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Bulgaria " Bulgaria is famous for relentless warm summers and long white sand beaches, wonderful rustic villages and beautifully scented rose fields, fine historic monasteries and sun drenched vineyards." Take miles and miles of broad golden beaches, add a warm and sunny climate, and throw in a lush, thriving landscape with a sprinkling of tradition, and the it's easy to see why the result has attracted visitors from Russia , Greece and Turkey for decades. Come and discover Bulgaria 's Black Sea Coast for yourself. Newly uncovered by British holidaymakers, Bulgaria has everything you need for the ideal family break away, or for a more intrepid and independent trip. The Black Sea Coast is lined with purpose built resorts and simple seaside towns, so you can sit back in the sunshine, safe in knowledge all your needs are catered for, or lose yourself in the stony streets of traditional Bulgaria . Bourgas is the southern port of the Black Sea , with a cosmopolitan feel and an attractive, tourist friendly centre. Varna is Bulgaria 's third largest city and is a rapidly developing Riviera town. Bursting with things to do and see, as well as shops and restaurants, Varna is much more than just a beach resort. Both Varna and Bourgas play host to festivals throughout the summer months, essential for a slice of native life and music, combining folklore, classical music and jazz and attracting world class performers. Outside of Varna , you'll find the beachside resorts of Sunny Beach , Golden Sands and Albena. Golden Sands enjoys an impressive setting, with the hotels surrounded by rich woodland and a beach of pale gold sand. All of the Black Sea resorts are well tended and have everything you need for your holiday, though Albena is the more exclusive and expensive end of the scale, with a very popular beach. Whether you're looking for some therapeutic relaxation or simply want to pamper yourself, head to one of the great spa resorts along the coast. The combination of the sea climate with curative mineral springs and mud creates spas that are well worth taking time out to visit. Head inland and you'll find a less packaged Bulgaria , where tradition and nature dominate. Shopping Some say shopping here is a must, with the latest fashions through to traditional crafts sold at reasonable prices. The streets of Varna offer up fashion boutiques and other resorts are developing familiar, Western-style shops. Visit an outdoor market for a taste of local life, where peasants peddle their wares of fruits, nuts and herbs. Nightlife The bustling resorts along the Black Sea Coast are developing quite a nightlife, with restaurants, bars, discos and casinos. As evening sets in, restaurants open their doors to those simply enjoying a drink as well as diners, while hotels lay on entertainment, live music and discos. Throughout the summer, festivals fill the warm evening air with all kinds of music not to be missed. For a more relaxed and romantic night, tourists and locals alike soak up the atmosphere as they promenade through the streets of Varna. Local Specialities Orchards and vegetable plots provide freshly grown ingredients to accompany grilled meats and stews which form the staple of the Bulgarian diet. Cosy folk style restaurants will tempt you in with the smell of oven-fresh bread and speciality dishes; rich stews baked in earthenware pots, spit roasted lamb, or Danube fish soup. Streets stalls sell grilled meats and meatballs, but take care as standards vary! Bulgarians snack throughout the day, nibbling banista, flaky pastry filled with cheese, or sweeter cakes and pastries. You'll find a Middle Eastern influence here too, with Turkish Delights and other gooey treats. There is an increasing amount of Western food available, particularly around the resorts, but compared with the local dishes, it can be disappointing. Sample some of the famous Bulgarian wine from the five growing regions, including Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet. Whether you're sitting in a street café or eating out in the evening, there's no shortage of choice. Dress Code In most hotels and aparthotels gentlemen are required to wear long trousers to dinner. Highlights Highlights offer endless opportunities to discover, wonder, relax and enjoy - here is a selection... Golden Sands (North) With its massive 3.5km beach, this purpose-built resort is breathtakingly picturesque. After dark the resort really comes alive with a multitude of cafés, bars and nightclubs, guaranteed to keep you awake until the early hours! Numerous hotels provide evening entertainment and many restaurants have traditional Bulgarian dishes and folk evenings. Varna Shop & Dolphins Visit Bulgaria 's only Dolphinarium and see Dolly the Dolphin and her friends do their amazing show. Spend hours wandering along the famous and beautiful " Sea Gardens " in this, the sea capital of Bulgaria . Why not visit the stunning cathedral? Or simply shop till you drop in this vibrant city. Nessebar and Sunny Beach Situated on a pretty peninsula, with an abundance of medieval churches, Nessebar is a delightful picturesque fishing village, rich with cobbled streets and pavement cafés. Step back, let time stand still and see the rich history of the old town Days & Nights In the evening, sample the cosy tavernas and small bars. Alternatively, there's the lively Variety-Casino Albena. This large building has a casino on the first floor, and a theatre on the second offering concerts and shows. Sun & Sand Albena boasts 7km of fine golden sand, a superb range of watersports and for children, a fun fair, mini-train, mini-golf and trampolines. There is a promenade bordering part of the beach, which hosts snack and ice cream stalls. The sea is clean and the seabed shelves very gradually. There are sunbeds and parasols available for daily hire. Shopping Shopping is largely limited to locally produced handicrafts, linen and souvenirs from the stalls and kiosks which line the pedestrianised main street. Golden Sands is situated in the midst of the Golden Sands National Park - a richly wooded area of incredible natural beauty. It is also only 30km from Varna and is right on the Black Sea 's gorgeous coast. The resort's beach is its major selling point - it's 3.5km long and as the name suggests, the sand glitters with gold. Being a purpose-built resort, there are also plenty of other attractions. These include sporting facilities, restaurants, nightlife and some shopping. Should you wish to venture further afield, Golden Sands is well situated for trips to Albena, St Konstantin and Varna . You don't need to worry about children being bored in Golden Sands - there are plenty of attractions specifically for them. These include sports centres that offer organised competitions, games, pony riding and inflatable castles. Golden Sands is a resort for families and couples looking for sun and fun with beautiful views. Another of Golden Sand's attractions are the ancient mineral springs found throughout the resort. Shopping The seafront promenade has numerous kiosks selling traditional style ceramics, embroidery, wood carvings and jewellery as well as modern souvenirs. Nightlife After dark the resort really comes alive with numerous cafés, bars and nightclubs, open until the early hours. Some hotels provide evening entertainment including discos, and several restaurants host folklore evenings. Local Specialities While traditional Bulgarian fare is still widespread amongst the restaurants in Golden Sands, many restaurants also cater for the Western palate and eating out is very cheap! There are also ample snack stalls and cafés to pick up a bite to eat. Please Note Due to steep hills in some parts of the resort it is not suitable for the less mobile.
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