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For those who like bargain shopping and city experience. Varna is THE place to visit! It is
the third largest city in Bulgaria and main port on the Black Sea coast.
To stock up on bargain CDs and other such products a visit to the Techno Market
can be arranged and to the Metro Cash n' Carry for unbeatable deals
on drinks and tobacco.
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City History
Varna is Bulgaria's third largest city. It was an inhabited place even before
the Greeks established the colony of Odessos there about 580 B.C. Later, under
the Romans and their successors, the Slavs, Varna became a major port trading with
Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. In 1393 it was captured by the Turks, who made
it an important military centre.
Nowadays it is Bulgaria's main naval and commercial shipping port. It's also becoming a
magnet for tourists, being adjacent to the coastal resorts of Golden Sands, St.
Constantine and Albena. A university town, it is has a cosmopolitan atmosphere
that will immediately impress visitors. Boulevards lined with attractive 10th
century buildings provide an attractive backdrop to the fashion shops and
sophisticated cafe bars.
Dobrich
This large town of 110,000 is 37 kms inland from Varna. It has all
facilities, including hospital, and varied tourist attractions. There are
museums, the ruins of a middle Ages settlement and a number of ancient
monuments. It is also well know as the area's best place for cheap shopping. A
large central plaza has many shops retailing jewellery, clothes and a full range
of goods. Away from the centre, look for sales from rows of garages, as they
usually offer the lowest prices.
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Albena
The well known resort of Albena is 9kms along the coastal road from Balchik. The 40 some
hotels are dotted along its wide fine sandy beach, which gently slopes
into the sea and is ideal for swimming.
Many bars and taverns, restaurants and a casino cater to the
tourists. Many water sports are available and a spa
centre.
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Golden Sands
Also not far from Balchik, 17 miles from Varna is Golden Sands. The name is appropriate as
it boasts a massive 3.5km long and 100 metre wide beach. Over 70 hotels are supported by all
the tourist facilities you would expect and more.
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Cape Kaliakra
The coast offers interest aside from major resorts, such as Cape Kaliakra north of Balchik.
It's a mythical reddish crag rearing 70m above the sea, beside ruined
fortifications built as early as the 4th Century B.C.
Legend has it that 40 fair maidens threw themselves off the cape on
seeing the arrival of Turkish invaders. In one of the caves there, you
will find a museum which commemorates Admiral Ushakov's defeat of the
Ottoman fleet in 1791. Another cave has a popular
restaurant.
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Balchick
Attractive fishing port and historical seaside town. Dating back to ancient Greek times,
Balchik is quickly becoming a popular destination for tourists and holiday
home seekers. It offers a long modernised promenade, with restaurants set
out over the waters of the bay. Once part of Romania, it has the summer
palace of Queen Marie, with its very large botanical gardens that make an
ideal place to wander.
Check out this link for more information
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Other Attractions
The above are just the large and well known attractions of the Black Sea Riviera. Many other
interesting places wait to be discovered, such as the local small distillery
where you can sample the potent fruits of their labours. The Villa Manager has a
comprehensive knowledge of the locality and can advise and organise trips
according to your wishes.
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