Varna

[Wilmslow]

Has anyone been to Varna before? I have some enforced holiday with the clientco Christmas furlough so taking advantage of cheap as cheaps flights and 5* hotel for a mini break (or what counts as 5 stars in Bulgaria).

I’m hiring a car and have a full day and half a day to explore the area and anything worthwhile seeing in the area.

What’s good, what’s not, and what should be avoided?......

[Paddy]

Has anyone been to Varna before? I have some enforced holiday with the clientco Christmas furlough so taking advantage of cheap as cheaps flights and 5* hotel for a mini break (or what counts as 5 stars in Bulgaria).

I’m hiring a car and have a full day and half a day to explore the area and anything worthwhile seeing in the area.

What’s good, what’s not, and what should be avoided?......

Wrong time of the year for Varna and you won’t gain much by hiring a car other than risking your life. If you go, use public transport. The train service from Varna is good. Overnight sleeper to Sofia is about £30.

The correct places to go in the winter are Sofia, Bansko (Ski), Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv

[MasterBait]

Head to the mountains and go skiing

[Wilmslow]

Wrong time of the year for Varna and you won’t gain much by hiring a car other than risking your life. If go, use public transport. The train service from Varna is good. Overnight sleeper to Sofia is about £30.

The correct places to go in the winter are Sofia, Bansko (Ski), Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv

Risking life? That sounds extreme - is it bandit country or driving Italian style? The hotel is a few miles out of the city so was thinking about getting out and about a little as I arrive around midnight, so would feel safer avoiding buses at that time of night.

Blimey, it sounds a little scary......

[Amanensia]

If there's a ship called Demeter in the harbour, might be best to stay indoors at night.

[Paddy]

Risking life? That sounds extreme - is it bandit country or driving Italian style? The hotel is a few miles out of the city so was thinking about getting out and about a little as I arrive around midnight, so would feel safer avoiding buses at that time of night.

Blimey, it sounds a little scary......

You can drive to Ikea and have free coffee.
Ikea boulevard "Republika" 55, 9020 Vladislavovo, Varna,

[pscont]

Not much to do in Varna in the winter.
I've been there many times and have a lot of local friends.

Good things:
Excellent food and cheap
Cheap drinks
Cheap girls
Nice garden by the sea
Nice bars and clubs

Not good:
Driving is a bit of adventure. You can get beaten at a crossroad if you cut someone off or etc. It has happened and happens.
Roads are with pot holes - get full rental car insurance.

Bulgarians are generally very friendly. They absolutely hate English. Call them pale skinned faggots. I wonder why - brexit doesnt help and bad press re BG neither. Other tribes from this island are OK.

Locals are machos - faggotry wont work - if you are a homo, keep it to yourself. Otherwise if you get to know them they are really good friends and one can count on them.

Girls adore foreigners and like being treated. The more you spend the more they like you. Third world really. But it is good s.ex.

So depends on what are you looking for.

[Wilmslow]

Not much to do in Varna in the winter.
I've been there many times and have a lot of local friends.

Good things:
Excellent food and cheap
Cheap drinks
Cheap girls
Nice garden by the sea
Nice bars and clubs

Not good:
Driving is a bit of adventure. You can get beaten at a crossroad if you cut someone off or etc. It has happened and happens.
Roads are with pot holes - get full rental car insurance.

Bulgarians are generally very friendly. They absolutely hate English. Call them pale skinned faggots. I wonder why - brexit doesnt help and bad press re BG neither. Other tribes from this island are OK.

Locals are machos - faggotry wont work - if you are a homo, keep it to yourself. Otherwise if you get to know them they are really good friends and one can count on them.

Girls adore foreigners and like being treated. The more you spend the more they like you. Third world really. But it is good s.ex.

So depends on what are you looking for.

Sounds like fun! I will mind my manners when I am driving. Not a lot to do sounds perfect – I am in the Astor Gardens 5 star resort so will probably chill around the hotel.

I am only there for Tuesday and Wednesday morning – Other than downtown Varna in the daytime (I will stay at the hotel in the evening due to the strict drink drive) anywhere good to explore, either coastal or inland to check out the areas a little? Or just a case of pottering about the resort and Varna itself. Drobich and Albena look like local places of interest – what kind of interest though is my question….

[pscont]

Sounds like fun! I will mind my manners when I am driving. Not a lot to do sounds perfect – I am in the Astor Gardens 5 star resort so will probably chill around the hotel.

I am only there for Tuesday and Wednesday morning – Other than downtown Varna in the daytime (I will stay at the hotel in the evening due to the strict drink drive) anywhere good to explore, either coastal or inland to check out the areas a little? Or just a case of pottering about the resort and Varna itself. Drobich and Albena look like local places of interest – what kind of interest though is my question….

Look up Madara village and Madara horseman.

[sal]

Head to the mountains and go skiing

All ski resorts are in the exact opposite end of the country, despite the smallish size poor road infrastructure and crossing mountain passes in the winter makes it a bad choice for 2 day stay.

Risking life? That sounds extreme - is it bandit country or driving Italian style? The hotel is a few miles out of the city so was thinking about getting out and about a little as I arrive around midnight, so would feel safer avoiding buses at that time of night.

Blimey, it sounds a little scary......

It's not that bad Driving is Balkan style (similar to Italian style) aggressive drivers with added "bonus" of threat of physical violence. Not really bandit country in terms of RSA, carjacking etc.

Stay clear of G-wagons and S-klasse MBs, especially if in convoy. They are the wheels of choice for the local "chiefs"

Definitely go check the Balchik Palace and botanical gardens:

Balchik Palace - Wikipedia

Also in the area:

Pobiti Kamani - Wikipedia

If you fancy a look into the life in Bulgaria at the end of 19th and beginning of 20th century:

Ethnographic museum | - Visit Varna - Official Varna City Guide