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eostories · 8 years ago

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Sapareva Banya is only an hour away from Sofia which immediately puts it into the must-do day trips from the capital of Bulgaria. This small town is the best place to start your journey of Rila Mountain and its hidden treasures. Whether you want a laid back day in the mountain, a long hike, romantic weekend, or winter sports adventure, look no further and start planning from here! Waterfalls, lakes, ski slopes and beautiful mountain views are available throughout the whole year. Apart from the beautiful nature that is surrounding Sapareva Banya and providing numerous options for hikes, the town makes for a perfect weekend getaway also because of its many modern spas and mineral pools. What better way to spend the rest of the day after straining your muscles in the nature than to unwind in a hot water with healing properties (or that’s what the rumors say).

The hottest geyser

Can you make a wild guess trying to say where the hottest geyser in continental Europe is located? Island? Nope! It is right here in Bulgaria, in the small town of Sapareva Banya. It is the main attraction in the town and one that its citizens are probably most proud of. The geyser has a temperature of 103C and its water is used to heat most of the public buildings in the town. The water of the geyser comes out from a fountain in an almost rhythmical way while the steam surrounds the whole place beautifully and making Rila Mountain looks even more mystical in the background. Its majestic silhouette is guarding Sapareva Banya and is one of the first things you see once you enter the town.

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Sveti Nikola Church

Just a few minutes away from the Fountain, you can see a beautiful church hidden in a small park in the heart of the town. Its beautiful medieval architecture stands out and you just can’t pass by and miss it. The Byzantine feeling and the red brick construction with interesting details make it truly unique. It is not currently active so you can’t get inside. It serves as a religious and cultural monument.

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Skakavitsa Waterfall

The highlight of our day trip around Sapareva Banya and the area was Skakavotsa waterfall. It is the highest waterfall in Rila Mountain at 1750m above sea level. The water fall from 70m literally jumping around the high jagged rocks. The view is not just beautiful – it is powerful! During the winter the waterfall freezes and it makes for a great ice climbing spot for all of you adventure seekers with an experience. Best time to visit is around May-June when the water is at its highest.

Most of the hike is through the forest with the sound of the water accompanying us most of the time. The fresh air of the mountain is in such a stark contrast to the polluted air in the city. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the city you can relax close to the nature and spend a few hours (or a few days) exploring the surroundings.

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The challenging part of the hike is about 30 minutes and the rest was pretty laid back. The beautiful views around us, the fun talks our group shared as well as the excitement to finally reach Skakavitsa made conquering the trail pleasant even for someone like me who’s not very big on hiking. There’s also a hut with the same name where you can grab water or beer and recharge or have a lunch on your way down. The signs were pretty good so you will not have a problem finding the right way even if you’re not accompanied by someone who has already visited.

Resilovski Monastery

The convent is located between Sapareva Banya and Dupnitsa and was built between 1932 and 1940. It is permanently active which means that you can visit the church inside. There are religious and residential buildings in this very quiet complex meaning there are women that has taken vows to serve God living there.

Goritsa Waterfall

After our previous hike, we were happy to hear that the next waterfall we were going to visit was only 15 minutes away from the parking lot. Judge me all you want, but I am kind of a lazy tourist sometimes! The short hike was through a beautiful path and we ended up in a small balcony-like view point with a gorgeous scenery of the Goritsa waterfall. A friend of mine told me they actually managed to go down to the water, so I guess that is an option as well, one that I would definitely appreciate on a hot summer day!

The village that the waterfall is located is called Ovchartsi and there are a few more waterfall but they are not that easily accessible. The legend tells a story of a young Bulgarian girl named Goritsa. She was the most beautiful girl in the area and the local Turkish ruler wanted to get her as a wife. She was in love with another guy and while desperately trying to escape the Turks that were chasing her she committed suicide and jumped from the cliffs. It is a common story you can hear about many peaks, cliffs, and waterfalls around the Balkans. ‘Goritsa’ also means a small forest and considering the area around the waterfall I think it is kinda suiting with or without the romantic legend. Now just imagine this view with the colorful Autumn palette!

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Explore Rila mountain – routes and hikes

The area around Sapareva Banya and especially the village Panichishte is a starting point to explore Rila mountain and its many wonders. The tourist info point of National Park Rila is located in Panichishte and there you can find more information about your preferred destination, hike, transportation or winter sports as well as learn some more about the flora and fauna of the mountain. Apart from Skakavitsa waterfall that I told you about above and the rest of the places we visited, there are a few more options in this area that will definitely catch your attention and leave you breathless when visiting Not only from the hiking but from the amazing views!

– This is where your journey to the famous Seven Rila Lakes begins. An iconic Bulgarian destination with magnificent views and stunning nature! You can walk all the way up from Panichishte or take the lift to the hut and explore the lakes one by one.

During our one day hike to the Urdini Lakes. Read more here.

– If you want to skip the crowds but still enjoy some gorgeous lakes in Rila mountain – head to the Urdini Lakes. They are a bit hidden and you will need a guide in order to explore safely, so read our experience and tips here.

– Probably the longest and most tiring hike that will take you the whole day or more is to the Rila Monastery. Don’t worry, there are huts where you can spend the night, just plan accordingly. Alternatively (and preferably), you can easily reach it by car. Whatever you choose, the monastery is definitely worth it and in my humble opinion, it is one of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria. You can even spend the night here and enjoy some peace and quiet. Read more about it here.

– Malyovitsa Hut and Malyovitsa Peak are a popular place for hiking enthusiasts and winter sports lovers. There are ski slopes and ski-lifts close by that you can take advantage of during the winter or have a picturesque hike during the warmer months.

Sapareva Banya – A Warm Day Trip from Sofia Sapareva Banya is only an hour away from Sofia which immediately puts it into the must-do day trips from the capital of Bulgaria.

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eostories · 8 years ago

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Burgas is an important cultural and touristic center on the Black Sea coast and it is often the spot where your seaside trip starts or ends. It is a beautiful city that has developed enormously in the last couple of years making it an interesting destination that is also family friendly. You can check more things that you can do in the surrounding area here, but today’s post is dedicated to the best places you can indulge in seafood, good beer and delicious coffee. We are not locals and this is just a short guide on where to eat and drink in Burgas from our small experience in the city. We did manage to find some awesome places, though! Check them out!

The Coffee Room With its three locations in the center of Burgas, The Coffee Room is a must visit destination for every coffee lover that likes sweet additions to their coffee. We opted for the coffee shop where you can sit down in a nice atmosphere of industrial elements and pink geometrics. The menu has a lot of options including coffee classics like espresso, flat white and cappuccino as well as milkshakes, lattes with different toppings (yes, there’s even lavender and rose petals) and some special seasonal drinks. You can request coconut milk in your coffee if you are lactose intolerant and there was even a vegan cake in the cake display (that also has some deliciously looking macarons).

Address: Tsar Simeon str. 37, Ferdinandova str. 38, Slivnitsa str. 8

Moka Bar If you’ve planned your walk around Burgas to start early or you want to hit the beach in the morning, Moka Bar is the perfect option to get your first cup of coffee for the day! The smoothies here are on point and the staff was really nice! A hipster cafe with an amazing smell of freshly baked croissants that you can enjoy in a cozy atmosphere! Check out our full post about Moka Bar with more photos and information.

Address: Konstantin Fotinov Str. 14

Pivovarnata (The Brewery)

Attention all beer lovers! This venue located right next to the train station has its own brewery inside producing a few types of delicious craft beers under the name Veritas that are unfiltered and unpasteurized. With modern atmosphere and laid-back garden, The Brewery is a perfect summer spot in the city offering about 5 different draft beers with different taste including a Red Veritas beer with caramel flavour. Don’t forget that you are by the seaside after all and try the mussels with beer sauce!

Address: Han Krum str. 6

Zlatna ribka (Golden Fish)

A restaurant that has turned into a classic option for both visitors and locals alike. As the name suggests – seafood is a king here! From calamari, octopus, mussels and shrimps to classic fish dishes as well as risotto and paella with seafood. Not big on seafood? There’s a wide variety of pizza, pasta, vegetarian appetizers and salads.

Address: Tsar Simeon I str. 3

Rose Strolling around the city center it is hard to miss this award winning restaurant. It catches the attention from the outside with the pink building it is housed in and the beautiful decoration of flowers. The menu includes a few breakfast variations (traditional Bulgarian breakfast and even English inspired options), salads, pasta, pizza and risotto as well as a well-curated wine list. A big part of the main dishes section includes fresh seafood and meat specialties.

Address: Aleko Bogoridi str. 19

Barbossa

Funky drawings on the walls, modern interior, good music selection (including some international presence and DJing), nice cocktails and shots make it the perfect hangout for Friday and Saturday evenings. When the sun is too much in the afternoon, why not hide here and chill with a cocktail or chat over coffee with friends.

Address: Serdika str. 2

When you’ve done exploring Burgas and its gastronomic scene, head over to St. Anastasia Island for a day trip.

Where To Eat and Drink in Burgas, Bulgaria Burgas is an important cultural and touristic center on the Black Sea coast and it is often the spot where your seaside trip starts or ends.

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eostories · 8 years ago

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Soul Kitchen is a vegan oasis in the heart of the city and a paradise for the soul and all the sense. Bulgaria is not the easiest place to be vegetarian or vegan but thankfully there are lots of new places offering plant-based food that make the gastronomical scene much better for non-meat eaters. Soul Kitchen is one of the oldest and my personal favourite! From the exquisite food to the gorgeous interior and all the attention to the details in between – read below to see why it a must visit place whether you are vegetarian or not.

Not only the restaurant uses carefully selected products, but they also have a special system for purifying the water. The small details like using only Himalayan salt, cold pressed olive oil and a delicate thermal processing of the food to preserve its best qualities make the dishes extra special.

Although the menu in Soul Kitchen is not very long we always have trouble deciding what to get because everything sounds soo good! And having so many vegan options at one place makes it a happy place! The first part of the menu consists of soups and salads. Five colorful salads await as well as a soup of the day and the signature Bulgarian cold soup ‘tarator’. The lat one is usually created with yogurt, cucumbers, dill, and walnuts and is the most refreshing choice in the summer. It is also a dish that vegans miss a lot. In Soul Kitchen it is prepared with cashew milk and to be honest it is a bit too heavy for my taste but still a pretty good alternative. If you are vegetarian and eat yogurt then I strongly suggest trying real ‘tarator’ while in Bulgaria as well.

A few appetizers and a variety of dips are the logical next step that goes great with the einkorn bread. There’s also a non-gluten bread option. The main dishes including risotto, veggies, noodles, Thai rolls and the delicious spinach pancake that you can see in the photo. The most exciting part, though, is the pizza and pasta section! A good vegetarian or vegan pizza is not so easy to find and here you have a few gourmet options with plant-based mozzarella or yellow cheese. They come in a very generous portion with a good mix of veggies and fresh spices.

The desserts are probably my favourite part! To my surprise, they were also well appreciated by all of our nonvegan friends, some of which tried raw desserts for the first time. There are usually 3 different desserts every day including a cheesecake, chocolate truffles, chocolate cake, pancakes, a signature dessert with chocolate and mascarpone in an ice-cream shape (most of them raw).

A good addition to the dishes is the wine list with both local and international wines as well as the great selection of Bulgarian craft beers.

Food For The Soul – Soul Kitchen, Sofia, Bulgaria Soul Kitchen is a vegan oasis in the heart of the city and a paradise for the soul and all the sense.

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eostories · 8 years ago

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Visiting The Opera and Ballet House in Sofia, Bulgaria

Visiting the Opera and Ballet House is a great activity for both locals and foreigners! However, it somehow remains underrated with lots of people not knowing how rich and interesting their repertoire is. With so many concerts, opera and ballet performances, it is something that you can appreciate and enjoy regardless of your experience and relationship with art in general. With this article, I…

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eostories · 8 years ago

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Monkey House - hip coffee shop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Monkey House - hip coffee shop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

We are introducing you to one of our favorite spots in our beloved Plovdiv. Monkey House is the perfect place to have a lazy Sunday coffee while enjoying the unique bohemian atmosphere of the Kapana district.It is located in the heart of the city and is full of hip places – from cafes and restaurants to art galleries and local craftsmanship stores. The cozy neighborhood has been the main art and…

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eostories · 8 years ago

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Vegetarian guide to Sofia, Bulgaria

We’re not gonna lie, it is pretty hard to be a vegetarian or vegan on the Balkans. Our love for yogurt, cheese and meat is evident in every traditional recipe we have. However, there are more and more healthy vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sofia answering the need of people with dynamic lifestyle and special dietary requirements or restrictions. If you are wondering where to eat in Sofia…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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+Tova cafe and working space, Sofia, Bulgaria

+ Tova is a multipurpose cafe with a friendly vibe and a cozy interior perfect for working or having a lazy afternoon with a friend or why not by yourself reading a book. The venue focuses on art events and exhibitions, workshops and everything fun that can create a small society of like-minded people. It is located in the city center but the fact that it is a bit off the beaten path makes it the…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Urdini Lakes - hiking in Rila Mountains

Urdini Lakes – hiking in Rila Mountains

Chrismas is right around the corner, but we are still working and dreaming of sunny days, spent in the nature. Before you take off to buy some conventional gifts, you may consider giving a more adventurous one this year like a mountain hike! You are probably wondering what am I talking about, there is so much snow up there, but as it turns out there is such a thing as ski-trekking. So if you are…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Melnik, the Smallest Town in Bulgaria

Located in the picturesque Pirin mountain, Melnik is a magical town that easily transports us back in time. It is most famous as the smallest town in Bulgaria with its only 200 inhabitants who all say they know each other. Today we will tell you all about the engaging activities you can take part in there, which are the most popular sites in the town and what exactly makes it the perfect…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Interview: Anna and Matt from Hostelgeeks

One of the best things about travelling on a budget is trying to find cool design hostels! Almost like a game we play every time there’s a need to book an accommodation. As you’ve probably notinced (or it might as well be the pure reason why you are reading this article and our blog) we are always on the hung for the next hip destinations and its most interesting cafes, restaurants and hostels.…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Probably you don’t know that you could go up in the Serbian mountains and visit famous Serbian director Emir Kusturica’s home. Last summer when I was lucky enough to spend 2 whole weeks in the National Park Tara we made a day trip to Drvengrad.

Now don’t start imagining big fancy houses, 14 parked cars in front and all that jazz. After all, this is the Balkans. Emir Kusturica is best known for his film making, but he is actually an actor himself and a musician as well. If you haven’t watched anything by him, I strongly recommend “Underground”. Тhat one won him the Palme d’or (Golden palm, the highest prize awarded) at the Cannes Film Festival for the second time. Of course, his other movies are worth your time as well, and remember most of them are satires, just in case you get offended by his humour.

Текстът на български можете да прочетете на втората страница.

“I lost my city [Sarajevo] during the war. That is why I wished to build my own village. It bears a German name : Küstendorf. I will organize seminars there, for people who want to learn how to make cinema, concerts, ceramics, painting. It is the place where I will live and where some people will be able to come from time to time. There will be of course some other inhabitants who will work. I dream of an open place with cultural diversity which sets up against globalization.”

A true artist and a romantic dreamer, Kusturica managed to build his dream wooden village, where everything is magical. And what better place to do that than up in a beautiful mountain?

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It all started while the director was filming “Life is a miracle”. He tells that they “used to sit for hours while waiting for the sun to come our from the clouds to continue filming.” And then he noticed with envy that there is plenty of sun on the hill of Mecavnik and decided to build his own village there someday. Although his initial idea was really simple – only one house with a few huts around it, it actually transformed into a 4-star hotel complex. Better for us, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to visit it. There are around 40 rooms in the village where you can stay. All furnished traditional and very colourful equipped with everything you might need. You can choose from booking a single or a twin room, studio, apartment or if you’re gathering the whole gang – your very own house. Prices vary depending on the season, but now they start from 80 euro for a twin room where breakfast and dinner are included and 112 for a house, this is accommodation only. Check here for more information.

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The name – Küstendorf, is a word play on Kusturica’s name and the German dorf which means village. On the other hand, küste means coast which is quite funny since the village is located up in the Zlatibor mountain and it is not in fact on the coast of any river. The director has acquainted a few other names for the village as well from which the most recognisable by the tourists is Drvengrad (meaning wooden city). That one is quite obvious due to the wooden traditional architecture of the houses and all the surroundings.

Wandering around the village, one can easily immerse in the artistic atmosphere and get inspired. It’s quite interesting exploring the village knowing that someone had invested their whole personality in building it. Almost like picking the very brain of Kusturica. The streets are named after his favorite writers, film directors, football players and even scientists. Imagine living somewhere like that! There’s plenty activities for you to engage in so I doubt you will get bored. Waking up each day with a breathtaking view of the mountain Zlatibor, taking a stroll down the main street Ivo Andrić, named after the famous Yugoslavian writer, that will lead you to the library dedicated to him as well, where you can curl up on some of the sofas with a great book. Or go for a movie instead, after all, you are in a director’s village. The Stanley Kubrick theatre projects Kusturica’s most famous movies and documentaries each day. There are many exhibitions held in the gallery Macola – from sculptures to painting and photography. Oh, and did I mention that there are even some ski slopes there? I don’t know about you, but I could stay in this village probably forever.

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It is also the home of the annual Küstendorf Film Festival that even the most famous pirate of the Caribbean sea attended back in 2004. I’m talking about Johnny Depp, of course, who also got a statue in his honor revealed then. The festival is held in the beginning of January on the slopes near Mecavnik. It doesn’t have any commercial sponsors and its purely dedicated to future film creators and the world’s cinema greats. Besides the film program, you can enjoy the musical performances or if you’re in the cinema world submit your entry for the short movie competition.

Може би не знаете, че можете да посетите приказния дом на известния сръбски режисьор Емир Кустурица в планината Златибор. Миналото лято прекарах 2 седмици в Националния парк Тара в Сърбия и имах възможността да отскоча за ден до Дървен град.

Въпреки че Кустурица е известен предимно с филмите си, той е също актьор и музикант – с две думи истински артист. Ако някакси сте пропуснали да гледате негови филми, горещо препоръчвам “Underground”, който му печели за втори път Златна палма на фестивала в Кан.

“Изгубих града си (Сараево) по време на войната. Затова исках да изградя мое собствено селище. Носи немско име : Küstendorf. Там ще организирам семинари за хора, които искат да правят кино, концерти, керамика, художествено изкуство. Ще е място, където ще живея и хората ще могат да посещават от време на време. Разбира се, ще има и други жители, които ще работят там. Мечтая за отворено място с културно разнообразие, което се противопоставя на глибализацията.”

Кустурица успява да сбъдне мечтата си и да построи това магическо селище. И какво по-добро място за това от просторен зелен хълм високо в планината?

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Всичко започва на снимачната площадка на филма “Life is a miracle”. Кустурица разказва как той и екипът му са стояли с часове, чакайки слънцето да се покаже, за да продължат заснемането. По време на тези длъги паузи той забелязва със завист хълма на Мечавник, ��ъдето изглежда винаги е слънчево и решава да построи мечтаното място именно там. Първоначалната му идея е била доста проста – щял е да живее сам със семейството си в една дървена къщичка с няколко колиби покрай нея за правене на конфитюр и други подобни неща. ��о с времето се трансформира в нещо много по-голямо и днес всеки може да се потопи в приказния свят на Кустурица.

И дори да остане там колкото пожелае, тъй като селището разполага с около 40 стаи, свободни за наемане. Всичките много традиционни и цветни, от които можете да избирате между единична или двойна стая, студио, апартамент или дори да си наемете цяла дървена къща. Цените варират според сезона, като в момента започват от 80 евро на вечер за двойна стая, в която е включена закуска и вечеря. Цялата къща на вечер ще ви излезе 112 евро, като това е само за настаняването. За повече информация проверете тук.

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Името на селището Küstendorf идва от Кустурица и немската дума dorf , която означава село. Също така küste значи бряг, но всъщност селото се намира в планината Златибор и не е близо до нито една река. Кустурица го нарича с много имена – от Мечавник, както се казва съседното село до най-познатото на туристите – Дървен град.

Разхождайки се из селото, лесно забравяте за всичко останало и се потапяте в традиционната дървена архитектура и прекрасната природа, надничаща покрай сградите. Става още по-интересно и вдъхновяващо като си дадете сметка, че духът на Кустурица присъства нявсякъде – от улиците, кръстени с любимите му писатели и артисти до сградите, посветени на най-значимите за него режисьори. В самото село има изобилие от дейности, така че няма да прекарате и секунда в скучаене. Можете да се разходите по главната улица, кръстена на известния югославски писател Иво Андрич, на която ще намерите библиотеката, посветена отново на него, и църквата Свети Сава, зад която се открива панорамна гледка към планината Златибор. Можете да гледате някой от най-известните игрални и документални филми на Кустурица в киното Стенли Кубрик или пък да разгледате изложбите на скулптури, фотография и картини в галерията Макола. Дори можете да покарате ски или сноуборд през зимата на близките ски писти.

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Селището е дом и на годишния кинофестивал Küstendorf Film Festival, на който през 2004-та дори най-известни�� пират в цяло Карибско море е бил посетител. Джони Деп също така си има и статуя в Дървен град, посветена на него по време на посещението му. Фестивалът се провежда всяка година в началото на януари и се слави с липсата на всякакви рекламни спонсори и червен килим като при Холивудския фестивал. Идеята му, кореспондираща изцяло с тази и на селото, е да дава поле за изява на млади кинорежисьори и да почита иконичните имена в света на седмото изкуство. Освен кино програмата има и музикални концерти, а ако вие самите се занимавате с филми можете да участвате в конкурса за късометражно кино.

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Drvengrad, an wooden city where dreams live Probably you don't know that you could go up in the Serbian mountains and visit famous Serbian director

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eostories · 9 years ago

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One of the greatest things about Sofia’s location is that that you can easily escape the city in less than half an hour and find yourself in the Vitosha mountain, one of the small villages around or the beautiful Pancharevo lake. All of these options are perfect for recharging or simply getting away from the busy city or the summer heat. We’ve already talked about the Boyana waterfall in Vitosha Mountain and the Boyana church, so it is time to show you what to do at the Pancharevo lake and why it is a great (half) day trip.

Where is it? Only 15 km away from the very heart of the city, the Pancharevo lake is easily accessed by car, bike and even public transport. This gives you the opportunity to go there on a whim when you are bored on a Saturday afternoon or just want to have a nice walk with a pleasant view. If you have time you can drive a little bit further and reach the Pasarel dam. This is going to be our next destination so stay tuned for more inspiration in Sofia’s outskirts.

What can you do at the Pancharevo lake? This is the perfect place in the summer to practice different water sports. At the central part of the lake, you will find a small port where you can rent a boat, paddle boat or a canoe. Prices are around 4lv (2 euros) for 30 minutes, 8 lv (4 euros) for one hour and 14 lv (7 euros) for 2 hours. Close by there is a rowing school base camp and you can see a lot of people practicing and get inspired by how smooth and fast they move on the water. If you are keen on fishing, there are a lot of spots along the lake where you can do that. Unfortunately, you cannot swim in the lake and you probably wouldn’t want to as its waters are not that clean and clear but there is a swimming pool called “Koralite” with a view of both the lake and the forest . Just next to the water is the “Lodkite” (The boats) restaurant where you can have a refreshing beer and “shopska salad” or “tarator” in the summer. It is a very modest place with only the basic facilities when it comes to the interior, but when you are tired after canoeing, for example, you will be more than happy to have a lunch on a table along the water. Alternatively, you can try “Lebed” (The Swan) restaurant with its beautiful garden that often houses weddings and special occasions. The venue is much fancier with a polite service and refined menu.

The panoramic path One side of the lake is guarded by a forest where a panoramic eco path is built. To be honest, it was probably panoramic when it was first built more than 50 years ago. Now the greenery surrounding the lake allows only a partial view of the water but it is still a lovely place for a hike. It is more of a walk rather than a hike because part of the road is paved and the terrain will be easy even for kids. There were lots of people taking advantage of the fresh air and cooler temperature of the forest by jogging and cycling. You can rest on some of the benches with the company of the birds singing around you or even go down to the lake and join the fishermen.

How to reach the beginning of the path: when coming from the center of Sofia leave your car at the parking close to the wall of the lake. Don’t worry, there are busses going to the lake from the city as well – number 1, 3 or 4 and they stop right next to the lake (the bus stop is called Banya Pancharevo/ Bath Pancharevo. When you reach the lake, regardless your transportation, cross the yellow bridge and walk around the wall until you reach the paved path that disappears in the forest across the lake and ta-da, you’re there.

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Pancharevo lake in Sofia, Bulgaria One of the greatest things about Sofia’s location is that that you can easily escape the city in less than half an hour and find yourself in the…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Albeit it was a bit of an adventure to find this place, it was absolutely worth it! Firstly, we ended up in the wrong city – Portoroz, where it turned out that there’s a restaurant with the exact same name, but all turned out for the best. We got to see this beautiful city and take a walk along the sea coast, enjoying some pretty delicious ice cream. Once we finally arrived in Piran, we were taken by the peaceful atmosphere of the colorful narrow streets and the Italian feeling. Fritolin pri Cantini is a small family owned seafood restaurant and it’s hidden away from all the touristy places right next to a tiny white square and surrounded by well-preserved buildings with beautiful pastel facades and windows.

The restaurant has a unique fisherman’s vibe, although you can’t even glance at the sea from the tiny square. But in our opinion that’s not a minus at all since you can enjoy the delicious food away from all the noisy and crowded restaurants along the coast. The interior is thoughtfully organised in natural wood and pop-up blue colours with green grapevines to keep you away from the sun. Another thing that adds to the cozy atmosphere and truly making you feel like you’re at a good friend’s place rather than an actual restaurant, is the owner Nina who welcomes you dearly and helps you with the choice of food if you can’t decide between calamari and muscles for example. The restaurant is also self-service and as their motto says you can “take away or take it easy”. That gives you the opportunity to enjoy your food somewhere else in Piran if you just can’t imagine a meal without a sea view. Now to the most important part – the food of course! You literally order at the kitchen’s window directly to the chef and after that she provides you with a sea shell with the number of your order. The menu contains mainly seafood and if you eat fish you can’t go wrong with anything you might choose. We have tried the muscles in tomato sauce with garlic and Parmesan, grilled squids with garlic and olive and fried calamari from the seafood selection which all were really delicious, but the muscles in particular were heavenly. There are some tasty veggie options for the non pescetarians as well – grilled polenta, baked tortilla with Parmesan and tomato sauce, fresh salads and of course, French fries or as they call them – pomfri. Prices are not exactly cheap, but also cannot be considered overpriced at all because of the quality of the food. We were nicely surprised and happy for this food find in the heart of Piran and would recommend you take a stroll around the town and give it a try as well!

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Fritolin pri Cantini: where to eat in Piran, Slovenia Albeit it was a bit of an adventure to find this place, it was absolutely worth it!

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Bucharest has become a really vibrant modern city and frankly I felt like I was there for the first time even though it was actually my second. The design and cultural scene pleasantly surprised me as I took up on my adventure to discover the best hip places in town. I chose Bucur’s Shelter Hostel to be my home during my stay there and I recommend you to do so as well when you find yourself browsing through the hundreds of hostels in Bucharest.

The hostel is conveniently located only about 10 minutes walking from the Old Town and the metro station which believe me, it’s a huge plus since Bucharest has plenty to offer besides that area. Albeit down the very street on which the hostel is located, is a bit dodgy at night, the neighbourhood is pretty safe, especially due to the fact that there is a police station right on the next street.

The place is a cozy mixture of nice cool people hanging in the lounge area, waiting to check in or out or just catching up with their online presence and yet outgoing personalities with whom you can always have a chat and share your travel adventures so far. The employees are always available for whatever questions you might have and thus learn and experience more of the local culture, traditions and history.

The mix of modern industrial interior solutions with authentic traditional pieces is definitely what would make you stay here. They’ve really put an effort to make it a home-style hostel by finding antique interior pieces – from displaying authentic flagons and rugs to old charcoal iron and a bottle of traditional Romanian rakia (typical Balkan alcoholic drink). What really took me were the copper tubes used to decorate the walls and provide lighting in the lounge. Can’t help it – I just love copper!

On the first floor is the cool lounge area right next to the reception, the kitchen where you have everything needed for you to prepare a nice meal and then enjoy it in the dining room with your friends. Breakfast is served there every morning with coffee and tea at your disposal as well. There’s even an inside courtyard where you can also have your meal or beer chilling with the rest of the guests. The showers and one of the bathrooms are on the same floor too. On the second floor are most of the Shelters as they call them, another bathroom and a smaller chilling area with a sofa and a spinning wheel – so if you want to try that be sure to bring you own wool!

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The spacious courtyard hidden in between the kitchen and the lobby. Look for the small door in the dark corner under the stairs.There are 4 mixed dorms with bunk beds and one private double shelter which I did not have the chance to check out. The rest of the rooms are simple – beds, lockers in each room, a chair or two, a traditional rug, depending on which room you are though. To be honest I was quite disappointed that I did not see the same dedication to details in the shelters as in the rest of the hostel in order to make the stay even more special and related to the whole traditional theme.

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When you arrive you may be not exactly in the mood for chatting or anything else besides dropping your luggage and dreaming to take a shower if you, like me, had to travel for 8 hours to get to Bucharest, but that feeling evaporates quickly when you meet the welcoming and very helpful staff. You are more than welcome to leave your luggage in the lounge area, take a shower, eat breakfast and hang out until the check in time arrives. The staff is always there ready to help you with anything from telling you about the coolest libraries and giving you directions to the train station to borrowing their laptop and phone if you happen to lose yours. Yes, that happened. Note: do not forget your phone in a taxi in Romania or as a matter of fact anywhere else. Sadly, the good people are on extinction. Prices vary from 9 to 11 euro per night for the dormitories, 16 for the private room. You have to pay in local currency, but the good news is they accept cards as well in case you forgot to change money before you arrive. Breakfast with coffee and tea is included, as well as a locker and of course Wi-Fi. The breakfast is pretty basic – bread, jam and butter and cookies. It’s a buffet though so you can have as many as you like.

You can arrange various tours and activities from the hostel as well – from a tour to the infamous Palace of Parliament (lemonade drinking on top included) to tasting traditional food and beer and pub crawls in the Old Town.

For more information and booking reservation head to their website.

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Bucur’s Shelter – where traditions meet modernism Bucharest has become a really vibrant modern city and frankly I felt like I was there for the first time even though it was actually my second.

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eostories · 9 years ago

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We have visited picturesque Slovenia for the first time this summer and absolutely fell in love with this lovely country! We have to admit that we hadn’t done so much research before departing from Bulgaria (as we usually do when visiting a new place) but in this case maybe it was the better option because we were so pleasantly surprised by this so well-arranged country. Because its territory isn’t so big, Bela Krajina is a strategic place to explore both Croatia as well as Slovenia. Everything is in close proximity and suitable for day trips to the capital Ljubljana, the small but mesmerizing seaside, Postojna cave, the built in rocks Predjama Castle, the famous lake Bled and many more. A post about these sites is coming up soon! During our stay at the lifestyle camp Big Berry, we were lucky to be shown around the Bela Krajina region located right next to the Croatian border. We were truly amazed by how beautiful were all the villages there and the never ending energy of the welcoming and heartwarming locals who are constantly organising different events from goulash cooking and firefighter competitions to wine tasting festivals and open museum nights. Don’t be afraid to stop someone and ask anything – they will be more than happy to show you around or tell you a bit more about the history and the places you can visit in Bela Krajina. The true beauty of the region lies in the stunning natural sites which are not at all overcrowded by tourists, quite the contrary – for example you can enjoy the astonishing view of the Krupa source and have it all to yourself, there is not a single soul around. Thanks to our nice guide Vit we visited so many cool places – from meeting with local producers to breathtaking views like the Magdalenska stena. There are numerous hiking and cycling trails you could take on, swim or sail with a boat or a canoe in the many lovely rivers. The Regional museum in Metlika, situated in a former castle, is also a very interesting and beautiful place to visit where you can get a true sense about the local history and traditions. The Vidovec and Zdenc karst caves located near the Magdalenska Stena and the village Božakovo are also worth visiting. Although they aren’t so big it’s quite fun exploring them, just watch out for your head and try not to fall on the slippery rocks. The stream passing through them disappears underground and flows into the beautiful river Kolpa.

Krupa source (Izvor Krupe)

This magical place is about only half an hour from the village Primostek and it’s definitely a must-see! We’ve been to a lot of places but this is truly some of the bluest water we’ve ever seen! In a river though. You can immerse yourself in this amazing nature while exploring the river coast and take stroll to the source of the river Krupa where there’s a house right next to it which was even for sale! We almost didn’t want to tell you about it since we’re still daydreaming of buying it one day but chances are it’s not happening anytime soon.

Magdalenska Stena

The legend tells that there used to be a chapel on the top of the Magdalenska stena. During the Ottoman rule it was destroyed and the bell from the tower fell down into the river. They say that if you listen careful enough you could still hear the bell ringing from the deep teal water.

Abandoned castle

If you enjoy architecture and abandoned places be sure to visit the Gradac castle. Slovenians are trying to completely renovate the building and restore the garden for many years but unfortunately haven’t been so successful. Hopefully they will succeed because the site has a real potential to become a modern historic site or a museum if renovated.

Tri Fare

Built more than 700 years ago, the three pilgrimage churches in the village Rosalnice are a must-visit landmark. Nobody knows why exactly there are not one but 3 of them in one relatively small village. The theories vary from the site being created by the Knights Templar to being established as a part of the Bishopric of Zagreb. Curious fact: only one of the three churches has been mentioned in the documents. This beautifully renovated complex is not open everyday but you can call and arrange a visit if interested.

Busy bees

An original DC-3 airplane in memory of the Allied help during World War II. Located in the fields of the village Otok.

Local products and farms

The lifestyle luxury camp Big Berry has partnered with a lot of local producers in order to enhance the whole region and its active spirit. It is a breath of fresh air when brands are not taking everything and everyone as a competition but partnering to provide visitors with the best of the region. Since most people living in the city have lost touch with nature and the simple life, this is a great chance to see how the products you use on daily basis are made, get close to the process, know what goes behind the food you eat, observe local craftsmanship and start caring more about your health. We, as such foodies, were in heaven with all these delicious organic food and drinks!

Oljarna Pečarič An oil for every problem

When we arrived, we were welcomed with a table perfectly prepared for a degustation. But the tasty oils with fresh bread were not the only thing that impressed us. Mr. Pečarič totally won us with his cheerful explanations about the healing properties of the oils. We are always so happy to see when people are doing their job with such passion and especially happy to buy products that are created with such care and love. Our personal favorites were the mustard and apricot oil. We got two bottles for home and already using it for all types of healthy recipes.

Brewery Vizir Craft beer to challenge your taste buds

Vizir Brewery is a must stop for every beer lover! It is not just an ordinary brewery but a family owned small company that looks a bit like beer magic factory. Especially the beer laboratory where you can just imagine how the good ideas and experiments are born. The craft beer that is created here has nothing to do with the commercial type of beers that you can buy at the supermarket. They have they own brand with quite a variety of beers – from light India pale ale and imperial IPA to a very special black IPA. We were surprised to find and taste a Bulgarian beer produced here that is yet to come out at the market. Lucky exclusive tasting!

Kmetija Štrucelj For all the dairy lovers

This local farm is producing organic and fresh milk, yogurt, cheese, almost everything that you can think of consisting milk. But the showstoppers here are all the different tastes of the milk and yogurt – from different fruits to our beloved stracciatella. We all know where the milk comes from but you will be surprised how many things you probably don’t know about the animals and the whole process. Visiting a cow farm is a really interesting and educational experience whether you are vegan or eating dairy products on a daily basis.

Kmetijska Zadruga Metlika Winery

They say that almost every family in the Bela Krajina region produces wine so it was a pity we didn’t manage to go for a wine tasting. But we got a lovely farewell gift from our hosts. We took a bottle of sweet red wine from Kmetijska Zadruga Metlika winery all the way to Bulgaria. If you are a wine lover you will definitely have a chance to arrange a private tasting in one of the partner wineries.

Kmetija Kocevar Hemp products for happy people

Not that happy, no worries here everything is legal. Who knew that you could make so many things out of hemp? There are hemp liqueurs, unrefined hemp oil, hemp flour… It is very nutritious with lots of vitamin B, magnesium, phosphorus and essential unsaturated fats. It is also very interesting to know that hemp seed is actually providing a lot of protein in only 100 grams. Quite a superfood and a tasty one, we must say!

Zlati Ghee

The essence of milk, as they call it, is butter. Organic, handmade, without gluten or any preservatives, this is simply amazing! We’re just mentioning it and not getting into details because there will be a separate post on this little jar of paradise pretty soon. Stay tuned!

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Exploring Bela Krajina in Slovenia with Big Berry We have visited picturesque Slovenia for the first time this summer and absolutely fell in love with this lovely country!

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eostories · 9 years ago

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Big Berry is a new lifestyle resort in Slovenia providing an innovative travel experiences. It offers not only sleeping arrangements and accommodation but also the luxury of freedom, comfort and long lasting memories. With its stunning location along the Kolpa river, convenient facilities and contemporary design of the houses it answers the need of the modern person to reconnect with nature and find balance between the city life and the wild. This glamping (glamorous camping) resort is dedicated to provide you with everything you need to forget all the troubles of the busy city. Their goal is to emphasize on healthy lifestyle with lots of sport activities, clean food and complete relaxation. You can immerse in the green nature from the moment you wake up. You don’t need to worry for your breakfast – it will be waiting for you at your front porch. After that you can explore the region nearby or visit the local farms to see where and how your food has been made. Why not take a dip into the river, go on a canoe trip (maybe to Croatia) or have a BBQ in the afternoon. If you are tired of exploring a delicious local wine will be a great addition to some relaxing time in your private hot tub. At the end of your trip, you wouldn’t want to leave the camp, let alone go back to the city! It sounds like a fairytale, but if you have ever been to Slovenia or at least seen photos of it, you probably know that it is a pretty much a fairytale country combining the best of the Slavic spirit and the Western European influence.

Back to our personal 6-day fairytale experience called Big Berry lifestyle camp. We were so enthusiastic to be there that we literally had to pinch ourselves to truly believe this place exist. We can reassure you though that everything written in this review is our own personal opinion and impressions. It’s just that we’re so impressed by the amazing Slovenian nature and the whole unbelievable awesome vibe of the place!

The Grand opening of the resort is coming soon on June 30th! Find more news and updates from the camp here.

Big Berry luxury lifestyle camp is located in Primostek – a village along the Kolpa river which is the border between Slovenia and Croatia. You can literally see Croatia on the other side of the river – cool view from your mobile house, huh? Bela Krajina region in Slovenia has a rich history and culture and can offer a lot of activities from abandoned castles to caves and hikes. We will tell you about this lovely place in one of our next posts. For now, we are just going to mention that the location of the camp is very strategic giving you a chance to explore local farms and see where your food in the morning comes from or just hike one of the many trails. Since Slovenia is a rather small country you can reach most of the popular sites including the seaside and the famous Lake Bled within just a few hours drive from the camp. Other locations with this beautiful mobile houses are going to emerge soon in Croatia, Romania and Austria.

Design is an important part of our lives and a feature we are always looking for when trying to find the best places around the world. The small details and the attention to the decoration and the interior can really make a place stand out! It definitely makes Big Berry stand out – from the branded polka dot mugs to the minimal lamps and balanced colors both in the interior and the outside facade. The design of the houses is created by an international team of engineers, designers and architects following the global trends of the market, the travelers’ needs and how vacations are changing in the recent years. While the houses painted in white and blue are intended for the seaside, the brown ones are perfectly merging with nature and are especially made to become one with the landscape. When it comes to facilities – we got more than we’ve bargained for. Not many camps can pride themselves with a private hot tub overlooking the river, right? Clean bathrooms, great cooking facilities and cutlery in the kitchen to make your own food with the fresh local products, wi-fi and a flat screen. All that and many more to make you feel comfortable while staying at the resort. Big Berry’s mobile houses can host from 2 to 6 people. Each house has a fully equipped kitchen (including microwave, fridge, hot plate and all the necessary cutlery), living room with a flat screen, bathroom with a hair dryer and complimentary cosmetics from their partner brand AlpStories. Bedrooms are equipped with towels, bed linen, hangers and even a safe deposit box. Check the layout of the houses beforehand on the website and ask if you are not sure. The houses that are for 6 people have one bedroom with king size bed and a second bedroom with 2 bunk beds (4 people) which in our opinion is the best option for a family with kids or very close friends. There is a separate building with bathrooms next to the reception that can also be used. The front porch gives you a great view of the river so you can have your breakfast or dinner sitting on the table outside of your house or sipping wine while in the hot tub. Additionally, you can go to the reception to buy chocolates, snacks and coffee from a vending machine or craft beer and wine from their local partners.

If you are dreaming of a private jacuzzi at your front porch – you now know the place.

Currently there are a lot of young people at the Big Berry camp working hard to promote the place and to get everything settled and perfect for the visitors. This brings a lot of positive vibes and fun, relaxed atmosphere around the camp. It was a real pleasure to meet the people managing the camp and all the interns with whom we had day trips in the Belja Krajina region, BBQ and canoeing along the Kolpa river. You can join them for a morning yoga session or a visit to the gym to kick-start the day or simply take part in the numerous workshops – from preparing food to painting glass. Whether you want to organize your own activities or prefer to have them all scheduled for you – you can contact the team and they will give you an itinerary, tips and useful information. We were so sad to leave we wanted to stay the whole summer and work as interns as well! A cute little video to show you how fun life in the camp is.

If you want to get a peaceful vacation, you can relax on your own as the houses have their own space around and you won’t be bothered by many noises or people. This will give you a chance to enjoy a quiet morning with no one around apart from hearing only the birds singing and the wet grass under your feet. If you feel like socializing you can join the people and activities mentioned above and we can assure you that you won’t get bored even for a minute. Laid back atmosphere with everything focused on making your stay as comfortable and relaxed as it can get, but they haven’t forgotten about the fun nights around the campfire with a craft beer or wine in hand. Now that is what we call a nice vibe that can suit both families and groups of friends.

Just a few steps outside of our mobile house – a perfect place to spend some time in the morning with just your thoughts while everyone else is still sleeping.

Prices start from 200 euros per night and include taxes, parking space for up to 2 cars, free wi-fi, towels and bed linen, jacuzzi and other luxury facilities, activities on camp site such as volleyball, canoe and BBQ. Another great addition to the whole experience which is included in the price and shows a special care from the staff of the camp is the breakfast with fresh local products and warm bread delivered each morning in a basket to your front porch. They even went beyond that and separated the vegan bread, marking it with a cute little tag. You can see some of the products of the baskets on the photos below, but with good kitchen facilities, you can get your breakfast just the way you want it with the fresh fruits, bread, milk and eggs. As mentioned the camp works with a lot of local partners and even with some very nice local restaurants which you can visit for a delicious meal for lunch or dinner.

Only the warm bread is missing here. And the lovely smell only a homemade fresh bread can have.

You can relax and contemplate the river or if you’re feeling adventurous – try sleeping under the open sky!

BBQ for lunch? Or just a campfire with some delicious craft beers from Pivovarna Vizir at night.

Underwater life – it looks surreal!

Teddy is trying to get the perfect photo. Blogger’s life is not easy, sometimes we even have to climb trees!

Sianna caught in action.

You can follow the Big Berry adventures here:

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Big Berry Lifestyle Resort, Slovenia Big Berry is a new lifestyle resort in Slovenia providing an innovative travel experiences. It offers not only sleeping arrangements and accommodation but also the…

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eostories · 9 years ago

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The Grand opening of the resort is coming soon on June 30th! Find more news and updates from the camp here.

If you are dreaming of a private jacuzzi at your front porch – you now know the place.

Just a few steps outside of our mobile house – a perfect place to spend some time in the morning with just your thoughts while everyone else is still sleeping.

Only the warm bread is missing here. And the lovely smell only a homemade fresh bread can have.

You can relax and contemplate the river or if you’re feeling adventurous – try sleeping under the open sky!

BBQ for lunch? Or just a campfire with some delicious craft beers from Pivovarna Vizir at night.

Underwater life – it looks surreal!

Teddy is trying to get the perfect photo. Blogger’s life is not easy, sometimes we even have to climb trees!

Sianna caught in action.

You can follow the Big Berry adventures here:

Save

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