Stefan: Ne. Centuries later, the Roman Emperor Trajan built this 5,000-seat theater. Rick Steves is an explorer at heart, so it should come as little surprise that he is finding unexpected joy in the midst of an awful situation. Although the communists are gone, their architectural heritage still looms large. I'm joined by my Bulgarian friend and fellow tour guide, Stefan Bozadzhiev, who's my teacher for all things Bulgarian — including some fun little insights. Buried deep under those piles of earth, the tombs were impressive engineering feats from 300 years before Christ. Inside, you're immersed in the glow of Orthodox tradition. As if stowing away on an actual shoot, you'll meet the crew and hear in their own words how America's most popular travel show is made. Rick Steves's net worth is around $10 million. Stefan: Yeah… Dozens of these tombs are scattered across this valley, along with hundreds of decoy mounds designed to fool grave robbers. Capping a nearby ridge — miles from anything — is one of the most bizarre sights I've seen anywhere: Buzludzha, an abandoned monument to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The town's hillsides are blanketed with both traditional homes and dreary concrete housing blocks. This gigantic conference hall was built in the 1980s, in the waning days of communist rule. Stefan: Yes, actually — you're right. Venturing inside, we discover an eerie, crumbling world of vandalized propaganda, a roof that's barely held up by its hammer and sickle, and disintegrating mosaics — once so proud, and now just an artifact of a failed system. A place where East and West mix harmoniously. Bulgaria, so mysterious to most Americans, has a vivid identity as a crossroads of the Balkans. Commission only the best street artists to create art, rather than eyesores. Today's locals have different aspirations. Steves' first television show, Travels in Europe with Rick Steves, debuted on public television in April 1991 and ended production in 1998. Within its walls, you feel something special — both sacred and timeless. The Thracian Plain, defined by Bulgaria's two major mountain ranges, was a busy funnel of trade throughout ancient times. At Sofia's main intersection, today's parliament offices fill the Stalinist-style former Communist Party Headquarters. Our next stop is Bulgaria's medieval capital, Veliko Tarnovo. The Best of Israel - Video - Rick Steves' Europe For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . But a recent initiative to pedestrianize and cobble the streets has turned the area into a hipster paradise. This time I'm surrounded by Slavic culture…it's Bulgaria! And on the top of it we have races with chariots, which is a part of a funeral procession. And the theater remains part of the community to this day. Rick: Now, this is funny in Bulgaria — you went "yes," like… [swivels head around] Boyadzhiev's best works feature timeless slices of peasant life: Back in pagan times, people prayed not in temples, but under trees. Stefan: Yes — actually many times, with my family. Explore Europe with Rick Steves, best-selling travel author and host of public television's "Rick Steves' Europe" and public radio's "Travel with Rick Steves." This bell tower, the oldest surviving part of the monastery, served as a final refuge in case of attack. Bulgaria was one of the only countries in Nazi territory that refused to turn its Jewish population over to Hitler. Its cascading gold and copper domes are striking from every angle. One of Europe's most dramatically set cities that bunny-hops through a misty gorge at a sharp bend of the Yantra River. Rick: It's confusing for a tourist, because we go "yes." Everything you need is here. And the city even has an actual yellow-brick road. Terms of Service | Privacy, previous recordings of Monday Night Travel, Watch with Rick Steves — Great European Festivals, Watch with Rick Steves — Ethiopia: A Development Story, Holiday Special! Four centuries before Christ, back when Socrates and Plato were doing their thing in Athens — about 300 miles to the south — Bulgaria was known as "Thrace." Rick Steves’ Europe is an empire, with 100 U.S.-based employees and 150 freelance tour guides around the world. Party with Rick at one of Europe's most exuberant spectacles (Running of the Bulls in Pamplona), Italy's answer to Mardi Gras (Carnevale in Venice), the wildest horse race on the planet (The Palio in Siena), the biggest beer party anywhere (Oktoberfest in Munich), and more. Boyadzhiev's best works feature timeless slices of peasant life: People praying not in temples, but under trees. Until next time, keep on travelin'. Rick: So what is this drink then? This was a golden age for Bulgaria — the 13th and 14th centuries — when its empire dominated the Balkan Peninsula, and stretched all the way to Ukraine. And to this day, these perpetually flowing water taps are appreciated by the locals. Thanks for joining us. Under the arcade, vivid 19th-century frescoes depict Bible stories, peopled by angels and devils, saints and sinners. Although the couple is separated, Rick is … After World War II, Bulgaria ended up in the Soviet Bloc. Built by Russia a century ago, it's a fine example of the exuberant "Muscovite" style. It's the only national church I can think of that's named for a sainted military hero of a different country: Alexander Nevsky, of Russia. And the royal banquet, with the gods, musicians, servants, horses. Stefan: Absolutely! (The Bulgarians feel a Slavic kinship with Russia, who helped liberate them from nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule. Travel with Rick on this video guide up the Nile River in Egypt and find out what to do on your next trip. It has an airy, open street plan, fine old architecture, lush parks, and a relaxed pace of life. Nearby is a museum celebrating the work of the Bulgarian artist Zlatyu Boyadzhiev. Elegant in its day, it still feels lived-in, with opulent sitting rooms, fine furnishings, even a rose water fountain. Stefan: Ne [nods]. Rick: And the people, why do they like this so much? Also known as "The Mousetrap," this district was once a dreary, deserted, and dangerous quarter. The iconic church is surrounded by a graceful arcade. Get YouTube Premium Get YouTube TV Best of YouTube Music Sports Gaming Movies TV Shows ... VOLTERRA on Italy's Great Hill Towns by Rick Steves by VolterraTelevision. A mountain monastery cradles Bulgaria's spiritual soul. And, nearby, a folkloric dance troupe shares their traditional music. With a million people, Sofia is delightfully livable. RICK STEVES ’ EUROPE: French Alps And Lyon Stream now or tune in Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at 4 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. on KPBS TV Thursday, November 5, 2020 It's dedicated to the Russian and Bulgarian troops (now buried in the crypt) who fought fiercely to defeat the Ottomans in 1877. 6. Is that typical in Bulgaria? Stefan: We have more than 40, and this is just one of them. The payoff: a wide variety of rose oil products, appreciated both abroad, and at home. ET | REGISTER. Video: Watch "Egypt's Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor," an episode of the Rick Steves' Europe TV show. And this replica tomb demonstrates how even in the afterlife, the deceased would be surrounded by comforting images. Stefan: Yes, a little bit sulfur, probably. At the top of Shipka Pass, a memorial marks the site where, in 1877, a combined Bulgarian and Russian army finally turned the tide in the battle against the Ottomans. He typically does interviews about classical music, but recently he interviewed Rick for an hour. While the fields smell sweet, the work is hard. The wedding was conducted in St Thomas of Villanova, and the reception took place at Saint David Gold Club. None of Bulgaria's 49,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps. Local authorities figure that street artists will tag buildings anyway–so they might as well focus all that creativity, and pay them to do it. While most tourists stick to the cobbled old town, modern Plovdiv has plenty to offer as well. Some of Europe's best surprises are its islands. This zone also has more than its share of creative, government-subsidized graffiti. Today, Rila is a place of pilgrimage for Bulgarians, who consider it their faith's single most important site. View the daily YouTube analytics of Rick Steves' Europe and track progress charts, view future predictions, related channels, and track realtime live sub counts. Try it! Rick Steves started his professional career by teaching travel classes in The Experimental College. She proudly tops a column marking the center of town. Rick Steves was born on May 10, 1955, and is 63 years old. The elaborate marble iconostasis separates parishioners from the main altar. The heart of every single Bulgarian belongs to this place, belongs to this monastery here. This island-hopping adventure comes with remote beaches, Crusader castles, a Blue Lagoon, pre-historic wonders, and salty traditional island lifestyles. Walls glitter with gold and silver icons, all from the early 20th century. Stefan: This is a traditional Bulgarian drink, and it is called "rakia." And many of the parks come with heavy reminders of a tough 20th century. We'll trace the country's complex history, from ancient Thracian tombs to medieval Orthodox Christian monasteries to Soviet monuments. Bulgaria's capital, Sofia is delightfully livable. Just steps away is the vibrant and fun-loving corner of town called the "Mousetrap." Rick: You like it? Rick: It's warm… Thanks for joining us. Go behind the camera with Rick and his crew for the shoot of his 2006 Milan and Lake Como episode as Rick shares all the tricks of his trade in TV production. He picked up the brush in his left hand and learned to paint brilliantly — in a completely different style. It's lined with saints, including the church's namesake, Alexander Nevsky. Today, the lyrics of the international communist anthem are literally falling off the walls. Like much of the Slavic world, Bulgaria uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Rick: Ah, OK. Posted on June 4, 2020 by Rick Steves Rewatching The Story of Fascism in Europe One summer evening, the American president ordered a park next to the White House to be cleared of peaceful protesters. Kick off 2021 with a festival bash — Europe's biggest parties and festivals with an insider's look at the fun and craziness! Tombs held a trove of golden treasure, now displayed in museums throughout Bulgaria. Today, one in every 10 Bulgarian citizens is Muslim, whose ancestors came from Turkey. Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, which was the medieval high-water mark of Bulgarian civilization. Finally, we reach Rila Monastery: fortress on the outside…spiritual sanctuary inside. Fred Plotkin, who wrote Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, has a Youtube series called Fred Plotkin on Fridays. In 1951, he suffered a stroke, which made his right hand useless. This gigantic conference hall was built in the 1980s, in the waning days of communist rule. It's the Day of Slavic Culture. American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities. Rick: How many springs in Sofia like this? Bulgaria's complicated history has made it a melting pot. And people have enjoyed it for a very long time: Plovdiv claims to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Rick: Da? 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