I realised it this summer when I was so excited to show all my favourite places in Varna, on the North Black Sea coast and in the surroundings of Vasil that I felt like a Reiseleiter again.
Reiseleiter, German for “tour guide”, the person who makes sure the tourists have a great experience and that everything goes smoothly during their trip.. and my main occupation during my school years.
And although this post is not related to marketing in any way, writing it, inspired by a Facebook post of mine, brought me back to my roots (as a native of Varna) and my second favorite professional activity – travel and tourism. I hope you find it useful.
If you have a week and want to spend it in Bulgaria at the seaside, but not exactly “at the sea and the beach”, here are a few suggestions that we liked a lot.
Day 1-3: Yachting in Varna Bay
And on the line “Kaliakra – Nessebar and down”
Yes, Greece has recently become a very popular yachting destination and a place to learn how to drive a boat, race or just rent one with a skipper and have fun with friends, but … Varna is not a worse option.We trusted Cor Caroli Sailing Academy and our three-day experience with our skipper Todor is something we will remember for a long time.
In three days we learned what a “turn” is and how to do it. Mainsail, spinnaker and tacking are no longer foreign words to us. We handled and parked a 4 ton boat. We drove in wind conditions, no wind, ran from a storm and even dreamed of having our own boat.. at this point we are forming a group with friends who are also into yachting to go together.
Day 4: After yachting, we continued north …
In Varna lately I’ve been complaining about the food and eating out – too high prices, too low level of service, the quality of the food – questionable.Now .. here was the biggest surprise, we found Danton restaurant, on the recommendation of a friend. We went back twice and the only thing I can say about the restaurant and the team is ADMIRATIONS! Lovely place with nice views, exceptional service, huge portions, fair prices – top, top, top. Highly recommended. The likelihood of them finding you a table without you having made a reservation is nil – reservations are accepted online, use the link on their website listed above. The second pleasant surprise was Wake Up Varna‘s Food Corner. Very casual place, delicious food, fresh and smiling people – we highly, highly recommend it again. Besides, if you’re a wakeboard fan, this is the place. If you are interested in culture and art, my favorite places in Varna are: One of our biggest surprises was Shumen, which is located 40 minutes from the town of. I have to admit, for all these years, I have only passed through it. This time we stayed thanks to the 100 National Sites in Bulgaria initiative. There are five in Shumen: If you have never spent more than 30 minutes in Shumen and the region, give it to yourself, you will love it. And yes, you won’t have enough time in the day to explore all the wonderful places in the region. As a die-hard wine tasting experience connoisseur, I have to share that our favorite winery“Tsarev Brod” is also in the area. “Tsarev Brod is the only place in Bulgaria that has a vineyard with grapes of the Gergana variety – an old Bulgarian white wine variety, obtained by crossing Dimyat and Muscat Ottonel and the wine that Tsarev Brod makes from it is sooooo unique, one of the best white wines if you are a wine lover. Vasil refused to visit because he was driving the car and didn’t want to be annoyed … the wines at “Tsarev ford” are really gorgeous, but .. if you have a chance to sleep somewhere nearby or someone else is driving – take it. We replaced the wine with wormwood and stayed in a Osmar Houses in the village of Osmar. We slept in the Old House, built in 1881 of wood, stone and clay, and renovated entirely in the spirit of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. It’s an extraordinary experience – it somehow both takes you back to the past and reminds you of the bourgeois times of our society, but at the same time keeps you in the present and all the comforts it provides. For the great past, for the missed dreams, for the time when we were schoolchildren and for all the historical heritage that we have and pass by with a smile and carelessly, while others build “Historical Parks” and try to imitate it. Bonus, you get a stamp that you have visited one of the 100 sites and get close to a badge. At the Historical Park, admission is 50lv – brand new and not so historically glorious. We missed it. Thanks to all my friends who helped me complete the list – if you visit all the places, you’ll need no less than two weeks in the region, but … if you manage to get them, you won’t regret it.
Day 5: Slow down, enjoy Varna
Day 6: SHUMEN
Day 7: Pliska – last stop and reminder
And a few more places we missed, but are already on our list for next year
