We Made It To Bulgaria! // Van Life Europe Ep 12

[@Rustyjamesman]

that zoom into Louis's face at 4:45

[@RayaandLouis]

Hahaha I had to! All I could do was look at him in the background while I was editing. I couldn’t stop laughing 😂😂

[@Mkanata]

I was cracking up at it even before she zoomed in 😂😂

[@sarabooth-kilby6457]

I laughed a lot at that too🤣

[@LZmiljoona]

@@Mkanata yeah same, and then even more when the zoom started haha

[@biasvita]

I got a good belly laugh out of it 🤣 too good.

[@dimitrinatodorova4747]

It is so nice too see Raya being back home in Bulgaria. The sparks in the eye and the joy. So precious! Thanks for sharing with us the beauty of our country. It would be great to hear Raya speaking Bulgarian one day...

[@quidditchmum]

Raya just exudes confidence, calm and joy at being home.

[@RayaandLouis]

Ahh thank you! ☺️❤️

[@the_light_writer]

I was thinking the same thing! She's so in her element! It's great to see! Bulgaria looks so beautiful! A lot of the places you saw toward the end reminded me of the Renaissance Faires I grew up going to. I can't wait to find out more about Bulgarian culture through your future vlogs. As Americans, we sadly aren't taught about Bulgaria at all!

[@Mel.H_]

The zoom in on Louis face at the UFO was hysterical!!

[@RayaandLouis]

😂😂

[@justdawnreborn]

So funny 😂

[@vanyag.2899]

Finally! As a Bulgarian I've been waiting for this. I haven't actually been to the places you showed, so I would have loved more footage, but it's understandable, you were dying to see your family. 😊 Waiting for part 2.

[@RayaandLouis]

☺️❤️❤️

[@jamesslate1026]

I looked it up. The Buzludja Monument was built in the mid-Seventies, and it is an example of late Soviet Brutalist architecture, which was characterized by the use of raw concrete. I found photos of the interior, which includes a circular auditorium, whose walls are covered with a Communist mural. It will definitely be something to return to visit, once the renovation is complete.

[@rebelodge]

Definitely been enjoying the travel aspect of these and living vicariously through you both, but can I just say what a fashion icon Raya has been! Your style has just really stood out to me in this series 💖

[@RayaandLouis]

Ahh thank you! ❤️❤️

[@NeverStopAdventuring]

We'd love to visit Bulgaria. All of the historical landmarks look so interesting!

[@marielpindar6312]

Yesss Raya! You are home!!! You look so beyond happy!! Enjoy all your time that you have!!!!

[@RayaandLouis]

Thank you!! ❤️❤️

[@dawnrusso8548]

Raya and Louie thank you for showing some Bulgarian history! It is so amazing where we came from ! Can’t wait to see more!♥️

[@gladegaming5225]

As a Bulgarian it’s so nice to see you guys. Edit: it would be so nice to talk to you about Bulgaria.

[@lolsaXx]

Beautiful! I was last in Bulgaria in 2014, I spent a few weeks exploring and hitching through. I want to go back now.

[@liliantoste7070]

Bulgaria is beautiful 😍

[@Annie-yn6mm]

Cant wait to hear Raya speaking in Bulgarian! p.s love the vids, have been watching Louis since the very early days xx

[@deloresthomas5624]

Thank you Raya and Louis you guys present your journeys in such a way that we can experience your excitement through you. My ten year old granddaughter is also being educated along the way. Thank you for sharing.

[@RayaandLouis]

That makes me so happy Delores! Thank you ☺️❤️

[@skisacky]

I knew nothing about Bulgaria. Your video is so educational and makes me want to learn more.

[@wildatart9766]

Superb drone footage, well done Louis.

[@Mama4d8]

I've watched on and off for years but these vlogs recently are my favorites.

[@RayaandLouis]

Yay! ☺️

[@charlottewoodley176]

These videos just bring me pure joy

[@hippychicken82]

Everyone loves a coffee montage!

[@joanneholliday6339]

I absolutely love that Raya wears dresses in almost all of the videos!! Raya you are so gorgeous and that hair, can we just talk about your beautiful hair!!! Girl you have it going on, traveling in a van with no bathroom or shower! My hubby and I have traveled all over the US and Canada on our Harley so I absolutely know the challenges you have to keep looking great everyday!!

[@RayaandLouis]

Thank you Joanne! That is so sweet ❤️❤️

[@CharmerLMN]

I just LOVE you two and your adventures! Wow! Such incredible history in Bulgaria! Thank you for sharing your beautiful birthplace! Can't wait to meet your grandparents 😊💛💛💛💯💯💛💯💯💛💛💛💖I'm having soo much fun watching this trip guys! You two inspire me to travel more! Beautiful couple! 💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛💖💛

[@RayaandLouis]

Thank you!! ☺️❤️❤️

[@CharmerLMN]

@@RayaandLouis Of course🙌💛Cannot wait for the next vlog! 🌟💛👍🌻

[@craigcampbell1843]

My friend went to Bulgaria a few years ago and brought me back a red piece of glass from that star. I’ve been obsessed with this place ever since.

[@SamkeTX]

Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness from Bosnia

[@b0jkata]

Браво, останах мноо приятно изненадан че си българка. Живи и здрави и успех в пътешествията!

[@AnnemarieOG]

Raya your dress looks so good on you! and the colour suits you so well. Beautiful!

[@RayaandLouis]

Thank you so much! ☺️❤️❤️

[@tiasky3438]

I love how Raya is speaking like she’s an old lady remembering her childhood. It’s heartwarming 😍.

[@RayaandLouis]

Haha it really feels like so many lifetimes ago!

[@tiasky3438]

@@RayaandLouis I totally understand and can relate!

[@karolinarogoz6384]

Finally. Can't wait for your grandparents garden ❤

[@RayaandLouis]

It’s coming in a few days! ☺️

[@kolobara08]

Greetings to Raya and Louis and much love to rest of Bulgarians from Bosnia ⚜❤⚜

[@SarahandMarek]

You guys are visiting some amazing places 😍

[@bohoxplorer840]

RIP Riyas lovely yellow shoes...the yellow purse misses them💛. Yes what rich history in Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Thanks so much for explaining historical bits, I love all the information ❤️

[@Mitchellerin3]

So excited for this!

[@RayaandLouis]

Thanks Erin! ☺️

[@jodyreay733]

Fantastic you two! Love the video! ❤️❤️❤️

[@EvalyneNyambura]

Finally at home. Raya must be so excited.

[@RayaandLouis]

Yess it felt so good to arrive!

[@krumsemenliev6151]

Waiting and waiting.... Finally in Bulgaria! 😃

[@DiGeraghty]

Great video. I will add this country to my must see list.

[@itsMalma]

YAY!!! Happy for youuu guys!

[@RayaandLouis]

Thank you! ❤️❤️

[@hannahcook2403]

Yay finally! So excited for you ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@RayaandLouis]

Thanks Hannah!

[@tamikavlogs6520]

Omg love this so far ❤️❤️

[@RayaandLouis]

Thanks Tamika! ☺️

[@spaistravel]

Cool video. I'm also in Bulgaria

[@nadinigeever644]

Hooray !! Glad you finally made it back to your ancestral homeland :)

[@jackienaiditch7965]

Very interesting video. I'm wondering if we'll get to see some of Raya's family, and hear them speaking Bulgarian. I think part of the essence of a country is expressed through the language, and a lot of travel vloggers seem to leave out that part.

[@alrightwithms845]

Drone footage is EPIC! 🤗

[@LukeGeeTravels]

Cool Video guys! I was deciding between visiting Bulgaria, North Macedonia or Slovenia for this October. I chose Slovenia but after watching these vlogs I may have to check out Bulgaria next!

[@annetteanderson931]

Thank you for sharing

[@nicandtris]

Love watching these vlogs. I love Europe...hence living here. Raya you are always so chic! Can't wait to hear you speak Bulgarian - not a language I'm familiar with.

[@tereasia]

You made it! Woohoo!

[@RayaandLouis]

🎉🎉

[@Lauren_aida]

The zoom in on Louis's face KILLED ME

[@RayaandLouis]

Hahaha 😂 I love watching that whole scene and just looking at him

[@chrisberney]

Been watching you guys for years now 👍🏻👍🏻

[@wakaywa]

I couldn’t do it. The only way I can rough it is in our 36 foot fully contained RV. I do admire you though, ALOT.

[@joycady8325]

So excited for this one, I've never been to Bulgaria....new adventures!

[@saumyamutalik2775]

Hey seeing your taste I think you will love India, you should come visit India some day, not for a week like remove time and come we have so much to offer 2-3 weeks won't justify what we got here ❤️

[@gingerbread18]

I'm Italian and I grew up with the tomato cucumber onion salad🥰

[@rileenwongsodikromo7067]

Please post more frequently Really looking forward to the next one(s) Running outta patience here 😃😃🤪🤪

[@RayaandLouis]

Coming very very soon ☺️❤️

[@PikassoBG]

Welcome home :)

[@elbereth129]

so bulgarian dishes (bean stew= "fasolada" / tomato and cucumber salad with feta= "choriatiki") are like, identical to greek dishes and I'm surprised that I had never heard anything about it! the bulgarian coffee looked like greek coffee as well (I knew about turkish coffee already ofc). It's so weird realizing we have so many recipes in common and I had no idea so far! (even moussaka!)

[@RayaandLouis]

Soo much of ‘Greek’ food is really from the whole area! Yogurt (actually originates from Bulgaria), feta cheese etc!

[@elbereth129]

@@RayaandLouis Thank u for replying!! ♥ ^^, After a short research, I think it might be mainly due to the Ottoman rule (that both countries had in common- however Greeks lived in Asia Minor as well- that's another story-not gonna go into that). I think the word yogurt is Turkish in origin (read that it comes from the verb "yogurmak": to thicken). "It is believed that yogurt was being made in Turkey as far back as the 6th century BCE..." however, yogurt was made only within the home and not for mass production. That all changed when in 1905 Bulgarian microbiologist Stamen Grigorov discovered Lactobacillus bulgaricus, the bacteria strain that ferments milk into yogurt. Soon after this breakthrough discovery, Danone began to produce commercialized yogurt in 1919 in Barcelona. (that's what I found anyway) When it comes to feta though, the word feta is Greek (means slice, and originated in the 17th century) and is actually established as a product of PDO(Protected Destination of Origin). So real "feta" is a Greek cheese that follows some rules in the making (milk fat, milk type etc). Though it is common to call any white cheese "feta". I read that Bulgarian "feta"/white cheese is called Sirene. Again, I am amazed that we have a similar cuisine with Bulgarians (and I had never realised) PS: that means u guys should visit Greece as well sometime :D

[@milaenlommer9732]

Супер сте!

[@deniseolmstead6415]

I watch a lot of van lifers...however, in all fairness I didn't get into it until the lockdown (felt like being able to go out and travel without going out and traveling), but I don't think I've seen one other video on Bulgaria so I really enjoyed this and the monument sent me to a google search as to Bulgaria's history.

[@bleumarin1968]

do you think you could do a video about Bulgarian food ? That would be great. thanks for your videos. Enjoy your trips through Europe

[@RayaandLouis]

Ohh that’s such a good idea! I wish we’d done that before we left 😭 next time!

[@SBooher1]

I just discovered your vlog today and I am in love with you both and your amazing trips. I want all of Raya's dresses! I prefer to wear dresses too and and always shop for cute things like she wears. I look forward to following your adventures! Thank you>

[@fourire59]

the music at 04:00 is awesome

[@sofialavine7539]

Some food you should try: You should try to Polenta, kavarma, fish and meat (

[@vanyag.2899]

As a Bulgarian I agree, but they're vegan. 😂 Also, it's not their first time in Bulgaria so I think they've tried many things.

[@aditideshpande3734]

Has Louis learnt any Bulgarian? Awesome video guys❤️❤️

[@RayaandLouis]

He can say ‘obicham te’ ‘leka shosht’ and ‘Edno cafe bes mlyako’ haha 😂 all the important things

[@cathyspratling4254]

I thought it looked like a monument to the Starship Enterprise lol. Bulgaria is so beautiful, I had no idea! Thanks for sharing xo

[@Abigailykk]

Amm from Bulgaria :))

[@kunkalazarova6186]

💚🇧🇬❤️ Обичам🇧🇬

[@Skiridr22]

Yesterday’s food taste better today

[@navoya]

When I saw your next video, my heart had opened. And who is playing this beautiful music during the communist monument scene? Beautiful!

[@tokiohotel0005]

Първия влог на Рая който гледах беше от България , страхотни сте :)

[@RayaandLouis]

Mersi! ☺️

[@aq5024]

as a kid i fall in this exactly stream :D

[@Semv1]

Bulgaria is my favorite country Sunny beach love IT😍😍 but the rest of Bulgaria also reminds me of Poland where I come half from Greetings from the Netherlands,😚

[@0sba]

very nice video :D

[@ahmedabdullah5228]

At 10.28-10.30, I spot a very pyramidal hill that resembles so much like visoko pyramid in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Did you guys notice that?

[@mounirmulhem3881]

Wow I had no idea how similar the Bulgarian culture was to the Middle East, especially the Syrian and Lebanese culture

[@louiseamies8483]

The zoom on Louis 🤣

[@ellafarricielli1591]

Great video. Raya, I love all your outfits, where do you store all the beautiful dresses in the van? 💖

[@lido6457]

That monument looks like the millennium Falcon 😜😜

[@nicolebroaddus4225]

I wish u were on the road trip still, I'm going to miss the adventure you guys were having. I'm glad you made it safely though, it was a good vlog also. Are you guys going to fly back from there or are you going to travel more? An what are you going to do with your van after you fly back? Much love to you guys.

[@RayaandLouis]

Don’t worry, there are sooo many more adventures to come!

[@lijntje266]

awesome :D your wearing SEEK DISCOMFORT =D yes theory is SO awesome i love them :D

[@martini426]

Would change that oil in the van, looks pretty dark.

[@biasvita]

Louis trying to pronounce stuff in other languages is pure gold

[@RayaandLouis]

Hahaha I know 😂😂

[@ilarcornerofspace]

Are you doing any meet and greets while in Bulgaria? Would love to see you guys ^^

[@RayaandLouis]

Not this trip, but next time for sure! ☺️

[@ilarcornerofspace]

@@RayaandLouis :( Окаy, hope next time is sooner! Would love to meet you guys! x Have a safe trip

[@Vermavishal1997]

Please Come India

[@desireeanne1851]

Eeeep!

[@aksileb]

Glad you arrived safely with the van 🙂. I’ve never been to Bulgaria but I’ve heard that they nod their heads to NO and shake their heads to YES. Is it true? That must be super confusing when one’s not used to it, I imagine. Show us how they do it, pls 😉

[@RayaandLouis]

Haha yes it’s true! When I speak Bulgarian I instinctively start doing it too, it’s wild!

[@mccrawford29]

Are you coming to the pacific northwest when you resume your US road trip? 💛

[@Babyj1026]

Hey guys, I am loving this series! I’ve been watching you both for…I don’t know, forever? I don’t remember if you’ve answered this previously, but why doesn’t Raya ever drive?

[@RayaandLouis]

Thanks Jessica! I’m working on getting my licence. After living in cities like New York and London and traveling full time over the last decade I’ve just never needed it (and when I do practice I’m a bit scared of driving a van, especially on the wrong side of the road 😂) but I need it for Costa Rica so getting it ASAP!

[@Babyj1026]

@@RayaandLouis I figured it was something like that…good luck! You should make a series about it!

[@Oakdenalan]

Haha 4:45

[@rebeccawhittaker8057]

Where abouts are you from louis I'm from cheshire in England but moved a few hours to gloucester

[@cherriesunderrocks5872]

hiiiiiiii

[@MaisonSilvi]

Why did you skip countries between Bosnia and Bulgaria? Sorry, watching old vlogs and got me thinking cause I am from Serbia, close to Border of Bulgaria, and wonder which side you went with 😂 You just skipped it 😂

[@bulgaro1221]

🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬

[@heathermccormick3394]

Why you zoom in on Louis like that 🤣

[@mrshadenoughofallthis911]

Raya was it a huge adjustment moving to the US as a child?

[@RayaandLouis]

Huge! The culture shock was more than I could have expected. It’s what got me so interested in human psychology as I was trying to figure out why people in the US/Bulgaria thought differently

[@mrshadenoughofallthis911]

@@RayaandLouis that is really interesting. I moved from Scotland to the south of England at the age of 9 and that was culture shock enough. I can’t imagine Bulgaria to the US. It has been lovely to see you in your home country.

[@MaestroSTY]

Hello Raya and Louis it would be amazing if you guys responded but i might be to late.

[@RayaandLouis]

Hi Scott ☺️

[@garyjeffries1041]

If I get waken up by you it better be a 911 reason if not ill give you 10 seconds head run start 😆

[@monevmilen917]

England helped the Turky its little fact for ya

[@sandyc6569]

👍💞💞💝💞💞👍

[@craigcampbell1843]

Was it just a monument? I thought it was the headquarters for the communist party.

[@bbeth4]

love love love seeing a video pop up on my notifications from you guys!!

[@RayaandLouis]

Yay thank you for the support Beth! ❤️