Of all Bulgaria’s top tourist attractions, Rila Monastery figures highly on that list. And yes, it’s absolutely worth the hype. In fact, it actually may not be hyped enough, in my opinion. Tucked into the piney Rila Mountains, its Eastern Orthodox architecture stands out against the nature it’s hiding in: classic striped arches, jewel-toned frescoes,…
![Seven Rila Lakes Hike, Bulgaria: The Definitive Guide [2026]](https://eternalarrival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Rila-Lakes-4EDB20B6-D6C6-458A-8FDF-5E699611E7D4-768x513.jpeg)
Bulgaria is made for hiking… in fact, more than 20% of the country is covered in mountains, making a good hike rarely far away. As a big lover of the mountains, that was exactly why I chose to live in Sofia of all places: I loved the constant view of Mount Vitosha, towering 2,290 meters…
I had first heard of Taichung from a girl I met while I was traveling in Greece, who had taught English there for two years. The way she described the city made me fall in love with it before I had even visited. Close to hikes and lakes, full of cafés and streets jammed with…
If you’ve seen even one photo of Meteora, you probably have already decided that it’s a must on any Greece mainland itinerary. Giant rock pillars rising from the landscape, with monasteries balanced on top as precarious as Jenga towers and endless valley views below… it’s one of those places that doesn’t look real, until you…
If you’re planning a trip to France this winter but are not in the mood for the cold and hectic energy of Paris, head south and visit the beautiful city of Toulouse in winter instead! With its historic landmarks, renowned museums, and delicious Occitan food, Toulouse offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that…
Only a two-hour high-speed train ride from Paris and about the same to Toulouse, Bordeaux is the largest city in southwestern France. While the spotlight is definitely on the area’s wine production, Bordeaux is a proper all-seasons destination, perfect for wine lovers and culture fans alike. In fact, I’d argue that Bordeaux in winter has much…
I’ve always wanted to go to the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. I’m deeply invested in wine (I’ve written so many posts about wine on this blog, sharing my nerdy oenophile knowledge with you!). So naturally, going to an entire museum completely dedicated to wine was basically the culmination of a decades-long obsession. My family…
![Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel: Visiting by Day vs. an Overnight Stay [2026]](https://eternalarrival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sorrisniva-4-768x968.jpg)
Of all the things I wanted to do on my winter trip to Alta, visiting the famous Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel was at the top of my list! Besides seeing the Northern lights, of course. I’ve been to several ice hotels around the Arctic, including the Ice Domes in Tromsø, IceHotel 365 in Jukkasjärvi, and the…
![17 Amazing Things to Do in Alta in Winter [2026]](https://eternalarrival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Alta-in-Winter-6_5_11zon-768x576.jpg)
Snow-covered mountains and plateaus that glitter in the sun by day and cast a beautiful backdrop for the aurora at night: these are my memories of visiting Alta, Norway this past winter. I had an amazing time visiting Alta in early February and found that it far exceeded my expectations — so I felt quite…
