SEASIDE RESORTS BULGARIA

For many foreigners Bulgaria means scarcely more than her Black Sea coast. They may be right, though not quite, but let us not argue the point. What is more important is that this Black Sea coast was ‘discovered’ not very long ago by the Bulgarians themselves.

But first of all, let us say a few words about the Black Sea. It is one of the medium-sized seas — with a maximum length of 1,130 km, width of 611 km, and an area of 413,488 sq km. The salinity of its water is low (18 per thousand), but that is why its transparency is high – up to 16-20 m – at an average depth of 1,690 m. The temperature of the water in the summer months averages 23°C.

The Bulgarian stretch of the Black Sea coastline (378 km) is less indented than the eastern and southern parts, but boasts a more picturesque shore. The woody, softly descending slopes of the Balkan Range and the Strandja Mountains, the vineyards and orchards, as well as the other types of vegetation create such an abundance of verdure that many people rightly call this part of the country the Bulgarian Riviera. Almost along the entire coastline there is an unbroken strip of froe sand, and the sea is clean and shallow. We could not possibly imagine our seaside resorts – from the old and romantic fishermen’s settlements to the most modern resort complexes – without this greenery, without this sand and without this sea. Neither could we imagine them without their abundance of fruit, grapes and sparkling white wines.

But let us introduce you in a few words to some of the most important Bulgarian Black Sea resorts daily ephesus tours, starting out in the north.

ALBENA

The most recently opened resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is situated in a calm bay north of the Batova River. It welcomed its first guests in 1969. There are currently 35 lst- class hotels with some 10,000 beds, a camping site with 1,500 places and restaurants and night clubs for 10,000. The places of entertainment are situated aside from the hotels to ensure peace and quiet for the holidaymakers.

The water is clear and warm and the seabed is even, without holes and whirlpools.

For lovers of sport there are many volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, golf links, croquet pitches, bowling alleys, horses, bicycles, a sailing club and go-carts.

Next to Kardam Hotel there is a tailor’s shop for men’s and women’s clothes, a shoemaker’s and watchmaker’s shop and dry-cleaning and clothes pressing shop. At the entrance to the resort is the post office which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The resort is some 30 km from Varna. A regular bus service links it with Varna, Zlatni Pyassatsi, Drouzhba, Toblukhin and Balchik. A six-seater cutter makes regular trips to Balchik, Kavama and Kaliakra.

The taxi stand is next to Slavyanka Hotel.

Exhibitions of works of leading Bulgarian painters, cartoonists and graphic artists are organized in the hotel lobbies.

A competition for ‘Miss Albena’ and ‘Miss Black Sea’ is organized here in the months of July and August.

At the resort there are several places of entertainment, with interesting floor shows and very good cooking.

The Zlaten Klas Tavern next to Or low Hotel is open from 11.0 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.

Dobroudja Tavern – in the trade centre of the resort. Open from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.

Ribarska Hizha Restaurant in the eastern part of the resort, by the sea. A variety of fish dishes are served.

The Old House Restaurant – in national Bulgarian style. A folk-instrument orchestra. Open from 6.00 p.m. to 12.00 p.m.

Gorski Tsar Night Club. Every night a varied concert programme. Situated in the western part of the resort and open from 9.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m.

Arabella Night Club, in the eastern part of the resort, next to the beach. Open from 9.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m.

Batova Picnic — 18 km away from the resort; delicious dishes served and a varied floor show. Open from 9.00 a.m. to 12.0 p.m.

Robinson – a place of entertainment near the town of Balchik. Interesting programme every day from 10.00 a.m. to 12.0 p.m.

In the shopping centre of the resort there is a wide range of leather, fur and ceramic articles, folk-style fabrics, perfumery, shoes, bathing suits and souvenirs. The grocery stores, the greengrocers and fruiterers, as well as the flower shops, are open from 9.00 to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 to 9.00 p.m.

The health clinic of the resort is next to Bratislava Hotel; tel. 20-25, 23-06. There is a pharmacy at Orlow Hotel.

Currency exchange – at Dorostol Hotel and in the shopping centre, tel. 23-71.

The bureau of the National Tourist Information Centre is in Bratislava Hotel, tel. 21-50.