Optimism for Bulgaria

Vanya turned her experience with endometriosis into Women Academy: a space where knowledge, care, and community help women reclaim their health and confidence.

From mustard jars to handmade magic, Stanka turned a quiet passion for candles into a business that brings warmth, beauty, and meaning into people’s homes.

Vera Georgieva left the fast lane to create a quiet studio where handmade notebooks, jewelry, and workshops help others reconnect with their creativity—and themselves.

When a guide and a local producer team up, they create more than a stop on the map—they give travelers something to taste, remember, and carry with them.

From Belyanovo to Svishtov to Tsarevets, we followed the open skies of the steppe and found stories, views, and moments that lingered long after the road ended.

What happens when a telecom CEO puts people before performance? Jason King of Yettel shares how a culture of care fuels innovation—and why the digital reboot of Bulgaria’s 100 Tourist Sites is about much more than just an app.

Stefan Bozadzhiev found his passion for guiding as a teenager—and he’s been sharing Bulgaria’s hidden corners ever since. He leads US travelers with warmth, curiosity, and deep respect for the people and places along the way. For Stefan, great tourism is personal—and it gives something back.

In Dobrich, a drab hospital corridor has become a place of color, comfort, and care—showing how a pediatric ward can heal more than just the body.

Economist Petya Georgieva argues that solving Bulgaria’s healthcare crisis starts with one simple fix: valuing nurses as the backbone of care.