Sunny Beach, Bulgaria by kismihok

Sunny Beach resort

Sunny Beach is the biggest sea resort in Bulgaria and it is real alternative to the Spanish resorts with its more than 4 km long beach which somewhere is up to 100 meters wide. The resort attracts more international fans of the sun than any other resort in the country. The beach is one of the best in Bulgaria, offering all sorts of attractions from mini golf to parachuting. There are also many lovely and lively restaurants and bars where you can have fun during the whole day. If you are looking for a safe and comfortable resort where you can improve your tan, this is the right place to go.

Sunny Beach can be seen as a small island, because there are very few tourists who are willing to leave its sun and golden beaches during their vacation. The most common destination for those who still want to visit other interesting places on the Bulgarian coast is the nearby Nessebar. The high quality comes at the right price and Sunny Beach is considered as one of the most expensive places for summer vacation in Bulgaria.

Sveti Vlas resort

Sveti Vlas is one of the newest sea resorts on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and it is located only 5 km north of Sunny Beach. The village was originally founded by the Thracians, who called the ancient settlement Larissa and was later renamed in honor of St. Vlas. Despite the ancient history of the resort, there are almost no historical monuments. Nowadays, it is a place where you can see many luxury hotels and apartment complexes, awesome bars and restaurants. There is opened the first private marina in Bulgaria with capacity for 300 yachts in 2007. The port also has a luxury hotel and restaurant complex.

The center of St. Vlas is located near the beach. There you can find post office, bank, interesting restaurants, cafes, shops and some Internet clubs. The narrow beaches are one of the best available in Bulgaria, but in comparison with those in Sunny Beach they are much calmer and less crowded with tourists. The water is shallow and provides a good opportunity for water sports like jet skiing, diving, windsurfing and banana boat.
The above resorts are just small part of everything that Bulgaria has to offer. There are also many resorts and towns where you can rent an apartment for really great price. The mild climate and the warm water will definitely make your summer vacation in Bulgaria unforgettable. The entertainment is everywhere, so pack your luggage and head to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. You will never regret it.

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Razzmatazz club, Barcelona / alterna2

Bar Dow Jones

For those looking to pass on the crowds and the prices of the infamous La Rambla bar-scene in lieu of something more unique, cruise down Avenida Diagonal, navigate down some back alleys, and keep your eyes peeled for the Dow Jones. As you step off the streets and into this Manhattan-esque dive bar, you’ll realize why it’s named after a New York stock exchange, and that’s where the fun begins. Dozens upon dozens of different types of shots and drinks are all displayed on digital monitors, all fluctuating in price based on demand. You’ll be exhilarated as the raucous tavern brings out your inner day-trader, hustling to get the cheap drink before the prices shoot up from demand. Take a break from the commotion and enjoy a game of pool at the venue’s billiards tables, or sip down one of their many delicious brews on tap. By the time the Dow Jones closes, you’ll be liquored up and ready to cab over to popular nearby clubs like BeCool and Razzamatazz.

The Glass Bar

Hidden along the periphery of El Born, The Glass Bar is a local favorite for pre-clubbers getting ready to go all night. Through the swinging saloon doors is a venue that is anything-but-western, with lush seating, ultra-modern interior, and of course, the massive glass bar. The place is perfect to mentally prepare yourself for the rest of the night, with neon lasers and strobes flashing over a small dance floor where the DJ pumps local and house music. Visitors will be in for a special surprise when they notice a live percussionist that adds a bongo drum rhythm to each track. The crowds are fashionable and outgoing, but if things get too hectic, step out onto the street terrace for some people watching or calm conversation. Make sure to arrive before 11:30pm to enjoy the two-for-one drink specials.

Chupitos

The name of the place literally translates to shots. Lots and lots of shots. This Barri Gòtic bar specializes in the most extravagant and possibly unnecessary over-the-top shots you could ever imagine. Spanning across the entirety of the wall behind the long bar is a listing of hundreds of different types, and you’ll be lucky if you’ve even heard of a few dozen of them. The place is always packed with young partygoers looking to enjoy the show, and what a show it is. The bartenders incorporate fire and props into the drinks, and you’ll often find yourself either staring at a blue flame dancing on the surface of a shot glass or wearing an army helmet as the bartender-turned-drill-sergeant screams drinking orders at you. It’s nearly impossible to leave Chupitos without a good buzz, and is in a perfect location to enjoy the nearby clubs on the harbor.

Article written by Party Earth

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Strandja mountain / Evgeni Dinev

In every country there are many interesting places to see and usually they are not the resorts. Because the resorts are built for tourists – and all you see there are other tourists and things build especially for them.

So better open a map and pick a random point of any EU country. You are likely to point to a town or village that’s well worth visiting. Don’t want to do a blind pick? OK, I’ll share seven ideas with you – seven places in Bulgaria that are far more interesting than lying on the beach. Here you are:

1. Strandja mountain

Even if you come here for trekking you are more likely to end up in Vitosha, Pirin or Rila. Almost no one goes to trekking in Strandja because it’s not as close to Sofia (the Capital) and it’s not as popular. Strandja is not a typical trekking destination. It’s a low mountain and climbing wouldn’t be a primary reason to go there. You should visit Strandja because of its natural beauty and because of its wildness. There are not many tourists going there, not many huts or paved roads. Its real and wild nature is rarely seen in Europe.

At the same time, reaching Strandja is not hard at all – you can approach the mountain from Malko Tarnovo which is just 76km away of Burgas. And Burgas is one of the largest cities in Bulgaria, just at the black sea. So you can land Burgas directly by an airplane or travel from Sofia by train or bus. Then there are buses going several times per day from Burgas to Malko Tarnovo and the other towns and villages at the foot of the mountain.

2. Lozenska planina

Yes, that’s another low mountain. Mountains are among the most interesting places to see in Bulgaria because they aren’t too high, and area easy to reach. At the same time the nature is well preserved. There are also many small villages around the mountains where life goes with different (slower) pace.

The greatest thing about Lozenska planina is that it’s really close to Sofia. In fact you can reach it with a regular city bus to the villages German or Lozen and it won’t take more than an hour from the city center. One of the best one-day trips you can do there is to drop at Lozen or German and walk through the mountain to the other village. It’s a really light trek, good for everyone – and it’s safe to do it at any time of the year.

3. Svoge and the villages around

Of course you don’t have to be interested in trekking or even seeing natural places. Maybe you prefer cities and towns, that’s why you came to Sofia. But the capital isn’t Bulgaria – life in the country is different. Do you want to see it? Svoge is a small town of nearly 9,000 inhabitants and is just 30 – 60 minutes train ride away of Sofia. Great for one-day trip! At the same time it’s pretty developed – there are several restaurants, two hotels, many stores and places to have a drink.

If you decide to take the train you may also want to see the villages on the way from Sofia to Svoge. Small, rural, very peaceful and so close to the big city – this is what makes them cool for a trip.

4. Pazardjik

And if you prefer bigger towns that are still calm and quiet, Pazardjik is just 1-2 hours away of Sofia. It’s a nice sunny town that will give you idea how people outside of the big cities live. At the same time it’s large enough to have the malls, stores, and services that big cities have. If you get up early in the morning you can see Pazardjik in a day and then go back to the capital (assuming you are staying there). But don’t worry – if you want to sleep in Pazardjik, there are plenty of hotels.

5. Dobruja

Bulgaria is not just mountains. If you want to see the beauty of the plane areas, Dobruja is your place. Here “place” isn’t quite correct thing to say, because Dobruja is a large area covering big part of North-East Bulgaria (and South-East Romania). It’s also the place where the country grows most of its wheat. You are going to see large areas that are just flat with lots of golden wheat growing on it (assuming you come in the summer).

Dobruja landscape / Andrea de Poda

There are several bigger towns in Dobruja – Dobrich, Shumen, Targovishte, Varna, Ruse, etc. From any of them you can easily reach villages to see rural life, and the beauty of Dobruja. Varna is perhaps the easiest to reach by plane from abroad, or by a bus or train from Sofia. From Varna you can travel to Dobrich in less than an hour. And then you’ll be at the heart of Dobruja.

6. Razboishte Monastery

Are you interested in visiting monasteries? Bulgaria is famous for many of them. The most popular is of course Rila Monastery. But if you prefer something less popular and less commercial, I recommend you to visit the Razboishte Monastery. It’s located in the most western part of Bulgaria, and is still easy to reach from Sofia. First get a bus to the town of Godech – it will take about an hour. Then Razboishte village is just 10km away which can be taken by another bus or car. Then walk 1km to the monastery.

7. Hisarya

OK, here’s a little bit more “touristic” place. But still most of visitors to Bulgaria don’t manage to go there. Why should you go then? Because there are more than twenty different mineral springs which were the primary reason for founding the town ages ago. The quality of mineral waters in Hisarya is proven and the resort is famous for them in the whole world. But that’s not all – you can see historical stuff like Roman ruins preserved for centuries.

How to reach it? First go to Plovdiv – A big city a couple of hours away of Sofia. There are planes going to Plovdiv too. And from Plovdiv, buses to Hisarya go every 30 minutes during the day. The trip takes about 1 hour. There are many places where you sleep in Hisarya. If you prefer you can sleep in Plovdiv where you’ll find many hotels and youth hostels.

So how does it sound – eager to visit Bulgaria yet?

Want more ideas and information like this? Visit https://bulgariatravelhacker.com!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by alex yosifov

There are several legends about this place, the most famous is about 40 girls who in an effort to avoid the Turkish slavery together jumped off cliffs into the sea. This fabulous event is commemorated by an obelisk called the “The Gate of the 40 Maidens” at the entrance to the Cape. You’ll also find a small museum with archaeological finds here. There are remnants of Tirisis fort that was built before the advent of the Romans and served until the Middle Ages. Its location on the Cape was not accidental, the sea and high cliffs represented an ideal natural protection against invaders.

But the main thing that attracts tourists, is the overall scenery of the Cape and the local nature at all. The dramatic view from the top of the rocks of the turquoise sea is really worth it. There are many caves and photogenic corners here. Kaliakra Cape is a protected area since 1941, but since that it has increased its area three times and now reaches 687 ha.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marcin Chady

Fairly typical is to watch the dolphins while playing in the waves. Even relatively recently it was also a home to rare Mediterranean seal. This animal was in the past, very abundant and very common throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea including Bulgaria, but due to the pollution of their environment, hunting and development of the tourism industry they disappeared. The last Bulgarian seals could be seen in the early eighties of the 20th century. Today, Mediterranean seal is officially considered the most endangered mammal of the European Union and its future existence is uncertain.

Other places for nature lovers are 8 kilometres away, in Taukliman protected area and the subsequent reservation called Jajlata.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by alex yosifov

Surroundings of Kaliakra Cape is interesting not only from the land but also from the sea. In August 1791, in the vicinity of the cape, there was a naval battle, during which the Russian fleet under the leadership of the famous admiral Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov completely destroyed the large Turkish fleet. That is one reason why the area attracts divers and wrecks seekers. On the seabed there are a number of objects and remnants of ships from various medieval periods and of the World War II.

Very interesting is also a restaurant situated in one of the caves in the middle of the Cape. It boasts an outdoor garden offering magnificent views of the surrounding area. However you will not find any accommodation right on the spot, most tourists come here on a trip from various places on the Black Sea, for example, from a well-known resort of Albena. If you go on your own, you surely find some bed in the vicinity.

So if you wandered into this region, just visit this place, where sea fights with the mainland and still make for an unusual beauty.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alex Brown

In the 19th century it became a very popular place among European nobility, Napoleon III., Alfonso II. from Spain and others and still offers lots of attractions and vibrancy for the tourists. Can be said that Biarritz competes with Saint Tropez, however it offers much more than just beaches, casinos, bars and entertainment oriented only to spend money.

During the day you can sunbathe and watch the surfers on the Great Beach (Grande Plage). Along the beach is a trail where you can ride on roller skates, and in the evening you can try the luck at the Town Casino (Casino Municipal).

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Interesting places and buildings

Another town beach is Miramar where you can stay in a king of local hotels – luxury 5 star Hotel du Palais. It was built in 1848 by Emperor Napoleon III. Its lowest rate for single room is €300 per night, but you will surely feel like the emperor himself. A little farther, on the tip of St. Martin, you can see Biarritz lighthouse, dating back to 1831.

You should also visit the old whaling port which is no longer working, but the locals love it and keep its original appearance.

Be sure to go to Rocher de la Vierge (virgin reef), which resembles a tooth and offers really great view and atmosphere at sunset. To get here, you have to go through the bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel.

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Blarney boasts a long history and magical charm and offers a number of beautiful sights and places to explore. One of the places that is definitely interesting for tourists, is beautifully preserved square, which today operates as the main point of village life.

The village has been subsequently developed around this square in Tudor times and was always owned and carefully managed by the owner of Blarney Castle.

Places of interest include, for example The Blarney Stone, which is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. Also thanks to it the castle attracts more than two hundred thousand tourists each year. Visitors are coming here mainly because of the known stone they want to kiss. The legend says that whoever kisses the stone will be blessed with the gift of eloquence. Blarney Castle is surrounded with more than a thousand acres of beautiful woods that are ideal for walking, rest and picnic.

Those who do not know Ireland, should know that the term “village” is not sufficient for Blarney. This place plays an important role in tourism for more than 100 years and is known throughout the world. About a century ago a tourist would probably visit the castle and take a tea in one of two hotels in the village. Along one side of the square would have seen a number of cozy cottages, which still stand here. There is also a church nearby that was built in 1766. Another great attraction was old power plant founded in 1843, which had a room with steam and Turkish baths.

Now the visitors can play golf or do shopping in a cozy little shops on the square, but of course the most important is to kiss The Blarney Stone!

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Protected area in this region existed long before the establishment of the park, but the Soviet authorities were afraid of leading Estonians to nationalist ideas. Only after years of preparation and lobbying they have finally reached an agreement. After this, also Latvia and Lithuania in the years 1973 and 1974 declared their national parks.

In translation, the Lahemaa National Park means “Land of Bays.” At present it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Estonia, with about 300,000 tourists a year. Most of them come here in high season. But the park has a unique atmosphere also during off-season, it is then transformed into a magical and unspoilt countryside. Lahemaa National Park is a home to 838 kinds of plants and 50 species of mammals. You can meet here brown bears, American mink or lynx. In the trees there are 222 kinds of birds and in the rivers you can find salmon or trout.

Lahemaa National Park is situated at the coast of the Gulf of Finland, where several deep incisions create one bay after another. Sea coast is very rugged. National park icludes also four major peninsulas and the series of islands. About 480 km2 of the land is covered by forests, remaining 220 km2 are the waters of the Gulf of Finland.

Lahemaa National Park is a typical example of the Estonian countryside, it is mostly flat or slightly wavy to a maximum height of 115 meters above sea level. A large part of the park is occupied by marshes, moors and forests. Travelers will find fourteen lakes and several waterfalls that drop down from the rock cliffs from a height of about 60 meters. Lakes are either coastal or ice type. The park offers a lot of interesting places, however, one of the most attractive are typical stone fields, which were brought here by Scandinavian melting glaciers.

The area is very quiet and populated mainly with rural population. Apart from the natural scenery there are also many historical and cultural monuments. Near the eastern end of the park you can find a renovated castle in Palmse dating from the 13th century. In the years of 1677-1923 the entire territory belonged to the Baltic German family von der Pahlen. But the castle was later nationalized and used as a recreational facility for Estonian National Guard called Kaitseliit. The reconstruction works on the castle began after the establishment of a national park in 1971.

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The capital of Denmark is located on the island of Sjæland, which lies east of Denmark. Half a million inhabitants live here and 600,000 others live in the metropolitan area. Copenhagen Centre, which is full of sights, lies to the very shores of the Baltic Sea.

Copenhagen is a royal city and really has a royal looking. You will find the seat of kings here, gardens, parks, many ancient churches, towers, and especially beautiful harbors. In the following sections we will present the most interesting places in Copenhagen.

Botanisk Have – botanical garden
Nature lovers shouldn’t miss this large botanical garden, founded in the late 19th century, which is full of all kinds of plant (both exotic or Danish). Through the garden leads many paths. In one section there is a beautiful stream with a rock, in others the lake with wetland plants. You should visit also a large greenhouse full of plants – most interesting is a greenhouse with orchids, cacti and palm house, where you can go to the top and see the palm trees from above.
There is no admission, the access is free.

Statens Museum for Kunst – national gallery
If you are art lovers, do not miss this gallery, which contains one of the most interesting collections of European art. You will find works by such artists as Rubens, Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse, but the works of Danish painters as well.

Rosenborg Slot – Royal Palace
The royal palace is on of the symbols of Copenhagen. Without the admission fee you can enter the walls and see the Palace from the outside, or see it from the Royal Garden (Kongens Have). If you pay the entrance (40 DKK), then you can visit the underground treasure (where are the crown jewels), a marble hall, long hall, a Chinese salon, mirrored cabinet and stair tower.

Kongens Have – Royal Garden
This garden, immediately adjacent to the Rosenborg Slot, was founded in 1606 and is thus the oldest park in Copenhagen. You can find there beautiful roses, trees, fountains, and the various statues. One of the most famous is the statue of Hans Christian Andersen.

Kastellet fortress
Another well-known sight of Copenhagen is Kastellet fortress, which was founded in the early 17th century. This building, now open to the public, is interesting for the 5-pointed star layout, with an ancient windmill in one part. In the 19th century, the building served as a prison. Kastellet is now used by Danish army – you can meet the members of army inside.

Sankt Albans Kirke (church) and fountain Gefion
Beautiful church, called St. Albans Kirke, is built in Gothic style and it is located near Kastellet fortress. The church was built in the late 19th century and is located near the impressive fountain Gefion. This fountain is one of the most important sites of Denmark, although it was built in 1908. In the middle of the fountain there is a statue of the goddess Gefion, which has four oxen hitched to have a character from the famous Scandinavian legend.

Den lille havfrue – The statue of Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid statue, which sits on a rock and staring sadly at sea is one of the most famous symbol of Copenhagen and a major tourist attraction as well. The statue sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor in Langelinie.

“The Little Mermaid” is a fairy tale written by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince.
Originally it was written as a ballet, the tale was first published in 1837 and has been adapted to various media including musical theatre and animated film.

The statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, after he had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale. The sculptor Edward Eriksen created the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. His wife, Eline Eriksen, was the model.

The statue has been moved to Expo 2010 in Shanghai for the first time ever.

Amalienborg Slot – Royal Palace
Another of the royal residences in Copenhagen is Amalienborg Slot, which is the current official residence of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The Palace is the seat of the royal family already from the late 18th century. The palace consists of several buildings which in the middle of is the square with the statue of Frederic V. From this square you can see on one side the Amaliehaven park, which borders the sea and opposite the Marmorkirken church.

Kongens Nytorv – King’s new square
One of the most famous squares throughout Copenhagen is located in its heart. There are several interesting buildings. One is a theater – Det Kongelige Teater, where you can see drama and ballet. Then there is the Hotel d’Angleterre, which belongs to the most luxurious hotels in Scandinavia. Most interesting is Nyhavn harbor.

Nyhavn – New harbour
It is 300 meters long channel, from the 17th century, with beautiful color buildings on both sides. Nyhavn is a place where people love to meet, sit in cafes or on the channel trims and enjoy the atmosphere of this place. Many boats leaves from Nyhavn on scenic routes across the Channel and the coast (hour cost approx. 30 DKK).

Other important squares – Nytorv a Raadhuspladsen
Nytorv is another famous square, where you can see a fountain of Caritas Springvandet from the beginning of the 17th century. There is also Raadhuspladsen’s Square, which is the second largest square in Copenhagen after Kongens Nytorv. It is important because there is the so-called Raadhus Hall, built of red bricks in the early 20th century.

Tivoli – amusement park
Another frequently visited site is the Tivoli amusement park. Unfortunately, the entrance is about 100 DKK + 25 DKK per adult/trip. Park operates from April to late September, then on Halloween (which is celebrated here) and on Christmas.

Vor Frelsers Kirke – church
Other attractions of Copenhagen is the church with remarkable tower from 18th century. You can enjoy beautiful view from this tower. The total height of the tower is 90 meters and it is the second biggest view point in Copenhagen.

Christiansborg Slot – Royal Palace
Another of the castles and royal residences of Copenhagen is Christiansborg Slot, which is 90 years old.

Christiania
Do not forget the Free State of Christiania, which is a special place of this city. It was founded in 1971, when squatters occupied several local branches of the barracks and the government decided not to intervene. Today there live nearly a thousand people and is certainly a place that attracts many people. Entrance to Christiania is free, but it should be noted that you can not make pictures there.

One weekend in Copenhagen
Due to the fact that Copenhagen is full of great sites, it is impossible to list them all. Nor is it possible to walk all in one afternoon. Nevertheless, we recommend the use of offers to spend a weekend in Copenhagen, as monuments are located in close proximity and all of the above listed you certainly be able to see.

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Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians was established on July 9, 1977 with the original area of 96 810 ha. Part of the area was included in the National Park of Poloniny in 1997 and the rest stayed as Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians with only 25 307 ha. Best preserved parts of the Eastern Carpathians are protected as national nature reserves.

The area is characterized by rich forests, which are a major component of eco-stabilizing the country and a suitable environment for flora and fauna bound on the forest environment. In the small protected areas are still preserved natural fir beech forests located on flysch slopes of Laborecká highlands.

Natural forest stands are also suitable environment for protected and endangered animals, which live here, like wolf, bear, otter, Ural owl, black stork, black woodpecker, lesser spotted eagle and other species.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians follows the border with Poland. It stretches from southeast to northwest, in the Low Beskydy.

There is Europe’s largest complex of beech forests and native forests in the Eastern Carpathians. You can enjoy there beautiful and wildlife forests, but various national cultural monuments as well. The greatest tourist attractions are wooden churches.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians is suitable for activities like hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and skiing in winter.

THE MOST INTERESTING PLACES
Snina Stone (1005m above sea level) providing spectacular views of the surrounding of Snina.

Marine Eye – the largest volcanic lake in the Slovak Republic, is under Snina stone. It is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Slovak Republic.

Astronomical Observatory – located in Kolonica village – is equipped with the largest astronomical telescope in the Slovak Republic.

CULTURE
You can visit the main and essential festival of the region Snina, which is the presentation of local folklore (at the turn of August and September). The name of festival is “Podvihorlatský folklórní festival pod Sninským kamenem”.

Or visit Snina fair which held annually on the anniversary of the first written mention of the town Snina (in September).

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Domica Cave, Slovakia by Jojo

Slovak Karst National Park is so far the second youngest National Park in Slovakia, established on 1 March 2002. This valuable territory with perfectly developed karst was a protected landscape area since 1973. Its significance is enhanced by the fact that it is included in the MaB (Man and Biosphere) network of biosphere reserves.

The caves and abysses in the Slovak karst and the area of the Aggteleki Karszt in neighbouring Hungary are inscribed in the UNESCO List of the Natural and Cultural Heritage. Stricter regime of conservation is applied to 10 Reserves, 16 National Natural Phenomena and 6 Natural Phenomena in the territory of the mountains Slovenský kras.

The most interesting places are the Zádielska tiesňava gorge and Domica cave – the biggest cave in Slovakia.

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