September 22 - October 10, 2011
BALKANS
TURKEY , BULGARIA, MACEDONIA, ALBANIA,
MONTENEGRO,CROATIA, BOSNIA,SERBIA
Group Journal
Day 05 Bulgaria - Barzitza, Stella's farm
Sept. 26, 2011 Monday
Itinerary:
Visit Nessebar,
Visit Stella's Farm,
Arbanassi, Velico Tarnova
Hotel: ALEGRO 3*, ul. Tsar T. Svetoslav 15,Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
phone 359 62 602332
The
history of this small settlement goes back to the 2nd millennium. the most
amazing object in display was a vase which was just recently excavated and
dated to the 2nd century AD.
The city was an important harbor of the Ottoman empire. Most of the
churches were either built or restored during the presence of the
Ottomans. The most important church was the church of St John the Baptist.
The frescoes were reminiscent of the 16th century Orthodox style.
Along with this history that surrounds
this city, obviously mass tourism is an important income for Nessabar.
The bars, cheap shops, Chinese souvenirs were also an important part of
the narrow streets.
Our next stop will be Stella's Farm. She will show us her villages and this will be very much of an experience that all the MELITOUR travelers always love to have. Stella is a Bulgarian Lady who had lived in the USA and then decided to return to her village in Bulgaria.
Stella met us with a traditional ritual. We were offered bread at the
entrance of the house.
We were given a tour of her wonderful
house. Her creativity and her collection of the ethnic pieces made her
house and her property in to a dream mansion.
Stella had prepared delicious food for
us. While we were having our lunch she told us her amazing liberation
story from the German invasion. We all admired her mother and had tears in
our eyes.
We noticed that there
were announcements stuck on many gates. We were told that these are
announcements for memorial services.
Our next destination is Bulgaria’s middle
Ages capital Veliko Turnovo. We pass through the Balkan Mountain and the
unique museum-town of Accommodation and O/N in Veliko Turnovo
The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta
Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Tsarevets housed the
palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate, as well as a
number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick
walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main
residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages it was among the main
European centres of culture and gave its name to the Tarnovo Artistic
School of architecture, painting and literature.
