Travels with Tricia

Category: Bulgaria

  • A man cuts a customer's hair at a barber shop in Split Croatia

    Around the World in 18 Barbers’ Chairs

    Take a tour of traditional barber shops as Shawn gets his hair trimmed. From Bulgaria and Malta to Thailand and Vietnam, discover how local culture and grooming traditions intersect around the world.

  • Female folk dancers - wearing traditional costume - hold hands in a Bulgarian village.

    Kalofer, Bulgaria: A Story of Life, Lavender, & Lace

    During a 2-month stay in Kalofer, Bulgaria, Shawn and I connect with a local goat-herder, cook traditional recipes, learn about lacemaking, and feel the deep kindness of strangers.

  • The Snowflake-Like Lace of Kalofer, Bulgaria

    In the shadows of the Balkan Mountains in Central Bulgaria, residents in the village of Kalofer have been making lace for more than one hundred years. The artisans initially drew inspiration from traditional Belgian patterns, but over time they developed their own designs, evoking images of ephemeral snowflakes, and silk-like spiderwebs. In Bulgarian, the lace is known as Калоферска…

  • The Roses of Bulgaria

    In May and June, residents of Bulgaria’s Rose Valley harvest the area’s roses, filling baskets with magnificent pink and red petals, which are then distilled and turned into rose oil for the cosmetic industry. Bulgaria produces the bulk of the world’s supply. When you consider that it takes approximately 2,000 to 4,000 kgs. (4,000 – 8,000 pounds) of rose…

  • The National Revival Architecture of Plovdiv, Bulgaria

    Along Plovdiv’s winding, cobblestone lanes you’ll encounter fine, jewel-toned homes epitomizing Bulgaria’s National Revival architectural style. These mansions are decorated with stained-wooden shutters and trim. The buildings are also embellished with flourishes that depict peacocks, flowing ribbons, and flowers.

  • A Lesson in Making Yogurt in Kalofer, Bulgaria

    One of our favorite things about Bulgaria’s tasty cuisine is its yogurt, which is appreciated worldwide because of its health benefits and creamy texture. The people of the Balkans have been making yogurt for more than three millennia. Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, the bacteria responsible behind Bulgaria’s prized yogurt, is enjoyed as far away as Japan and China. In fact, Bulgarian yogurt dominates…