surprisingly complex yet harmoniously constructed chandeliers.
 
The natural environment, the climate and the strong cultural traditions make Ioannina unique. The city is full of secret places and legends still living.
 
Sources:
http://www.visitgreece.gr/
https://en.wikipedia.org

Christmas is among the biggest holidays in Bulgaria. It is celebrated on December 25th and the customs related to this feast are some of the most loved ones. We summarized some of the most important traditions which are still followed today.
 
Fasting
For many Bulgarians, the preparations for Christmas start with Advent fast which lasts 40 days and starts on November 15th. Orthodox Christians often don't eat meat and dairy during the Fast, and depending on the day, also olive oil, wine and fish.

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is very important in the Orthodox Church and many Bulgarians are going to a Midnight Mass Church Service.

​The dinner on this day is also special. The meal should traditionally have an odd number of dishes in it (normally 7, 9 or 11) and an odd number of people sitting around the table.

There's a special decorated loaf of bread called “pita” which has a coin baked in it. If you find the good, you're meant to have good luck for the next year! The bread is normally cut by the oldest person in the family and they hand it around the table.

It's traditional that the table is left with all the food on it until the morning of Christmas Day. It is believed that the ancestors might like something to eat during the night.

Carol Singers (“Koledari”)
The “Koledari” are normally young men who go carol singing dressed in traditional clothing. The singing can only start after midnight on Christmas Eve. When they reach a house, they sing “the house song” praising and wishing the house well. Having the “Koledari” visit your home is meant to be good luck. After the singing, the head of the house will give the carol singers food to thank them for singing.

Christmas tree
Decorated Christmas trees are found in every house, on the city squares and in public buildings. The evergreen trees are a sign of everlasting life with God. The decorations include Christmas lights, garlands and balls.

Christmas Day
Once the fasting has ended, everyone enjoys an enormous dinner on Christmas Day, with a main dish of some type of meat which is often pork. The dinner is supposed to be rich marking the end of the Fast.
Among the traditional dishes are kebab, steaks, kavarma, Bulgarian sausages, sarmi, pumpkin pie. Although baklava is part of Turkish cuisine, it is a common dessert on the Bulgarian Christmas table.
The families exchange Christmas gifts and the little children are told that Santa Claus (“Dyado Koleda”) would bring their desired present if they have been good throughout the year.

Sources:
https://www.whychristmas.com/
https://visitmybulgaria.com/
Photos:
https://tvn.bg/
http://www.bgnow.eu/
https://www.vesti.bg/
https://bulgarianhistory.org/
https://lakomnik.bg/
https://www.supichka.com/

There are many beautiful places in the world, however the people of Dubrovnik claim their city to be the most beautiful. Warm southern climate, spacious blue skies, dark blue sea touching the rocky shores, sandy beaches and steep reefs – all of that is Dubrovnik.

In addition to its beautiful nature, Dubrovnik has rich history. According to records, the area around Dubrovnik was first inhabited somewhere between 6000 and 2000 BC. The existence of the city was lost in the cloudy course of history, with legends and historical facts merging together.

During the 7th century, the Slavic tribes, with Croats being one of the superior ones, had already set up permanent residences along the majority of the eastern Adriatic coast, with the exception of a few fortified Roman cities, which were becoming cut off from the rest of the empire in the wake of this rapid Slavic population. In comparison to the development of cities with a Roman population, a settlement was developing near Ragusium, which received the Croatian name Dubrovnik.

The name of the city came from the oak forests which even today are called “dubrave”. The Old town of Dubrovnik – an urban centre preserved to the present day, is under UNESCO protection.
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Sources: https://visitdubrovnik.hr/
https://en.wikipedia.org/