BULGARIA IS UNDERRATED! Rila Monastery & 7 Rila Lakes 🇧🇬

We were shocked that this is Bulgaria! As Americans, when we talk about Eastern Europe, most people have a negative perception of the place, which can taint your expectations of a place.

But, little do they know about the beautiful nature and mountains, delicious food, rich history and monasteries, and the wonderful people of Bulgaria. In this Bulgaria vlog, we set out to hike the 7 Rila Lakes in Rila National Park and visit the stunning Rila Monastery. Along the journey, we meet wonderful people, enjoy the incredible views atop Bulgaria’s highest mountain range, and experience the best things to do in Bulgaria.

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Chapters:
0:00 Sofia Bulgaria
0:49 Road trip to Rila
1:57 Rila National Park
4:40 Rila 7 Lakes hike
7:45 Best picnic views
8:26 Final hike to the top
12:42 Summit views!
13:49 Bulgarian village guesthouse
16:02 Problems on the road!
17:48 Storytime…
20:11 Rila Monastery
23:49 Bulgarian sweet (mekitsa)
24:43 Subscribe

#bulgaria

[DefinitelyAmberly]

I was in Bulgaria right after the fall of the wall, about 30 years ago I quess. I hiked in the Rila and Pirin mountains. At that time, there were no wooden fences at the 7 lakes. I came from the mountain right to the Rila monastery and slept there for one night.
That vacation stayed in my mind as one of most beautifell vacation. The country, the nature, the food, and the friendly people made me want to come back. Which I did, I live in Bulgaria permanently.

[elite]

wow Bulgaria is beautiful.
Hi from Romania, neighbors

[michaelcantrell]

My wife is from Bulgaria and I think it's the greatest country I've been to

[mickeyparver]

One of the nicest countries in Europe..Super sandy beaches, perfect climate, so many beautiful places to be..fantastic food, exelent rakia, lovely to be there anytime...Sloboda ili smrt 👍🏻

[tetrider]

And I thought that such landscapes only in Switzerland. It turns out that in Bulgaria there are such picturesque mountains.😍

[arjan-]

I am from Holland and there is always negative news about Bulgaria. Once I visit the country I really love the country,
thanks for the Rila tip!

[chrissickle]

In 2006 I traveled to Bulgaria to spend time with my then girlfriend who is from Sofia. One of the things we did was to go to the seven Rila lakes and camp. At that time there was no ski lift and we hiked all the way from the bottom. There was no one on the mountain but us at that time. We camped at the first Lake and drank more than our fair share of vodka that evening. The next morning the lake was like glass. Absolutely stunning. We continued to the other lakes and then made our way back down in a thunderstorm quickly. It's a great memory that I will never forget and although the place is more accessible now, it is also not the same as it was. All these years later we are married and have three kids and currently reside in Texas.

[adamla]

Majority of us Brits sneer their nose up at Bulgaria because of the arrogance and snobbery towards Eastern Europe, which is ridiculous and embarrassing beyond belief - I feel very ashamed of Brits when they discredit this part of the world when many of them have never visited, and have no personal experience to form their own opinion.

Personally, I’ve been exploring Bulgaria with my Bulgarian girlfriend for the past 5 years and the country is honestly stunning and beautiful.
If you ever go back you should check out the Buzluga hike - it’s such an adventure!

I’m going to head to Rila in a couple of weeks! Thanks for sharing this video and all the tips. :)

[darinadimitrova]

Thank you for seeing Bulgaria with your hearts... be blessed wherever your path takes you

[dttttt]

For sure! Bulgaria had never crossed my mind as a destination. But you've changed my mind!

[mihailchehlarov]

Bulgarian here. So hard to watch it from abroad...I've been in so many nice countries and yet nothing beats home. Наздраве!

[MarianIgnev]

Thank you for keeping the mountain clean! 🙏

[christianmaller]

Two years ago I was in Bulgaria. This small country offers an amazing natural picture. With my Bulgarian friend I visited incredible places in the Rhodope Mountains. And Plovdiv... This must be seen. Wonderful. Greetings from Germany.

[djulytrankarov]

I''m Bulgarian born in Canada and moving to Bulgaria soon. Thank you for showing Bulgaria's beauty!

[migeletaratantzi]

I couldn't stop criticizing all the videos that pop up (like this) but these two are just awesome! Don't you dare skipping this video.. you'll regret it

[valentinstoyanov]

Thank you for this video! Yes, Bulgaria is so underrated... A friend from Ireland visited Sofia and Plovdiv last week. He was here 17 years ago and told me: "Back then Bulgaria was kind of grey and now it is so colorful"... Thank you for showing the colors of Bulgaria!

[theCHOSEN]

I am Bulgarian, and I live in the foothills of Old Mountain/Balkan Mountain/Stara planina. I've never been to Rila, Pirin or the Rhodopes, and I've never seen the 7 Rila lakes. In fact I've never went anywhere in South Bulgaria except Sofia, Plovdiv and few small towns, very quick business travels. So, 10x for sharing this video. Here are many ppl like me born and living in this country without knowing the full beauty of it nature.

[monevmilen]

Bulgaria is heaven on earth. We have everything in one place. 🥰🇧🇬🇧🇬

[Lasey_fire]

As a Bulgarian this warms my heart ❤️. God bless u for promoting this beautiful country of Bulgaria.

[soldierofTheShepherd]

I am from Petrich Bulgaria and i love to see more people come to our country! I love it! Clasic Bulgaria! You have to see Veliko Turnovo and Smolian! 10/10 recomend