Balchik and Albena:
Balchik (15 minutes) - marina resort and small beach, great friendly restaurants, boat trips, small museum, shopping, Queen Maries Summer Palace and Gardens (a must!). There is a new Marina development and this lovely town, set into the side of the cliffs, is set to tastefully expand. There are 2 golf courses located on the edge of the town (approximately 10/15 minutes from the villa).
Albena (25 minutes) - full beach resort, fantastic beach, watersports, restaurants, horse riding, football, go karts, bowling, cinema, spa(s), massage and shopping. Albena is a purpose built resort with excellent clean and maintained beaches. Albena offers a busy bar/ restaurant scene but it is not overdone. The Bulgarians have been careful to control building and expansion to protect the feel of the area. There is also access to a small nature reserve. All this northern coastline has safe sandy beaches, clean sea waters and plenty to see and do.
Varna:
Varna (40 minutes) - Bulgaria's 3rd city, vibrant cafe society, lots of shopping, beach, aquarium, dolphin show, parks, fantastic museums and art galleries. This is a great city to visit, it has a fascinating history and a rich cultural heritage. There are attractions and interests for all ages and you could visit for a whole week and still not see everything! Not as 'pretty' as other European cities but the Bulgarians have a friendly and youthful outlook which makes it a safe and comfortable place to explore (and get lost!)
Natural and Historic Attractions:
Cape Kaliakra (35 mins)- historic headland and park. Roman ruins and defences, dolphin and whale viewings, outstanding natural beauty. This is one of many natural or historic attractions within 45 minutes drive of the villa. Other attractions to look out in the region for are the 'stone forest', roman museums, ancient cave monastery. There are also nature reserves with protected bird species and a wide mix of flora and fauna.
Bulgaria is famous for its roses and its honey.....the Valley of the Roses is 1/2 a days drive from the house and is a really good trip in the summer you get to see some amazing scenery and old villages. It is also famous for its sunflowers, grown on a vast scale for the oil . You will see massive fields full of flowers.
Pottery, wood carvings, wool and leather goods are also very popular.
