Bulgaria

Located on the north-east coast of Bulgaria, some 11 mi from the city of Varna (the country's 3rd largest city and the most significant on the east coast in terms of culture, economy and tourism) lies the resort of Golden Sands, the largest resort on the Black Sea. Built in the 50s amid 3,212 acres of protected natural grounds, the resort now consists of sixty or so establishments which are open during the summer season only (from May to October), with a variety of upmarket and also more conventional club hotels, surrounded by many bars and restaurants lining the fine sand beach which stretches for several miles. As for neighbouring resorts, the town of Albena, nestled between the mountains on one side and the beach on the other, is also very popular with tourists seeking sun and peaceful surroundings, and as an ecological resort (which has been awarded a Blue Flag), part of the area is taken up by the Baltata Natural Reserve, the largest water-based forest on the Black Sea coast. The resort also has a thalassotherapy centre renowned for its treatment of bone and muscular conditions and rheumatism, whilst the city of Varna, nicknamed 'the Pearl of the Black Sea', becomes the country's largest cultural hub for several months of the year. Beyond the shops and cafes of the city centre, Bulgaria's third city has a lot to offer in the way of places of interest, such as museums, churches, cathedrals, monasteries, Roman baths, art galleries, etc., all of which help make the Black Sea coast one of the country's largest tourist areas.