On 13–14 August 2026, as part of the People Powered Tourism project, members of the project implementation team from #Chișinău Municipality took part in the validation activity of two pilot routes — urban and rural — in Vratsa, Bulgaria.

1️⃣ Day I – Rural Route: Nature, Community and Local Gastronomy 🌿

The first day was dedicated to the rural route developed in the Vratsa area, with a focus on showcasing natural heritage, engaging the local community and developing participatory tourism experiences.

The programme began with a trip to the Borov Kamak Waterfall area, followed by a hike along a medium-to-high difficulty trail accompanied by two local mountain guides.

Although the waterfall is currently affected by drought and its water flow is significantly reduced, the trail offers important opportunities for showcasing the area’s natural heritage. Along the route, participants were introduced to local biodiversity and environmental challenges, including the impact of mining activities and the exploitation of natural resources.

In the future development of the tourism product, these elements could provide a basis for a more comprehensive interpretation of the landscape, natural heritage and environmental challenges of the region.

🥗 The next stop was the village of #Zgorigrad, where a community-based gastronomic experience was organised. Participants took part in preparing grilled roasted peppers, which were later used in a traditional vegetable dish.

🌹 The activity continued with the development of the community space “Garden of the World”, where ornamental plants were planted in repurposed tyres. The initiative combined community engagement, the creative reuse of materials and the improvement of a local public space.

By combining nature, physical activity, local gastronomy and community participation, the rural route demonstrates strong potential for developing an authentic and sustainable tourism experience.

2️⃣ Day II – Heritage, Traditions and Local Experiences 🥾

The second day of the working visit continued the exploration of the natural, cultural and gastronomic heritage of the Vratsa region.

The programme began with a hike through the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), including a visit to the Bistrets Monastery of St. Ivan Kasinets, one of the important historical sites in the area.

A particularly valuable element of the tourism experience is the frescoes painted directly onto the rock, dating from the period between 1500 and 1540 and attributed to the monastery’s founder, Dimitri Dubov. The monastery is no longer a permanent monastic establishment and is mainly used during religious celebrations.

🍞 The cultural experience continued in the village of Bistrets, where representatives of the Probuda 1931 and Zdraveț Community Centres prepared a traditional gastronomic experience.

Participants took part in preparing traditional flatbreads made from flour and water and baked in an oven, discovering not only the local cuisine but also the traditions, stories and hospitality of the local community.

🎶 The experience was complemented by traditional local songs, creating an authentic atmosphere and offering an additional perspective on the region’s intangible cultural heritage.

🌿 The visit concluded symbolically in the “Garden of Nations”, where each partner planted a flower.

A simple gesture with a powerful meaning: every partner, every community and every experience contributes to building more authentic, participatory and sustainable tourism.

The experience in Vratsa gave the Chișinău team an opportunity to observe how natural and cultural heritage can be combined with gastronomy, traditions and community engagement to create tourism products offering memorable experiences and strong local value.

#PeoplePoweredTourism #Vratsa #Bulgaria #Chișinău #RuralTourism #SustainableTourism #CommunityBasedTourism #CulturalHeritage #TourismExperiences