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Albena, like other coastal resorts in Bulgaria is not exactly what you'd call pretty. Some of the hotels are in fact, pretty ugly but this is made up for by the gorgeous beach. In addition, our hotel didn't have a pool but arrangements are there to use a pool just down the way at a minimum ... Read review
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Advantages: Fantastic Beach, great bars and friendly people Disadvantages: Probably very noisy/busy in high season
...main street.
Albena, like other coastal resorts in Bulgaria is not exactly what you'd call pretty. Some of the hotels are in fact, pretty ugly but this is made up for by the gorgeous beach. In addition, our hotel didn't have a pool but arrangements are there to use a pool just down the way at a minimum price (less than £1 each).
There are plenty of bars and restaurants along the main road and also along the beachside ... ...you're planning to travel to Albena, you do have to be aware that there are 'ladies of the night' plying their trade along the main street in the evenings. I don't know how they dress in high season but when we were there, they were not provocatively dressed. I was told that the police pick them up and move them outside town during the summer but can't guarantee this was the case. If men are standing or walking on their own then they are likely to ... more
Because of various work commitments we had very limited search criteria to get a week away during September 06.
However, a direct flight from Bristol to Varna swayed the decision and we chose the Hotel Druzba in the resort of Albena - partly on price but also location - right in the heart of the main street.
Albena, like other coastal resorts in Bulgaria is not exactly what you'd call pretty. Some of the hotels are in fact, pretty ugly but this is made up for by the gorgeous beach. In addition, our hotel didn't have a pool but arrangements are there to use a pool just down the way at a minimum price (less than £1 each).
There are plenty of bars and restaurants along the main road and also along the beachside which serve large portions for a small amount of money. Add to this the fact that beer is approximately £1 per pint and you can get a reasonable glass of wine for a couple of quid, then you're laughing if you're on a budget.
Breakfast (taken in the hotel next door) was plentiful with hot and cold buffet including English, Continental, Fruit etc.
There are lots of stalls along the road selling various handicrafts and doing a roaring trade with people getting dressed up in costumes from yesteryear and having their photographs taken. There are also many little shops/kiosks selling water, soft drinks, snacks, fruit and alcohol. Because it was nearly the end of the season, the shops were all having sales and it was possible to pick up a few bargains - Albena also seems to be the designer copy capital of Europe - there are copies of everything - watches, clothes, handbags from all the major designers. A good tattoo shop is situated just beside the Hotel Druzhba. There are a couple of activity parks for the kids (and adults) including archery, paint ball, go karting etc and a couple of (quite difficult) crazy golf courses.
Accommodation ranges from the very basic to quite high-end all inclusive options - the latter being either at the end of the main street towards the lovely restaurant in an old fashioned sail boat or a bit further out although there is a little train which carries people between these and the main town for pennies.
If you're planning to travel to Albena, you do have to be aware that there are 'ladies of the night' plying their trade along the main street in the evenings. I don't know how they dress in high season but when we were there, they were not provocatively dressed. I was told that the police pick them up and move them outside town during the summer but can't guarantee this was the case. If men are standing or walking on their own then they are likely to be approached - a couple of older gentlemen staying in the hotel told me they were extremely flattered to be asked but some other holidaymakers were quite offended (tended to be the younger ones) that this was happening on the doorstep!
All in all, it was a decent week in a fairly lively resort and the beach was good.
Advantages: On the beach, Extensive grounds, Fantastic food. Disadvantages: could have better outside evening entertainment.
We have been to Bulgaria every year since 2002 and 2008 was the best. We started off in Albena which is to the north very nice but rather quiet.Then we found Sunny Beach and the difference is unbelievable.
The first year we stayed at The Riu Helios, then The Sunny Dreams Apartments.
Both of these are very good quality for money.but then the best ,The Majestic Hotel.
Having seen this hotel being built we were eager to try it out and believe me we were not disappointed with what we found.
The moment you see it from the beach you will think it would not look out of place in Las Vegas, its massive and its PINK, yes PINK.From the beach you stroll up past the two huge pools to the waterfall then up the steps to an enormous patio with luxurious seating areas . Through the main door into the spacious reception and bar with for a change polite ...
Advantages: Very cheap, great beaches Disadvantages: expensive to get there
Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria and is very close to the major resorts of Golden Sands, Albena and Saint Constantine.
I have been going to this city every year for the last 11 years and therefore I have seen the many changes which have taken place since the fall of Communism.
Varna is spread along several miles of coastline which all have very good beaches. Along the coastal strip is the "sea garden" which is a public park which stretches for several kms. It is this park which forms the main focus of the city.
Tourists when going to Varna rarely go beyond the city centre. This is perhaps just as well as the city centre is quite pleasant, but away from the centre are hundreds and hundreds of "blocks" - many of which are not in good condition.
The city centre has been much improved in recent years with the arrival ...
Advantages: beautiful town, much to offer from a cultural point, good shopping Disadvantages: none
Varna, the Pearl on the Bulgarian Riviera!
Now that the summer holidays are approaching slowly, I thought it is about time to tell you a little more about my hometown Varna ? especially since Bulgaria is becoming more and more popular as a destination among British tourists!
Varna is the biggest port town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and the third biggest town in Bulgaria with 350,000 inhabitants approximately. Varna does not only host a big port and an international airport, it is also a university town: There is a School of Economics, a tourism university, a technical university, a Med-school and a newly founded free university.
Many of you might associate with Varna the beginning and the end of their vacation, since those who spend their holidays in one of the resorts on the Northern part of the Black Sea coast (i ...
miss_varna 28.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Varna
