|
Varna is well known by the thousands of tourists who flock
to the popular Bulgarian Black Sea coast in the summertime not only
because many travel via Varna’s international airport but
because the city is in close proximity to all the major resorts
in Bulgaria.
Varna offers visitors and residents a wealth of entertainment as
well as cultural and historic attractions and this article is about
the history, economy and present day life in Varna, Bulgaria.
After Sofia and Plovdiv; Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria,
it is located on the shores of the Black Sea and as a port city
in Bulgaria Varna is strategically highly significant. The city
has a strong economy built on tourism but also on trade and transportation
and in 2004 Varna was named by FDI magazine as ‘European City
of the Future’ because of the strength of its economy and
its positive prospects for the future.
Historically Varna
is an incredibly ancient city, it was established in 580 BC as a
Greek trading base and has changed hands many times over the years.
Varna’s chequered past means that today it is a centre of
great historic interest with many astonishing archaeological finds
having been made in and around the city including the oldest gold
treasure ever found.
Varna is appropriately also known as “The Summer Capital”
of Bulgaria because in the summer months the city really comes alive.
Its many cafes and bars spill out onto the streets and the nightlife
of Varna heats up. Because Varna is close to all the beautiful Black
Sea coastal resorts and visitors and residents in Varna have direct
access to clean stretches of untouched sandy beach and the beautiful
clear waters of the sea the title “The Summer Capital”
is also appropriate.
In terms of the attractions that visitors can experience in Varna
they range from historical and cultural attractions such as visiting
the city’s cinemas, theatres and opera house or visiting mausoleums
and museums. Alternatively Varna is quite a popular sporting town
with activities ranging from football to beach volley ball and visitors
can either participate or spectate!
Many international buyers and expatriates who have recently bought
property
in Bulgaria have done so near Varna and so the city has quite
a strong international flavour which is particularly well reflected
in the wealth of different cafes, bars, bistros, restaurants and
clubs there are in the city all offering a unique theme and flavour
and all home to many different types of people.
Therefore for those seeking some social and gastronomic entertainment
Varna is a great place to be and a good way to discover what’s
on is on the Nightlife
Bulgaria website. Here you select your city and the type of
entertainment you’re after and the site lists all the venues
that fulfill your requirements.
After Sofia, Varna is probably the most international city in Bulgaria
and whether you’re considering visiting or are thinking about
moving to and living
in Bulgaria full time Varna has plenty going for it and is well
worth a visit.
North Eastern Bulgaria- specifically the Balchik and Kavarna area,
-20 mins North of Varna ; has been successfully debunking the myth
that the country is just a low budget destination and cannot meet
the requirements of visitors with exacting demands. This northern
part of the black sea coast now offers much more than just “fish
and chips”. Nowadays; it is known as the centre of Bulgarian
golf tourism, or- as the advertisements say- “where golf meets
the sea”.
In 2005, Gary Player- one of the most successful golfers of all
time, swore that Bulgaria was going to have the best golf course
in the world. To make sure of this, he designed it himself. Located
between Balchik and Kavarna- in the Dobruzdha area- the 18 hole
course “BlackSeaRama” sits on an elevated plateau facing
the sea. At the end of May 2008- it opens a golf academy which will
meet the highest standards in golf instruction facilities. The development
stretches over 246 acres and the course covers 161 of them. Deluxe
villas are being built on the remaining land with the first complex
being already sold out. So far, the most expensive property is a
villa overlooking the sea which sold for 1.4 million euros. The
course is playable from June 2008 and the whole complex will be
finished in 2010.
Just when it seemed the area could not do better, Ian Woosnam designed
a course in the Balchik area- 30 km north up the coast from Varna.
A five star hotel will also be built- separating the complex from
the sea.
Low budget properties in the above developments will cost between
1200-1500 euros per square metre but prices for villas will reach
735,000 euros. However, for the same class of property in Spain,
buyers would have to pay at least double these costs. Gary Player
is developing another resort in the area and luckily for investors
and buyers, courses near to each other are not a problem in the
world of golf. Golfers prefer destinations with several golf courses
so that variety is guaranteed and if they try one then they usually
try them all. As the mild local climate allows playing 10 months
of the year, it seems the Varna region of Bulgaria has everything
that it takes to become the next golf capital.
If people moving to Bulgaria want to live in the countryside- away
from traffic and noise etc- but only want to spend around £100,000
(GBP) for a 4 new bed detached house in a ¼ acre of land-
and only 50-60 mins from the above world class golf courses then
they can. If people want to live near the golf courses and on the
coast- then they will pay more than double for that choice.
|
