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Travel & Food

Find the Hottest Restaurants, Travel Destination, Nature Wonders, Shopping, Food, Events & Reader Pics

Many beautiful shells of rapan in the sand on the black sea coast

Stowaway Sea Snails in the Black Sea

by Krasimir Cheshmedzhiev
24 March 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

A Japanese delicacy made its west by inadvertently hopping rides on Europe-bound shipping containers. However, far from a welcome treat, uninvited sea snails have been wreaking havoc in the waters of the Black Sea ever since their arrival.

Daily Life In Split, Croatia

The Roman Villa So Large, It Became an Entire City

by Przemysław Bociąga
21 March 2023
Culture/Croatia/Travel & Food

There's little doubt that one of the best holiday destinations in Europe is Croatia's Dalmatian coast. This is somewhat old news, as the area was already known as a dream retirement spot 1,700 years ago, attracting even the likes of Roman emperors.

Lajkonik tradition in Cracow

The Unlikely Symbol of Cracow, Poland Explained

by Weronika Edmunds
20 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Ever wondered what a Mongolian man on a hobby horse is doing representing one of the most gorgeous and historical Polish cities? There is a valid explanation!

View of Piran

Want to Avoid Crowds on Vacation? Go to Slovenia!

by Agnieszka Sawala
20 March 2023
Travel & Food/Slovenia

In the Slovenian part of the Istria region, you can find everything that one could dream of on holiday. Everything but… the crowds!

Paprika: red chili peppers

Hungary is the Central European Capital of Chili Peppers 

by Przemysław Bociąga
19 March 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

In Hungary, paprika is a staple food ingredient, an icon, and a matter of national identity. 

Dracula castle in Bran, Transylvania

Romania, the Land of Artistic Inspiration

by Naomi Gherman
19 March 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Bram Stoker and Jules Verne, defining figures in the world of literature, took great inspiration from the Romanian lands - despite having never stepped foot inside the country.

Couple in front of large map of Livonia from The Palmse Manor

Estonia – the Story of the Most Northern Central European Nation

by Weronika Edmunds
19 March 2023
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

Every good story has intriguing protagonists who make you want to figure out who they are and where they came from. In the Three Seas Region, there is a country whose history causes a lot of “I didn’t know that!” reactions. Want to know which one?

Close-up Woman's hand touching perfectly blue water inside of a rock cave next to the ocean, light on fingers and shadows on arm, seabed visible through really clear water. Modra špilja, Biševo. Blue Cave Bisevo.

The Magical Blue Cave of Biševo

by Ewelina Sadura Marinović
18 March 2023
Croatia/Travel & Food

The tiny Croatian island of Biševo attracts huge numbers of tourists every year thanks to a magnificent sea cave. The Blue Cave truly lives up to its name, mesmerizing visitors with its stunning blue vistas.

Kofola became an instant hit in its native Czechoslovakia, so much so that at one point, the country ran out of the herbs needed for its production and they had to be imported from abroad

The Communist-Era Soft Drink That Resists the Appeal of Coke

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 March 2023
Slovakia/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

There are only a handful of countries around the world where Coca-Cola does not reign supreme. Czechia and Slovakia are among them. Meet Kofola, the socialist Coke alternative introduced in the 60s, still holding strong and topping the soft-drink market.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Old Town

All Eyes on Plovdiv, Bulgaria

by Galina Ganeva
17 March 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, is always there for you, although it’s easy to miss. A less than two-hour drive to the south from the capital Sofia, Plovdiv is often seen as a city living in the shadow of its mighty neighbor. Big mistake.

Fresh croissants, together with espresso coffee on a blue background. The view from the top

The Austrian Origin of French Croissants

by Przemysław Bociąga
17 March 2023
Travel & Food/Austria

The world-famous French treat is a descendant of viennoiseries, snacks eponymous with the capital of Austria.

Warsaw, Poland. Main Square of the Old Town. Warsaw Mermaid - symbol of the city - in front on the right side, many tourists looking visiting the place and feeding pigeons on the left side, and the colorful antique tenements in the background.

Warsaw Voted European Best Destination for 2023

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food

Is it the city's beauty or just the collateral benefit from Poland’s role in the most important historical event in years, namely the war on Ukraine? Regardless, it suffices to say that Warsaw deserves its title of the European Best Destination of 2023.

Tokaj: The First Official Wine Region in Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
11 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

The Tokaj region, famous for its wines that have been prized since the 18th century, became an official appellation in 1737, some two centuries earlier than the famous Burgundy.

Top view of baklava desserts served on light blue background

Bulgaria’s Reigning King of Baklava

by Galina Ganeva
11 March 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

Most of the shops on this beautiful street in the center of Shumen in northeastern Bulgaria have seen better days. Except for one bakery still bustling with life.

Woman swimming in beautiful clear water in Croatia

Fjaka: The Croatian Secret to Happiness

by Ewelina Sadura Marinović
10 March 2023
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

Do you want to be a happier person with nothing standing in your way? All you have to do is learn the Croatian practice of fjaka. The people of Croatia have found their own foolproof recipe for happiness and joy every day – and it’s something that anyone can bring home with them.

Glass of fresh dark podpiwek in male hand close up

Poles Call This Traditional Refreshing Soft-Drink The ‘Underbeer’

by Przemysław Bociąga
10 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Podpiwek, which can be peculiarly translated as 'underbeer', is a traditional beverage made from cereal coffee, hops, and yeast. Not unlike malt beer, it provides refreshment on hot summer days.

Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix series

Who Still Remembers the Witcher’s Polish Roots?

by Weronika Edmunds
7 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

The Witcher - a successful Netflix series, a mind-boggling game, and… a musical. All of these are spin-offs of a highly witty fantasy saga. So where did it all begin?

Calafat Vidin bridge

Bridges Over the Danube: A Long-Shot or a Future Reality?

by Galina Ganeva
6 March 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Money

Bulgaria and Romania share 609 kilometers of border. And yet, despite the fact that the Danube River forms as many as 470 km of that border, the two countries are linked only by two bridges. Is this about to change?

Left: Circa 1038, King Stephen I of Hungary (979 - 1038), canonized by the Pope in 1083. Right: Saint Stephen painting by Luis de Morales

The Saint Stephens Confusion – Who’s Who?

by Przemysław Bociąga
5 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

Under the English name Stephen come two different saints. Depending on where in Central Europe you are, it's important not to confuse them.

The interior court of the eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos Church in the old city area in Bucharest, Romania

How Romania Created Its Unique National Architectural Style

by Naomi Gherman
5 March 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

At a time when European states were looking to establish and reaffirm their culture, Romania decided the best way to cement its identity was through… architecture! Cue the birth of Romanian Revival style that, to this day, continues to brighten up the streets of Bucharest.

Interior of the National Library of Latvia in Riga

The Castle of Light Shining Over Riga

by Lelde Benke
5 March 2023
Latvia/Travel & Food

The emotive architecture of one of Riga's most prominent buildings speaks of the Latvian nation's strength, courage, and endurance. This is the home of the National Library of Latvia – a contemporary center of knowledge and culture.

A shot taken from behind of a couple seated on beach chairs

When Czechs Hit the Roads

by Marek Koten
4 March 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food

Croatia has been the number one vacation spot for many Czechs. Is this still the case, or have Czechs changed their vacation preferences and are venturing outside the Three Seas region?

Austria, Vienna, Hundertwasser House by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, residential building, home decor, facade painting, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hundertwasser House – The Most Peculiar Building in Vienna

by Przemysław Bociąga
4 March 2023
Austria/Travel & Food

One Austrian postmodern artist, in particular, was known for designs that crush your opinions of how a building should look and behave. The perfect example in Vienna is named after its designer, and if you wish, you can even spend a night there.

Tourist woman eating bagel obwarzanek traditional polish cuisine snack waling on Market square in Krakow. Traveling Europe in autumn

The Centuries-Old Trademarked Delicacy With Just Six Ingredients

by Weronika Edmunds
3 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

If you are planning a trip to Cracow, Poland (if you are not – then you should do), we want to help you avoid one of the most terrible culinary faux pas anyone can commit while in this gorgeous city. One that the locals would not forgive.

Preparing and cooking pork roast in traditional metal pot Peka. Meat and vegetables in traditional Croatian, Mediterranean meal Peka in metal pots called sach, sache - a metal lid covered with hot coals

Peka: The Ultimate Croatian Comfort Food

by Ewelina Sadura Marinović
3 March 2023
Croatia/Travel & Food

Croatian cuisine is famous for its variety of dishes, bridging the gap between Mediterranean cuisine and typical Balkan flavors. Each region has its own specialties, but they’re all connected by a traditional preparation method.

Wood Is Not Just Future Building Material

by Lelde Benke
2 March 2023
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

Some of Riga's wooden buildings date as far back as the 18th century. Witnesses of wars, power struggles, and transformation, the sturdy structures are a living archive. What is their status today?

Blossoming tree branch and martisor against the blue sky

Romanian Mărțișor – the Celebration of Spring

by Weronika Edmunds
1 March 2023
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

These days much is being said about the carnival season and various celebrations that take place as the Earth prepares for its rebirth. Romania tops it with its very unique take on the welcoming of Spring.

Martenitsa or Martisor on a bouquet of yellow daffodils on a green wooden table top view

Spring Is Here. Say It With a Martenitsa

by Galina Ganeva
1 March 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

It’s the one accessory that goes with everything and never goes out of style. On March 1st of each year, Bulgarians adorn their clothing and wrists with martenitsas. The ancient bracelet, usually made of twisted red and white woolen or cotton threads, announces the end of winter. And so much more.

Mural in Mangalia

The Mangalia Mural So Controversial Its Creator Had to Flee

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 February 2023
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

One of the largest and most elaborate murals from Communist Europe consists of three million porcelain pieces and makes a huge impression. In fact, it had such an impact upon its unveiling that its creator was forced to flee Romania.

Bouillon served in two bowls

Why Polish Bouillon Base Is Called the “Italian Stuff” 

by Przemysław Bociąga
25 February 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

The magical combination of carrot, parsley, celery, and leek is so ubiquitous in Polish cuisine that it forms its own category called "the Italian stuff”. The tradition dates back to one dynastic marriage in the 16th century. 

Top view of tomato sauce in bottles with shadow on blue background

This Brilliant Map Shows the Polish Ketchup Belt. Wait, What?

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food

It turns out that in ketchup-loving, tomato-growing Poland, all the brands get their produce from factories in just one narrow strip of land. This fact sent the Internet into a tizzy.

The image shows the lighthouse located on the southern tip of the peninsula on the island of Saaremaa, aerial view

Saaremaa, the Livonian Knights’ Island – As Poetic As It Sounds

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 February 2023
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

The largest of the Estonian islands was already inhabited thousands of years ago. In the 21st century, it’s still thriving, and its expansive heritage is just the cherry on top.

Mariacka Street in the old city of Gdansk is the kingdom of the workshops and goldsmiths of amber jewels

Poland’s Rich Amber Shores

by Weronika Edmunds
23 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

About 40 million years ago, a large pine forest was growing on land now long gone. As the Earth was rapidly changing, the forest saw its time was coming to an end. Resigned to its fate, sure of being lost and forgotten for all eternity, it… cried.

Hikers on a bridge over river Soca

The Slovenian-Italian River (Possibly) Fortified by Da Vinci

by Przemysław Bociąga
19 February 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Spanning 140 kilometers, the Soča may not be the longest or largest European river. Still, it is among the most important and – last but not least – the most stunningly beautiful on the continent.

Kingsize movie set

The Polish Communist Cola That Turns You Into a Giant Dwarf

by Przemysław Bociąga
19 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Communist countries were jealous of a few things from the West, and one of them was the famous "capitalist" soft drink. A Polish copy became the symbol of attempts at escaping communism – but in a very unexpected way.

People run during the sauna marathon

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful… Let’s Hit the Sauna!

by Weronika Edmunds
19 February 2023
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

During the longest, cold winter nights, you may want to curl up under your blanket with a cup of hot cocoa and a favorite film. But why not try something different? Estonians did. And now, each year, they host the European Sauna Marathon!

Buso carnival, traditional hungarian winter closing festival

How to Scare Away the Winter – the Hungarian Approach

by Weronika Edmunds
18 February 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

After a long period of short, cold days and endless, dark nights, there comes a time when something has to be done about it. In Hungary, the people of Mohács might just have the answer.

bulgarian cuisine - Baked stuffed bell peppers filled with cheese, tomatoes, herbs, capers and anchovies on a white wooden background bulgarian food

The Foodie Who Introduced the World to Bulgarian Cuisine

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 February 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Decades before Anthony Bourdain set out to enlighten a hungry population of would-be food tourists and future foodies about the exotic world of international gastronomy, there was Emil Markov, who was on a mission to bring Bulgarian cuisine to the world.

budapest name origin

Budapest Was Almost Named Pestbuda After a Long Debate

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 February 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

It turns out it was far easier to unite the city made up of several different towns than to come up with a proper name for it.

fat thursday poland

Fat Thursday or Mardi Gras? In Poland, We Say, Why Not Both?

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Used to fasting and celebrating Easter as a time of penance, many Poles limit indulgences to only a few special occasions each year. But when it’s time to feast time, they do it 100%. Or, in this case, 200%.

Carnival in Central Europe - Celebrated In Bohemian-Moravian Highlands

Carnival in Central Europe – What Sets It Apart

by Weronika Edmunds
15 February 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

By late February, everyone is sick and tired of winter, especially as the eternal cycle of the seasons promises the soon arrival of spring. For millennia, the human race was celebrating that time, trying to scare away the death of winter and invite the season of rebirth and fertility.

Bulgarians pours a vine with a red wine as dressed with national traditional clothes people play a dance as part of the celebrating of the wine feast called St. Trifon day

Can the God of Wine Help Bulgaria’s Wine Industry?

by Galina Ganeva
14 February 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Bulgaria and wine, it’s serious. So serious that Bulgarians honor Saint Tryphon, patron of vine growers and winemakers, not once but twice a year. But is this enough to help Bulgarian wines conquer demanding markets abroad?

sezatoarea - Young women spinning and sewing in Bistrita Valley, north-east Romania, photo taken between 1920 and 1945

The Ultimate Romanian Social Gathering Event

by Naomi Gherman
13 February 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Romania

Winter is coming, and for Romanian peasants, that is good news: they can now indulge in the much-beloved șezătoare, where anything can happen. From song learning to marriage planning, șezătoarea was the place where to catch up on village life.

Gothic gate in the Adrspach-Teplice Rocks Nature Reserve in Adrspach in Czechia

The Czech Rock City That Rocks!

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 February 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food

Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are called Rock City for a reason: a romantic network of “streets” to roam and get lost provides an experience of being both a mountain hiker and an urban flaneur.

Her'lany geyser

This Slovak Geyser Erupts Every Two Days

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 February 2023
Slovakia/Travel & Food/Culture

In a small town in eastern Slovakia, an underground spring shoots a 15-meter-tall column of water every day and a half. This is the only place in Europe outside of Iceland where you can see such a marvel.

The living fires of Buzau county in Romania

The Living Fire That Can Foretell Earthquakes

by Naomi Gherman
11 February 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

If the phenomenon of a self-burning fire is not mind-blowing enough already, know that the living fire of Vrancea is more than just pretty flames. It is an indicator that the disaster that lies underneath is about to erupt.

karl ernst von baer Walpurgis Night

The Estonian Statue With The Champagne Treatment

by Przemysław Bociąga
11 February 2023
Estonia/Travel & Food

One of Estonia’s most famous scientists is the founder of embryology, Karl Ernst von Baer. Each year, Estonian students honor his life and achievements by giving his monument in Tartu Park a bubble bath to remember - with champagne and beer.

Couple toasting with wine in front of the vineyards during a wine tourism

Anything but Chardonnay: 5 Truly Bulgarian Wines

by Galina Ganeva
11 February 2023
Travel & Food/Bulgaria

In the beer-vodka-wine European divide, Bulgaria’s position is clear: Wine, please. While Bulgaria has no shortage of impressive wines based on well-known grapes such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, why not impress your sommelier with knowledge of Bulgaria’s lesser-known varieties?

Beehive panel

Where Artistic Expression Flows Like Honey

by Vid Sosic
10 February 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

A unique aspect of Slovenian folk art is the way it intermingles with everyday farm life in the form of artfully decorated beehives. It is not only an excellent example of how creativity takes shape in all environments but also how seriously the culture of beekeeping is taken in this country.

top night view of the Hotel Kasprowy in Zakopane

Hotel Kasprowy – The Lux Socialist Hotel in the Polish Tatras

by Przemysław Bociąga
10 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Socialism’s great hotel investment in the heart of Polish Tatra Mountains is glamorous again. And it gets one hell of an (unofficial) product placement in the latest production of the most famous Polish opera.

Wooden barrels in front of wine museum in a of city of Melnik a small town in southwest Bulgaria in Pirin Mountains famous with its traditional architecture and local wine

Wine and History: The Story of Melnik, Bulgaria’s Smallest Town

by Galina Ganeva
10 February 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

The 2021 census in Bulgaria confirmed something that most Bulgarians know: the town of Melnik’s spot as one of the smallest towns in Europe is safe.

Summer view of Cesky Krumlov old town. Cesky Krumlov is a small city located in South Bohemia

The Real Life Fairy Tale City of Český Krumlov

by Marek Koten
7 February 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

It's like walking through a fairytale city. When you add snow, you feel like you're in a romantic movie. All this is Český Krumlov, a town in Southern Bohemia where time seems to have stood still.

central europe taxes

Show Me Your Taxes, and I’ll Tell You If You’re Central European

by Agaton Koziński
7 February 2023
Money/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

CEE countries keep their taxes lower than Western states. In this way, they effectively bridge the gap in economic development between the two parts of Europe.

polish crooked forest

Mysterious Shape of These Trees in Poland Give Rise to Myths

by Przemysław Bociąga
5 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food

In a small corner of the West Pomeranian forest in northwestern Poland, a grove of pine trees grow in unique shapes that might seem more suited to a fantasy film rather than wildlife reality. The origin of this curiosity is still up for debate.

Authentic tour of The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia in Velenje with heirs of mining – Sailing on Velenje lake and virtual dive into the past

The Mysterious Underwater Villages of the Šalek Valley

by Vid Sosic
5 February 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

In the Šalek Valley in Slovenia, new lakes were unintentionally created as a consequence of coal mining. They covered old villages where people have lived for millennia, which are now to be found at the bottom of the lake, hiding a mysterious underwater world.

prague zoological garden

The Wild Jungle in the Center of Prague

by Marek Koten
4 February 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

At only 91 years old, it is not the oldest Zoo in Europe. However, Prague Zoo is repeatedly ranked as one of the best zoological gardens worldwide. Let us give you a virtual tour.

The Neptun restaurant in the Sunny Beach resort in Bulgaria

The Rebranding of Bulgarian Cuisine Behind the Iron Curtain

by Galina Ganeva
3 February 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture/Interviews

Can sweeping political changes impact what and how we eat? You bet, argues historian and writer Dr. Albena Shkodrova, author of “Communist Gourmet.”

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in episode 105 of Wednesday

Romania the Setting for Netflix’s Wednesday

by Naomi Gherman
1 February 2023
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

Step inside the filming set of the newest adaptation of Adams Family, Wednesday, the coming-of-age spin-off that took the world by storm. From the ordinary city of Jericho to the outstanding Nevermore Academy, discover the locations of one of the most binge-watched series.

Sexy woman in swim suit with snowboard on spring mountains

Springtime on the Slopes in Central Eastern Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 January 2023
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Not ready to hang up your skis come April or May? No need to worry. Some of Central Eastern Europe's top ski resorts will keep you on the trails well into spring.

Man walking and exploring dark cave with light headlamp underground. Mysterious deep dark, explorer discovering mystery moody tunnel looking on rock wall inside

Rare Discovery in Slovakia Unearths Ancient Trove of Artifacts

by Cynthia Sklodowski
28 January 2023
Slovakia/Travel & Food

The forests can hide untold amounts of treasures. One employee of the Slovak Museum of Nature Protection and Speleology in Liptovský Mikuláš learned this lesson first-hand in January when a walk in the forest led to the discovery of a lifetime.

statue in europos park in Lithuania

The Center of Attention: Lithuania’s Europos Park

by Przemysław Bociąga
28 January 2023
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

Europos Park is a “monument valley” on the outskirts of Vilnius to celebrate the spot being exact center of Europe. But the celebration was a bit hasty, as now one of claimants to the title is 11 km away.

Down Town Mill Colonnade-an iconic structure with hot springs-in western Bohemia. Not just the architecture but also the health spas of the city in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Where You Can Relax in Aristocratic Style

by Marek Koten
28 January 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The European aristocracy and artists loved the Czech Spas. The fame of Czech healing waters has gradually spread worldwide. The result is the 2021 inscription of the Czech Spa triangle to UNESCO.

Traditional Lithuanian dish Zeppelin, boiled potato dumplings stuffed with minced pork, on a colored ceramic plate on a gray concrete background

The National Dish Named After an Airship

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 January 2023
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

Cepelinai dumplings, the fist-sized Lithuanian delicacies, derive their name from Zeppelins - the long, cylindrical airships of the early 20th century to which they bear a striking resemblance. And like their dirigible counterparts, cepelinai will leave you high... on carbs.

happening of Orange Alternative

Tiny Bronze Dwarves a Monument to 1980s Opposition

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 January 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

"Can you treat a police officer seriously when he is asking you: "Why did you participate in an illegal meeting of dwarfs?" This was the ethos of Poland's Orange Alternative movement - and the origin of the dwarves that now adorn Wrocław's streets.

Srot Park

Unexpected Beauty – Scrap Metal Art in Central Eastern Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

In this outdoor cabinet of curiosities on the outskirts of Bratislava, Slovakia, animals made of the most unlikely of materials – scrap metal – come to life. It is an art form that is quickly growing in popularity across Eastern Europe.

Traditional folklore dances

Old Is New: The Return of the Bulgarian Folk Costume

by Galina Ganeva
22 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Bulgarian folk costumes, once considered a thing of the past, now live on Instagram, attracting younger crowds along the way

Vegetable Bulgarian shopska salad. Wooden background. Top view

Shopska Salad: the Most Iconic Dish of the Balkans

by Przemysław Bociąga
22 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Shopska salad is a bone of contention between a few Central European nations. However, its origins are easily traced to the post-war creation of Bulgaria as a socialist paradise of sun, relaxation, and good food. The red, green, and white salad easily fits the image of traditional Bulgarian cuisine.

View of Predjama castle

The Magic Castle in the Mountain Wall

by Vid Sosic
21 January 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food

Predjama Castle is a unique medieval castle in Slovenia that was built into a cave entrance in a mountain wall. Thanks to its position, it has never been truly conquered and impresses visitors and architects from all over the world. Its heritage includes a legend of a bad knight and his end.

Truffles

Sniffing For Hidden Treasures

by Agnieszka Sawala
21 January 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

An unusual hunt: digging for truffles in the forests of Slovenia’s Istria.

winter sleigh ride in Beskid Żywiecki

Come, Sleigh With Me! In Poland, It’s a Tradition

by Weronika Edmunds
20 January 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

When frosty winter hits, people tend to stay home and warm themselves up with a nice cuppa… not! Not when they're Polish, anyway. Winter at the end of the carnival was considered by the nobles as the best time to hit each other's pads and party.

Transfagarasan road, most spectacular road in the world, Romania in the evening

World’s Best Road, Paved With Blood, Sweat and Tears – Literally

by Naomi Gherman
20 January 2023
Romania/Travel & Food

We’ve all heard of California’s Route 1 and Australia’s Grand Ocean Road - the world’s most stunning drives. If either tops your must-do list, you really should visit Romania’s Transfăgărășan. Even Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson agrees.

ice road

Would You Drive a Car Across the Baltic Sea? Estonians Do

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 January 2023
Travel & Food/Estonia

Every winter, Estonians can take a shortcut to their islands through the frozen surface of the sea. The roads are even officially recognized by authorities.

house of Hungarian music in Budapest

Where Nature and Music Collide

by Cynthia Sklodowski
15 January 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture/Green Transformation

Nestled amongst the trees in a park in the center of Budapest, Hungary, the much-anticipated House of Music, designed by famed Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, has finally opened its doors to the public.

A church made entirely from ice is seen during the night at Balea Lac resort in the Fagaras mountains

Bâlea Lake Ice Church

by Naomi Gherman
15 January 2023
Romania/Travel & Food

Surely you've heard of Ice Hotels as they are nothing new. But if you are looking for one of a kind place to hold your wedding or christening of your child, then this Ice Church on top of Romania's highest peaks might be the perfect place.

Valley in czech national park Giant mountain- Krkonose

The Majestic Krkonoše Mountains: A Lush Forest Haven

by Marek Koten
15 January 2023
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The Krkonoše Mountains are like a wall, yet they are a bridge linking Czechia and Poland. They consist of deep woods and crystal-clear rivers, yet they are very open to the public. This is the story of the wilderness haven.

woman lay on sand on beach

Balkantourist – Communist Airbnb but with Donkeys

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Contrary to popular belief, the Airbnb travel model wasn’t invented in the 2000s. Examples of it can be found 60 years earlier with Balkantourist, travel agent in communist Bulgaria.

Genuss Festival in Austria

Food in Central Eastern Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
14 January 2023
Culture/Travel & Food

French, Italian, American, Mediterranean, and so on – cuisine from all over the world seems to enjoy recognition. After all, tasting local specialties is an integral part of any travel. So what about Eastern Europe? What do people eat there?

old post card showing przemsza

The Spot Where Three Empires Converged

by Przemysław Bociąga
13 January 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Przemsza is the name of a Polish river that is nearly impossible for non-Polish speakers to pronounce. Regardless, three Emperors speaking these languages had to know its name, as their countries joined at its junction for decades. Now it's almost forgotten in the middle of modern-day Poland.

Hannes Schneider Demonstrating for Ski Students

A Central European Skiing Heaven

by Weronika Edmunds
13 January 2023
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

Which of the Central European countries has in total over 7000 kilometers of ski runs and about 2,500 ski lifts? This whole infrastructure comes complete with guaranteed snow. I can hear you're sold. Want to know where to book your tickets?

Pouring beer on Public beer fountain in the town park at Zalec

Where the Fountains Flow With… Beer

by Vid Sosic
13 January 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food

The small town of Žalec in Slovenia is home to a unique fountain that flows not with water, but with the hoppy goodness of beer. It is an original project, the first of its kind, and commemorates the local culture and tradition.

Jewelery in a showcase of precious garnet stone

Bohemian Garnet – The Crown Jewel of Czechia

by Marek Koten
12 January 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The blood-red bohemian garnet is considered the national gem of the Czech Republic. Not only is it good-looking, but legends also say that this beloved stone can replace bad moods with joy.

Street content of a hungarian mangalica pig

It’s a Pig! No, It’s a Sheep! No, It’s a Mangalica!

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 January 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

These funny-looking, curly haired pigs are a Hungarian specialty. Their breeding is protected and regulated by law, and their meat is, well, quite simply delicious.

Head of white cabbage closeup shoot

Cabbage – The Queen of Central European Cuisine

by Weronika Edmunds
11 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

Due to the climate, which tends to bring rather cold winter months, the nations of the Three Seas Region developed their cuisines following the particularities of each season. But one vegetable dominated all four of them.

Mask dancers take part in a parade during the the International Festival of Masquerade Games Surva in the town of Pernik. n ancient times the old Thracians held the Kukeri Ritual Games in honor of the god Dionysus

Move Over, Evil Eye – The Kukeri Are in the House

by Galina Ganeva
9 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

At the end of January, masked people with countless bells tied around roam the streets in villages across Bulgaria. But despite their scary outfits, locals are not intimidated. These are the Kukeri, and they are here not to scare onlookers but to chase away the evil forces

A re-enactment of the coronation of Charles IV as king of Bohemia was staged in Prague's St Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic, September 4, 2016 at the close of two-day festivity the City of Prague and Charles University jointly organised to mark the Holy Roman emperor's 700th birth anniversary

The Path of Greatness – Prague’s Royal Road

by Marek Koten
8 January 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

It is a route that Czech Kings took upon their coronation for centuries. And while there are no kings in Czechia these days, the Royal Road is still a crucial sightseeing trail through Prague.

Homemade lutenica in glass jar on the table

The Magical Mix of Pepper and Tomatoes from Bulgaria and Serbia

by Galina Ganeva
8 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Navigating the Balkan cuisine and claiming dishes as national is a tricky balancing act. And yet, when it comes to the "most Bulgarian" thing you could eat, we think we may have just found it.

Beautiful Christmas setting, decorated fireplace with woodburner, lit up Christmas tree with baubles and ornaments, lantern, stars and garlands, selective focus

Christmas in Bulgaria: A Cozy Fire and Fortune-Telling

by Galina Ganeva
7 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

The fire by the Christmas table is not meant only for Instagramming: try this Bulgarian fortune-telling Christmas tradition instead.

Statue of Marco Polo in the window of souvenir shop

Marco Polo Could, In Fact, Be (Sort of) Croatian

by Przemysław Bociąga
6 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Croatia

The original traveler-storyteller is thought to have been born not in Venice but on the Croatian island of Korčula.

A man kisses wooden crosses thrown by Orthodox archbishop in the Danube river

The Floating Cross and Other Epiphany Traditions

by Naomi Gherman
6 January 2023
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

Would you swim in the frozen waters during Romania’s coldest month to fetch a cross thrown by the Priest? Some wouldn’t - but many would. Or so the tradition proved for the past hundreds of years. Learn about Romania’s most astonishing Epiphany traditions.

Lila Lapanja of USA during the first run of the Audi FIS Ski World Snow Queen Trophy Woman's Salom

What Can You Do When It (Gasp!) Snows in Croatia?

by Weronika Edmunds
5 January 2023
Travel & Food/Croatia

Croatia is undoubtedly one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in the Three Seas Region. Fascinating history, lush food, and glorious sun have the power to attract anyone dreaming of a perfect summer break. But have you considered Croatia as a winter destination, too?

The Last Judgment fresco

Europe’s Most Unique Fresco Paintings

by Naomi Gherman
4 January 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Unique in Europe for their one-of-a-kind, inside-out appearance, these fresco paintings on Moldavian Churches stand out for being more than mere wall decorations – they are systematic, comprehensive, and inclusive visual representations of the religious cycles in the Bible.

Winter sunset over the Sniezka mount in the Giant Mountains, Karkonosze, Poland

Meteorological Observatory Inspired by UFO Rumors

by Przemysław Bociąga
4 January 2023
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food

A UFO-like set of discs sits atop a mountain peak on the Czechia-Poland border. However, its inhabitants are not extraterrestrials, rather meteorologists who come from far and wide for the unique weather.

Poland Mazurian canal with nazi symbol

The Legend of the Lost German Nazi U-Boat Shipyard in Poland

by Przemysław Bociąga
3 January 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Some say that the woods in Poland's Masurian Lake District harbor a secret: that an abandoned channel project from the Polish Lake District to the Baltic Sea wasn’t only for an inland trade route - it was to provide access to a secret German WW2 era submarine shipyard.

team of the restaurant

Dining in the Dark to Shed New Light

by Galina Ganeva
3 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

While the concept of dining in the dark is not novel, in most such restaurants, the point is to have you guessing at what you’re eating, provided you’ve been able to locate your plate first. In Bulgaria, one restaurant takes this a step further to educate.

woman and man looking at the grapes in wine yard in Poland Europe

Winemaking and Poland: The Perfect Pairing

by Cynthia Sklodowski
2 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

Friday night. Chic restaurant. Notable chef. You've finally picked a mouthwatering main dish, and the sommelier recommends pairing it with... a Polish wine? Seems crazy, right? Not if a new crop of Polish winemakers has anything to do with it.

Maribor, Slovenia - August 6th 2015. The Old Vine, Stara Trta - at over 400 years old, this is the oldest living grape vine, and is one of Maribor's most popular tourist attractions.

400-Year Old Vine in Slovenia With the Secret of Youth

by Przemysław Bociąga
1 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

If this grapevine could talk, oh... the stories it could tell. Wars, plagues, and fires haven't been able to stop one remarkably resilient vine in Maribor, Slovenia, that is still producing fruit - and wine - at a ripe 400 years old!

People talking toasting in a pub with the beers stock photo

Beer-Drinking Culture May Become a National Heritage in Czechia

by Przemysław Bociąga
31 December 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food

In Czechia, the beer-drinking culture without a shadow of a doubt constitutes its national heritage. Activists are now fighting for official recognition of this fact by UNESCO.

would you dare to cross this bridge 100 meters above the valley walk like indiana jones world longest suspended sky bridge czechia moravia district hung hundred meters above

Would You Dare to Cross This Bridge 100 Meters Above the Valley?

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 December 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food

Ready to channel your inner Indiana Jones? Maybe walking across the world’s longest suspended sky bridge, hung almost a hundred meters above a valley in Czechia’s Moravia district, would help you do the trick.

Harvest fresh vegetables in a box on a wooden background, top view

From Bulgaria With Love: Vegetables

by Galina Ganeva
29 December 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

How modern gardening gave the beginning of the Bulgarian community in Hungary?

Postcard From Austria

Remember Postcards? The First Were an Austrian Invention 

by Przemysław Bociąga
28 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

On 1 October 1869, the Austrian Post Office issued its first postcard. Today merely a collectible, they were for decades a communication staple, as texting is now.

Theme travel and tranosport. Beautiful young caucasian woman in dress and backpack standing inside train station or terminal looking at a schedule holding a red phone, uses communication technology

Poland’s New High-Speed Rail Network Will Be Lightning Fast 

by Filip Rey
27 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Money/Green Transformation

The new railway network will connect all of Poland’s larger cities with a mega-airport near Warsaw as well as connect Poland with neighboring countries.

School of sea bream fish, Sarpa salpa, swimming to water surface

Feeding the Planet: Turning Sunlight Into Seafood

by Martin Hochel
26 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Austrian startup Blue Planet Ecosystems has been presenting its product on efficient, bio, eco-friendly, and sustainable fishing production called LARA systems (Land-based Automated Recirculating Aquaculture). The product aims to address future food shortages.

Beautiful nativity scene with baby Jesus. Traditional Christmas background of Christian holidays.

Christmas in Czechia: A More Secular Affair

by Marek Koten
26 December 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

With Christmas approaching, let's look at how it is celebrated in the Czech Republic, where little attention is paid to faith and church. And is Christmas here still a Christian holiday?

Kutya, candles and christmas decor on a wooden table. Christmas Slovenian food. Traditional Christmas sweet dishes in Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Christmas dinner kutia.

Three Central European Christmas-Only Dishes

by Weronika Edmunds
25 December 2022
Culture/Travel & Food

Many festive dishes tend to be present in some shape and form throughout the year. But can you find dishes that are so Christmas-exclusive that you can’t really taste them outside of the season?

Christmas Eve red borscht with ravioli and beet chips and other dishes

Polish Christmas Eve Feast One of the Healthiest in the World

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Yes, there is a ranking of the world’s healthiest traditional feasts. And guess who’s at the top of the ranking? Poles with their fish-abundant, vegetable-based Christmas Eve supper. Never mind that it consists of twelve courses!

archive photo of men in the bar talk to bartenders

Can Europe Be Divided Into Wine, Beer, and Vodka Regions?

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 December 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food

Some say that cultural divides can be explained by the kind of alcohol we imbibe. But is there any actual distinction between "vodka Europe" vs. "beer Europe" vs. "wine Europe"?

Kid is eating fast food at Christmas market. Cute child is tasting festive sweets, fritters, chocolate doughnuts outside in old town street. Cozy fair atmosphere in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Christmas in Croatia – Get Your Fireplace Ready!

by Weronika Edmunds
23 December 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

Believe it or not, winter in Croatia can get pretty cold. Most households used to have fireplaces, which served as the basis for developing an interesting Christmas tradition.

Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children

Christmas in Austria – Not Even Krampus Dares to Disturb

by Weronika Edmunds
22 December 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

It has been said and will never cease to be repeated that Austria – the home of Silent Night, the world's revered Christmas carol – certainly knows how to turn Christmas into a special time of year, spiced up with a short visit by the underworld demons.

Croatia, Dalmatia, Brac island, Pucisca village, Klesarska skola stonemasonry school

The Marble Kingdom of Brač Island, Croatia

by Weronika Edmunds
21 December 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

The second largest island in Croatia is the home of the town of Pučišća. I know – it most probably doesn’t tell you anything. And it should, as its quarry has been supplying the world with marble for centuries.

Holiday Gold place setting, funny Christmas table with ornaments and natural berries on wooden table

Why Latvians Need a Big Table for Christmas

by Lelde Benke
21 December 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

Never ones to leave their guests hungry, on one particular day of the year, Latvians load the table with nine foods. Traditionally, this was Yuletide to mark the winter solstice. Today, many celebrate Christmas but still keep up with tradition, too.

central railway station in Varna Bulgaria at sunset

The Ruse-Varna Railway Line Is About to Regain Its Glory

by Filip Rey
18 December 2022
Money/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

The Ruse-Varna railway line, the original final stretch of Europe’s Orient Express, is about to be modernized, benefiting Bulgaria, the EU, and the Three Seas Initiative.

Truffle Harvest

Bulgaria’s Truffle Treasure

by Galina Ganeva
17 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Hidden in the forests of Bulgaria are immense riches. How should one go about obtaining them?

Zacusca a romanian roasted pepper and eggplant sauce.

How Far Can a Jar of Zacusca Get You in Romania?

by Naomi Gherman
17 December 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

This vegetable spread popular in the Balkan region has become sort of a commodity good in Romania, especially among students. Forget about gold and other precious goods, zacusca is now the most coveted possession.

A waitress at a cafe terrace on archive photo from 1930 waiting for tip

A Tourist’s Guide to Tipping Culture in Central Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 December 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

How much exactly should you tip in Central Europe? We've made a handy guide to help you figure it out.

Close-up of woman holding a hands full of sugar cubes in front of her open mouth

The Bloody History of a Czech Invention: The Sugar Cube

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 December 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Tech

The history of sugar is not as straightforward as a mere ingredient for sweetening your tea or cakes. At various points in history, it has been used as medicine, a spice, and even a symbol of both royalty and oppression. The invention of the sugar cube only adds to the story.

Front of Nobel prize medal

Austria – Land of Prodigies

by Weronika Edmunds
15 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Is Austria a factory of geniuses? It certainly looks like it! Let us briefly remind ourselves what the Nobel Prize is and what it is awarded for.

carta marina

The Legendary Inn on the Sea Halfway From Poland to Sweden

by Przemysław Bociąga
15 December 2022
Estonia/Travel & Food

Some claim it's a myth, but it's possible that at some point, you could take a sleigh ride from Poland to Sweden and break your journey with a stay at an inn - on ice.

shop with black balsam elixir in Riga

The Latvian Elixer Spicing Up Cocktails and Curing Indigestion

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 December 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

Riga Black Balsam, concocted by a pharmacist in the mid-18th century, was used as a magic cure for numerous diseases. Today it's a drink, cocktail ingredient, cure for indigestion, and, most importantly, Latvia's pride.

teenagers on carousel at amusement park

This Amusement Park Started as “Venice in Vienna”

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 December 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

Created in 1766, Vienna’s Prater is one of the oldest public leisure spots on the continent. The amusement park in the center of Prater began operations in the 18th century.

participants of the Herring March

Can You Walk Like a Herring?

by Weronika Edmunds
13 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Are you able to survive in water for a few hours at one time? Can you swim (advisable)? Do you like challenges? If your answer to the above question is ‘yes,’ then we have a proposition you won't want to pass up.

The Colindat Men’s Group

The Colindat Men’s Group, a UNESCO Christmas Tradition

by Naomi Gherman
13 December 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide. In Romania, the Christmas spirit is spread around by the Juni – a group of young men who carol the streets and houses for days in a row.

poster for the

Lake Bohinj “Is Too Beautiful for Murder”

by Agnieszka Sawala
12 December 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

What do Agata Christie, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Ulay, Jackie Chan, and Nick Cave have in common? A Slovenian episode!

man in the air swings in Estonia

Estonians – The Master Swingers

by Przemysław Bociąga
11 December 2022
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

In most European countries, you grow out of swinging in your early teens. But not in Estonia, where kiiking, or swinging, is a national sport recognized by the Estonian Sports Association.

Christmas winter snow family contemplative dad mum child night evening Oberndorf

Turning Christmas Carol Into a Worldwide Hit Song

by Weronika Edmunds
10 December 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

During Christmas, one melody is sure to unite the world. This carol has been sung for over two hundred years by Christians all over the world. Do you know it? Where does it come from?

Mushroom picking, illustration to III tome of Pan Tadeusz

Polish Romantic Prophet-Poet Was Basically a Foodie

by Przemysław Bociąga
9 December 2022
Culture/Travel & Food

Adam Mickiewicz was perhaps the most important figure in Polish 19-century culture. His epic novel Pan Tadeusz – the epitome of Polish national sentiment – contains descriptions of more traditional Polish dishes than any other features.

Cup of herbal tea and an assortment of ingredients, herbs, fruits and flowers

Teetaimed: The Original Estonian Hot Drink

by Przemysław Bociąga
9 December 2022
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

If you order tea in an Estonian café, you can expect a wide variety of herbal drinks, though not necessarily what we usually call tea. Influenced by Russian culture, the social division between Estonian tea vs herbal infusion drinkers has left traces to this day.

Closeup of a weaving loom with colorful ropes stock photo Romania, Tradition, Wool, Loom, Art

Rug Craftsmanship, A Way for Romanians to Express Themselves

by Naomi Gherman
8 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Romania

Many communities and cultures would use words, foods, melodies, or actions to express themselves – not the Romanian people, however. For them, the deepest feelings of the human soul were best transmitted through a rug.

thinly sliced salami on a wooden cuttingboard

The Origins of (Not-Entirely) Romanian Sibiu Salami

by Naomi Gherman
8 December 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Sibiu salami, a trademark of Romanian cuisine, is not even made in Sibiu. In fact, it wasn’t even invented by a Romanian. How did this internationally-appreciated aliment gain popularity, and where did the name actually come from?

Panoramic shot of a plywood Christmas scene under arc made by wood and lights

The Cornucopia of Hidden Meanings in Polish Christmas Carols

by Weronika Edmunds
7 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Poland

World-famous Polish ski jumper, Adam Małysz, was once asked what he did to relax when sitting on the bench, waiting to jump. He answered – "I hum Christmas carols." His answer might have astonished everyone but Poles. Poles smiled and understood.

Stylish christmas gift in hands under christmas tree with lights. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Woman in cozy sweater putting wrapped christmas present in atmospheric festive room

Festive Gift-Giving Craze in Central Eastern Europe Explained

by Weronika Edmunds
6 December 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

To: Mum, From: Nicky – is what you may find written on your Christmas present, for example, in the UK or the USA. However, Central Europeans are adamant that the gifts have a more otherwordly origin. So what is it about all this gift-giving tradition?

Santa Claus

When Does Saint Nick Really Pay a Visit?

by Weronika Edmunds
6 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

We seem to take it for granted that Christmas presents are brought by Father Christmas in his sleigh. That's down to C.C. Moore, but what came before and is still practiced in many Three Seas States?

city where houses have eyes

Sibiu’s Houses Are Watching You

by Naomi Gherman
5 December 2022
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

They’re everywhere. And they’re all watching you. However, this is not a horror story but rather the charming story of the Sibiu roofs, known for their “eyes” that watch over the city.

detail od traditional colorful Czech tourist marking on hiking trails

Heritage in Three Stripes

by Marek Koten
4 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Poland/Czechia

The Czech Republic is crisscrossed by one of the most perfect and dense networks of hiking trails. The marking system is so good that it is used worldwide.

Dark bread kvass

Kvass Redux. Popular Eastern European Drink on the Rise

by Przemysław Bociąga
3 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Popular across Central and Eastern Europe from Poland to Estonia to Caucasus, this refreshing drink, which comes sweet or savory, is a zero-waste drink from bread leftovers. Its most recent Polish iteration has taken a turn to promote more responsible beer drinking.

Tallinn Christmas Market

The Best Christmas Markets in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
2 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Ho! Ho! Ho! With the merriest time of year around the corner, the cities of Europe are getting into the festive spirit. What better way to do so than by eating, dancing, and Christmas shopping? What are the best destinations to travel to?

boy bathing and swimming in the cold water of a lake or river among the ducks, cold therapy, ice swim with forest trees on background

Dive On In! The Water’s Just… Freezing

by Weronika Edmunds
2 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

In the middle of the summer, as we are stocking up on that lush, sun-generated heat, it seems safer to think about the growing trend of swimming in icy-cold water in the middle of winter. A sport that unites some of the Baltic countries. Which ones?

Aerial drone view of small beautiful church on top of a mountain in Slovenia at dawn. Beautiful autumn morning landscape

Slovenia – The Land of Chapels

by Vid Sosic
1 December 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Slovenia has a rich tradition of building chapels. You can see them everywhere, in any shape and form, old and new. Although visitors to the lands would point to this extraordinary fact, it is unclear why the tradition was so alive among Slovenes.

St. Andrew’s Eve Fortune Telling

St. Andrew’s Eve Fortune Telling – The Original Tinder

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

A national holiday in Romania and a popular customary feast in more countries of Central Europe, the commemoration of St. Andrews Day on November 30 is an occasion to witness ghostly activities and get them to share insights from the future.

Stalactites and stalagmites inside the Postojna cave

The Mysterious Classical Slovenian Karst

by Vid Sosic
28 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Slovenia has proportionally more karst than any other country. It shaped its history and identity. It was here that most karst phenomena were studied very early on. Even the name karst came from the Kras region in Slovenia, a smaller region within the Slovenian Classical Karst.

Christmas tree in fire

The Fir Tree and the Christmas Miracle

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Not sure if you want to believe the legend that a fir tree in this exact spot is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Europe? Heirs to the Brotherhood of the Blackheads can show you historic proof.

Fresh chilli peppers green, yellow, red with leaves

Watch Out Reaper – There’s a New Hottest Chili Pepper in Town

by Naomi Gherman
25 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

The Carolina Reaper is no longer the leader of the pack. The world’s used-to-be hottest pepper was recently surpassed by this new and yet-unnamed chili created in the county of Buzau, Romania.

Brazilians girls of Polish descent

Polish Is the Official Language in… a Brazilian Town

by Weronika Edmunds
24 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Polish citizens, who found themselves under a foreign rule for 123 years, were often forced to leave their native lands in pursuit of opportunities unavailable to them under new rulers. Collectively, they are referred to as Polonia.

Hiking in forest

The Green Heart of Europe

by Agnieszka Sawala
24 November 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Green Transformation

Slovenia is not only literally one of the greenest countries in the European Union. Here you can live, travel, and even eat and drink eco-friendly!

Group of backpackers

Czech Tramping: A Wild West Tale Set in the Heart of Europe

by Marek Koten
23 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Imagine this: It's Friday afternoon in socialist Czechoslovakia. It may seem like there are not many options if you are into American culture. Not to fear - grab your cowboy hat, guitar, and military boots and catch a train to the Czech wilderness!

moszna castle

A Disney Castle Lost

by Weronika Edmunds
22 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Everyone has heard of Neuschwanstein, the real-life Disney castle in Bavaria. If only tourists knew this picturesque destination has a long-lost sibling in a much more accessible and equally unexpected location in Southern Poland.

Rhodope bagpipers playing tunes on a famous Rozhen folklore festival

Bulgaria’s Eternal Love for Bagpipe Music

by Galina Ganeva
22 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

At the two opposite ends of Europe, two countries hold the bagpipe in the highest esteem possible. What links Bulgaria and Scotland when it comes to bagpipe music?

statue of Jan Zizka near Vitkov

Raising the Chalice Banner

by Marek Koten
21 November 2022
Culture/Czechia/Travel & Food

The Czech Kingdom of the 15th Century became the birthplace of what we would later know as Protestantism. It was thanks to Hussites, an armed religious group that vowed to reform the Catholic Church.

Aerial view of big city

The Bulgarian Dream? Home Ownership (Maybe).

by Galina Ganeva
21 November 2022
Travel & Food/Money/Bulgaria

Generation after generation of Bulgarians was raised with eyes on the prize: Owning a home. With prices in Bulgaria reaching new heights, has the time come to let go of that dream?

main visual of the Vilnius G-spot campaign

Sex Sells. Vilnius Hits the Marketing G-Spot

by Przemysław Bociąga
20 November 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

This award-winning promotional campaign for the capital of Lithuania will make you pant and scream.

Young attractive woman with bright umbrella. Amazing sunrise on trocadero place and eiffel tower in Paris

How Bulgaria (Sort of) Became a French-Speaking Country

by Galina Ganeva
18 November 2022
Culture/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

In 2023, Bulgaria will celebrate three decades of belonging to the global Francophonie family without ever speaking French as an official language. What happened?

Ski Jumping World Cup at Planica

Planica: Where Ski Flying Was Born

by Vid Sosic
17 November 2022
Culture/Slovenia/Travel & Food

In the Slovene Alps, there is a valley called Planica. Although incredibly beautiful, that isn’t what sets it apart from other alpine valleys. What makes it unique is a century-old tradition of ski flying, an extreme version of ski jumping, with much longer distances.

Aerial view of town of Sandanski

The Bulgarian Town Where Summer Continues

by Galina Ganeva
15 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

As beautiful as autumn is in its many colors, you wish summer would last longer. This is quite possible in Sandanski, a small mountain town in Southwestern Bulgaria.

windows in old wooden house

Čičmany, the First Folk Architecture Reserve in the World

by Przemysław Bociąga
15 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

It is neither a museum nor a theme park. Opened in 1977, this Northern Slovakian village is a unique merger of tourism and folklore studies.

Futuristic city center with electric vehicles and people

(R)evolution of City Life

by Marek Koten
14 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Green Transformation

The Czech City for the Future project shows one options of how people will live in 2050. The goal is to make every city a living organism rather than a sea of concrete buildings.

forest eagle

The Polish Eagle Drawn Into Nature

by Jakub Warzecha
14 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

It took a lot of planning and hard work – and still, from up close, there's not much to see... However, the picture comes into focus as you rise above the horizon. The image of the white eagle, the emblem of Poland, miraculously depicted with trees into the Polish landscape.

Basilica on the Holy Mountain

The Famous Venetian Church Near a Small Polish City

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

If you cannot afford to visit Venice’s Santa Maria della Salute church, you can visit Gostyń instead. This town, like many others in Poland, has one unexpected feature: a church based on virtually the same blueprint.

Zawoja mountain village

You Could Hike All Day Long in the Longest Village in Poland

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Zawoja is the longest linear village in Poland, spanning 18 kilometers, which may be considered an average day’s hike. But to perpendicularly cross such a village, a few minutes is usually enough.

Tombul Mosque at night

Inside Bulgaria’s Most Stunning Mosque

by Galina Ganeva
12 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Built in 1744, Sherif Halil Pasha Mosque is preceded in size only by Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey, on the Balkan Peninsula.

emblem of poland

The Eagle Has Landed! Origins of the Polish National Emblem

by Weronika Edmunds
11 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Poles and Americans have a lot in common, like respect for national flags and taste in national symbols. For both, the eagle reigns supreme, and while the US favors the bald eagle, Poles are 100% devoted to their white eagle. When did this noble bird steal the Slavic hearts?

Roast goose in a roasting tin

Goose, Wine, and Sweets – Saint Martin’s Feast in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
11 November 2022
Culture/Poland/Travel & Food

Sometimes referred to as the European Thanksgiving, Sant Martin’s day is a feast that unites many countries in the region. Like every good party, it is marked with traditional specialties – wine, goose, and sweet pastries.

Monument of Grand Duke Gediminas Vilnius Lithuania

The Unbelievable (and Absolutely True) History of Lithuania

by Weronika Edmunds
9 November 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

In the north of the 3 Seas Region, you can find a land adorned in a green gown of forests and crowned with the gold of sandy beaches. With her majesty accentuated by blue jewels of lakes, Lithuania is a mysterious land where the tales of old don’t seem old at all.

morning photo of tourists group on popular lookout tower

Bohemian Switzerland: The Sandcastle of Czechia

by Marek Koten
8 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

A tourist paradise in the Elbe Canyon, home to sandstone formations of European importance and the scene of a recent catastrophe. Welcome to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.

inside of Art Noveau Building

Riga, Central European Capital of Art Nouveau

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 November 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

As Riga grew exponentially in the early 20th century, some one-third of all the buildings in the historical center of the city center were built in this style.

Beautiful unique Bigar Waterfall in Romania on the Edge of the Road passing through the carpatian Mountains

The (Literal) Fall of the Bigăr Waterfall

by Naomi Gherman
8 November 2022
Romania/Travel & Food

Bigăr Waterfall was ranked the #1 most unique in the world by the World Geography Atlas and, if you were reading this article one year ago, it still would be. However, the unimaginable happened, and world’s most beautiful waterfall collapsed. What happened?

portrait of Stefan Batory and Konrad Howard

Which Polish Startup Fills the Barber Shops of Paris and Rio?

by Weronika Edmunds
7 November 2022
Culture/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Did you know that you are probably a proud user of the same app as Barack Obama’s barber and Beyonce’s hairstylist?

Gellert Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool

The World’s Spa Capital

by Weronika Edmunds
6 November 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture/Green Transformation

Hungary is known to have more thermal spas than any other country. With over 1300 springs nationwide, a staggering 123 are found in Budapest alone. Fancy a spa getaway? This is the place to go!

Bear in Belitsa Bear Sanctuary

How Brigitte Bardot Saved Bulgarian Bears

by Galina Ganeva
5 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

For 22 years now, bears, which were used to act in shows across the Balkans, get a new chance for life in a unique bear sanctuary sponsored by French actress, Brigitte Bardot.

Moving Stage Curtains

Bulgarian Theater Enters the Stage

by Galina Ganeva
4 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

A new permanent exhibition in the city of Shumen will soon tell the story of Bulgaria’s first theater performance in 1856. One issue: Another Bulgarian town claims they got there first.

Fishermen on boats and ashore catch fish using fishing net

Czechia: The Fish Farming Superpower

by Marek Koten
4 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Fish farming in Czechia has a tradition dating back to the early Middle Ages. It helped the landlocked country to secure enough fish supply. What started as a food variety necessity became part of national identity and Czech culture.

collage of capitals of 3 seas countries

The 12 Capitals of Central Europe in a Nutshell

by Weronika Edmunds
2 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

There are many types of capitals - like business capital (London, UK), love capital (Paris, France), or food capital (San Sebastian, Spain). Such flashy tags are bound to attract tourists from all over the world. Do conventional capitals stand a chance?

Night Cemetery at All Saints' Day in Slovakia

All the Dearly Departed

by Weronika Edmunds
1 November 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Throughout millennia, humans have always paid respects to their dead and laid them to rest with elaborate burial styles. Gradually, these were replaced by rituals. Are you sure you know how they developed and what remains of them today?

Huge tourism balloon floats very close to a church rooftop, in the city of Vilnius

Lithuania’s Airborne Love

by Weronika Edmunds
31 October 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

What do a paper bag, a sheep, a duck, a rooster, and hot air have to do with Lithuania's most beloved hobby?

Postcard with scene from Dziady

Spirits Awakened During This Slavic-Style Halloween Precursor

by Przemysław Bociąga
31 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

In Halloween costumes, light-hearted witchcraft, and door-to-door trick-or-treating, many conservatives in Central Europe see Satanism, postmodernism, and westernization. But in times past, the spirit of Halloween was summoned even here on Forefather's Eve.

Vivid painted wooden tombstones at Merry Cemetery, Famous graveyard in Sapanta, county of Maramures, Romania

Exploring the Merry Cemetery

by Naomi Gherman
31 October 2022
People/Romania/Travel & Food

We know. “Merry” and “cemetery” aren’t two words that usually go together. So what makes this graveyard, literally, merry? Is it the lively-colored gravestones? Or the humorous poems inscribed on them? Take a look and decide for yourself.

painting of Jacek Malczewski

A Guide to Central Europe’s Supernatural Creatures

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 October 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Pop culture warns us of ghosts appearing at midnight. But according to Central European beliefs, demons could possess you even at noon – or at any other time if you find yourself in the wrong places.

Skulls In bone chapel - Sedlec Ossuary

Christian Chapels Decorated With Human Bones

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 October 2022
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

In past centuries, wars and epidemics were so frequent and their death toll so huge that all you could do to the dead was reduce, reuse, and recycle.

still from movie

The (Maybe) Polish Birthplace of Frankenstein’s Monster

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 October 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

People from the Polish town of Ząbkowice Śląskie see their connection with the first proper science fiction novel ever created. And there's a reason for that: until 1945, the city was known by its German name: Frankenstein.

Janja Garnbret is climbing on the chimery

A New Life for an Old Chimney

by Agnieszka Sawala
28 October 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/People

“Extreme Reusing,” aka the Slovenian concept of what to do with a non-working chimney, which happens to be the tallest in Europe.

Cargo ship on the Rhine-Main-Danube Cana

The Danube-Oder-Elbe Canal: A Multipurpose Water Corridor

by Marek Koten
27 October 2022
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The Danube-Oder-Elbe water corridor is the missing link that would connect Czechia to the rest of the European waterways. This multifunctional water project could raise the global importance of the Three Seas Region in the World Economy.

free ticket

In Romania, You Get a Free Bus Ride for 20 Squats

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food

This clever ticket vending machine doesn’t take cash or cards. Instead, it requires you to do 20 squats for a free bus ride in exchange. And Romanians love it.

Rear view shot of long haired woman wearing straw hat while standing with arms outstretched in front of Basilica

Central Europe Tourist Attractions. All You Need to Know About Central Eastern Europe!

by Weronika Edmunds
23 October 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Tired of choosing the same old destinations for your holidays? Why not try something new! Central and Eastern Europe has lots to offer!

interior of one of the oldest and most famous Ruin-pubs

Budapest Ruin Bars Live Up to Their Name

by Przemysław Bociąga
21 October 2022
Culture/Hungary/Travel & Food

It seems that Hungarians don’t care about the design of their drinking venues as they made so-called “ruin bars” an iconic part of their imbibe culture.

Saltpans in Piran in summer

Slovenian Salt: The “White Gold” of Piran

by Agnieszka Sawala
21 October 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Slovenia

Time stopped about seven centuries ago in the Slovenian salt pans on the Adriatic Sea. This is the story of the traditional harvesting of exceptional salt.

living stones in Romania

Mr Living Stone, I Presume?

by Naomi Gherman
20 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

“How is it possible for a rock to grow or move on its own?” is the question many, if not all, who visit the enchanted realm of the trovanți ask themselves. What is this place, and how can these huge rocks change their size - and location almost overnight?

Sighisoara Overview

Discover Sighișoara, Europe’s Last Inhabited Citadel

by Naomi Gherman
18 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food

Built in the 12th century by German craftsmen and merchants, Sighișoara is the beating heart of the historical region of Transylvania.

Norwegian temple Wang in Karpacz

The Oldest Wooden Church in Poland, Imported From Norway

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 October 2022
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

In the case of a church called Vang in southwestern Poland, it is not custom or faith that was imported but the building itself. It is a rare occasion when one construction can write several cities into its itinerary.

couple walking on the street with winter decoration

Vilnius: The City of Low-Flying Angels

by Weronika Edmunds
15 October 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

A city foretold by an iron wolf, built by a pagan Duke, developed by Christian kings, drowning in green vegetation, and home to hundreds of angels – Vilnius might just be the most exceptional European capital.

Bridge over the water surrounding the island village of Nim in Croatia

The Smallest Cathedral in the World

by Weronika Edmunds
15 October 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

It is surprising how the charming little town of Nin in Croatia is the home of many wonders. Among such riches as salt and mud (yup!) is a Cathedral fit for the size of the town – namely, very small. In fact, it’s the world’s smallest.

Romanian bride poses with mock kidnappers holding a toy weapons at the Triumph Arch in Bucharest Romania

Hide Your Wife – Or Be Ready to Pay Up

by Naomi Gherman
14 October 2022
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

One look away and oops, she’s gone! Best advice for the groom? To keep his eyes on his bride. The sudden disappearance of the bride is a normal thing during a Romanian wedding reception. And getting her back does not come cheap.

Kayaking in Poland: near Swornegacie village

Poland Looks Best From a Kayak

by Weronika Edmunds
14 October 2022
Travel & Food/Poland

Bendy, lazy rivers; picturesque landscapes; wildlife; and charming bonfire evenings are just some of the things one may experience when they go kayaking in Poland. Indeed, it’s an immensely popular way of spending your summer holidays - for good reason.

Portrait of young caucasian woman college student in eyeglasses hiding behind a book and looking at camera.

The Best Cities for Bookworms in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
13 October 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Nowadays, when reading books could be considered a dying pastime, it is refreshing to learn that book-reading is still important enough to rank based on their friendliness toward bookworms. So which cities are the best and which are the worst?

swan lake ballet

The Phoenix of Prague

by Marek Koten
11 October 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

While walking along the banks in Prague, the capital of Czechia, you will encounter the majestic building of the Czech National Theatre. The building was built with contributions from everyday Czechs and… burned down right after its completion.

Aerial view of Old Town Square in Prague

Which City Is the Fairest of Them All?

by Weronika Edmunds
11 October 2022
Culture/Travel & Food

Ever thought of an idea of a beauty pageant starred by…cities? People behind the Online Mortgage Advisor did and, acting as the grand jurors, decided which ones should be crowned as the most beautiful.

A group of tourists walking down along the the Walls of Ston, towards the ancient town of Ston, Croatia

The Great Wall of Croatia

by Weronika Edmunds
10 October 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

As the old saying tells us: good fences make good neighbors. And it is pretty convincing since, throughout history, great rulers have insisted on building walls to stop their enemies. It happened in China, Great Britain, and… Croatia.

Friday The 13th Alert

Are You As Superstitious As a Pole?

by Weronika Edmunds
10 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Every country has its superstitions. Some of them are still popular, while others bring a smile of disbelief that someone could have treated them seriously. And it looks like they are still alive and well in Poland.

Trakai castle

Why You Should Want to See the Ghost at Lithuania’s Trakai Castle

by Weronika Edmunds
10 October 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

The most fascinating medieval castles are those which were impossible to force by the enemy. And, of course, those haunted by ghosts. Trakai Castle belongs to both categories.

Galleon Adler von Luebeck

Hanseatic League – The Medieval One Sea Initiative

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 October 2022
Culture/Poland/Travel & Food

Spanning from the Netherlands to Baltic Countries, this important trade and geopolitical project had an enormous impact on Europe’s history. Consequently, some seaside cities across Europe are more like each other than to other cities in their respective countries.

Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena with a large group of children in national costume

Dracula, Ceaușescu, and Bunnies. PR in Socialist Romania.

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Socialist Romania struggled for a position on the map of Eastern tourist destinations for Western visitors. In doing so, it lured tourists with long-legged waitresses and Elena Ceaușescu.

Raftsman rafts tourists on the Dunajec river

Traditional Dunajec Gorge Rafting in Poland

by Weronika Edmunds
7 October 2022
Poland/Travel & Food

Aren’t we all too familiar with the pictures of Venician gondoliers, carefully navigating the channels of Italy’s city of romance? Try something niche! Poland offers its own, wilder version of the same experience and throws in breathtaking views.

Couple having breakfast in nature

Slovenia Is A Food-Lover’s Paradise

by Agnieszka Sawala
7 October 2022
Culture/Slovenia/Travel & Food

If Slovenia didn't provide enough reasons for someone to fall in love with the country, here's one extra: through the stomach to the heart!

Is There Truth to Czechia’s Claim on Kaliningrad? (*Hint – Yes.)

by Przemysław Bociąga
6 October 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

In October 2022, Russian forces held a sham vote on annexing parts of Ukrainian territory to Russia. In response, the Czechs invented a claim to the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea. Its basis was simple: Kaliningrad, formerly known as Königsberg, was named after the Bohemian king.

Ludbreg

Ludbreg, Croatia – The Center of the World? Perhaps.

by Przemysław Bociąga
6 October 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food

For most of the world, 1 April is know as April Fools’ Day. However in Ludbreg, a tiny village in the north of Croatia, this is a day for a much larger celebration - to commemorate its position at the center of the world

Opening of Hungarian exhibition for millennium old illustration

A Party to Remember: Budapest’s 1896 Millennial Exhibition

by Przemysław Bociąga
4 October 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

The thousandth anniversary of crowning the first Hungarian king was marked by the World Exhibition in Budapest. And boy, did the city get a glow-up to celebrate this monumental anniversary.

Beautiful big lavender field in Bulgaria with mountains in the background.Violet flowers blooming. Amazing nature shot

Lavender Fields Forever? Bulgaria Will Give It a Try.

by Galina Ganeva
4 October 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Money

Beautiful lavender fields are the perfect Instagram photo-op. Just pay attention to the location tag: You’re not in the south of France but in Bulgaria. In fact, lavender is so prevalent in Bulgaria that it has been competing with France for years now for the title of top producer.

Pustynia Błędowska

Trek Through the Polish Sahara. Just Bring Your Own Camel.

by Weronika Edmunds
3 October 2022
Poland/Travel & Food

If you ever happen to watch the late 20th century films from Poland that take place in a sandy desert, chances are they were filmed… locally. Meet Polish deserts and dunes – truly unique, natural landmarks.

Woman of advanced years, portrait in house

25 Ways to Say “Grandma” in Just One Language

by Agnieszka Sawala
2 October 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Slovenia is a tiny country with more than 40 dialects, making Slovenian the most diverse Slavic language.

Traditional Polish kraut stew bigos with sausage, meat and mushrooms as top view in a cast iron pot and pewter plate on an old rustic board

Vivat Bigos! Polish Hunter’s Stew Still Unites

by Weronika Edmunds
30 September 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Among Polish dishes, one has enjoyed unfading popularity over the centuries. It is still among the most recognizable flavors of Poland. And a reason why in many Polish houses, during the cold seasons, you may notice a hint of cabbage smell coming from the kitchen.

prosek in glass

Croatian Winemakers Fighting Italians Over Trademark Name

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 September 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

Prosecco’s Italian name is a direct descendant of the Slavic prošek. The latter word is still used in Croatia, but for a different kind of wine. Now the argument has made it to the European Council.

Csikos cowboy giving display of horsemanship skills

Csikós, the Hungarian Cowboy Culture 

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 September 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

Like the American Great Plains, Hungary's "puszta" has its unique version of horseback herders and easy riders

View of the astronomical clock tower in Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s Astronomical Clock: One of the Oldest Still in Operation

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 September 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Along with its counterpart in Gdańsk, Poland, this Czech masterpiece of medieval engineering gives you as many details on time and astronomy as the present-day three iPhone widgets.

people standing on to of a limestone rock in Kadzielnia nature reserve in Kielce Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship Poland

The Coral Reef in a Landlocked Polish City

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 September 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Some four hundred kilometers from the nearest seashore, a former quarry in Kadzielnia is home to remains of a coral reef, not dissimilar to that near the Bahamas.

folk dancers from Transylvania

A Matchmaker’s Paradise: Romania’s Maiden Fair

by Naomi Gherman
24 September 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Back in the days before dating apps, people had to improvise. Romanians, merchants by nature, found a way to bring together young people from over 80 villages with a “maiden market,” which, contrary to its name, did not imply any exchange of money but marriage proposals.

still from Inglourious basterds movie with August Diehl, Gedeon Burkhard, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender

Gestures Loaded with History That You Should Best Avoid

by Weronika Edmunds
24 September 2022
Croatia/Slovakia/Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

History has its way of creeping into the present as it is fused with certain images, sounds, gestures, or customs. For locals, they’re quite obvious (or culturally embedded), but they may not be as clear to those visiting.

longest café in the world

Is This Bulgarian City Home to the Longest Café in the World?

by Galina Ganeva
23 September 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Shumen, in northeastern Bulgaria, is so linked to its cafes - in particular, its main café-lined street - that one of its former mayors floated the idea of applying for an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest café in the world.

Turda Salt Mine: An Underground World of Wonders

by Naomi Gherman
23 September 2022
Romania/Travel & Food

You may have visited spectacular salt mines before. However, with a panoramic wheel, an amphitheater, and mini-golf trails, Romania's Turda Salt Mine, 120m below the surface, is like no other. Upon stepping on the very first stairs you are instantly transported to another world, not outer space, but underground.

red coral Corallium rubrum

Croatia’s Island of the Bloody Coral

by Weronika Edmunds
22 September 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Croatia

Zlarin, also called the Golden Island, is a place known for its natural treasure – the unique coral (and sponges. Natural sponges – nothing to do with cakes.) It also must be the least motorized place on the planet. But let’s start at the beginning.

Jiří z Poděbrad

George of Bohemia: The Father of the European Union

by Marek Koten
21 September 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

George of Poděbrady, the king of Bohemia in the 15th Century, came up with a crazy idea. He dreamed of creating an organization to include all European nations. They would hold important meetings on an international level and vote on topics in a parliament-like manner. Crazy right?

View of Prague over River in Daytime in Summer

From Small Creek to Symphony Muse

by Marek Koten
20 September 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The story of the Vltava River is fascinating for just a simple river. It is a source of historical legends, an inspiration for artists, and a stylish free time spot. The Vltava has always been and is still the beating heart of the Czech Republic.

Two windows viewed from outside, one is closed and another is open with white curtain caught on wall stock photo

Romanians and Their Much-Dreaded Fear of the “Curent”

by Naomi Gherman
19 September 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Romania

There aren’t many things Romanians agree on. But there is one that 20 million people have believed, and continue to believe generation after generation, despite scarce medical evidence. It is called the curent (aka a draft) and it is the reason you can’t have two windows open in the same room - ever.

People gather in the graveyard to remember the dead relatives

Far From Morbid: Latvia’s Cemetery Festival

by Lelde Benke
19 September 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

A ritual of great importance on Latvian family calendars, the Cemetery Festival gathers relatives from near and far. The curious day’s events are less about mourning and more about celebrating life and togetherness.

Girl eating traditionally czech food svickova sauce, beef and dumpling

Czech Party: What to Expect on the Table

by Marek Koten
16 September 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food

Have you been invited to a Czech party and have no idea what to expect in terms of food and drinks? Let us help you get to know some traditional Czech finger foods, meals, and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that are unique to the Czech Culture.

Close up on midsection of male hands holding drinking glasses pouring homemade domestic brandy slivovitza standing outdoors celebrating

The Battle for the Origins of Rakija

by Weronika Edmunds
16 September 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Croatia/Bulgaria

Polish vodka can be safely claimed by Poles. When it comes to rakija, well… opinions are as divided as there are varieties of this alcoholic drink. Taking into account its unfading fame, it’s no wonder Croatia claims ownership of the best recipe.

bar studio

Warsaw’s (Not So) Controversial Stalinist Monument

by Przemysław Bociąga
15 September 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

The iconic Palace of Culture and Science is a monumental skyscraper in Warsaw's city center, now considered somewhat controversial due to its Stalinist genesis. Even so, it turns out that Varsovians now have a soft spot for this cultural landmark and do not want to see it demolished.

kozunak bread

Bulgaria and Romania Are (Finally) Getting to Know Each Other

by Galina Ganeva
14 September 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Money

For decades in the 20th century, Bulgarians and Romanians, two neighboring nations sharing 609 kilometers of border, knew little of each other. Today, 15 years after the two countries became members of the larger European family, things are changing for the better.

Wall fresco paintings of the Horezu Monastery in Romania

Horezu Monastery, the Epitome of Spirituality and Culture

by Naomi Gherman
13 September 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu built this holy place as a place of worship. Today, it is a UNESCO world heritage site that stands tall not just as a meaningful clerical site but also as Romania’s most emblematic piece of Brancovan architecture.

Anthony Daniels as C-3PO in a scene from the Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

C-3PO Confirms: There Are Poles in Galaxies Far, Far Away

by Przemysław Bociąga
13 September 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

In one scene of "Return of the Jedi," a protocolar android addresses a person in Polish. Was Jabba the Hut's servant a Socialist economic migrant, or did American producers just want to impress viewers with an exotic language?

Tour of Slovenia 2018

Breaking Away from the Pack: The Slovene Passion for Cycling

by Agnieszka Sawala
13 September 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Cycling is one of the Slovenes' national superpowers. For several years their peloton has been running away from the rest of the world. Who will finally overtake them (and why it won't be that easy)?

Cerknica lake

The Disappearing and Reappearing Lake

by Vid Sosic
12 September 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

In Slovenia, there is a magic lake. Normally, lakes are simply there as we know them. Some freeze in the winter, but we can still admire them. Cerknica Lake, however, could confuse someone who does not know about it, as it’s there one day and gone the next.

Beautiful young woman outdoors on a sunny day

Why Do Bulgarians Shake Their Heads for Yes and Nod for No?

by Galina Ganeva
10 September 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

They say the language of love is universal, but sometimes, knowing another language helps. A popular story in Bulgaria tells of an American who fell in love with a Bulgarian woman. Alas, the story doesn’t end in “happily ever after” thanks to confused gestures.

Suncuius Beach in Romania in the heart of the apuseni mountains

When Nature Gives You Water, Make a Beach

by Naomi Gherman
10 September 2022
Romania/Travel & Food

A new beach surfaced overnight in the county of Bihor – no less than 800 kilometers far from the Romanian seashore. How did this happen, and why is this place compared to Thailand‘s Railay Beach?

Polish apples are among the most consumed worldwide

A Polish Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

by Weronika Edmunds
9 September 2022
Poland/Travel & Food

The apple. Such a ‘common’ fruit. So common, in fact, you might think that this staple of your 5 a day is simple to grow wherever you live. Rightly so. But did you know that globally the most apples consumed come from Poland?

Traditional polish pierogi with crispy bacon and onion

The Controversial ‘Ruskie’ Dumpling and Why It Is Misunderstood

by Weronika Edmunds
9 September 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

They come in many sweet and savory varieties – wild berry, cabbage-and-mushroom, meat, and white cheese among the classic fillings. But there is one particular version of this classic Polish dish that has inspired mixed feelings in recent months.

archeological discovery of "female vampire"

Newfound Burial in Northern Poland: Not a Vampire, But Close

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 September 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

The recent archeological discovery of a 17th C. woman’s corpse buried with a sickle around her neck points directly to her being suspected of some undead activity. However, her moniker, the vampiress, isn’t entirely fitting. It’s not that she wasn’t suspected of being undead (she was), but the term “vampire” doesn’t fit her time and place.

man blows the glass in the Kvetna 1794 glassworks

The Czech Glass Class

by Marek Koten
7 September 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture/Green Transformation

There are many things the Czech Republic is very well known for, one of them being Czech Glass. To be more specific, Bohemian Crystal. The production of Bohemian Crystal, from the Bohemia and Silesia regions, is a rich centuries-old tradition that is still thriving today.

Representatives from Parish Godowa, dressed in traditional folk costumes, seat near their Parish wreaths and loaves during the Holy Mass at the 2015 edition of the annual Harvest Festival in Rzeszow

Poles And the Tradition Of Dożynki: Annual Harvest Celebration

by Weronika Edmunds
6 September 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Bulgaria

The old Slavic custom of celebrating the harvest is still holding on strong in Poland. Dożynki, as it is called, is celebrated nationwide and provides a great way for villages to remind the city dwellers of the richness hidden in the countryside.

Lion resting on a tree

Vienna’s Tiergarten Schönbrunn Is the World’s Oldest Zoo

by Przemysław Bociąga
6 September 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

Many of the zoological gardens in Europe are direct descendants of royal animal collections. The oldest among them is in Vienna.

The Muddy Volcanoes in Buzau, Romania.

Moon Landing on Earth: The Buzău Mud Volcanoes

by Naomi Gherman
5 September 2022
Travel & Food/Romania

Ever wondered what it would be like to walk on the moon? Finding out might be easier than you think, for, in the Romanian county of Buzău, you can do just that - without the weightlessness, though.

Ljubljana Marshes Wheel with axle

The Mother of All Inventions Found in Slovenia

by Przemysław Bociąga
5 September 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The old saying goes, "Stop trying to reinvent the wheel." However, often overlooked in this statement is exactly how many times the wheel has, in fact, been reinvented. The Ljubljana Marshes Wheel found Slovenia is the oldest wheel ever found.

Crowd of people relaxing on the green grass at holiday in the city park

The Oldest European Park, Right in the Heart of Budapest

by Przemysław Bociąga
4 September 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Green Transformation/Hungary

Varosliget, or City Park, was established in Pest (before it was connected to Buda) over three decades before the same was done in London – a city now known for its parks.

rhytons of Thracian Panagyurishte treasure

It’s Wine O’Clock in Ancient Thrace

by Galina Ganeva
3 September 2022
Culture/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

The ancient Thracians, who resided mainly in modern-day Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, left behind a priceless trove of artifacts that are still being unearthed to this day. As the search continues, the question looms: Who will get to them first? Archeologists or treasure hunters?

Boletus in a wooden tray and female holding one by the hand

Beware of Devils and Look for Hens – Poland’s Fungi Season

by Weronika Edmunds
2 September 2022
Poland/Travel & Food

Depending on where you live in the world, forest mushrooms may be considered a delicacy. They can be such a luxurious product that you must pay a lot to purchase a small amount. Think about this: in the past, it was enough to go to the forest. In Poland, it still is.

Uber Eats food delivery courier on a bike in high speed

At Your Service? For Central Europe, It Is Not Enough

by Agaton Koziński
2 September 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Countries with the right balance between services and manufacturing economies are more resilient to various shocks. This is the lesson from the crises in the last two years, and Central Europe has done its homework.

Mayor Georgi Maradzhiev

Hop on Board Bulgaria’s First Free Public Bus

by Galina Ganeva
31 August 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

For three years now, residents of the small municipality of Stamboliyski in Southern Bulgaria have been using public transport for free. While the idea introduced by Mayor Georgi Maradzhiev is hardly new, Stamboliyski remains Bulgaria’s only town boasting free public transportation.

Members of Roma community parade through Old Town of Prague during the Khamoro World Roma Festival

Central European Romani Culture Is Vibrant and Distinctive

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 August 2022
Culture/Travel & Food

You may call them nation with no country, but several Central European countries are home to this colorful and original nomadic people.

Thurzó Zoltán on mount Everest

High Notes: The Piano Concert on Mt. Everest

by Naomi Gherman
30 August 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/People

How high is too high? For Oradea-born pianist Thurzó Zoltán, there is no such height. Zoltán, internationally renowned for his out-of-this-world attempts to enter the Guinness World Book of Records, has finally made it with his concert atop Mount Everest.

Rock sculpture of Decebalus in Danube gorge

The How and Why Behind Europe’s Tallest Rock Sculpture 

by Naomi Gherman
29 August 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

One may think Europe's tallest rock sculpture could not go unnoticed, but did you know it can be found in Romania? Find out who made it, who requested it, and, most importantly, why would someone invest over one million dollars to have the face of Decebalus in rock?

House of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo

Bulgaria’s House of Funny

by Galina Ganeva
28 August 2022
Culture/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Welcome to Gabrovo, Bulgaria’s capital of humor. In this Central Bulgarian town, legends say that they cut the tails of cats so that the door closes faster after them. It’s such a prevalent story they erected a bronze cat sculpture that has been attracting visitors for two decades.

Hiking in Julian Alps with views towards Triglav

Climbing Mt. Triglav: A Slovenian Rite of Passage

by Agnieszka Sawala
27 August 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food

One of Slovenia's most recognizable landmarks, Mount Triglav, is much more than just the country’s highest mountain and a national symbol. It is a three-headed god, the gateway to becoming a true Slovenian.

best bulgarian dishes

Beyond Shopska Salad: What to Eat in Bulgaria This Summer

by Galina Ganeva
26 August 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

The results are in, and if you’re a salad lover heading to Bulgaria, you’re up for a treat. In TasteAtlas’s 50 Best Salads ranking, four Bulgarian salads make the cut. Ovcharska (Shepherd's) landed the #1 spot, with Snezhanka and the famous Shopska Salad – also in the top 10.

apple cider

Can Cider Be to Latvia What Wine Is to France?

by Lelde Benke
26 August 2022
Culture/Latvia/Travel & Food

Far from a centuries-old tradition, cider making in Latvia arose in the 1990s. Since then, the industry has blossomed, and cider makers and pub owners have united to create a local Cider Route - a rival to the wine routes of Western Europe?

Still from The Gray Man located in Prague

Netflix’s Gray Man Blows Through Central European Settings

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 August 2022
Croatia/Austria/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

With a narrative spanning from the famous CIA headquarters in Langley, VA to exotic Thailand, Netflix's latest blockbuster set most of its action in-between the two, right in the heart of Central Europe. And don't worry – thanks to the power of CGI, no actual locations were harmed during filming.

beekeeping in slovenia

In Slovenia, the Buzz Is Real

by Agnieszka Sawala
23 August 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Slovenia is literally flowing with honey. Since the 11th century, beekeeping has been an essential part of Slovenian culture, an inspiration for art and design, and the backbone of local tourism. Professional beekeeping is so rooted in Slovenia that one in two hundred Slovenes is a beekeeper.

Gela village in the summer, Rhodope mountains, Bulgaria

Urgent: Saving Bulgaria’s Small Villages 

by Galina Ganeva
23 August 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Centuries-old houses, lush greenery, friendly neighbors. If this is your idea of the average small Bulgarian village, you might be right. But if you want to experience life in one of these villages first-hand, hurry. Because the Bulgarian towns and villages as we know them might be dying out.

Madara Rider Shumen Bulgarian ancient carving

Who Is the Madara Rider and What Mysteries Does He Hide?

by Mihail Petrov
22 August 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

In the spiritual center of Bulgaria’s First Kingdom, carved into rock on a cliff 100-meters high, lies a unique representation of a knight on horseback defeating a lion. The monument, known as the Madara Rider, still poses a riddle with regards to what is depicted on it.

Hel peninsula Poland (Baltic Sea)

Go to Hel. No, Really.

by Przemysław Bociąga
21 August 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Hel Peninsula, we mean. Not to be confused with Hell (and quite the opposite), this long, narrow strip of land has become the epitome of the Polish summer holiday.

Waiter Serving Cafe

How Austria Brought Coffee to Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
20 August 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

When Austrian and Polish soldiers captured Turkish positions after the Battle of Vienna, they thought that the tiny,