packing list – The EVERFLOW

Good evening from Sofia, Bulgaria!

I hope you’re all doing well! Me, on the other hand, am melting away in this heat. 🥵

I went shopping today. I bought an ugly and I mean UGLY Nike backpack to use tomorrow and on Wednesday. Yes, I actually planned ahead for once. 😂 My son will be using it for school afterwards, so it’s not just for these two trips.

Today’s shopping (God, I’ve been shopping so much while I’ve been here. I’ll make a full list later… if I can remember everything.)

✅ Backpack
✅ Sports drinks
✅ Salted chips
✅ Pepsi Max

I’ve already packed my backpack for tomorrow since I’m trying to stay awake all night so I don’t miss the subway to the bus station. My bus to Niš, Serbia leaves at 7:30 a.m. 😵‍💫

Nope… I still haven’t slept.

✅ Extra clothes
✅ Drinks
✅ Chips
✅ Passport
✅ Medicines
✅ Extra bag
✅ Electronics
     ➤ Camera battery charger
     ➤ Phone charger
     ➤ Two power banks
     ➤ Extra camera batteries
     ➤ Camera
     ➤ Two lenses
✅ One pair of shoes
✅ Hand sanitizer
✅ Wipes

That’s pretty much it. I’ve probably forgotten something, but right now I’m lying in bed trying to get some rest. I’ve set 15 alarms, so hopefully I’ll actually wake up and get my ass to the subway in time.

These two day trips are just the tip of the iceberg. I’ll finally be able to cross a few things off my bucket list. Even if it’s only for a few hours, I’m still visiting three countries in two weeks. That’s a lot for me, and I’m beyond excited!

On another note…
My vacation is coming to an end, and that makes me feel a little bit of everything.
I’m sad because the time has gone by so fast, but I’m also happy because I’ll finally get to kiss my baby boy and give him the biggest hug. ❤️

Remember this post? Somewhere warm soon

M SURPRISED ME! With a trip to Bulgaria! I actually found about this recently!

A personal travel diary, packing list, and preparation checklist before a summer trip to Bulgaria ~ CHAOS!

Tickets booked ✔️

Hotel sorted. ✔️

Airport transfers arranged. ✔️

Planning a trip to Bulgaria in 2026? Read my personal travel diary including packing list, travel preparation, what I’ve bought, travel apps I use, and final checklist before departure.

Travel to Bulgaria 2026 – Two weeks of Vacation Begins

Time to travel abroad, explore new places, go on small adventures, and create new memories in Bulgaria.

And I can already feel it — that shift before a trip when everyday life no longer feels completely normal. Everything slowly turns into preparation. Time feels slower, almost stretched, as departure gets closer.

This is my personal travel preparation for Bulgaria 2026, including my packing list, travel checklist, and everything I’ve bought before my trip.

Travel mindset before going to Bulgaria

There is always a specific mindset before traveling. For me, it’s a mix of excitement and constant planning.

Last year, I traveled to Italy. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations and felt disappointing on a personal level. Venice, in particular, was far from what I had imagined. Instead of romantic canals and glowing lights, it felt crowded and underwhelming. Because of that experience, I don’t plan to return to Venice again.

This is why my upcoming trip to Bulgaria feels very different — more exciting, more intentional, and more positive.

Travel preparation checklist: apps, documents & planning

Before traveling to Bulgaria, I’ve been preparing everything in advance.

I’ve downloaded several essential travel apps, including:

* Taxi apps ~ Yellow & TaxiMe
* Translation apps for communication ~ simple Google translator. I’m still looking into other
* Public transport timetable apps ~ Moovit

**Taxi&Transportation apps** ~ These are the apps I have downloaded so far. Maybe more will be added. I’m still googling what I need and what to avoid etc.

I also constantly check my travel documents, passport, and ID to make sure everything is ready.

This pre-travel planning phase is always the most intense part for me.

Pre-travel chaos: packing anxiety & preparation routine

Before every trip, my environment changes.

My room slowly becomes a reflection of my mindset — not organised, not calm, but a quiet kind of chaos. Packing, unpacking, and re-checking everything multiple times.

Even when I follow my packing list, I still double-check everything.

My mind often asks:

~ Did I pack this?
~ Where did I put that?
~ What if I forgot something?

Even when I know everything is already packed.

This is just part of my personal travel routine before any trip, whether it’s a weekend or a long vacation.

What I’ve already bought for my Bulgaria trip

Here is my current Bulgaria travel packing list of items I’ve already purchased:

~ Small camera bag organiser (for lighter travel, no backpack needed)
~ Set of six coded travel locks (no keys, for security while traveling)
~ Two new pairs of sunglasses
~ Screen protector for my phone
~ New walking shoes for sightseeing and travel

The bag will be (hopefully) good for my camera and few lenses for me to have in my shoulderbag when I’m outside.

These are part of my essential travel gear for Bulgaria 2026. So far.

What I still need to buy before traveling to Bulgaria

There are still a few final items left on my Bulgaria packing checklist:

– Camera gear & photography accessories –

~ Lens covers
~ Lens cap holder
~ KnightX CPL filters (multiple sizes)
~ Memory card holder (compact version)

– Travel essentials for Bulgaria –

~ Two shirts
~ A pair of shorts
~ Suitcase
~ Cabin bag or carry-on travel bag

These final items complete my travel packing list for Bulgaria. I think. I hope.

Travel countdown: Bulgaria trip July 12th 2026 ✈️

The countdown has officially begun!

Right now, my thoughts are everywhere:
what I still need to buy, what I still need to pack, how I will get there, currency exchange, and transportation details.

And most importantly — making sure I don’t forget the essentials:
passport, national ID, wallet, and charger.

Passport and ID are the most important travel documents. Everything else can be replaced.

Final thoughts: preparing for a summer trip to Bulgaria

This Bulgaria travel diary is part of my preparation process. Slowly, everything is becoming real — from planning to packing to departure.

Soon, it will all be zipped, organised, and ready to go.

I hope.

All my posts about preparation, travel, photography etc will be in one category of its own. Just like my Norway trip 2024, Italy Trip 2025.

› Last-Minute Shopping in Sofia Before My Day Trip to Niš, Serbia

› Trip to Bulgaria 2026: Packing List, Travel Preparation & Personal Travel Diary 🇧🇬