Reviewing Plovdiv.

You're in good company if you've never heard of Plovdiv, Bulgaria; don't be concerned. One of those European towns that appears to live quietly in the background while everyone else gushes about Paris or Rome. Still, you might find yourself in a place that is both beautiful, perplexing, and unexpectedly photogenic if you stray off the beaten track. Plovdiv is the sort of place that makes you wonder why you ever assumed you needed a gondola ride in Venice to feel cultured.

Plovdiv's hills are the first things you observe - actually, seven of them. Therefore, based on your degree of excitement, you either get a quite beautiful stroll or a somewhat moderate cardio exercise. Personally, I found myself between whining about my calves and admiring the scenery. Like a determined cat unwilling to budge, the Old Town rests atop one of these slopes. Cobblestone lanes weave around vibrant 19th-century homes painted by someone who obviously disliked subtlety. If you're that person who believes your life could use more filters, get ready for an overload of naturally beautiful scenery since every turn is a possible Instagram shot.

Plovdiv's main draw is probably the Roman Theatre. Given that it is almost 2000 years old, it is nearly absurd how well kept it is. As you try not to drop your costly cappuccino, you can sit there picturing early audience members whispering about the newest gossip. Being in a history book but with better illumination and significantly fewer Latin exams, the entire mood is somewhat fantastical.

Art aficionados among you are lucky. Plovdiv, a European Capital of Culture in 2019, has galleries, street art, and small museums throughout its streets. These museums look like someone who really thinks modern art should be perplexing, and set them up. One exhibit caught my eye, a single chair painted fluorescent green kind of left me wondering about life, contemporary design, and if the chair would fit in my flat back home.

And of course, the meals. Although Bulgaria lacks the worldwide gastronomic renown of Italy or France, it is wonderful precisely for that reason. Fundamentally, shopska salad is a polite way to suggest that veggies can be delicious, and the nearby pastries make you question why anybody bothers with store-bought croissants. Plovdiv will leave you with at least three fresh favourite dishes and maybe a food coma.

Evenings are unique. The pedestrian streets bustle, coffee shops fill with people laughing loudly enough to remind you that life doesn't necessarily need a soundtrack, and the local wine pours like it has personal business in your liver. Plovdiv somehow manages to be vibrant without being tiring. Here you can spend hours people-watching and still feel like you're not missing something better elsewhere.

Plovdiv will greet you warmly, with uneven cobblestones and a wonderfully ironic blend of old-world beauty and modern cool if you ever need a reason to veer off the beaten tourist path. And trust me, even if your calves never forgive you, you'll be glad you did.