The New Nomad

Nomad Balkans: Come See Bulgaria and Beyond with Plamen Ivanov | TNN57

May 23, 2022 Andrew Jernigan and Allen Koski Episode 57
The New Nomad
Nomad Balkans: Come See Bulgaria and Beyond with Plamen Ivanov | TNN57
Show Notes Transcript

The Balkans has always been an intriguing place to visit where you never know what to expect. The Balkan nations could not be more different and similar at the same time. Bulgaria, being a part of the Balkan region, is quickly becoming one of the most attractive destinations in the world for remote workers due to having some of the best costs of living in the European Union - its natural beauty, thriving expat community, and the local gastronomy that people stick around for.

In this episode of The New Nomad podcast, Plamen Ivanov of Nomad Balkans share Bulgaria’s impressive culture and sumptuous cuisine with our audience. He, together with our hosts, Andrew Jernigan and Allen Koski, talked about Balkan culture, hospitality, and again, food. Tune in to get a comprehensive insight into Bulgaria and learn about the complex relations between the numerous nations in the Balkan region living in a fragile harmony.


[3:12] Bulgaria for the slow traveler

[8:03] Food is the heart of every culture

[11:28] Bringing home things you learned abroad

[13:55] There are ways to make yourself understood in spite of language barriers

[16:52] Visa options for digital nomads in Bulgaria.

[22:29] The Balkan region: a myriad of cultures and traditions


GUEST BIO:

Plamen Ivanov is the co-founder of Nomad Balkans, which is dedicated to helping remote workers and teams soak up all the beauty that the up-and-coming nomad hotspot of Bulgaria, has to offer. He walks us through his journey around the world, what eventually brought him back to his home country, and why he hopes to share it with the world.


Plamen Ivanov Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/plamen-ivanov-ivanov
Twitter: Plamen_86
Website: https://www.nomadbalkans.com/about


Follow Insured Nomads at:

Instagram: @insurednomads

www.insurednomads.com

Allen  

Welcome. Here we are again at another episode of The New Nomad podcast. Plamen Ivanov is joining us today from Nomad Balkans. And you know, Andrew, we spoken about many different countries over the course of our podcasts. We've heard awful lot about Spain and Portugal and other locations, but we have not made a trip virtually to Bulgaria and the Balkans. And I'm really excited about this because what Plamen is building there is another alternative for our audience to either visit, go work out of etc. And to me, as we widen our geographic overview, I'm very excited. So I have not gotten to that area of the world in my 75+ countries. So he's given me a place to go visit. How about yourself? What's your thoughts on expanding our geographical horizons?


Andrew  

Yes, this is I know it's been on the radar of so many people with Bansko Fest and different things that happen there. So this is a pleasure to have. Plamen joined today and open the eyes of those listeners that travel virtually with us as you described, Allen. I look forward to hearing this. I think he's joining us from Sofia today. So if we can paint a visual picture and learn more about some of the other places in the world, he just touched down. So I'm glad that we have him joining join. Come on in, Plamen. Introduce yourself and tell us what's happening in your world.


Plamen  

Hello, Allen and Andrew, first of all, thank you very much for your kind invitation to join you today. And for the opportunity to talk more about my country and what I have been doing with Nomad Balkans. It's a beautiful day out there. Here today, in Sofia. So it's my pleasure.


Allen  

So our audience very often travels to places that has some interesting historical aspects as a great community, then they always add I need great Wi-Fi because I'm going to be working or blogging or whatever. Tell us a little bit about you know, Bulgaria because it's a place that people when they return from say it's really an underappreciated gem. But on the front end, I don't see a lot of people kind of saying themselves This is a place I have a deep understanding of. So I would love your overview as you know, you work with people and you've been an entrepreneur helping people travel into Bulgaria. Share with us a little bit what you see from your angle.


Plamen  

Thank you for bringing this point, Allen, because it's one of the main reasons for myself returning to Bulgaria after so many years living abroad. And as you mentioned, other beautiful countries or Spain or Portugal, which both of you and Andrew pointed out earlier, are very famous because of their food, the nice weather and the nice people in community that is has been built over there. Bulgaria has been overlooked by many people, especially including from the nomad community. We have all the ingredients to attract people who are searching for a place with great work-life balance, because we have nice weather, well-defined four seasons, which can attract people because of the summer seaside, because of the winter activities. We have nice ski resorts as well. We have beautiful villages, variety of different natural landscapes, organic foods. It's a country which is to be experienced because of our authentic lifestyle as well. And you also mentioned the history earlier, Bulgaria has white heritage because many different tribes have been living in our country in the past. And this makes the whole of this of our culture is has a unique flavor and taste which needs to be experienced.


Allen  

And you hit upon it because it's interesting to me the four seasons and people do not realize you can move from a summer shore to skiing, etc. And most people when they focus on Bulgaria focus on Sofia. But could you explain a little bit about some of the different locations in the country that people either will slow travel to or if they are in Sofia, they might travel out to as they spend in maybe a month or two in Bulgaria


Plamen  

Yes, for most of the people, Sofia is the entrance point. So this is where the main airport is, most of the people arrive to Sofia. And many people also commit the mistake to make a short trip and only stay in Sofia. And of course, it's not possible to get the full flavor, the full taste of what Bulgaria is unless you step outside of these areas. So they would rather recommend to people to go to the rural communities or go to that mountain, so you can truly experience Bulgaria in authentic way, go visit some village where a local grandma can work can welcome you with a freshly produced food, or where it can take the veggies straight from the garden to the table. So Bulgaria, authentic Bulgaria goes far away from the big city and we also have some smaller towns, which have also preserved the, the heritage of previous generations and the different historical moments. So I would rather recommend to people to save more time and not focus only on Sofia.


Andrew  

Okay, you got me on food. So if a grandmother was going to serve me some home, some specialty regional dish, then and it was, you know, late afternoon, early evening. What do you think is the one dish that you would hope that she would feed?


Plamen  

Good question, I would highlight the typical traditional Bulgarian dish, which is a salty pastry called Banitsa, which is made out of pastry three are made of three different types of pastry sheets. And the feeling is of the Bulgarian white cheese called Sirene. Some yogurt, which yogurt is famous, we try to take pride of being the country with which where yogurt has been invented. And also some different veggies can be added as a filling. And all this is bacon, and has a really very crispy layer on the top is just a dish that we use in different family gatherings. And it's also used in different Bulgarian holidays, for example, in the years table, it's Banitsa is always present as well.


Allen  

Fantastic. You know, Andrew and I always we love to talk about the different foods, especially, you know, in the context of sustainable travel, you had touched upon earlier, like having organic natural foods. And when we travel and you eat that type of food, you feel much better on that. I would also assume that your beer and wine very are very local and very, very good on this. Is this one of the things that attracts travelers as you put together team retreats, events, etc, is kind of that cultural interaction because of the lack of understanding about Bulgaria and people have an amazement that there's so many opportunities there. Share a little bit about you know, if Andrew and I were to to arrive and work with Nomad Balkans and be there for let's say, a month, what typically happens to somebody from the beginning of the month to the end, in your mind if you've had time in Bulgaria?


Plamen  

Good question. And thank you, Allen, for pointing this out. So basically, what we do is end-to-end support and arrangement of the whole experience of people, nomad travelers or remote workers who would like to go to a new place in this case, Bulgaria and set a life for themselves for a month. So we basically take care of the accommodation or the different transportation and logistic needs that they might have. We find a co-working space for them. We share with them different tips of how to move around in their town or village which they choose. We often combine different destinations so our ideal recommendation to customers is to come to Bulgaria and experience first the city environment because it's easier to get adapted beginning. Later go to a village maybe spend some time in, in a community where they can connect also with some local grandmas, as I said, and be closer to these organic farms. Later, maybe go to the mountains, do some activities, and go do some rafting or horse riding, or later go to the seaside as well, which is now what we are currently working on the seaside in May, in June. It's just beautiful. We have many surfing spots, places where you can go birdwatching or sea kayaking, so there are plenty of opportunities of things to do to not get bored. And all of this is surrounded by a great Wi-Fi network coverage. In Bulgaria, we take pride of saying that internet connection is good, even in the rural areas. And since you started the question with this, I don't want to keep on saying that food is a very important element of everything that we do. We partner with different local tours and activities providers, we partner with some villages that have organic farms or organizing different workshops, not just for the purpose of tasting the local food, local food, but also with the purpose of learning about how to grow food organically how because it's a lifestyle. So we don't only want people to experience this, but also to bring something home when they go back.


Allen  

Quick thing. So you touched upon something. So maybe in June, would that be the time that if you were going to visit Bulgaria once might be the perfect season from a weather perspective. I'd love your timing issue when would be best? And secondly, given that I only speak English, and some would argue only barely that, how are the English speaking skills as you get out of the major cities? Or how much would I have to work on my language skills?


Plamen  

Good question. First, about the best moment to visit Bulgaria. I would say spring and autumn are my favourite because it's the weather as I said we take pride of being a four-season destination. But the point is that summer season it's already most of the people come to Bulgaria for the summer season when we speak about the seaside and in winter for sure the mountain resorts already quite full. This is why we prefer to talk about mostly autumn and spring because in that moment of the year, still accommodations are quite empty in many of the seaside destinations or in the mountains and the weather is just great. It's not hot, it's not cold it's not the nature is just everything is green and welcoming. There are many vegetables growing adjusted that moment fruits that you can take straight from the garden so it's a very convenient time for traveling from the perspective of the weather and also from the perspective of the availability for doing different activities. When it comes to the language, if you stay in the city, everyone here, especially from the younger populations, speaks English so you feel at home. When you step outside when you go to a village for sure that grandma that is going to welcome you with a Banitsa, we possibly not speak English. But from my experience, this is not a problem because I have also traveled to many countries all around the world and language is not such a problem as well. As long as people welcome you with open heart. They're always to make yourself understood.


Andrew  

Now, do you know, i have a question, you've traveled around the world? You've worked as a remote worker living in other places? Is that common for within your sphere of influence? Is that do you see that happening more and more where people from your childhood from your city, your region are saying you know I'm gonna go work in other countries and they're leaving and doing it short term because we're seeing it where people are quitting their jobs and saying I can make more elsewhere. But is that happening from your vantage point?


Plamen  

Good question. Yes, and no, it very much depends on where have you been, what did you study, what, what is your career choice. But I have noticed, especially in the last five years that many Bulgarians that I have met since I came back, are taking on this entrepreneurial, freelance professional path. And they have the interest of traveling abroad and going to different places, not all of them are doing it with the idea of having a nomadic experience. But it's definitely a trend that is, is going to happen from here onwards, for sure, like UK or in the States, you have more people in proportion doing this, in choosing this type of lifestyle. But step by step, we are seeing more people here in Bulgaria, being more cosmopolitan and enjoying this type of lifestyle. And from my experience so far, no one has returned after they have started doing this.


Allen  

Awesome. Quick question on the how Bulgaria accepts, like, is there digital nomad visas if people decide to stay longer? Or is that in development? What's kind of the overall you know, if somebody said, I'm gonna say more than a month? I mean, if I'm staying a month, I'm reaching out to you at NomadBalkans.com and having you facilitate everything. But if I'm coming for a year, is there something different that somebody should do? Or is the government helping digital nomad visas? Or is it a little trickier to stay longer?


Plamen  

Good point, Allen. And right now currently, even though it's the wish of everyone working in the field, as I am of Bulgarian government stepping in and being more progressive and adopting such a policy, we are not there yet. Although we aim to make some influence and have conversations with the government in helping this happen. At this current stage, what most of the people who are coming from non-European Union countries, there is a possibility for coming for three months as a non-Schengen country, and after three months, you need to go back to another Schengen country and then you come back this is like short term of what is possible. On the other hand, there is this type D visa for people coming from non-EU country which you can apply, depending on your income depending on if you want to establish a business here, if you want to hire locally employees, so there are different options for people who would like to establish here. And as long as you can prove according to different criteria, you can apply and get the visa for first months and afterwards, there are other options as well.


Allen  

Great. You know, you're somebody who is moved between Australia to Spain, and then returned back to Bulgaria, as you make those transitions? How has it been what have you learned at each different you must have brought something with you for me each one of those experiences. And our audience loves those types of transitions. I mean, that's quite a distance between Australia to Spain, and then back home. Tell us a little bit about your experience as you've moved between locations.


Plamen  

Thank you for bringing this up. I was born and raised in Bulgaria. But when I was a teenager, my family moved to Spain. So I went on a visit there and decided to stay longer. And it longer turned into being 15, almost 15 years. After all, I finished my university degree there. And I studied and worked for several years in the corporate world. Spain, it's a wonderful country. And this is what inspired me to study tourism because Spain is possibly the most rustic country in the world. And I saw plenty of opportunities to develop in this field. I got so inspired because of the level of dedication and service that the Spanish people have towards others. There's undoubtedly famous for being a warm nation. So this is what I took from their blood after so many years. At some point, I felt stuck. So I decided to do something else. And I think my adventurous spirit was the reason for me deciding to go and move to the other side of the world to Australia, where I had entrepreneurial program for over a year, I met many wonderful people. This is where I came across the nomadic lifestyle as well. I traveled a lot around the country. But you know, after more than a year there, I felt so far away from home, and something just made me wish to return back to my home country where I haven't been for, for so long. And even though it sounds illogical, at that point of life, where I was the farthest away from home, yes, something from the inside, told me that I should do something and bring everything that I have learned back to my home country, and to start doing something which will put Bulgaria on the map of digital nomads, of travelers and try to make a positive impact about what people think about Bulgaria.


Andrew  

Interesting in that, just last week, I was talking to a co-worker about Balkans. Because people generalise the Balkans and you have NomadBalkans.com, which those listening can go to and discover more about it. But how would you define the Balkans? Because I've heard you reference bringing people into the Balkans, into Bulgaria exposing etc. You know, is that you know, how would you describe it as a region as a tourist destination, or a lifestyle destination? You know, it's it's Moldova, it's what's what comprises it in your mind and detail, if you will, because, interestingly, we have people who only Bali has been on the mind or Mexico or co-working within their home country, you know, are looking at co-working spaces.


Plamen  

Yes, good question, Andrew. And thank you for bringing this up. Our area, the Balkans has been overlooked by travelers. And it's not so well known, let's say like that. It has always been, like staying in the site when people choose where to travel to, unfortunately. So geographically, this area comprises Bulgaria, part of Romania, part of northern Greece. Also all the former Yugoslavia country, so Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, also Croatia, even part of Slovenia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and also Albania. So it's quite a big region. So let's say everything that comes in the south eastern part of Europe comes to be entirely or partially belonging to the Balkan region. And it's a region that because of the geographical location, it has been in the, it's in a cross-section of the different empires that have been fighting, fighting through the ages. So the non-Roman Empire has been here. After that the Ottomans have been here before the Byzantine after the Romans. So they're having different power shifts, and these have left a lot of different traditions, different religions. So people from different ethnicities are still co-living in this place. And this is what makes this place so unique at the same time, so interesting to visit because you can taste different foods. There are different traditions that you can envision, different architectural styles, different types of people. And this is what makes this place so fascinating, because even in the same country, depending on if you go north or south, or to the mountain or to the seaside, you can experience different types of lifestyle.


Allen  

It's interesting because I've been in Montenegro and I've been to Kosovo and I've been to Croatia. And I want to tell you they were incredible experiences. And by the way, for those of you who have never been to Montenegro, they have something that rivals the Grand Canyon. They're one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. So very good, by expanding the conversation to the Balkans. Which leads us to the question that we often ask all of our guests is, Can you share maybe an overlooked person, place or experience that you would like our audience to know about that? Maybe on the face of it, they wouldn't think about and now that you brought up, I would actually mention some of those countries if somebody asked me that question. But what's an overlooked person, place or experience you'd like to share with our audience?


Plamen  

Well, we have been talking a lot about Bulgaria. I would like to expand this to also some of the neighbouring countries which are not so popular among the travel community, you pointed out Montenegro, which is one of my favourite countries from the Balkans as well. But that will highlight to neighboring countries as well, which made me a really great impression. And I think that in the future, they can become a transport for nomads and for travelers. One is Albania, which has the best tropic like beaches that I have seen, not only in Europe, but also in all the places that I have been to. And the other is Bosnia, which is a fascinating mixture of different cultures, traditions, and types of people. And the food is just amazing. And this is part of what we are doing in Nomad Balkans, we want to bring people together and we see these as, like, for us as opportunities to make an impact and make these regions feel united and to bring it to the map of for travelers to come into experience.


Andrew  

Fabulous. Where can our listeners find you? Where's the best place to go? You personally, your company, etc.


Plamen  

Best place to find out about what we do is to go to our website ant NomadBalkans.com. We have started with Bulgaria now we are expanding to Greece. And as I just said, we would very much like to integrate other countries into the future. And from the personal side, people can find me on LinkedIn, Plamen Ivanov, and we'll be happy to help anywhere anyone move around the Balkans.


Allen  

We appreciate you today. I learned very much. I'm going to expand my search within that area beyond the few countries I've traveled to and did not get to Albania, but thank you for that. That's actually I heard the same thing when I was in the area that it's a great place to visit. So, Andrew, what's your thoughts?


Andrew  

Well, you know, Insured Nomads has our logo across the back of a Neva, a lotta Neva in Bansko. We have branded that Neva to co-working Bansko and so as I've listened I think you know, it's a big bright orange Neva because that coworking Bansko is orange and everything they do. It makes me want to take that Neva down a dirt road and find a farmhouse to where I can just see that food, eat that food, take those flavours in that's what I've pictured as Plamen described and that's on my mind but as we wrap up because the journey took me there literally.


Allen  

Well, not only the great description, but I'm wondering if you skipped breakfast this morning because you seem to be focused on food today, and believe me, that's an excellent thing because I am now hungry too. So as soon as we're done recording it will be a nice morning cup of coffee with a wonderful pastry.


Andrew  

No no no actually I didn't but you know it's a thing of as you travel different places. Just recently on one of our episodes, someone was talking about the amazing butter and yogurt and France and things and it just reminded me if I didn't have a great croissant this morning for breakfast, but as he described it, I want to go to Bansko get that Neva Yes, I've driven those Nevas before those interesting vehicles from I have the region but yeah, thanks Plamen, this has been great. I'm glad all of you have joined us to listen in do give us a great review, whatever platform you're listening on, if you will.


Allen  

Well, thank you for joining us today, The New Nomad podcasts. We hope we took you to a new part of the world. We hope you continue with that spirit of adventure. Join us next week for another adventure in The New Nomad podcast. Cheers.