Bulgaria

My first visit to Bulgaria came while I was backpacking around Europe during my gap year. By the time I arrived in Sofia to visit my friend Ben, whom I’d known from my tennis days, I’d become quite sick after stubbornly refusing to dress warmly while traveling. Instead of sightseeing, I spent much of my visit recovering while Ben’s grandmother looked after me, making homemade soup, bringing me medicine, and caring for me as if I were part of the family.

Years later, I returned to Bulgaria to visit Ben again, this time healthy enough to explore much more of the country. From the lively streets of Sofia to the mountain villages and Orthodox monasteries scattered across the countryside, Bulgaria has a traditional Balkan character that feels distinct from much of Western Europe. But more than anything, I’ll always remember the kindness Ben and his family showed me. Their hospitality turned Bulgaria into far more than just another country on my journey.