Cruise to Bulgaria

Burgas is a resort town in Bulgaria, the fourth largest port city in the country that also has an ancient quarter alongside modern leisure and resort facilities. You can start your tour of the city with a variety of monuments that are of historical and architectural interest: the Lighthouse at the port dating back to the 19th century; the impressive Clock which is considered one of the best-known symbols of the city; the Compass – which is a bronze piece of art and marks the zero kilometre of Burgas (elevation 0); and the Gramophone, about which the Burgas citizens say that when you turn the gramophone handle and listen really carefully, you can hear the name of the person who loves you above all others.

The city has some impressive churches that visitors find particularly appealing, such as the Armenian Apostolic & Orthodox Church, and the Saints Cyril and Methodius cathedral church which is famous for its beautifully decorated high dome. The main street of the city, Alexandrovska Street, is a focal point in Burgas and on all sides one finds ice cream parlors, corn-on-the-cob vendors, cheerful pubs, smiling street musicians and boutiques that are well worth discovering.

There are a number of interesting museums in Burgas, including the Historical Museum that displays European fine & applied arts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Here you can find original crystal, porcelain and bronze sculptures from the classic and late Baroque periods; the Archaeological Museum hosts archaeological findings and collections from Ancient Thracia, the Greek colonies along the Black Sea Coast and the Roman Empire. The Natural History Museum showcases the geo-historical development and contemporary natural diversity of Bulgaria and includes unique collections such as the ‘magical world of rocks’, flora and fauna of the lake region and more.

If you would like to enjoy yourselves in the fresh outdoors make your way to Lake Burgas – the largest natural lake in Bulgaria – where fishermen spend many long and peaceful hours; the lake is surrounded by rich vegetation and provides a wonderfully relaxing holiday atmosphere. From there you can go to one of the city's beaches – the area of Sunny Beach which is 35 km from Burgas is considered one of the more popular beaches, thanks to the large variety of sports facilities, restaurants and bars that surround it ;  you can spend your time snorkeling, sailing and and end the day having a colorful cocktail at one of the many restaurants along the Black Sea coastline.

The pastoral side of Burgas is definitely the local Marine Park, a delightful area decorated with trees, shrubs and statues and includes an exhibition of flowers, a summer theater and plenty of romantic corners as well as a dazzling observation point out towards the sea. People who are looking for ‘action’ will also want to go to the Aquapark Paradise water park in the nearby town of Nessebar where there are pools and water attractions as well as adrenaline-packed high-speed ‘Kamikaze’ water slides.  

You will certainly not fall asleep early in Burgas – the nightlife here attracts revelers to ‘party until dawn’: trendy pubs, discotheques with huge dance floors and giant screens, DJs to keep things lively, live performances by local musical ensembles and, of course, casinos with a variety of table games and slot machines.

It certainly won’t matter if you stayed up all night, but you will not leave here empty-handed: there are some great shopping centers in Burgas such as the Plaza Mall, the Tria City Center, the ‘Pirgos Style’ Shopping Center, where you will find all of the major international brands; and also vibrant markets such as the Municipal Market and the Flea Market of Sunny Beach where you can definitely find some excellent bargains, from vintage clothing to special collections. Wear it in good health!

Varna Bulgaria is very much loved by Israelis because of the choice of casinos and the dynamic nightlife it offers, but it is so much more than the experience of gambling and wild dancing. This is a colorful port city that integrates the past and the present; ancient cathedrals, fascinating museums, authentic Bulgarian taverns and, of course, the wonderful selection of golden, well-tended beaches with the nautical aspect that is associated with endless sunbathing under the caressing rays of the sun.

Launch your relationship with Varna at some of the city's most famous monuments: the Cathedral of Varna is the largest in Bulgaria, a splendid relic from the 19th century housing an array of murals and colorful stained glass. It is breathtaking to be able to look out over the city from above – and despite the fact there are more than 100 steps leading up to the top of the cathedral, the mesmerizing scenery is well worth the effort! If you have already taken a step back into history then you should also visit the ancient Roman Baths, which are among the most important cultural monuments in Varna. You should take time to drink coffee in one of the many lovely cafés located in Independence Square, and go to see the beautifully ornate exterior of the Varna Opera theater.

If you are interested in museums, Varna offers several fascinating museums: the Archaeological Museum which has a variety of collections dating back to the prehistoric Greek and Latin periods, such as stone tools and special jewelry; the Ethnographic Museum which displays handicrafts, clothing, jewelry and ritual objects of interest; the Museum of Natural Sciences displaying natural phenomena, living plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals and more; and the Maritime Museum with its exhibition of model ships and submarines.

Families visiting Varna will not want to miss the Marine Garden, which is an enormous entertainment complex including a dolphinarium, an aquarium (with hundreds of species of fish, including crabs, snails and exotic fish), a planetarium and a zoo (with 72 different types of animals and birds, ostriches, leopards, llamas, camels lions, tigers, pink pelican, and more) all of which extends along the beautiful coastal strip.

We recommend that you take a ferry boat ride on the magical Varna Lake and, of course, enjoy the beaches – especially the "Golden Sands" beach, 18 km from Varna, where the water is beautifully clear, there are natural springs and a truly intoxicating atmosphere; as well as the picturesque Sunny Day Beach where you will be able to enjoy the energetic marine activities and fine restaurants only a few steps away.

Recommended attraction (although it is about 18 km outside of the city) – Bulgaria’s Stone Forest, an extraordinary and unique geological phenomenon with stone columns that are millions of years old. An unforgettable experience!

In terms of shopping you will want to take advantage of all that Varna has to offer: alongside street stalls with souvenirs and handicrafts you will find shopping centers, markets and large department stores such as ‘Metro’ which have clothing, footwear, electrical appliances, toys and much more, at attractive prices and all under one roof.

Varna encourages revelers with excellent nightlife which will certainly keep you alert and awake: a selection of upbeat discotheques where top DJs keep the parties going until dawn, lively bars and, as we said, a selection of luxurious casinos offering table games and slot machines, allowing you to combine an evening of gambling with fine dining and alcohol.