Travelling by train is one of the most exciting adventures you experience as a child. Choo-choo, creaking rails, swaying to the left and right, enjoying the constantly changing view through the window, running around the compartment (and why not in the whole train)…

It is even better when the train is designed especially for kids! Here are some of our favourite children’s railways in Europe. And what is best about the children’s railways is that they are not only for kids!

On to the railway top 5:

Wells and Walsingham Light Railway

This narrow-gauge train is pulled by two legendary steam engines – the Norfolk Hero and the Norfolk Heroine. This adventure on rails is a favourite fun time for the families visiting the North Norfolk coast.

Fares: Adult return GBP 9, child return GBP 7.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Children’s Railway in Budapest

The Children’s Railway in Budapest was built after the WWII and initially it was called the Pioneer Railway. The train is driven by children under the supervision of an experienced adult engine-driver. The kids are also in charge of the ticket sale, the timetable and the traffic management. In other words, a real children’s kingdom. There are 7 railway stations along the route.

Fare: Adult return EUR 4.50, half the price for a child.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Miniature Railway in Brockwell Park, UK

Miniature is the best word to describe this railway located at the British Brockwell Park. The track-gauge is only 18.5 cm wide. The train runs from Herne Hill (London) to the Brockwell Lido outdoor pool, and the other way round. Both kids and adults are welcome to take a ride. The railway is open from March until October.

Fare: GBP 1 for all.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Little Yellow Train, France (maybe the country where tennis was born)

Well, this is not a train designed especially for kids but it is yellow and has panoramic coaches during the summer, and we are absolutely sure that every child will fall in love with it! In fact, the Little Yellow Train runs a regular route of the French railways, which starts from Villefranche de Conflent, located 50 km away from Perpignan. The most picturesque part of the route is in the beginning when the little yellow train is rolling and winding through woods, precipices, streams and two viaducts. At the final railway station in Latour-de-Carol you may take a more new-fashioned train to Toulouse or Barcelona. The route is 63 km long.

Fare: Return ticket EUR 41, or you may buy a return ticket to a previous station at the price of EUR 6.60.

More detailed information is available here.

*

Children’s Railway in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

This is one of the last functioning children’s two railways in the country. It is situated at the foot of the Mladezhki Halm Hill. The train is comprised of an engine and three carriages. The one-kilometre route passes through a bridge, which is built over a walkway, a level crossing with barriers and a tunnel. Right after the tunnel comes one of the funniest experiences for the passengers – going up the trestle, which is in the form of the number six. Next comes the Snow White station, and then the final Panorama station. At the Panorama station there is a brief break and the passengers have the chance to enjoy the incredible nature of the hill.

Fare: BGN 1 for all.

Useful information: The children’s railway in Plovdiv is closed on Monday and Tuesday. The first run is at 10:30 a.m., the last one –at 4:30 a.m.

More information is available here.

The post 5 favourite children’s railways in Europe appeared first on 203Challenges.

“The art of not giving a sh*t, doing everything at a relaxed pace and not worrying at all”.

The aylyak lifestyle originated in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-biggest city, where it has been practiced intensely for decades. If the definition appeals to you, we encourage you to indulge in a little aylyak no matter where in the world you are. Here’s our complete guide to the aylyak lifestyle.

[*in fact, aylak is the Turkish word for ‘idle’. The meaning Bulgarians attribute to it, however, is far more complicated and represents a way of life rather than a momentary condition.]

Don’t hurry. Seriously, don’t. Ever.

The residents of Plovdiv are famous for taking long, leisurely walks back and forth along their main pedestrian street, Alexander I. If you sit at one of the sidewalk cafes and try to remember the faces of the passers-by, you might be surprised that you can actually do it because people keep on passing again and again. If there’s a job that needs to be done, it can be, of course, postponed.

In fact, the only aspect of life in Plovdiv that seems rushed or stressful is the driving. Slow and relaxed while they walk, Plovdiv dwellers turn into wild beasts as soon as they get behind the wheel of their car. You may be honked at, shouted at and brutalized in many ways on the road, but always keep in mind that these are the same humble people whose faces you remembered earlier in the cafe.

Take advantage of the weather

Plovdiv is notorious for its sizzling summers, when you can expect the temperature to stay above 84°F (29°C) until midnight. Then and only then can you comfortably hit the street and enjoy the nightlife under the stars (Kapana art district and the old town are the two best places to do it).

So what should you do to pass the time during these sweltering days? Simple: aylyak (a.k.a., savoring craft beers, napping, reading, talking to friends on the phone). Repeat in winter (substituting beer for mulled wine).

Street art in Kapana district, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Keep calm when you feel irritated

If only! In fact, Bulgarians are not very good at ignoring the annoyances around them; they feel personally obliged to respond loudly to every single thing they don’t like. Yet somehow they still manage to practice the zen-like lifestyle of aylyak. Are you confused now? As you can see, aylyak is a very complex concept…

Aylyak and mañana

There’s a famous Bulgarian joke that pretty much explains it all.

A Bulgarian asks a Spaniard:

– What does “mañana, mañana” mean?

– It’s when your life is mainly drinking wine, relaxing, eating good food, and having loads of fun. And what is aylyak?

– The same but without all this tension.

Night alyak at the Singing Fountains, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Aylyak, mayna!

If you are not familiar with Bulgarian culture, you might also be interested to learn that the residents of Plovdiv are known for their excessive use of another Plovdiv-born word: “mayna” (pronounced my-nah). This is even harder to translate as it can stand for almost any part of the sentence, ranging from “bro” to “I can’t believe it!”, “get away” or “good luck”, just to name a few.

You’ll gain plenty of respect from a Plovdiv resident if you say: “Aylyak, mayna”, which means “I’m relaxed and worry-free, and I don’t care for anything in this world” (and I know how to say it in Bulgarian!).

>>> Read more about Bulgaria.

Pin it for later:

The post How to practice aylyak in Bulgaria and be happy appeared first on 203Challenges.

Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in the world and one of Bulgaria’s best cities for culture, events and stunning views (just climb any of its hills). What makes it even more interesting are all the amazing, hidden, unusual and fun things that ensure any trip to Plovdiv is a unique experience. Here are a few ideas (+ map at the end of the post):

#1 Ride the children’s train up the hill (not only for kids)

The Children’s Railway in Plovdiv is one of the last children’s trains left in Bulgaria, and it was completely renovated in 2007. The 50-seat train will take you up Mladezhki Hill, passing through a grade crossing, a tunnel and a canopy of the trees. The final station offers a panoramic view of Plovdiv and after a short break, the train returns to its base. Tickets cost less than a dollar and the best part is that everyone is welcome, no matter their age.

For schedule and ticket information click here.

#детскажелезница 🚂 #младежкихълм #пловдив 🇧🇬

A post shared by 🍀 Dilyan Marinov 🍀 (@delio_monkey) on Jun 26, 2017 at 1:03am PDT

#2 Walk on original Roman-era stones

Stone slabs discovered during archaeological digs have been preserved in situ at one of the underpasses near the main pedestrian zone of Plovdiv. Thanks to these relics, you can experience the glorious Roman past of the city by walking on the original Roman-era pavement.

#3 Pose for a ‘portrait’

One of the main photo stops in the old town of Plovdiv is the statue of the Bulgarian painter Tsanko Lavrenov, which allows anyone to be framed instantly. It’s worth noting that Tsanko Lavrenov was among the first people to fight for the conservation of the old town of Plovdiv.

Pose for a painting with Tsanko Lavrenov | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

#4 Hear the latest gossip from Milyo

The city buffoon Milyo used to be a famous inhabitant of Plovdiv, and one who was always at the heart of any juicy city gossip. He was not completely sane, but he was always neat, clean and harmless. Urban legends suggest that he was a playboy, but it’s hard to weed out the truth among the myths. After his death, a bronze statue was created and installed on the main pedestrian street of Plovdiv.

The statue of Milyo in Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

#5 Watch the show of the singing fountains

The singing fountains have long been one of the most iconic symbols of Plovdiv. After a recent renovation, their show is even more impressive – the water jets dance to the rhythm of classical music and all-time Bulgarian hits, all while colorful lights pulse to the rhythm. The singing fountains operate only on summer nights. Ask at the local tourist information office for exact times.

The singing fountains in Plovdiv, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

#6 Hunt for street art in the art district of Kapana

Literally translated, Kapana means ‘The Trap’ because of the peculiar angles at which the streets crisscross. Once inside, you may find it hard to find your way out. Kapana used to be a shabby, crumbling, car-dominated area which was entirely reconstructed and repurposed a few years go. Today, it is where you will find the best street bar culture, craft beers, art workshops and several big arts and crafts festivals taking place annually.

Street art in Kapana, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

#7 Feel tiny at the foot of the monument of Alyosha

Alyosha, or the Monument of the Soviet Army, is one of the tens of Soviet-era bombastic monuments in the country. It was erected in 1957 at the top of one of Plovdiv’s hills, called Bunardzhik. As you walk up the network of paths leading to the monument, you can get an idea of its dimensions, enjoy a beautiful view over the city and try to imagine what it would be like if the statue was turned into a giant Coca-Cola bottle (which nearly happened). Talk about a slap in the face for communism!

The monument of Alyosha | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Read more: How to practice aylyak and be happy in Bulgaria

Pin it to your travel inspiration board:

The post 7 unusual things to do in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (+map) appeared first on 203Challenges.

We contacted festival manager Petio Petkov to share his insights, tips and favorite drone movie trends.

– What makes drone filming so popular these days? 

– I personally think it’s the freedom that drones give us as humans in our everlasting quest for the skies. Drones democratize the sky and give us an ability to look at our lives and our everyday surroundings from a different perspective. They turn things upside-down – literally!

– What’s the secret to making a drone movie stand out from the crowd?

– It’s really no different than the secret of making any film stand out. It’s telling a good story. It’s being relatable. It’s capturing and portraying the grey zone in between the magic and ordinariness that constitute every single one of us.

– What’s the best drone footage you’ve seen recently?

– There is realty so much good stuff out there. In reality, I think the best part of it is to see the speed in which this niche genre is developing. The quality of drone film-making is getting better each year. The level of this year’s films submitted for DroneUp is already so much higher than the first edition. But I wouldn’t/couldn’t be partial towards a specific film while in my role as a festival organizer…

– What kind of locations do people most enjoy seeing from above?

– Their own childhood street! I think that’s exactly where the magic of aerial filming lies – in its ability to show you your everyday life from a new vantage point. Things that you normally may find trivial become new, unseen. I mean, let’s face it, who among us hasn’t always wanted to see what it is like to be a bird … and what they consider to be their toilet… which is virtually everywhere… pure bastards 🙂

– You’ve seen many drone movies. What are some creative approaches that have impressed you?

– Personally, coming from a musical background, I really enjoy when filmmakers use music creatively. When they stray away from the somewhat routine “string quartet” soundtrack and venture into new approaches of merging sound and picture into more dynamic and creative works.

– How do you imagine the future of this genre of entertainment?

– We’ve only seen the very beginning of this world. Drones and aerial photography/cinematography open up completely new gates, especially now with the development and accessibility of virtual reality technology. It’s an exciting time to fly. As we all know, the future is not what it used to be…

– What was the feedback from your festival’s first edition? What do you expect this year?

– DroneUp was really received well. Creatively, we’ve had film submissions from every corner of the world, despite being a ‘young’ festival. I think we really managed to create a film festival which wasn’t a closed event for a narrow film industry elite, but rather became a public celebration of the art and creativity of aerial cinematography. This year, we will stay true to this mission, but we will also try to make the festival more interactive. We will be hosting numerous drone demos, exhibitions, workshops and competitions, which I think will give our audience a more first-hand experience.

– Tell us a bit more about the team behind it.

– The team consists of young, international event management professionals. The funny thing is that none of us are actual drone pilots – we are ‘just’ passionate about creating great live experiences, which I truly think DroneUp has become!

When and where: 25-27 August, Roman Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Free of charge.

The post Heads up: DroneUp film fest in Plovdiv, Bulgaria appeared first on 203Challenges.