Today we are launching our Meet the Nytros series where we will introduce some of the team members of Nytro Marketing and the city where they live and work.

Snezhi and the hidden gems of an old Eastern European capital

It’s 8 am on a sunny Saturday morning. The sky is clear, the streets are still quiet and the Vitosha mountain is embracing the city with its stunning beauty. We are heading for the perfect cup of Italian espresso at Chucky’s where coffee is not just coffee – it is perceived as a whole culture.

Energized and relaxed it’s time for a nice walk where we will experience the cosmopolitan spirit of the city. Vitosha Boulevard is Sofia’s main shopping street. Its pedestrian part starts from the Saint Nedelya Church along to the grand National Palace of Culture. The boulevard is lined up with comfortable cafés and famous brands shops. My personal favorite is Memento where one can enjoy some of the best tea in the city or depending on your mood – an excellent Aperamento cocktail.

Not far from Vitosha Boulevard, is Slaveykov Square, well known for its open-air book market. We will browse the dozens of stalls selling all kinds of literature in a multitude of languages, from romantic novels to political and scientific volumes.

Then we are heading home J Not my home, of course, but a little restaurant called “Made in home” where we will enjoy the taste of the authentic Bulgarian cuisine. Abundant portions of delicious food in a cozy and creative atmosphere are being served there. You will hear a lot of English, German and French speaking. This has turned into an attractive spot for expats who have already dived deeply into the Bulgarian culture.

Now it’s time for a nice portion of art and culture. Sofia has a rich historical heritage but I am a big fan of the arts so I will invite you to join me in a short tour of the National Art Gallery. The museum is actually a Palace, which was built shortly after Bulgaria’s proclamation of independence from the Ottoman Empire. Its collection of new and contemporary Bulgarian art consists of more than 30 000 individual paintings, prints and sculptures. One interesting place to stop by there is the Museum of Socialist Art, which was opened recently. Mostly commissioned by the regime for propaganda purposes, the collection contains numerous art objects from statues, busts, heads and portraits of communist leaders to works glorifying the life of the working classes and the feats of the partisan movement that brought communism to Bulgaria.

If you are bored of history and more into the modern lifestyle and atmosphere of the city, we will definitely stop by SOHO – a creative and artsy coworking space, which has turned into a meeting point for culture and modern urban color. The place hosts many events including exhibitions, talks and even yoga. You can also feel the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bulgarian youth there – mostly digital and IT start-ups use this coworking space to lay the foundation of promising new age companies.

A nice finish of the day would be a walk on the Shishman street – strolling along this street at night, one would be spoiled by the choice of dozens of pubs and small local shops, perched on both sides of the pavement. If you are hungry we can quickly take a turn and jump in the Little things – a small restaurant hidden within an old house with amazing food.

Placed in an old factory building, the Tea house Fabrikata is both charming and cozy, a meeting point for jazz lovers and tea fans. We will call it a day in this lovely city by enjoying a live jazz session and a nice glass of Bulgarian wine.