We Just Spent 5 Days in Our Own Apartments — Here Is What We Noticed
Before the plane headed back to Belgium, there were five more days. The ones that reminded me why I do all of this.
After 13 days in Bulgaria, 8 of them on the road across 11 towns and cities, the last — and longest — stop of our journey was Balchik. Five days, eight of us, two apartments, and the place that started it all for me — because before there was a rental business, before there were guests from across Europe, there was simply a love for this small town on the Black Sea coast.
Arriving in Balchik at the end of a long trip felt like exhaling.
The Figs, the Harbour, and the Small Things
Every morning, before the eight of us properly woke up, someone was already out on the terrace. The view does that to you — you cannot walk past it without stopping. The sea in September is deep and calm, the light is softer than in summer, and the silence in the early hours is something you simply cannot put a price on.
Balchik in September is at its most local. We walked down to the harbour — yes, the walk is steep, but after 8 days of travelling we barely noticed — and found the seafront restaurants quiet, friendly, and genuinely good. Fresh fish, cold wine, no rush.
The fig trees were heavy with ripe fruit everywhere we looked. Balchik is known as the city of figs, and in September you understand why — the smell alone, warm and sweet in the afternoon air, is something that stays with you.
These are the small things guests sometimes don’t expect. And they are often what people remember most.
What the Group Said
Eight people means eight opinions, but on Balchik everyone agreed. The terrace, the view, the sea, the evening light. One of the group said it best: “I didn’t know places like this still existed in Europe.”
And a recent guest left this on our Google page — in Dutch, which says it all for our Belgian and Dutch visitors:
“Wauw, wat een fijn verblijf! Een PRACHTIG uitzicht van op het gezellige balkon zorgt ervoor dat elke dag leuk start. Ginka is een superfijne, behulpzame & bereikbare host. Een (weliswaar steile) wandeling van 10 minuutjes naar beneden brengt je tot aan het strand. Daar vind je een dijk vol leuke restaurantjes & cafeetjes. Wij hebben écht genoten van onze vakantie hier. Een aanrader!”
“Wow, what a lovely stay! A beautiful view from the cosy balcony makes every day start well. Ginka is a wonderful, helpful and reachable host. A short walk down takes you to the beach, where you find a promenade full of lovely restaurants and cafés. We really enjoyed our holiday here. Highly recommended!”
Honest, warm, and they even mentioned the steep walk — which I appreciate. That kind of genuine review means everything.
What Staying Here Reminded Me
I am a strict host by nature — I usually arrive with a mental checklist. This time I found nothing to tick off. Just two apartments doing exactly what they are supposed to do, shared with the people I love most. I put the list away and simply enjoyed it.
We are now in October and Balchik is still full of sunshine. The busy season is over, the beaches are quiet, and the town has settled back into its own rhythm. It is also one of the best times of year for anyone working remotely — imagine starting your day with that sea view, a warm coffee in hand, no noise, no rush. Exactly the kind of reset that makes you return home feeling genuinely rested.
Apartment Vista and Apartment Breeze — sea views, private terraces, and a host who knows the place inside out.
