|
Bulgaria's Black Sea
capital is already a firm favourite amongst Bulgarians, and now
western newcomers are fast discovering Varna as a fascinating
alternative destination to that of the more expensive, purpose-built
package holiday resorts a few miles down the coast.
Varna has all the
facilities you would expect of a modern resort, yet with its own
splendid character, historical culture and Bulgarian charm, is
appealingly unique. With the local population exceeding 340,000,
prices are held remarkably low. For instance, in Varna it is not
unusual to pay £1.50 for a main meal and 30p for a glass of beer
in a popular high street restaurant.
Note: Do not expect to
pay these prices in the more commercialised resorts.
Varna has the perfect mix
of a beach resort and vibrant Bulgarian city. On its sandy beaches
you can indulge yourself in the calm warm blue waters of the Black
Sea without the humidity of the Riviera or the cold winds of the
Baltic. It's also within easy reach of other travel brochure resorts
like Golden Sands, Albena and St. Constantine.
It's a beautiful city,
too, full of fine architecture, museums, Roman ruins, a Cathedral,
an Opera House, together with ample shops, restaurants, and exciting nightlife.
Getting around to visit
sights is relatively easy on foot, or alternatively, buses and taxis
are frequent and cheap. The stunning Sea Gardens are a "must-see".
These tree-lined, well maintained gardens stretch parallel with the
beach for miles, and with its public footpaths and eye-catching
scenery, they make it a hugely popular stroll for locals and visitors alike.
English languauge is
widely practised, though should there be an unlikely breakdown in
communications, there are always friendly locals willing to help. On
the subject of locals, I personally, have always felt safer walking
around Varna at night than any city in the UK, and unwelcome
pestering hawkers and streetsellers are not as frequent as in other
holiday resorts in Europe.
So, if you are looking
for a new experience, a bit of the REAL Bulgaria, rather than the all
too familiar Brit/German package holiday, then Varna could be the
ideal location. |
