shaun

I AM VISITING GOLDEN SANDS AT THE END OF AUGUST 2002 WITH MY BROOD OF WIFE AND TWO KIDS AGED 12 AND 4.IS THERE ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO CAN GIVE FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF WHAT THE AREA IS LIKE FOR THINGS SUCH AS EATING OUT PRICE WISE ETC AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT KIDS TASTES (ANYTHING WITH TOMATO KETCHUP)FURTHER TO THIS WHAT IS THE AREA LIKE FOR SHOPPING THE USUAL HOLIDAY STUFF!AND WHAT IS THE BEST FORM OF CURRENCY TO TAKE

Lanny

I have been to the Golden Sands once and to the Varna area two years in a row. The Golden Sands is a nice resort, I am not familiar with the hotels mentioned. I will be staying at the Sirena this year. There is a wide range of hotels. I did find a site that listed the hotels and gave info through an internet search before my first visit. Plan to take some outings to downtown Varna, Nessebur, and Balchick. There are Roman ruins in Varna and don't miss the Archeological museum in Varna. They have the largest and oldest find of gold jewlery on display. Take dollars and convert them there. The food is very cheap especially away from the resort. Shopping is fine at the resort but the best prices are in town.

XXX

One word of caution:<BR><BR>I work with a native Bulgarian, here in the states only 3 years. It is a known fact that hotels will charge double, sometimes 3 times the rate once they know you are, yes you guessed it, AMERICAN!! I've also read this on this post before as well. Just a heads up......!!

Lanny

The posted rates for any non-Bulgarian is much higher for hotels and attractions. You will do better with a Bulgarian agent making hotel arrangements. Also, always negotiate the price of any taxi before getting in the car. They will try to inflate the price as well. Because the going rate is so cheap you may not even realize that they are overcharging.

Roystone

I have just returned from a two weeks holiday in Golden Sands in Bulgaria, booked through Balkan Holidays. I had a great time there - I thought it was probably one of the nicest beach holiday destinations I have been to. It was very, very clean, the resort had masses of trees, shrubs and plants everywhere, and the beach was very long and very wide. There was plenty of things to do for all ages from 8 to 80. There was no element of loutishness in the people's behaviour - unlike some other resorts that I have visited. I felt perfectly safe there at any time of the day or night. There are loads of bars/pubs/clubs and restaurants to pick from - and they are all very cheap by British standards (I live in london, by the way) If you are looking for a holiday with a traditional town square and oldie-worldie little streets then Golden Sands is definately N O T the place for you, but if you are just looking - like I imagine most holidaymakers are - for a nice, clean, cheap place with a great beach and loads of places to eat and drink, lots of things to do in the evening - (nothing cultural - but what the hell who wants culture when you're on holiday) then I would recommend Golden Sands to anyone. We stayed in a 4 Star Hotel (The Palm Beach) on a B and B basis - There was a good choice of food, and the hotel was a/c throughout. So if you are thinking of going on holiday there - Go for it. Hope you have a nice time.

delyan

XXX,
this is the law, the price for foreigners, not just Americans is higher. I know it is stupit, but this is how it is! By the way, they are changing this law soon.