Travel BULGARIA

Tuylenovo

2009-06-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

About Tuylenovo

Tuylenovo is a village and seaside resort on the north Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, part of Dobrich Province in between Shabla and Kavarna.

"Tyulen" means seal in Bulgarian, but seals hadn't been seen in the area since the 1980s. Tuylenovo can be reached by taking the old seaside road from Kavarna that passes along the rocky coastline, through the sea resort of ‘Rusalka’

There are about 60 permanent inhabitants, but during the summer there are close to 200 people living here. In the center there are two small hotels, a fishing harbour and a small beach. Dolphins can be seen from the coast and they usually come nearer to the land in the early morning or late afternoon. The caves in the cliffs were used as dwellings, and nowadays backpackers set up camp inside for free accommodation. There is also a great sand beach in Bolata, less than 2 kilometers from Tyulenovo.

Further on down the seaside path from Tyulenovo to Kamen Bryag there is a megalithic complex called the Rocky Monasteries . The megalith consists of tombs carved into the rock and sacrificial stones used by the ancient cult to the Sun. You can find out more about the whole area at the information centre in Bulgarevo village and there is a display of artifacts from the Durankulak Eneolithic settlement that has recently been discovered, showing that one of world's earliest civilisations started in this region.

Kavarna

2009-06-18T22:30:00.001-07:00

About Kavarna
Kavarna is a small Black Sea coastal town in the Dobruja region of northeastern Bulgaria, with a population of about 12,500. The town is situated 48 km north of Varna, 49 km from Dobrich and just 12 km away from the picturesque Kaliakra cape. The coast to the north of the town is high and steep, while the south of the town boasts with an excellent beach, the coastline being 42 km long.

Tourism
Kavarna Black Sea Coast is situated in the northeastern Bulgaria. It includes the seaside, located north of Albena resort. The region offers marvelous opportunities for sea tourism for those looking for pleasant and quiet vacation away from the luxurious, noisy and pretentious resorts. Well known holiday settlements are the towns of Kavarna and Balchik, as well as the resorts of Tuzlata and Russalka.
The rich cultural and historical heritage is a premise for development of cultural tourism. An impressive sight of interest is the palace complex of Romanian queen Maria in Balchik. It comprises a palace, a sea garden and a botanical garden.
Very interesting are the ruins of an Islamic monastery. In the region is situated the mythical cape of Kaliakra. Nowadays it is a peaceful nature reserve, where hooded cormorants nests, seals and dolphins cavort in the sea, and pink starlings and rock blackbirds frequent the cliffs and caves.

History
The earliest findings about the civilization in the area date back to the 6th century BC related to the ancient Thracian settlement called Bizone. Later on the area was dominated by the Greeks, who turned it into one of their colonies. In 1st century BC the town suffered a disastrous earthquake which ruined it almost completely. Then it was restored and included in the territory of the Roman Empire and consequently in that of Byzantium. After the foundation of the Bulgarian State on the Balkan Peninsula the town changed its name several times. It was called Karvouna, Karbona, Karnava and finally Kavarna. The Turks conquered it in 1393. Shortly before the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 the town was put to fire and devastated. The town of Kavarna was once again rebiult and became an agricultural and fishing centre.

Landmarks
Nowadays Kavarna turns to an attractive place for a holiday, combining the modern comfort with a unique atmosphere, at the same time preserving its tranquility and charm. On the high hill of Chirakman, which is 3 km away from Kavarna, still can be seen remains of Roman fortresses and medieval towns. The National archaelogical preserve Yailata keeps significant monuments and remains from different historic periods. Another place of interest is the cape Kaliakra, also an archaelogical and natural preserve, famous for the legend about several maidens, who braided their hair together and jumped into the water, refusing to accept the Islam religion from the Turks. There are several museums in the town, which deserve to be visited - The Dobruja and the Sea Display, The Town Museum and The Ethnographic Museum, as well as two churches.

Culture
Since 2004 the town has turned in one of the centres of musical life in Bulgaria. Kavarna has been the host to several rock and roll concerts. In 2005 the most popular band to play in the town's stadium was Deep Purple. The other notable performers were mostly legends of German rock and heavy metal music, such as Scorpions, Axel Rudi Pell, Gamma Ray, Masterplan and Destruction. On 27 August 2005 Accept, another German band, played here its last show ever. There is also a mural of Whitesnake singer David Coverdale. 2006 followed the tradition with concerts of more metal bands as well as some pop and dance musicians. For example, Russian pop star Filipp Kirkorov sang there in September. In 2007, performers included Black Sabbath, John Lawton Band, Manowar, Motörhead, Robert Plant, and Ronnie James Dio. The next year saw the return of Manowar with a 5 hour attempt to set a world record for the longest heavy metal concert. The next two days Alice Cooper, Slayer and In Flames held concerts. In July 2009, Motley Crue will be headlining the rock-fest, with Scorpions, Blind Guardian and Dream Theater also participating.

Shabla

2009-06-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Shabla is the eastern-most settlement in Bulgaria. The small town is a fast-developing resort some 83 km away from Varna. Shabla has a rich history. Once there was a Roman fortress Karia and a harbour was built in the vicinity of Cape Shabla. Cape Shabla consists of limestone rocks covered with loess reaching up to 10 meters high. The oldest lighthouse in Bulgaria stands on it. The archaeological excavations at Cape Shabla are the most interesting site for the visitors. Thraces of the antique town of Canon Limen can be seen there. The Lake of Shabla is situated 2 km away of the town, on the very seashore, and is a wonderful place for fishing and recreation. It is the nesting site for more than 100,000 wild geese.

Nestling in the picturesque Taukliman Bay (Birds Bay), in the thick of a venerable oak wood, Roussalka Holiday Village offers an unforgettable vacation in an ecologically pure surrounding. Roussalka holiday village is the perfect blend of unspoilt nature and original architecture. Rocky coast and a nice sandy beach... Small cottages built in clusters, one next to another or one above another... Hot mineral water and perfect accommodation services...

Borovets

2009-06-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

About Borovets

The ski resort sits at an altitude of 1350 m. 58 km of marked pistes cover the generally north facing slopes up to an altitude of 2560 m, with many runs terminating near the village centre allowing skiers to ski almost to their hotel door. The longest run is a gentle 12 km return to the resort along the maintenance road.

Lifts

All ski lifts are open 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Each lift closes for technical checks and maintenance for half a day each week and for 1 full day each month, see local signs for dates and times for each lift.

Ski School

One of the major attractions of Bulgaria and especially Borovets is the high standard of instruction available at a much lower cost than is common in the ski resorts of western Europe.

The instruction is divided into 5 different levels according to the skill level of the individual. The lessons may be group or individual (subject to request) and the duration of the course is from anything from 3 to 12 days. There is also a ski kindergarten for the children aged 4 to 8 years which runs for the entire day.

Night skiing

For night skiing there is a special lift pass that has to be bought separately at the kiosks on the pistes. It is valid from 5 pm till 10 pm.

Cross-country skiing
35 km of cross country trails are designed according to the requirements of FIS (Federation Internationale de Ski), at minimum width of 6 m. The resort also offers biathlon facilities for training and competitions.

Saints Constantine and Helena

2009-06-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

About Saints Constantine and Helena

Saints Constantine and Helena is a resort town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast within a landscaped park 10 km north of downtown Varna, 2 km east of its Vinitsa quarter, and 7 km south of Golden Sands. Bulgaria's oldest Black Sea resort was also known in the past as Druzhba and Varna Resort. It is served by the Varna International Airport and regular bus lines of the Varna public transit system.
The fine sandy beaches, punctured by rocky promontories, hot mineral springs, modern hotels, sports and health facilities, including spa centres and yacht marinas, and reasonable prices attract a broad international clientele.

Landmarks include the 16th-century Eastern Orthodox monastery of Sts. Constantine and Helena, the Euxinograd royal summer palace, park and winery, and the Sofia University Botanical Garden, also known as Ecopark Varna. One of the best preserved medieval settlements in the country, Kastritzi, also mentioned by the Crusaders in 1444 as Macropolis, was unearthed in archaeological excavations inside Euxinograd. In the mid-14th century, Kastritzi was a bustling port of the Second Bulgarian Empire frequented by Venetian, Genoese, Ragusan, and Byzantine merchant ships.

Constantine and Helena also comprises the Grand Hotel Varna and Sunny Day luxury resorts and several villa communities. There are sandy beaches, punctured by rocky promontories, hot mineral springs, modern hotels, and sports and health facilities, including spa centres and yacht marinas

Albena

2009-06-13T12:05:00.001-07:00

About Albena

Albena is one of the purpose-built resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and has a uniform and unique architectural style. Many of the hotels are situated on the beach itself, exposed to maximum sunlight and providing direct access to the beach and sea. Albena is located close to other tourist, cultural and commercial centres and in the same time remains within well-preserved natural surroundings.

Back to the past

Visit to the Aladga monastery - the most famous rock monastery at the Bulgarian Coast, one of the many monc cloisters, existed in 13-14 century.The excursion continues to the natural phenomenon “Pobitite Kameni”, the first nature landmark, declared in 1937. Travel to Varna - the pearl of Black Sea coast - visit to the cathedral temple "Uspenie Bogrodichno", one of the symbols of the city. Free time. Departure to Albena.

ALBENA – YOUR SPA & WELLNESS DESTINATION

With marvelous sandy beach, fresh air breeze, mineral waters and curative mud, ALBENA is truly a special place where natural energy and beauty are restored and a sense of well-being is created.

ALBENA offers two exclusive Spa & Wellness Centers - each setting with its own special charm, providing the complete Spa- experience you deserve, accented with individual treatment and gentle service.

Congress center - Albena

Albena Congress Center provides the preparation, organization and holding of congress and business events and coordinates all activities associated with these events within the resort area.

On the basis of preliminary signed contracts with clients from the country and abroad, the Congress Center organizes international and national events, as follows:
congresses, conferences, symposia, seminars, festivals, business meetings, different courses for further qualification, training, anniversary celebrations, professional holidays, High-school graduates balls, Christmas, Easter and New Years Eve parties.

Albena offers complex, tourist and specific services such as:

Transfer from and to Varna Airport
Accommodation of the participants in the resort hotels
Catering, according to the specific clients requirements
Congress halls and other business offices
Technical equipment and possibility to rent simultaneous translation equipment
Official dinners and cocktails, national style and folklore evenings
Entertainment programs - excursions, sport facilities, spa center
Special programs for accompanying persons
Other specific services - printed materials, decoration, overall advertisement provision, etc.

Sveti Vlas

2009-06-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

About Sveti Vlas

Sveti Vlas has grown as a tourist resort in recent times, serving as a quieter alternative to nearby Sunny Beach. The gap between the two places is shrinking as more hotels and holiday apartments are built along the coast. Sveti Vlas lies at the northern end of a bay which has Sunny Beach in its middle and the ancient town of Nesebar at its southern end. Sunny Beach and Nesebar are easily accessible by bus or taxi, and there are also boats going between Sveti Vlas and Nesebar.

Sveti Vlas is a sprawling local village whose spruced-up environs attest to lucrative spill-over business from Sunny Beach. Private enterprise is in full swing with a rash of spiffy-looking small hotels, new holiday apartments, holiday villas and restaurants springing up all over town.
The explosive growth in Vlas translates into an ever- increasing number of diversions for tourists who opt to stay there. Visitors can also avail themselves of the varied amenities and busy night life at Sunny Beach, just 5 kilometers down the road. Sveti Vlas is a more quiet resort that will mostly suit families with kids or people who wish to escape from the noisy resorts.

History

Sveti Vlas has a rich history that dates back to the 2th century BC. It was then when the Thracian tribe Larisi founded the town Larisa. During the 14th century AC the town was renamed to ï¿½Sveti Vlasï¿½ after a patron saint of cattle growers and merchants. During the Ottoman rule the village was known as Manastiri, because of the five monasteries in the vicinity of the site. It restored its name of Sveti Vlas after the reunification of the Bulgarian state in 1886.

The natural conditions- mountain, forest, sea and southern exposure of the mountain slopes, are extremely healthy and appropriate for a full relaxation. The beaches at st Vlas are three with a total length of 1, 5 kilometers- the central beach is the longest one, south of it is the small Camping beach and the third one is the beach nearby the new yacht port Marina.
The town is also famous for its brand new and beautiful yacht port, which is being developed close to the water base of the local fishermen. Marina yacht port offers everything needed for a yacht lover to enjoy unforgettable summer holiday. People can hire and even buy yachts there. The professional team of consultants will provide you great service and a real value of money.

Sunny Beach

2009-06-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach has a very small permanent population, but during the summer the resort is home to many thousands of tourists. The main strip of high-rise hotels backing onto the beach is several kilometers long and extends along a wide bay between Sveti Vlas and Nessebar.

Attractions for tourists include the sunning at the beach, water sports, nightlife, and the nearby historical site of Nessebar. There are two new Aqua Parks near the resort. Sunny Beach is mainly popular amongst young people. The Golden Orpheus International Festival of Popular Song, the Decade of Symphonic Music, part of the International Folklore Festival, fashion-shows and various beach competitions are held there

Paradise for Children

Both man and nature are generous to children here: mild climate, clean air, warm, calm and shallow sea, shaded walks.

Parents can enjoy a carefree holiday for several reasons:

children's menus
24-hour kindergartens with a highly trained staff
plenty of time for yourself without having to worry about your toddlers.
Children can delight in:

plenty of laughter and ice-cream on children's holidays
fun games and competitions with prizes
excitement galore with slides and children's pools, merry-go-rounds and carting
building sand castles on the beach or splashing around in the shallow sea
jumping on inflatable castles and zooming down the Rolba slide
dancing in kids' discos and drawing pictures on asphalt
mastering new sport skills under the guidance of experienced instructors
playing exciting electronic games
one special surprise: pony riding
OR
a day out visiting Robinson and His Man Friday - the heroes of your favourite novel. Forty-minute cruise by boat to the deserted bay beach of Robinson Crusoe and his Man Friday. The two castaways are there to meet the visitors. Games on the beach and in the water throughout the day, show for children and adults. Breakfast and fish lunch. (By bus if sea is rough.)
You'll quickly find out for yourself - the days are much too short for so many tempting games and amusements.

Golden Sands

2009-06-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

Golden Sands
Resort development started in 1957 and in about two decades, the place was transformed into a modern holiday complex with numerous hotels (many open year-round), villas, apartment buildings, spa centres, restaurants, clubs, casinos, attractions, shopping centres, and sports facilities, including a yacht marina, a horse riding school, and the Aquapolis water park.

Hot mineral water springs and lush woodlands cascading from the Franga Plateau, forming the Golden Sands Nature Park, turn the town into one of the most popular tourist spots in Eastern Europe. It also comprises the Holiday Club Riviera luxury resort, several villa communities including Panorama, Chaika, Kabakum, and Alen Mak, and the historic grotto of Aladzha Monastery in the vicinity. A contemporary chapel of John the Baptist was recently added. Just north is perhaps the best known gay beach in the nation.

The mineral springs at Golden Sands give you health and beauty all year round. There are four particularly valuable mineral springs with a flow of 150 m3/sec. Several balneotherapy and fitness centers have been established on the basis of their curative properties which offer over 100 different kinds of medical services, combined with various treatment and recuperation programs. The resort's natural factors are utilized here all year round - specific climate, clean air, sea water, abounding in salts and microelements, curative mud and different kinds of herbs. Arthritis, arthroses, stress, neuroses, chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, asthma, etc. are successfully treated at the balneotherapy centers.

Besides traditional methods, treatment with apian products - propolis and beesvenom as well as ancient Chinese medical methods are also used.

cultural tourism

Varna Museum of Archeology
The Hotnitza Treasure - The oldest gold in Bulgarian lands
The Gold Of Varna Prehistoric Necropolis - The beginning of social division of society
The Vulchitrun Treasure - Vessels of the sun cult
The Kralevo Treasu - The horse ornaments of a prominent Thracian
The Rogozen Treasure - The untold riches of a thracian noble
The Vratza Treasure - The fabulous tomb of a rich thracian princess
The Panagyurishte Treasure - The shine of thracian royal gold
The Borovo Treasure - A feast eating or a sacrificial set
The Letnitza Treasure - Invaluable monument of thracian art
The Varna Treasure - The toilet of a byzantine noble lady
The Pereshchepina Treasure - Khan kubrat's grave
The Preslav Treasure - The rise and fall of great Preslav
The Nikopol Treasure - One or two treasures in Balinovtzi
Thracian Beehive Tomb of Kazanlak
The Boyana Church
Koprivshtica
Shipka
Old Plovdiv
St. George in Bulgarian culture
Bulgarian Monasteries:

In Rila Mountain
In Pirin Mountain
In Rhodopes Mountain
In Balkan Mountain
In Vitosha Mountain
Rock Monasteries

The cultural and information center in the complex offers a rich and versatile concert program, folk music performances and shows in the open.

It organizes exhibitions of Bulgarian artists, courses in the Bulgarian language, folk songs and dances, vanguard fashion shows. You can take part in beauty contests, beer festivals, a parade of retro cars, to mention but a few.

You can enjoy the performances at the International Varna Summer Festival of opera, ballet, theatre and jazz music, folklore and others.

Bansko

2009-06-12T13:03:00.000-07:00

About Bansko

Bansko - a beautiful old town in the Pirin mountains with refurbished homes, stone wall, and cobblestone streets, but increasingly being overtaken by resort hotels, as Bansko is a major ski destination in South-East Europe. The highest peak of Pirin Mountain (Vihren - 2916m) is at a day's walk from the city. In the middle of August, the Bansko Jazz Festival is held here. Not far away from Bansko, there are hot-water mineral springs, located at the villages of Banya (Баня) and Ognianovo

Get around

Getting around in Bansko is relatively easy. The town is not large, and walking around is nice. Taxis are relatively cheap (5-10 leva), though you should arrange the price beforehand. Have your hotel reception call you a taxi if you can. If you get to Bansko with your car, bear in mind that few roads get cleaned from the snow and ice, so snow chains may be required even in the city. Don't be fooled by local cars not using chains, as they use winter tyres which make a lot of difference! Renting a car from Sofia for most tourists is considerably beneficial because of the flexibility. Taxi rides can cost anywhere from 1-5 Euro per kilometer and are not recommended when traveling outside the city of Bankso. Buses run from Sofia and Blagoevgrad frequently during the winter (high season) and are the preferred method of travel for backpackers

See

In a nice day, with good visibility the view of the mountains is beautiful, especially if you take the lift to the ski tracks. (You should get to the ski tracks at least once even if you do not ski yourself)

Skiing

Bansko is a good place for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Skiiers and Snowboarders could find BanskoSki, useful. You can rent ski gear at the first station and get a discount at the lift ticket, though if you want to leave your skis there overnight there is an extra charge. A lot of ski rental shops can be found around the first station, where you can probably rent gear in better condition and get a good price if you book for more than 1 day (recommended) . (full ski gear for 4 days cost 100 leva - 50€). You can probably arrange to leave the gear at the shop overnight for free. The weather in Bansko is obviously colder than some Greek ski resorts, so warmer clothes and a full face hood is nice to have.

You can get a multiday ticket for the lifts, although the discount is negligible. There is also a half day ticket after 12:30 or 13:00 each day, but you can also buy tickets at a better price from people leaving the ski centre before the end of the day, around the ticket offices.

Most hotels offer a bus service to the ski lift station in the morning and afternoon. Try to get to the lift station not later than 9:00 to avoid long queues. It is also advisable to buy the tickets from the previous afternoon for the same reason.

Other

In the beginning of August an annual jazz festival is held in the town.

Get out

If you want a true mountain village experience, there are a few other villages nearby from which to choose.

Veliko Turnovo

2009-06-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

About Veliko Turnovo
Veliko Turnovo - a beautiful city along a winding river, the former capital of Bulgaria in the middle ages. The original city castle and walls are reconstructed. Be sure also to visit nearby Arbanassi.

Understand

A town with rich history, Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and has long traditions in the culture of Bulgaria. The city is rich in museums and historical sites, combined with vivacious night life propelled by the students in one of the largest universities in Bulgaria.

Get around

Walking is the best way to see Veliko Tarnovo. The town is fairly large but everywhere is within easy reach including attractions such as Tsarevets, the medieval stronghold.

See

If in Veliko Turnovo, make sure to visit the castle of the old Bulgarian capital - Tsarevets. The city itself is a collection of traditional renaissance houses scattered over the hills around the river Yantra.

Get out

A place to see is nearby village of Arbanassi.

The roads around Veliko Turnovo are generally in good condition, making for pleasant (if sometimes rather hilly) cycling. A number of monasteries are close enough for cycling day trips. The closest and easiest is Preobruzhenie Monastery, approximately 5km north-west of Veliko Turnovo. It is also moderately easy to cycle to Arbanassi, although a few kilometres of climbing and high traffic may put off beginners

Sozopol

2009-06-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

About Sozopol

Sozopol is a town on the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria.

See

Make sure to visit the old town. Nearby campings all around the city are also popular for young people and backpackers.

Do

For a lesser known place to go and relax, there is a rocky area by the sea in the old town. Walk up past the old school (apparently an old school anyway) and over the car park and follow a little path down to the sea. There you can sunbathe on the rocks, swim in the sea or jump/dive off the rocks (some are quite high!) if you are feeling a little more adventurous. The sea is quite deep here and can be a little rough at times so make sure you take this into consideration if you are not a fairly strong swimmer.

Buy

Buying real estate in Sozopol should be a good deal. It is very nice and beautiful place, not yet discovered so much by tourists and not crowded.

Sleep

A good way to find a place to stay is to ask a taxi driver to take you to a place they know. This usually involves them taking you to a property they own or one owned by a family member or friend. The best place to stay is the old town where you will feel in the heart of the cultural side of Sozopol. The people are friendly and welcoming and it is not far to walk to the main part of the town for food, drink and to visit the shops.

Primorsko

2009-06-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

About Primorsko

Primorsko is a town on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. It is mainly visited by Eastern Europeans on holiday from countries such as Serbia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and also Bulgarians themselves. There are a number of lovely beaches, nice restaurants and bars, clubs and even a water park in this coastal town where you will rarely hear a word of English, which makes communication a fun, yet slightly daunting, challenge if you do not speak a Slavic language.

Do

Waterpark - While not in the same league as water parks in Western European resorts, this water park is certainly worth visiting as it has some flumes, a large pool and massive U-shaped slide which looks dangerously interesting!

Beaches - There are a number of beaches to visit with shallow waters, making them safe for swimming. The summer weather is fantastic with temperatures often rising above 30'C, so make sure you have sun cream with you and look after your belongings on the beach.

Cyrillic Alphabet - If you want to be able to even remotely understand anything written in Primorsko it may be a good idea to learn the Cyrillic Alphabet. The same goes for Bulgaria in general as this is the alphabet they use there, i.e. the same alphabet they use in Russia. Once you have learnt this alphabet it will be easier to pronounce words, but then there is the new challenge of finding out what they mean!

Get out

Sozopol - Back up the coast towards Burgas is the town of Sozopol which has a lot of history and culture. It is certainly worth a visit as there are also some nice beaches, shops, bars and restaurants and a lot of accommodation, just ask the taxi drivers to find you a place to stay for the night.

Nessebur

2009-06-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

About Nessebur

Nessebur is a city in Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast. The central ancient town is full of medieval churches, and is quite beautiful. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There seemed to be lots of tourists there (from the beach resort on the outskirts), tour guides and local goods for sale. The resort on the outskirts, Sunny Beach, looked pretty tacky to me.

See

A huge part of the ancient city of Messembria (the old city of Nesebar, located on the ex-island) has sunk under water. When counting the numerous sunken ones, Nesebar becomes the city with most churches per capita in Bulgaria.

Do

The main things to do in Nesebar are to wander around the cobbled streets and visit the churches.

Eat

There are loads of restaurants in Nesebar, with a high proportion employing touts to encourage tourists into their premises. These are likely to be more expensive that most restaurants in Bulgaria, and not very good quality. The Tequila Bar is often recommended though.

Burgas

2009-06-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Burgas (also Bourgas)

Get around

Bourgas has well developed public busing system. Buses travel also to all resorts and cities along the coastline. Hitchhiking is also a very popular and successful means of transportation in the region.

Public transport runs regularly from 5 am to 11 pm. There are both buses and trolleys. Tickets are sold in the bus by special collectors and you should pay to them. The price for one ride is 0.80 leva (August 2008).

There are also small mini-buses that run regularly and cover some routes of the city. The cost for the ride is 0.90 leva. You should pay to the driver when you get off the mini-bus.

Taxis are another convenient way to travel around. There are many licensed operating companies. Be careful with scammers and always keep an eye to their tax-counter machine. Normally tariffs vary from 0,80 to 0,90 leva/kilometer

See

Water sports and activities
In summer you can go surfing and kite-surfing in the bay. There are a few surf and sea sports schools, which you can find on the beaches. You can also book diving.

There are several small islands near Burgas:
St. Anastasia (former Bоlshevik island)
St. Ivan (the Snakes' island).
You can search for a boat or small ship for an excursion to there.

Boats to St. Anastasia island leave from the Bridge. Offered in July and August, leaving at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00.

Other sports and activities
Carting Speedway, 126 Stefan Stambolov Bul (Kolodruma), Working time: 11:00-20:30, Speedway - length: 320 m., width: 4m

You can do also do some extreme sports like paragliding or moto-paragliding. Courses and tandem-flights are offered as well. Sky Dog Fly Center

Museums
Ethnographic Museum, 69 Slavianska Str., working time: mon-fri 10:00-19:00; sat 10:00-18:00, includes various ethno exhibitions in its program, offers summer school of Arts, Crafts and Dances
Archaeological Museum, 21 Bogorodi Str., working time: mon-fri 10:00-19:00; sat 10:00-18:00, variety of exhibitions, ancient Roman, Byzantine and Greek antiques
Historical Museum, 31 Lermontov Str., working time: mon-fri 10:00-19:00; sat 10:00-18:00, tells both local and national history, various guest exhibitions from other museums and countries.
Nature and Science Museum, 30 Fotinov Str., working time: mon-fri 10:00-19:00; sat 10:00-18:00, covers flora, fauna, subjects of medicine, physics, various thematic exhibitions
There are many galleries as well, some of them are Bogoridi, Briz - Boiadzhiev, and Petko Zadgorski Art Gallery.

Get out

Istanbul is just some 4 or 5 hours drive from Burgas (including the time on the Custom Formalities). There are many bus-companies offering excursions by bus or just transport to Istanbul and other cities in Turkey.

When in Burgas, you may want to visit Nesebar (also Nessebur) and Sozopol - two seaside cities, famous for their ancient and renaissance buildings. There is public transport leaving from the bus station South which is in the city center. The first buses in the morning leave at 5 am and the last bus for Sozopol is at 9 pm and for Nesebar is at 11 pm.

Just a few kilometers from Nessebur is the large holiday complex called Sunny Beach. In summer the two villages almost merge in one big party and holiday center. Sunny Beach is sometimes called the summer party capital. There are more than 200 hotels and thousands of clubs, bars and pubs. One of the most famous party places is Cacao Beach with guest DJs like Victor Calderone, or bands like UK's Ladytron.

A world-famous attraction in the region around the mountains Strandzha and Sakar to the south of Burgas are the authentic fire dancers, called nestinari (нестинари). The mountains are good for biking and hiking.

Plovdiv

2009-06-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

About Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is located in the large plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range, or Old Mountains (Stara Planina) that runs through the center of Bulgaria. Both ranges are visible on clear days. The Maritsa River flows through the city on its way southeast before forming the Greek/Turkey border to the Aegean Sea.

Understand

Plovdiv is an ancient city, with a history stretching at least 5000 years. Originally it had 7 tall hills, some of which were used for quarries. It was controlled by the Romans and was called Trimontium at that time (the Three Hills), and by Philip of Macedonia (father of Alexander the Great), lending the city another old name, Philipopolis. There is a statue to Philip in the downtown business center. During the long occupation by the Ottoman Empire, a large mosque was built, still present in the downtown area as well. During Communist times, a statue to the "liberating" Russian soldiers was erected on one of the three main hills which overlooks the center.

Plovdiv hosted specialized expositions of the World's Fair several times in the 20th century. It has an Olympic-sized rowing lake and many hotels

See

The old center of Plovdiv is compact and walkable, with the main downtown road blocked to car traffic. There is a good collection of Bulgarian revival buildings in use as museums, hotels, and restaurants etc. and is worth a visit if you have chance. The nearby Roman Amphitheater, discovered in the 1970's during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone, and typically has merchants selling art and other items nearby. Wander the cobblestone streets near the downtown to find the centuries old St. Marina church with a unique wooden tower, a mosque from the Ottoman Empire, and on the nearby hill the old town center. The old town center was walled, and has a famous gateway entrance. Nearby Puldin Restaurant has subterranean rooms where the old wall and historic artifacts can be seen. Continuing up the hill several older houses are now museums and the Roman amphitheater with an overlook of the town below is partially restored and still used for concerts and other occasions.

To the south of the city there is the Bachkovo Monastery, still in use. Farther into the Rhodope mountains one can find ski resorts and other natural attractions, such as the impressively narrow gorge and caves leading to Trigrad, not far from the mountainous Greek border.

Do

Despite of the fact that Plovdiv is a relatively small city compared to a large multi-million population mega-polis it offers surprisingly many things to do.

The Hills - For starters enjoying the sunset from all the different hills is a must. Walk all the way to the top in the late afternoon, pick something to drink and stay there for the sunset. Go down to enjoy the nightlife once it's dark.
Old Town - Another must is the old town of Plovdiv which is full of art, free of cars and very enjoyable. Go take a walk try it at day, try it at night it's amazing. Try some of the bars there are life performances sometimes there. You might be even lucky enough to catch an opera performance in the old roman theater.
Center - Enjoying the central park during the day, especially if it's a very, very hot day. Once the weather settles hit the main street and the bars/discos.

Varna

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About Varna
Varna is the northern one of two major Bulgarian cities on the coast of Black Sea

See

City landmarks include the Varna Archaeological Museum, exhibiting the Gold of Varna, a cache of chalcolithic grave-goods, which constitute the oldest gold treasure in the world, the large and well preserved Roman Baths, Władysław Warneńczyk Park Museum, the Naval Museum, displaying the museum ship torpedo boat Drazki, the Museum of Ethnography.

The Sea Garden is the oldest and perhaps largest park containing the Varna Aquarium, the Varna Dolphinarium (opened 1984), the Nicolaus Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium], the Museum of Natural History, a terrarium, a zoo, and other attractions. The Garden is a national monument of landscape architecture.

The waterfront promenade underneath is lined by a string of beach clubs offering a vibrant (albeit noisy) scene of rock, hip-hop, American-style pop, house, and chalga (Bulgarian pop folk). The city beaches, also known as sea baths are dotted with hot sulphuric mineral springs and punctured by small sheltered marinas. Additionally, the 2.4 km long, 50 m high Asparuhov Most bridge is a popular spot for bungee jumping.

Notable old Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox churches include the metrpolitan Assumption of Mary Cathedral; the early 17th-century Theotokos Panagia; the St. Athanasius (former Greek etropolitan cathedral); the seamen's church of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker; the Archangel Michael's chapel; and the Sts. Constantine and Helena church of the 16th century suburban monastery of the same name.

Varna's centre was rebuilt in late 19th and the earlier half of the 20th century by the nascent Bulgarian middle class in Western style, with local interpretations of Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Do

There is a large tourist place where you can enjoy whatever entertainment that can be bought for money. There is something for every taste . But, you can also have nice walks in Varna.

Get out

Outside the city are the Euxinograd palace, park and winery, the Ecopark Varna Botanical Garden, the Pobiti Kamani rock phenomenon, the cave monastery Aladzha, and the Kamchiya biosphere reserve (UNESCO-protected)

Golden Sands Resort is 17 km from downtown Varna (north)
Sveti Konstantin and Helena is 10 km north from downtown Varna - it is a small, but peaceful and very green resort. Many nice hotels offer mineral water SPA services, due to the abundance of hot mineral springs all over the area.
Albena - 30 km north from Varna. An old style resort, with an architecture from the Communist times. Peaceful area though. Since the whole resort is owned by a single private company, it is one of the very few places on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast that does not suffer from overbuilding.
The town of Balchik features a small palace and a beautiful botanical garden; 40 km away (north)
Many wild beaches south of town (Pasha Dere, Shkorpilovtsi, Karadere, Irakli)
The town of Kavarna (каварна) is 60 km away north. It holds the Kavarna Rock Fest in early July, the largest rock event in the Balkans and Black Sea region
Cape Kaliakra - the longest cape in Bulgaria. Stunning views to the sea and the red cliffs. A place with rich history and many legends. Worth visiting. 80 km away, north.
The high rocky coast near the small Kamen Bryag (камен бряг, literally: Rocky Coast) village has been popular among Bulgarian's hippies; 90 km away (north)

Sofia

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About Sofia
Sofia was founded around 7000 years ago. Over the centuries, it has been given several names and the remnants of the old cities can still be viewed today.

Near Sofia lies Boyana church, which is one of the most valuable memorials of Bulgarian and European culture. The church boasts frescoes, acclaimed by specialists as “the best examples of eastern medieval art during its twelve century history”.

The decline of Sofia during the Turkish Ottoman Empire was followed by the rejuvenation after the Russian liberation in 1878, when Sofia was chosen as the capital of Bulgaria at the First National Constituent Assembly, and followed by a brisk and straight-forward period of construction.

See
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with ruins spread across the city center. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters. In the city alone there are 7 independent mineral water springs. One of the springs is located in the central area of the city and is accessible for everybody - cross the square behind the mosque, next to TSUM (the intersection of Iskar and Ekzarh Yosif streets).

In the administrative center of Sofia the streets are covered with a specific yellow pavement. It was laid in the beginning of the 20th century and were a present to the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand for his wedding from the Austria-Hungarian royal family.

Popular attractions
-National Assembly of Bulgaria
-Sofia University
-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
-Ivan Vazov National Theatre
-SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
-National Palace of Culture
-Central Military Club. It`s a multi-purpose monument of culture building in the city center.

Museums
-National Museum of Military History
-Ethnographic Institute with Museum
-Earth and Man National Museum
-National Museum of History
-National Institute of Archaeology and Museum
-National Polytechnic Museum
-National Museum of Natural History
-House-Museum of Ivan Vazov
-Museum of Sport
-Museum of Paleontology and historical geology
-National Literature Museum
-National Agricultural Museum edit
-National Ecclesiastical History-Archeological Museum

Galleries
National Gallery for Foreign Art
National Art Gallery
Sofia Art Gallery
Sofia City Art Gallery

Churches
-Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. One of the largest orthodox churches worldwide.
-Boyana Church
-Church of St. George
-Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers.
-Church of St. Nedelya.
-Hagia Sophia Church, 2 Paris str.. It is located just across the square and to the right from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It was built in the 6th century over an even older church. It is a witness of the whole Bulgarian history and is a valued cultural monument. In the 14th century it gave its name to the city of Sofia. It was destroyed several times and during the Ottoman rule it was used as a mosque.
-Russian Church.
-Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church

Temples
Catholic cathedral St. Joseph.
Banya Bashi Mosque.
Sofia Synagogue

Historical Buildings
-Amphitheatre of Serdica, (Located in the geographical center of the city under the flags of the EU.).
-Battenberg Mausoleum. The mausoleum and final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first Head of State of modern Bulgaria.
-Monument to Vasil Levski. It commemorates the hanging of Bulgarian national hero and major revolutionary figure Vasil Levski in the city on 18 February 1873.
-Monument to the Tsar Liberator. Representing the power of freedom and across from it are the National Assembly and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
-Monument to the Unknown Soldier.
-Knyaz Battenberg's Palace, (Right in front of the city garden.).
-Sofia Public Mineral Baths. It is an old building of interest, although it is in process of renovation at the moment

Open Spaces
-Borisova gradina. It`s the "lungs" of the city, with the Ariana Lake
City Garden. It`s the oldest and most central public garden, in existence since 1872.
-Largo.
-Orlov Most. It`s a bridge over the Perlovska River in the centre of Sofia
-Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square.
-Slaveykov Square. It`s an open-air book market.
-Patriarch Evtimiy Square.
-Sofia Zoo

Get out
-Vitosha is a magnificent landmark mountain just rises south of the capital. It is easily accessible by public transportation or by car and day trips in Vitosha in a sunny day are highly recommended. In the winter it is well suited for skiing and its proximity allows one day ski-trips.
-Rila Monastery is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria, situated in the huge Rila Massive. It`s just one hour and a half drive away from Sofia.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It`s just one hour drive on a good highway away from Sofia. Plovdiv lies around three hills in the otherwise totally flat Thracian plane. It's historical center, Roman remnants & relaxed feeling make it a great day-trip.
-Veliko Turnovo a beautiful city along a winding river, the former capital of Bulgaria in the middle ages. The original city castle and walls are reconstructed. Be sure also to visit nearby Arbanassi.
-There are also many monasteries around Sofia.