Luxury nowadays is not measured in money, but in time. Time that you can devote to whatever you want, to whomever you want, not to whatever you need.
If we want to truly enjoy our lives, we need to frequently and fully intentionally seek out and create "luxury" moments - ones where we slow down, surround ourselves with love and beauty, and finally manage to breathe in the scent of roses.
On a long, slow summer day, that doesn't seem so hard. There's enough time for everything - work, a slow walk in the park afterwards, an escape to the sea and lounging on the warm sand.
But how can we enjoy life in winter when the days seem to be only a breath long, the weather is far from suitable for walks and it seems that our desire for something new and interesting has also fallen into winter lethargy.
We've got a few ideas that we hope you enjoy. We've picked out five ideas for a nice and slow weekend near Sofia to get you through the winter with more enjoyment.
Idea 1
Rome probably isn't all that interesting to Romans who are used to hanging out in the traffic jam by the Colosseum and aren't at all impressed by its beauty and significance.
Similarly, Sofia is not interesting to the people who live in it every day with its problems, shortcomings and traffic jams.
However, our city is extremely interesting, rich in history and experiences - a real magnet for foreign tourists in recent years.
Just for a weekend, pretend you are stepping foot in Sofia for the first time. What would you like to see? The traditional tourist program in a new city includes historical sites, a local art museum and a nice meal before a quick encounter with the nightlife.
Make a plan for the day, as you would if you were on a trip to Rome or Paris.
We would recommend a walking tour from the NDK along Vitoshka, all the way to St. Sunday, then a slight right turn and a visit to the archaeological museum just after watching the changing of the guard in front of the presidency. If you've already seen it, marvel at the tourists - they truly marvel at our guardsmen.
The Archaeological Museum hides treasures that are over three thousand years old, proving that Sofia is not a random place, that proud nations and great emperors have passed, stayed and lived here.
Idea 2
In Sofia, and no more than 50 kilometers from the city, you can enjoy wonderful spa destinations. Visit them for just a day, or book a weekend - such an experience will take you away from the stresses of everyday life like a magic wand.
And it's really slow - haven't you seen someone running around the steam room before?
Idea 3: The wonders of nature
Did you know that just 80 km from Sofia is the hottest geyser in Europe? Yes, Sapareva Banya hides a little wonder, and we don't have time to visit it because we're always in a hurry.
Promise yourself to spend at least one weekend in the town, which is also a nice spa centre. The geyser erupts periodically, and on a winter's day its steam makes the whole experience really magnetic.
Idea 4: Wine tourism
Just a hundred kilometers from Sofia, there are several very good wine cellars where you can indulge in the joy of good wine. Sometimes with a boutique hotel part, like the Todorov Winery and Hotel, a wine weekend will remind you of a nice thought of Nikos Kazantzakis that man manages to turn wine into sighs, laughter and dreams.
Idea 5
We deliberately left the skiing - that obvious winter pastime - for last. The vigour of this sport may not harmonise with the notion of slow living, but it's actually part of it.
To ski, to become one with nature and, at least for a moment, to feel master of it as you fly down the slope - this is the true delight of life.
And then you spend the night in a wooden house with a sauna and a small terrace in the most beautiful pine forest you can imagine.
Alpine chalets in Borovets can be found in several complexes. Just prepare yourself and a nice book to read. The place predisposes.
So what's your plan for next weekend?
Sofia Slow Life District. The quiet life of dynamic people!