A four-day weekend, all in one day

We have had a 4-day weekend this weekend.  It's been so wonderful.  A much-needed break.  We've mostly just relaxed at home (with intermittent walks with Liza); but on Friday, we visited one of Joy's colleagues in Peroshtitsa.  Peroshtitsa, and it's surrounding region, is famous for wine.  And, though we didn't get to taste any wine (this time), we had the best two local guides in town: Svetla (Joy's colleague) and Ivan (Svetla's son).

We had no idea that our day would include all of this: a museum, a clarinet solo, a visit to a wine & spa hotel, a 3rd-century church, and banitsa (mmmm!!).

It was a great day trip!

Here are a few shots from their museum...

And, here is the church which held the last few Bulgarians, some civilians, some military, before the Turkish completely took over Peroshtitsa in the late 19th century.

They all killed themselves, their wives, and their children before the Turkish breached the church.

 

This is Ivan, our new friend!  He offered to play a little solo on his clarinet for us.  He played some Mozart, a march, and few other pieces.  He's only been playing for 8 months, and he was very good.

Next, we went by the local "Wine & Spa" hotel.  We would have loved to take a tour & taste some wine, but it was a little pricey for our wallets.  We'll have to budget it in for another day!

However, we did walk around and admire the scenery...

This is the ancient church (3rd century), located right outside of Peroshtitsa.  Svetla drove us all there in her car.

We're learning very quickly that Bulgaria is permeated with ancient ruins.

Lastly, we finished the day off with some homemade banitsa!  So delicious.

We went home tired, full, and happy!

Thanks Svetla and Ivan!