BULGARIA the Media Doesn't Show You 🇧🇬

Travel Documentary Bulgaria. 🇧🇬 Bulgaria is a country that’s often MISUNDERSTOOD, OVERSHADOWED by stereotypes that don’t capture its true essence. Located in Southeast Europe, bordered by Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, and the Black Sea, Bulgaria is home to over 6 million people. While it faces challenges, including being the poorest nation in the European Union, it’s a place rich in history, culture, and hospitality.

Join us as we journey through Sofia, Bulgaria's vibrant capital. The city is a fascinating mix of Ottoman, Soviet, and European influences, and we begin our exploration with a surprising ride on the efficient metro system. We stroll through Zhenski Pazar, one of Sofia’s oldest markets, and witness the multicultural society that gives the city its unique character. The Roma community, often marginalized, plays a vital role in Sofia’s culture, adding color and life to the city’s streets.

Beyond Sofia’s landmarks, like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Bulgarian Parliament, the National Palace of Culture or Vitosha Boulevard, we venture into neighborhoods where Soviet-era apartment blocks ("panelki") still house the majority of Bulgarians, giving us a real insight into everyday life.

No trip to Bulgaria would be complete without tasting its delicious food. We visit local cafés and restaurants in search of Bulgarian cuisine (shopska, kachamak, sarma kaltsanitsa, palačinke, etc.).

Yes, the challenges Bulgaria faces are undeniable. With an average monthly salary around 600 euros, emigration is a growing issue as many young Bulgarians seek better opportunities abroad. The country is shrinking rapidly, with its population decreasing. But Bulgarians continue to fight for a brighter future! Although Bulgaria’s past as a communist state still affects its present, it is slowly finding its place in the European Union.

For those willing to dig a little deeper, Bulgaria offers heart-warming experiences and encounters that redefine what it means to travel in Europe.

00:00 Intro
00:18 Sofia’s Metro
01:05 Street Musicians (Roma & Sinti)
01:54 Mosque & Public Bathhouse
02:22 Bulgarian Traditions (Drinking Habits, Souvenirs)
04:12 Zhenski Pazar (Interesting Encounter!)
06:20 Lions' Bridge
06:51 Bulgaria’s Roma Community
08:02 Bulgarian Parliament
08:46 Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
09:49 Alexander II Monument (Russian Tsar)
11:03 Meeting Sofia's Youth
12:16 National Palace of Culture
13:29 Vitosha Boulevard
14:22 Traditional Bulgarian Food
15:25 Residential Neighborhoods
18:08 Communist-Era Apartment Blocks (Normal Life)
18:43 Drone Flights Over Sofia & Life
19:47 Sweet Break (Palačinke)
20:45 Roma Settlement
21:52 Traditional Bulgarian Restaurant & Food
23:00 Conclusion
24:22 Extra Outtakes

What are your thoughts on Bulgaria and this video? Share in the comments below!

Thank you for your time and for watching!

With love and gratitude,
Nicole & Roberto

Travel vlog documentary 33 | Filmed May 2024
#bulgaria #sofia #travel #documentary #bulgariatravel #sofiabulgaria #София #bulgarians #countries
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👩🏼🧔🏻 WHO ARE WE?
Hello! We're Nicole from Austria/Germany and Roberto from Switzerland/Italy. We believe that traveling is more than just sightseeing! When we travel, we look for spontaneous and AUTHENTIC ENCOUNTERS with the LOCAL LIFE (and people of all backgrounds) in other cultures, the country (nature, villages, cities) and the food. Our travels are about uncovering the REAL & UNSCRIPTED LIFE in each destination, with all its sunny & shady sides! We try to find out what really makes each country unique, beyond the postcard-perfect images.

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[ПламенГоцев-тъ]

Good video and I say that as a Bulgarian! :) I understand the frustration of some of the commenters, to an extent they have a point that this is far from the "standard" tourist experience as you visited and showed the more underdeveloped and unpleasant places that tourists won't usually see.
In other words, a person could stay 2 days in Sofia exploring the city center or a week if you also go in the mountain and the other great cities like Plovdiv. That would also be my recommendation for travelers who visit the country.

However, most of the content of the video is still truthful and I didn't find any of it to be misleading or offensive at all. In fact people here complain about the same issues - pollution, low living standard, scarcity of career opportunities outside of Sofia, etc. But it hits a bit differently when presented as a commentary by somebody else.

[NoName-vubt]

I'm Albanian i been to Bulgaria many times very beautiful country very similar to my country this video is a bad part of Bulgaria every country have it big respect to Bulgarian people

[iokomita]

This video does not show Bulgaria and its beauties at all, mountains, sea, architectural and historical sights (Bulgaria ranks third in the world after Italy and Greece in terms of archaeological wealth), ancient monasteries and fortresses, folklore - the richest in Europe, cuisine - one of the tastiest, etc. Instead, the author took photos in the Sofia subway and walked nearby :) And by the way, the poorest country in Europe is Moldova, followed by Belarus, Albania, Kosovo, Georgia and Armenia

[debnadaebna]

I think your intentions were good, but you completely misrepresented Bulgaria, and this is not because "I want only the good sides to be shown and presented", but in fact because of the biased and misleading statements that are more than half in the content...

[libertadr]

As a Bulgarian, I saw in this video mainly people and places that I usually avoid.

[marionlevy]

She is lost. Nothing from beautiful Bulgaria - from the nature, the history, and the culture.

[SalesManager]

Although I'm sure you meant to create an informative and objective video about Bulgaria, sadly the end result is an extremely biased and even somehwat misleading report, that unfortunately only legitimizes all the well known "stereotipes" and "misunderstandings". I'd actually go even further and say with a very high degree of confidence, you've completely failed to "capture" Bulgaria's "true essence" at all.
Once again, I beleive your intentions were good, but the end result should make any self respecting Bulgarian person unequivocally upset and embaraced.

[taneto]

This video is mostly about the Gypsy people (minority) in Bulgaria.

[stan]

If you want to meet more Roma people, you should go to UK or India.

[matollsen]

1:57 the normal name for this ethnic group is" tsigni". They changed the name to " roma" now they tray to introduce them like " Bulgarians" sometimes they add " from roma origins. They think if they change the name, will change people? If you see lion in the wild and tell it cat, do you think this will save you???

[danielanikolova]

It's funny that the lady explains that being in the EU and NATO is freedom and democracy, given that Switzerland is neither in the EU nor in NATO.
Then, when you show "contrasts", show both sides of the contrast, not just the one side!
In the video, it's mainly gipsy, as if this is the most characteristic of Bulgaria.
If they're not gipsy, they're drunk or talking about trash.
Either she didn't understand anything about Bulgaria, or she's politically influenced somehow.

And another note, we dont go to cafee or restorants to "be shown".
We go because we like to communicate with family and friends, we like to eat good food while sharing our experiences and feeling good in a pleasant environment. Our culture is such that communication is important to us.

[stoykatdk]

Roma are not discriminated. They don't won't to work and study. You don't understand our country, at all.

[kristiankumanov]

Report this Nonsense!
As a European, democratic country, a NATO and Schengen member, Bulgaria has many educated people, a number of modern companies, and its own traditions. I don't understand why you showed it as poor. Compared with Switzerland or Austria, yes, it is; but compared to the rest of Europe or the world, it definitely is not. When you prepare some content, you should read some statistics not only filming Geto Area.

[faisalnadeem]

I'm moving to Bulgaria. It's really appreciated and helpful to know about culture and tourism destinations by your vlog. Cheers❤

[m.sh.]

And there are many neighbourhoods with new modern buildings and no trash where many Bulgarians live.

[yalokin]

This video and its description are full of wrong and misleading information.
This is reportable on so many levels, I feel offended in so many ways.

[inflames]

The video material needs to be renamed as "Sofia thru my eyes" ! Bulgaria is not only Sofia !

[vladislavgerginov]

Since you asked what we think, the video focuses on a tiny part - the city. The real beauty and wealth are out of the city. Also, many incorrect statements were made, which actually proved the headline that Bulgaria is the most misunderstood country... by tourists.

[alexandernaydenov]

Why do you focus only on Roma people and we have many places that are worth visiting

[abunardjiev]

The most unrelevant and unacurate showing of our capital city. Showing the gipsy hood as the center and going to fancy restaurants presenting as typical bulgarian cuisine...
Yes, we do have fancy 5 star restaurants, great 7 mountains around the capital city, high education, and culture.
Please delete this nonsense 😂