Media, features and recognition
Kiss My Backpack has been featured and recognised by travel and startup organisations that value thoughtful storytelling, practical travel content, and long-term destination building. Below is a small selection of media mentions, professional memberships, and programs that have supported the project along the way.
01.02.2026
Featured in ASTOM Roundup "The best Bulgarian travel blogs in January"
Kiss My Backpack’s complete Tsarevets fortress guide was featured by ASTOM in their “Best Bulgarian Travel Blogs” roundup for January, highlighting the guide as a useful and well-researched resource for travelers.
13.01.2026
Featured in Media Tech Today
Kiss My Backpack was featured in Media Tech Today as part of their “Mindful Spaces: 20 Success Stories for Better Mental Health” article. I contributed personal insight on how changing my environment through travel and place-based experiences positively impacted my mental health, along with a practical recommendation about changing your environment.
06.01.2026
Featured on Travel Massive
Kiss My Backpack was featured on Travel Massive, a global community for travel industry professionals, for its concept and approach to promoting Bulgaria as an underrated destination. The feature focused on the idea behind the brand: building locally written, English-language content that fills the gap between generic destination marketing and the real information international travelers need when planning a trip.
31.12.2025
Featured in ASTOM Roundup "The best Bulgarian travel blogs in December"
Kiss My Backpack’s complete Bulgarian ski resorts guide was featured by ASTOM in their “Best Bulgarian Travel Blogs” roundup for December, highlighting the guide as a useful and well-researched resource for travelers.
November 2025
Member of the Travel Massive Community
Kiss My Backpack is a verified member of Travel Massive, a global community of travel industry professionals, creators, and destination marketers. The verified badge confirms an active and authentic presence within the community and reflects the project’s focus on thoughtful destination storytelling and meaningful industry conversations.
30.11.2025
Kiss My Backpack is an official member of ASTOM
Since November 2025, Kiss My Backpack has been a member of ASTOM (Association of Bulgarian Travel Bloggers), the first Bulgarian network of travel creators and media. Being part of ASTOM means the blog is recognised for its editorial quality and focus on helpful, experience-based content for travellers – something I value deeply when sharing Bulgaria with an international audience.
30.06.2025
Kiss My Backpack awarded 2nd among startup projects
In June 2025, Kiss My Backpack was awarded second place at the Final Base 2.0 program by Startup Factory in Ruse. The recognition highlighted the project’s clear concept, sustainable growth potential, and focus on building a meaningful travel brand for an international audience interested in Bulgaria.
25.03.2025
Stefani Gospodinova - Speaker at SERP Conf. Sofia
In March 2025, Stefani Gospodinova, owner of Kiss My Backpack, took part in the Semantic SEO panel discussion at SERP Conf. Sofia 2025.
Stefani Gospodinova
Founder and Content Creator
Stefani is a travel blogger born and raised in Bulgaria, and the founder of Kiss My Backpack. Having explored the country since childhood, she shares practical tips, local insights, and her own photography to help visitors plan their trip.