Wednesday 16 April 2008







ARRIVING IN VARNA

When you arrive at Varna Airport proceed to baggage reclaim and towards the ID check at one of the counters. Once you collect all your baggage and documents follow the EXIT signs and go out of the Airport. You will find Taxis waiting in a line, buses, shuttles and private cars. Depending on your holiday package and travel arrangements you will either get a Taxi or a shuttle or a car. Therefore, please find below travel information and advice on how to get to the city centre and the resorts, useful sites and contacts.

Getting to Varna centre and resorts by a Taxi
The taxi ranks are located in front of Terminal 1 "International Arrivals", next to the parking lot. When you want to travel to Varna city or to the resorts, we recommend you PAY ATTENTION to the price per kilometer (BG Leva/km), with which every single taxi car operates. A taxi from Varna Airport to the city centre costs between 8 lv (E 4) and 24 lv (E 12), depending on the taxi you hire. It takes approximately 15 minutes, depending on the traffic. I will, however encourage to negotiate a fixed price to be on the safe side.

Getting to Varna centre and resorts by a Bus
The bus station is located in front of Terminal 1, close to the parking lot. The stop in front of Terminal 1 "Departures" services buses arriving FROM the city. The other stop, located in front of the VIP hall, services buses TO the city or sea resorts. Every passenger who wants to travel to Varna city or to the resorts must use ONLY this latter station.

A single ticket costs from 0.80 lv ( E 0.40) to 2.30 lv ( E 1.15) and depends on the distance you travel and you can buy one only on the coach.

Destinations:
- Bus № 409: ROUTE: Varna Airport - Golden Sands (Zlatni Piasaci) - Varna AirportVarna Airport - Coach Station - Varna city centre - St. Constantine - Golden Sands(main stations included only)Buses operate every 15 minutes every day from 5:45 h to 23:00 h. Tickets may be purchased ONLY from the ticket-collector, who handles each bus and helps you decide what type of ticket you must buy.

There are also regular public buses between the city centre and the resorts:
- Bus № 8 - Varna - St. Constantine - Varna
- Bus № 9 - Varna - St. Constantine - Golden Sands - Varna
- Bus № 109 (direct fast bus) - Varna - St.Constantine - Golden Sands - Varna


RENT-A-CAR
Rent-a-car companies with offices at Varna Airport:


Sixt
Tel.: +359 (52) 599 490Fax: +359 (52) 599 491Mobile: +359 (88) 8088 858Email: varna-airport@sixt-bg.comWebsite: http://www.tourist-service.com/ http://www.sixt.com/

Hertz
Tel.: +359 (52) 510 250Fax: +359 (52) 510 250Mobile: +359 (89) 9855 034Email: hertz@varna-airport.bgWebsite: http://www.hertz.com/

AVIS
Tel.: +359 (52) 500 832Fax: +359 (52) 500 832Mobile: +359 (88) 7492 739Email: var@avis.bgWebsite: http://www.avis.bg/

Useful numbers while in Varna and the region:

British Consulate Varna:
40 Graf Ignatiev Str.,
+ 359 52 633 044
Opening hours: Mon-Thur, 09:00-18:00, Friday 09:00-13:00

Varna Police:
2 Kaloyan Str, 166
http://www.varna.mvr.bg/

Fire Brigade:
159 Slivnitsa Blvd, 160

Ambulance (ER): 150

Hosiptals:
http://www.vn.government.bg/stranici/oblast/zdrave.htm
This site is in Bulgarian only, however if need be, simply dial one of the numbers provide and ask for help or advice.

Varna Airport:
http://www.varna-airport.bg/

Map of Varna: http://europe.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=varna&state=&country=bulgaria&size=big

Varna municipality:
http://www.varna.bg/english/phone/index.htm

Wednesday 27 February 2008

Bulgaria black sea resorts, apartments and houses

Bulgaria black sea resorts, apartments and houses.
In this article I'll provide you with some information regarding the summer resorts on the Black Sea coast and where you can stay.

SOZOPOL
Sozopol is one of the nicest resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Lying on the Gulf of Bourgas, Sozopol was one of Ancient Greek oldest settlements - formerly known as "Apolonia Pontica" named after Apollo, the patron of seafarers. Today the city resembles a cluster of welcoming turn-of-the century houses with small garden shrines dotted along the rocky headland. The resort provides tourists with two fine, sandy beaches, set off nicely against the tranquil charm of fishing life. One lies within a sheltered bay while the second, larger beach extends southwards beyond the headland. Sozopol is traversed by beautiful narrow lanes, old houses and its romantic charm has attracted artists and writers throughout the centuries.

SUNNY BEACH
Sunny Beach was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag International prize for proven ecological advantages. The resort has more than 100 hotels, and 2 campgrounds, restaurants around. There are many taverns with folklore shows, bars with floor shows, night clubs, a casino, discos and cafes that provide culinary pleasures and a good time for all visitors

GOLDEN SANDS
The resort of Zlatni Pyasatsi (Bulgarian for Golden Sands) is the largest on the Northern Black Sea coast. It is located 17 kilometers away from Varna and is bordered on the north by the village of Kranevo and on the south by the St. St. Konstantin and Elena Resort. It is a magnificent place with a white golden beach, rich wooded hills, and a clear blue sea, situated in an area which is a Bulgarian National park. The mineral water springs, as well as the marvelous forest of the park turn Golden Sands into one of the most preferable resorts of the Bulgarian coast. The beach strip is 3,5 km. long and up to 100 m wide. The average air temperature in summer is 27-30 degrees and the water temperature is 25-28 degrees. Golden Sands suits both sun-worshippers and sightseers with its close proximity to the city of Varna, the third largest city of Bulgaria, also known as the Pearl of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast with a great number of places of interest.Golden Sands is the winner of a “Blue Flag” – a prestigious international award for environmentally clean resorts.

ST. CONSTANINE AND ELENA
Bulgaria's oldest seaside resort - St. Constantine and Elena is only 8 km north of the city of Varna. About 50 hotels rise amongst coniferous trees - oak, elm, fir, cedar and cypress. The modern base and the golden beaches of fine sand turn it to an ideal place for a vacation. Bulgaria's oldest seaside resort - St. Constantine and Elena is only 8 km north of the city of Varna. About 50 hotels rise amongst coniferous trees - oak, elm, fir, cedar and cypress. The modern base and the golden beaches of fine sand turn it to an ideal place for a vacation.

NESSEBAR
Founded 3000 years ago, Nessebar is surely the most exotic place along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The small old town is situated on a beautiful peninsula, connected to the main land by a narrow road. Nessebar is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its unique colour and architecture. The town is a real museum exhibiting the building traditions of Bulgaria with over 20 places of interest. Valuable monuments from all ages of its thousand-year old existence have been preserved until today. With its unique ancient atmosphere Nessebar offers uncomparable opportunities for recreation and entertainment.

ALBENA
Albena is one of Bulgaria's most popular seaside resorts. It is a BLUE FLAG rated resort located 32 km north of the city of Varna in the picturesque and ecologically clean gulf of Varna Bay. The construction of the resort began in 1968. Currently it offers accommodation in 43 two to four star hotels, situated on the beach and the hills surrounding the resort with great view of the sea and the Baltata Natural Reserve to the south of Albena. The step-pyramid architecture of Albena's hotels marks it as one of the most architecturally inventive Bulgarian all purpose-built resorts. Beside the hotels there are three camping sites - Albena, International and Ekzotika and 64 luxury bungalows.Albena is famous for its vast green areas and flower gardens, but the most remarkable attribute of the resort is the 7 km long and 100 m wide beach. The sandy beach, the crystal clear sea, the fresh air, the medical and spa centre as well as the wide range of cultural and sport events are a good combination for a happy and leisurely vacation for people of all ages.The resort of Albena was named after the heroine of one of the greatest Bulgarian writers - Yordan Yovkov. His heroine Albena was gifted with extraordinary beauty and just like her the resort of Albena has a magnificent influence over the people. Once they see Albena, tourists can never forget its gentle touch of natural beauty

Monday 25 February 2008

Varna properties


Varna properties
As a popular destination for both tourism and business Bulgaria has attracted many people whom after their initial touch with the Bulgarian nature, hospitality, food and traditions decided to move to this beautiful piece of heaven. Many of them considered moving to Bulgaria but have not decided where to go and buy their future home and start their new life. Therefore I decided to write this article and help people with some advice and major points in order to succeed in their choice. Searching for properties in Varna is not an easy job and I'll give you some advice and tips on some best practices.
Why buying property in Varna? As a major industrial point, vibrant and strong economy, developing and fast growing city Varna gives you the opportunity to either come here and start your business or buy a lovely home at a secluded area where you can enjoy the beach and relax in the summer time.
Varna is situated on the Black Sea cost and with 600 000 citizens permanently living here it is considered to be the 4-th biggest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, Plovdiv and the other major city on the coast-Bourgas. Varna is probably most famous for being the summer holiday of Bulgaria.
For many years it has been an attractive place for tourism and in the recent years tourism industry is booming. Having said that I would also like to pin in the fact that Varna is also famous for the excellent business climate that has been developing for many years. The port of Varna and Varna airport are considered to be of great advantage in accessing the region and start doing business. Some of the biggest companies in several industries operate here and have developed the region providing employment opportunities and social development.