Lonely Planet, a world leader in guidebook publishing, has compiled a list of the best trips we can take in 2023. The publication has listed the top 30 attractions in its annual ranking, which includes five categories: Eat, Journey, Unwind, Connect, and Learn.

The Sofia-Istanbul international train is among the top destinations. “The recently restored overnight service between Sofia and Istanbul will whirl two adventures into one, leaving the place where east meets west in Istanbul and depositing you in Bulgaria’s laid-back capital city 11 hours later,” Lonely Planet's train expert Tom Hall writes. He describes the Istanbul-Sofia night express as “threading across fortress-like frontiers into Bulgaria and crossing mountain passes before arriving in underrated and very affordable Sofia.”

• Sofia-Istanbul international train resumes operation

In Tom Hall’s words “leaving Istanbul, you’ll cross ancient landscapes and borders, then take in superb scenery as you chug through Bulgaria’s mountains. From Sofia, pathways open up to further epic journeys across Europe.”

Upon arriving in the capital of Bulgaria the Lonely planet advises the traveler to visit the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery Quadrat 500. 

The author mentions where tourists can have a tasty brunch and drink good craft beer. “Local travelers I spoke to recommended the narrow-gauge journey from Septemvri to Dobrinishte as a very scenic backcountry detour just off the Plovdiv-Sofia line, Tom Hall adds at the end.