It is so nice too see Raya being back home in Bulgaria. The sparks in the eye and the joy. So precious! Thanks for sharing with us the beauty of our country. It would be great to hear Raya speaking Bulgarian one day...
I was thinking the same thing! She's so in her element! It's great to see! Bulgaria looks so beautiful! A lot of the places you saw toward the end reminded me of the Renaissance Faires I grew up going to. I can't wait to find out more about Bulgarian culture through your future vlogs. As Americans, we sadly aren't taught about Bulgaria at all!
I looked it up. The Buzludja Monument was built in the mid-Seventies, and it is an example of late Soviet Brutalist architecture, which was characterized by the use of raw concrete. I found photos of the interior, which includes a circular auditorium, whose walls are covered with a Communist mural. It will definitely be something to return to visit, once the renovation is complete.
Finally! As a Bulgarian I've been waiting for this. I haven't actually been to the places you showed, so I would have loved more footage, but it's understandable, you were dying to see your family. 😊 Waiting for part 2.
Definitely been enjoying the travel aspect of these and living vicariously through you both, but can I just say what a fashion icon Raya has been! Your style has just really stood out to me in this series 💖
I absolutely love that Raya wears dresses in almost all of the videos!! Raya you are so gorgeous and that hair, can we just talk about your beautiful hair!!! Girl you have it going on, traveling in a van with no bathroom or shower! My hubby and I have traveled all over the US and Canada on our Harley so I absolutely know the challenges you have to keep looking great everyday!!
Bulgaria is my favorite country Sunny beach love IT😍😍 but the rest of Bulgaria also reminds me of Poland where I come half from Greetings from the Netherlands,😚
Thank you Raya and Louis you guys present your journeys in such a way that we can experience your excitement through you. My ten year old granddaughter is also being educated along the way. Thank you for sharing.
I just LOVE you two and your adventures! Wow! Such incredible history in Bulgaria! Thank you for sharing your beautiful birthplace! Can't wait to meet your grandparents 😊💛💛💛💯💯💛💯💯💛💛💛💖I'm having soo much fun watching this trip guys! You two inspire me to travel more! Beautiful couple! 💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛
Very interesting video. I'm wondering if we'll get to see some of Raya's family, and hear them speaking Bulgarian. I think part of the essence of a country is expressed through the language, and a lot of travel vloggers seem to leave out that part.
RIP Riyas lovely yellow shoes...the yellow purse misses them💛. Yes what rich history in Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Thanks so much for explaining historical bits, I love all the information ❤️
Cool Video guys! I was deciding between visiting Bulgaria, North Macedonia or Slovenia for this October. I chose Slovenia but after watching these vlogs I may have to check out Bulgaria next!
Love watching these vlogs. I love Europe...hence living here. Raya you are always so chic! Can't wait to hear you speak Bulgarian - not a language I'm familiar with.
I recognized the monument from a video clip from a music video from the song “Riddles” from one of my favorite bands, “Kensington”. Such a beautiful site! Amazing!!!
Hey seeing your taste I think you will love India, you should come visit India some day, not for a week like remove time and come we have so much to offer 2-3 weeks won't justify what we got here ❤️
I just discovered your vlog today and I am in love with you both and your amazing trips. I want all of Raya's dresses! I prefer to wear dresses too and and always shop for cute things like she wears. I look forward to following your adventures! Thank you>
I watch a lot of van lifers...however, in all fairness I didn't get into it until the lockdown (felt like being able to go out and travel without going out and traveling), but I don't think I've seen one other video on Bulgaria so I really enjoyed this and the monument sent me to a google search as to Bulgaria's history.
so bulgarian dishes (bean stew= "fasolada" / tomato and cucumber salad with feta= "choriatiki") are like, identical to greek dishes and I'm surprised that I had never heard anything about it! the bulgarian coffee looked like greek coffee as well (I knew about turkish coffee already ofc). It's so weird realizing we have so many recipes in common and I had no idea so far! (even moussaka!)
@@RayaandLouis Thank u for replying!! ♥ ^^, After a short research, I think it might be mainly due to the Ottoman rule (that both countries had in common- however Greeks lived in Asia Minor as well- that's another story-not gonna go into that). I think the word yogurt is Turkish in origin (read that it comes from the verb "yogurmak": to thicken). "It is believed that yogurt was being made in Turkey as far back as the 6th century BCE..." however, yogurt was made only within the home and not for mass production. That all changed when in 1905 Bulgarian microbiologist Stamen Grigorov discovered Lactobacillus bulgaricus, the bacteria strain that ferments milk into yogurt. Soon after this breakthrough discovery, Danone began to produce commercialized yogurt in 1919 in Barcelona. (that's what I found anyway) When it comes to feta though, the word feta is Greek (means slice, and originated in the 17th century) and is actually established as a product of PDO(Protected Destination of Origin). So real "feta" is a Greek cheese that follows some rules in the making (milk fat, milk type etc). Though it is common to call any white cheese "feta". I read that Bulgarian "feta"/white cheese is called Sirene. Again, I am amazed that we have a similar cuisine with Bulgarians (and I had never realised) PS: that means u guys should visit Greece as well sometime :D
I wish u were on the road trip still, I'm going to miss the adventure you guys were having. I'm glad you made it safely though, it was a good vlog also. Are you guys going to fly back from there or are you going to travel more? An what are you going to do with your van after you fly back? Much love to you guys.
Glad you arrived safely with the van 🙂. I’ve never been to Bulgaria but I’ve heard that they nod their heads to NO and shake their heads to YES. Is it true? That must be super confusing when one’s not used to it, I imagine. Show us how they do it, pls 😉
Hey guys, I am loving this series! I’ve been watching you both for…I don’t know, forever? I don’t remember if you’ve answered this previously, but why doesn’t Raya ever drive?
Thanks Jessica! I’m working on getting my licence. After living in cities like New York and London and traveling full time over the last decade I’ve just never needed it (and when I do practice I’m a bit scared of driving a van, especially on the wrong side of the road 😂) but I need it for Costa Rica so getting it ASAP!
Why did you skip countries between Bosnia and Bulgaria? Sorry, watching old vlogs and got me thinking cause I am from Serbia, close to Border of Bulgaria, and wonder which side you went with 😂 You just skipped it 😂
It is so nice too see Raya being back home in Bulgaria. The sparks in the eye and the joy. So precious! Thanks for sharing with us the beauty of our country. It would be great to hear Raya speaking Bulgarian one day...
I love the dresses that Raya wears. She always looks so pretty and feminine
Thank you! ☺️❤️
I love your dresses too.. Where can we buy your dresses? I know you said your mom sent you some. The light blue dress was beautiful.
Me too🤗
that zoom into Louis's face at 4:45
Hahaha I had to! All I could do was look at him in the background while I was editing. I couldn’t stop laughing 😂😂
I was cracking up at it even before she zoomed in 😂😂
I laughed a lot at that too🤣
@@Mkanata yeah same, and then even more when the zoom started haha
I got a good belly laugh out of it 🤣 too good.
Raya just exudes confidence, calm and joy at being home.
Ahh thank you! ☺️❤️
I was thinking the same thing! She's so in her element! It's great to see! Bulgaria looks so beautiful! A lot of the places you saw toward the end reminded me of the Renaissance Faires I grew up going to. I can't wait to find out more about Bulgarian culture through your future vlogs. As Americans, we sadly aren't taught about Bulgaria at all!
I looked it up. The Buzludja Monument was built in the mid-Seventies, and it is an example of late Soviet Brutalist architecture, which was characterized by the use of raw concrete. I found photos of the interior, which includes a circular auditorium, whose walls are covered with a Communist mural. It will definitely be something to return to visit, once the renovation is complete.
Finally! As a Bulgarian I've been waiting for this. I haven't actually been to the places you showed, so I would have loved more footage, but it's understandable, you were dying to see your family. 😊 Waiting for part 2.
☺️❤️❤️
The zoom in on Louis face at the UFO was hysterical!!
😂😂
So funny 😂
Raya and Louie thank you for showing some Bulgarian history! It is so amazing where we came from ! Can’t wait to see more!♥️
Cant wait to hear Raya speaking in Bulgarian! p.s love the vids, have been watching Louis since the very early days xx
Definitely been enjoying the travel aspect of these and living vicariously through you both, but can I just say what a fashion icon Raya has been! Your style has just really stood out to me in this series 💖
Ahh thank you! ❤️❤️
As a Bulgarian it’s so nice to see you guys.
Edit: it would be so nice to talk to you about Bulgaria.
Beautiful! I was last in Bulgaria in 2014, I spent a few weeks exploring and hitching through. I want to go back now.
Yesss Raya! You are home!!! You look so beyond happy!! Enjoy all your time that you have!!!!
Thank you!! ❤️❤️
I absolutely love that Raya wears dresses in almost all of the videos!! Raya you are so gorgeous and that hair, can we just talk about your beautiful hair!!! Girl you have it going on, traveling in a van with no bathroom or shower! My hubby and I have traveled all over the US and Canada on our Harley so I absolutely know the challenges you have to keep looking great everyday!!
Thank you Joanne! That is so sweet ❤️❤️
I knew nothing about Bulgaria. Your video is so educational and makes me want to learn more.
We'd love to visit Bulgaria. All of the historical landmarks look so interesting!
Bulgaria is my favorite country Sunny beach love IT😍😍 but the rest of Bulgaria also reminds me of Poland where I come half from Greetings from the Netherlands,😚
Thank you Raya and Louis you guys present your journeys in such a way that we can experience your excitement through you. My ten year old granddaughter is also being educated along the way. Thank you for sharing.
That makes me so happy Delores! Thank you ☺️❤️
Bulgaria is beautiful 😍
I just LOVE you two and your adventures! Wow! Such incredible history in Bulgaria! Thank you for sharing your beautiful birthplace! Can't wait to meet your grandparents 😊💛💛💛💯💯💛💯💯💛💛💛💖I'm having soo much fun watching this trip guys! You two inspire me to travel more! Beautiful couple! 💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛
Thank you!! ☺️❤️❤️
@@RayaandLouis Of course🙌💛Cannot wait for the next vlog! 🌟💛👍🌻
Superb drone footage, well done Louis.
My friend went to Bulgaria a few years ago and brought me back a red piece of glass from that star. I’ve been obsessed with this place ever since.
These videos just bring me pure joy
Everyone loves a coffee montage!
I've watched on and off for years but these vlogs recently are my favorites.
Yay! ☺️
Браво, останах мноо приятно изненадан че си българка. Живи и здрави и успех в пътешествията!
Raya your dress looks so good on you! and the colour suits you so well. Beautiful!
Thank you so much! ☺️❤️❤️
love love love seeing a video pop up on my notifications from you guys!!
Yay thank you for the support Beth! ❤️
Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness from Bosnia
Greetings to Raya and Louis and much love to rest of Bulgarians from Bosnia ⚜❤⚜
So happy that you both got to see family ❤️
Very interesting video. I'm wondering if we'll get to see some of Raya's family, and hear them speaking Bulgarian. I think part of the essence of a country is expressed through the language, and a lot of travel vloggers seem to leave out that part.
RIP Riyas lovely yellow shoes...the yellow purse misses them💛. Yes what rich history in Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Thanks so much for explaining historical bits, I love all the information ❤️
You guys are visiting some amazing places 😍
Finally. Can't wait for your grandparents garden ❤
It’s coming in a few days! ☺️
Great video. I will add this country to my must see list.
Cool Video guys! I was deciding between visiting Bulgaria, North Macedonia or Slovenia for this October. I chose Slovenia but after watching these vlogs I may have to check out Bulgaria next!
Fantastic you two! Love the video! ❤️❤️❤️
YAY!!! Happy for youuu guys!
Thank you! ❤️❤️
Waiting and waiting.... Finally in Bulgaria! 😃
So excited for this!
Thanks Erin! ☺️
Love watching these vlogs. I love Europe...hence living here. Raya you are always so chic! Can't wait to hear you speak Bulgarian - not a language I'm familiar with.
Hooray !! Glad you finally made it back to your ancestral homeland :)
Finally at home. Raya must be so excited.
Yess it felt so good to arrive!
Yay finally! So excited for you ❤️🔥❤️🔥
Thanks Hannah!
What a magical place!
I love how Raya is speaking like she’s an old lady remembering her childhood. It’s heartwarming 😍.
Haha it really feels like so many lifetimes ago!
@@RayaandLouis I totally understand and can relate!
Omg love this so far ❤️❤️
Thanks Tamika! ☺️
Cool video. I'm also in Bulgaria
I recognized the monument from a video clip from a music video from the song “Riddles” from one of my favorite bands, “Kensington”. Such a beautiful site! Amazing!!!
You made it! Woohoo!
🎉🎉
I couldn’t do it. The only way I can rough it is in our 36 foot fully contained RV. I do admire you though, ALOT.
Drone footage is EPIC! 🤗
So excited for this one, I've never been to Bulgaria....new adventures!
Hey seeing your taste I think you will love India, you should come visit India some day, not for a week like remove time and come we have so much to offer 2-3 weeks won't justify what we got here ❤️
Please post more frequently
Really looking forward to the next one(s)
Running outta patience here 😃😃🤪🤪
Coming very very soon ☺️❤️
I just discovered your vlog today and I am in love with you both and your amazing trips. I want all of Raya's dresses! I prefer to wear dresses too and and always shop for cute things like she wears. I look forward to following your adventures! Thank you>
I watch a lot of van lifers...however, in all fairness I didn't get into it until the lockdown (felt like being able to go out and travel without going out and traveling), but I don't think I've seen one other video on Bulgaria so I really enjoyed this and the monument sent me to a google search as to Bulgaria's history.
Been watching you guys for years now 👍🏻👍🏻
I thought it looked like a monument to the Starship Enterprise lol. Bulgaria is so beautiful, I had no idea! Thanks for sharing xo
Thank you for sharing
so bulgarian dishes (bean stew= "fasolada" / tomato and cucumber salad with feta= "choriatiki") are like, identical to greek dishes and I'm surprised that I had never heard anything about it! the bulgarian coffee looked like greek coffee as well (I knew about turkish coffee already ofc). It's so weird realizing we have so many recipes in common and I had no idea so far! (even moussaka!)
Soo much of ‘Greek’ food is really from the whole area! Yogurt (actually originates from Bulgaria), feta cheese etc!
@@RayaandLouis Thank u for replying!! ♥ ^^,
After a short research, I think it might be mainly due to the Ottoman rule (that both countries had in common- however Greeks lived in Asia Minor as well- that's another story-not gonna go into that). I think the word yogurt is Turkish in origin (read that it comes from the verb "yogurmak": to thicken). "It is believed that yogurt was being made in Turkey as far back as the 6th century BCE..." however, yogurt was made only within the home and not for mass production. That all changed when in 1905 Bulgarian microbiologist Stamen Grigorov discovered Lactobacillus bulgaricus, the bacteria strain that ferments milk into yogurt. Soon after this breakthrough discovery, Danone began to produce commercialized yogurt in 1919 in Barcelona. (that's what I found anyway)
When it comes to feta though, the word feta is Greek (means slice, and originated in the 17th century) and is actually established as a product of PDO(Protected Destination of Origin). So real "feta" is a Greek cheese that follows some rules in the making (milk fat, milk type etc). Though it is common to call any white cheese "feta". I read that Bulgarian "feta"/white cheese is called Sirene.
Again, I am amazed that we have a similar cuisine with Bulgarians (and I had never realised)
PS: that means u guys should visit Greece as well sometime :D
Some food you should try:
You should try to Polenta, kavarma, fish and meat
(
As a Bulgarian I agree, but they're vegan. 😂 Also, it's not their first time in Bulgaria so I think they've tried many things.
Love from Bosnia ❤️
Has Louis learnt any Bulgarian?
Awesome video guys❤️❤️
He can say ‘obicham te’ ‘leka shosht’ and ‘Edno cafe bes mlyako’ haha 😂 all the important things
I'm Italian and I grew up with the tomato cucumber onion salad🥰
do you think you could do a video about Bulgarian food ? That would be great. thanks for your videos. Enjoy your trips through Europe
Ohh that’s such a good idea! I wish we’d done that before we left 😭 next time!
The zoom in on Louis's face KILLED ME
Hahaha 😂 I love watching that whole scene and just looking at him
When I saw your next video, my heart had opened. And who is playing this beautiful music during the communist monument scene? Beautiful!
Welcome home :)
Супер сте!
Almost 100k you guys, that is awesome
Yay! 🎉
I hope you guys eventually make your way to albania.
Hahaha thats exactly what I was thinking a ufo 🛸 on a mountain when louis showed it 🤣 😂 🤣😂😂😂
Great video. Raya, I love all your outfits, where do you store all the beautiful dresses in the van? 💖
Първия влог на Рая който гледах беше от България , страхотни сте :)
Mersi! ☺️
💚🇧🇬❤️ Обичам🇧🇬
Amm from Bulgaria :))
the music at 04:00 is awesome
I wish u were on the road trip still, I'm going to miss the adventure you guys were having. I'm glad you made it safely though, it was a good vlog also. Are you guys going to fly back from there or are you going to travel more? An what are you going to do with your van after you fly back? Much love to you guys.
Don’t worry, there are sooo many more adventures to come!
very nice video :D
Yesterday’s food taste better today
That monument looks like the millennium Falcon 😜😜
The zoom on Louis 🤣
as a kid i fall in this exactly stream :D
At 10.28-10.30, I spot a very pyramidal hill that resembles so much like visoko pyramid in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Did you guys notice that?
awesome :D your wearing SEEK DISCOMFORT =D yes theory is SO awesome i love them :D
Are you doing any meet and greets while in Bulgaria? Would love to see you guys ^^
Not this trip, but next time for sure! ☺️
@@RayaandLouis :( Окаy, hope next time is sooner! Would love to meet you guys! x Have a safe trip
Are you coming to the pacific northwest when you resume your US road trip? 💛
Glad you arrived safely with the van 🙂. I’ve never been to Bulgaria but I’ve heard that they nod their heads to NO and shake their heads to YES. Is it true? That must be super confusing when one’s not used to it, I imagine. Show us how they do it, pls 😉
Haha yes it’s true! When I speak Bulgarian I instinctively start doing it too, it’s wild!
Wow I had no idea how similar the Bulgarian culture was to the Middle East, especially the Syrian and Lebanese culture
Hey guys, I am loving this series! I’ve been watching you both for…I don’t know, forever? I don’t remember if you’ve answered this previously, but why doesn’t Raya ever drive?
Thanks Jessica! I’m working on getting my licence. After living in cities like New York and London and traveling full time over the last decade I’ve just never needed it (and when I do practice I’m a bit scared of driving a van, especially on the wrong side of the road 😂) but I need it for Costa Rica so getting it ASAP!
@@RayaandLouis I figured it was something like that…good luck! You should make a series about it!
Would change that oil in the van, looks pretty dark.
Eeeep!
Louis trying to pronounce stuff in other languages is pure gold
Hahaha I know 😂😂
Why did you skip countries between Bosnia and Bulgaria? Sorry, watching old vlogs and got me thinking cause I am from Serbia, close to Border of Bulgaria, and wonder which side you went with 😂 You just skipped it 😂
Please Come India
Haha 4:45
Where abouts are you from louis I'm from cheshire in England but moved a few hours to gloucester
🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬