28 BULGARIA
Looking for a great value break with plenty to keep you busy? Look no further than Bulgaria…
ULGARIA is a Balkan nation with diverse terrain encompassing Black Sea coastline, a mountainous interior and rivers, including the Danube. A cultural melting pot with Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, and Persian infl uences, it has a rich heritage of traditional dance, music, costumes, and crafts. At the foot of domed Vitosha mountain is its capital city, Sofi a, dating to the 5th century B.C. In Sofi a, the National Museum of History displays gold artifacts excavated from the Valley of the Thracian Rulers, a well-known collection of tombs near the town of Kazanlak. Medieval churches at Ivanovo are cut from solid rock. The fortresslike Rila Monastery, built in Bulgarian Renaissance style, is set in the Rila Mountains. Archaeological sites include Nessebar, the 3,000-year-old ruins of a Greek colony, on the Black Sea. Up the coast, Varna is known for beach resorts, while southwestern Bansko is a ski destination. There are hundreds of mineral springs countrywide, notably at the spa towns of Varshets and Velingrad. Bulgaria is brilliant if you’re looking for a great value break with plenty to keep you busy, and its Black Sea Coast is a winner in the beach department. Playful, tourist-friendly resorts sit alongside swanky marinas and ancient old towns, but adventure is never far away in the Balkan Mountains. No wonder this up-and- coming destination is one to watch.
Bulgaria was crowned the best value holiday destination for the fi rst time in the Worldwide Holiday Costs Report published in January 2018, the popular Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach ranked number one overall by off ering the cheapest kids beach items, drinks and family meal prices of the 42 destinations surveyed by Post Offi ce Travel Money. Bulgaria’s Black Sea coasts stretches an impressive 230 miles, with some of the fi nest sandy beaches in Europe (11 Blue Flags awarded to Bulgarian Beaches to prove it!) and it boasts an average temperature of 27C.
Bourgas Area
The Southern resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast are the most popular with tourists travelling to the region. These resorts off er a real diversity of holidays including relaxing and lively beach holidays, city breaks, spa and wellness and spice of life holidays. The biggest and most famous of these resorts is Sunny Beach, with the largest selection of hotels and apartments to choose from. Its non tidal waters and gentle sloping beachline make this a great value for money holiday destination for families.
Varna Area
The Northern Black Sea Coast is steeped in history and boasts both Roman ruins and Thracian tombs.
April/May 2019 Travel News
ADVENTURE IS NEVER FAR AWAY! B
A birds-eye view of the Bulgarian city of Sofi a at sunset - the National Museum of History in Sofi a displays gold artifacts excavated from the Valley of the Thracian Rulers, a well-known collection of tombs near the town of Kazanlak
The most popular of the Northern Resorts are without a doubt Golden Sands and Albena. Both are ideal destinations for families, boasting beautiful beaches and off ering a great value for money holiday to Bulgaria. The North also has the Lighthouse Golf Resort in Balchik designed by Ian Woosnam and Gary Player.
What to see and do
From the coastal resorts along the Black Sea Coast to the beauty of the mountain resorts or even a vibrant city break - there is a wide range of things to see and do in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is especially proud of its rich history and is proud of its traditions - experience the magic of uplifting Bulgarian folk music and dances, colourful traditional costumes and rituals. During the summer a number of folk and cultural festivals and concerts take place mainly in the towns of Varna, Bourgas and Sozopol.
Water Parks
While on holiday in Bulgaria you can visit one of the water parks in the beach resorts. The three biggest water parks are:
• Action Aqua in Sunny Beach is located in the
Balchik, located at the North of the Black Sea Coast, has plenty of luxurious resorts to choose from
Western part of the resort.
• Aquapolis in Golden Sands is located in the northwestern part of Golden Sands, on the main road from ‘Riviera’ to ‘Albena’.
• Aqua Paradise in Nessebar is situated on area of 30 000 sq. km. to the south of Nessebar on the road to Bourgas.
Food and Drink
Because of its geographical position and diverse history, Bulgarian cuisine is a mixture of the Slavonic, Greek and Turkish cuisines. At least one of the following Bulgarian national specialties is a must during your holidays to Bulgaria:
• Shopska salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and parsley topped with grated white cheese). • Tarator (a cold soup of chopped cucumber, walnuts and yogurt) perfect on a hot summer’s day. • Bulgarian white cheese baked with eggs and tomatoes is another favorite.
Other traditional dishes you should consider during your holidays to Bulgaria include kebapche (minced meat rolled into a sausage and grilled), kavarma (individual casseroles of pork or veal, onions and mushrooms), shishkebab, stuff ed vine or cabbage leaves, and moussaka. Yogurt too, tastes better in Bulgaria - its country of origin.
Bulgaria is home to some excellent locally produced wines and spirits, and nothing can beat a cold Bulgarian beer while relaxing around the pool or in one of the many friendly bars and restaurants. Eating out in Bulgaria is very popular and aff ordable. It is widely known that food and drink is a lot cheaper than many other holiday resorts across Europe.
Bulgaria has plenty of golden sand beaches along the Black Sea Coast. The biggest and most popular of these is Sunny Beach in the South, however the Northern resorts of Golden Sands and Albena (pictured) are also proving popular
Shopping
Bulgaria is great place for cheap designer clothes, CDs and handbags. Traditional handicrafts such as
Bulgarian cuisines is a mixture of Slavonic, Greek and Turkish cuisines - eating out in Bulgaria is very popular and aff ordable
handmade pottery, jewellery, lace and knitwear can be found in local markets and shops.
Climate
Bulgaria has average temperatures of 29C in the summer and basks in over 300 hours of sunshine during the high season.
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