Greek colonizers

Balchik is one of the oldest and most beautiful coastal towns with a population of 11,861. It was founded in the 6th century B.C. by Greek colonizers. Its first name was Cruni, meaning spring, owing to the numerous springs around. Balchik existed in Roman times as a seaport and had its own mint. Later it became the possession of the Boyar Balik and bears his name, After the Balkan War of 1912-1913 it came within the boundaries of Romania and was returned to Bulgaria by the Craiova Treaty of September 21, 1940.

The most interesting sight in Balchik is the park belonging to the Palace of Queen Maria of Romania, It is now a botanical garden with 3,000 species of plants, among them a unique collection of cactuses. The Palace rises above the shore and the small church was transferred from the island of Crete, stone by stone. Ancient amphorae, Turkish tombstones and fountains can be seen scattered about in the park,

Hotels: Balchik, three stars, with 68 beds sightseeing turkey; Raketa, two stars, with 36 beds. There is also the Bisser camp site, two stars, with a restaurant, the Tihiya Kut.

Eight kilometres from Balchik towards Varna is Albena, the newest and most picturesque seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The sea here is clean and shallow and the beach is six kilometres long. There are 40 hotels with a total of 12,750 beds, as well as the camp sites Albena, Ekzotika and International many restaurants and entertainment spots with 10,000 seats, most of these being situated at some distance from the hotels.

There are good sports facilities: volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, golf links, croquet greens, bowling alleys, horse riding, cycling, a yachting club and go-carts. Next to Kardam Hotel is a men’s and women’s tailor, shoemaker’s, watchmaker’s and a dry-cleaning and pressing shop. At the entrance to the resort is the post office, open from 6 a.m. to 10 pm.

Varna, Zlatni Pyassatsi, Drouzhba, Tolbukhin and Balchik

A regular bus service connects it with Varna, Zlatni Pyassatsi, Drouzhba, Tolbukhin and Balchik and a six-seater cutter makes regular trips to Balchik, Kavarna and Kaliakra.

Exhibitions of the works of leading Bulgarian painters, cartoonists and graphic artists are organized in the hotel lobbies. The Miss Albena and the Miss Cherno More beauty contests are held in July and August.

There are several places of entertainment offering interesting programmes and excellent cuisine.

The Zlaten Klass Taverna, next to the Orlov Hotel is open from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Dobroudja Taverna in the shopping centre, is open from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.

The Old House Restaurant in national style, with folk orchestra (near the Dobrich restaurant) is open from 6.00 p.m. to 12.00 pm.

Alberta

Hotels; 1. Gergana 2. Slavourta 3. Moura 4. Elitsa 5. Nona 6. Boryana 11. Ralitsa 13, Kiev 14. Vihren 16. Kom 17. Leipzig 18. Dnepr 19. Neptun 20. Bratislava 21. Karvouna 22. Balik 23. Tervel 24. Kaliopa 25. Orlov 27, Slavyanka 29. Drouzhba 30. Praga 31. Kompas 32 Shabla 33. Orhidea 34. Warshava 35. Kamelia 36, 36. Dorostol 37. Kardam 40. Zvezda 41. Avrora 42. Dobroudja 43, Ka)iakra44. Lovech 45. Zdravets 46. Zomitsa

Gorski Tsar Night Club has a nightly concert programme. Open from 9.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m.

Arabella Night Club, close to the beach, is open from 9,00 p.m. to 4.00 a m.

Batova Picnic — 18 kilometres from the resort with delicious food and a floor show. Open from 11,00 am fo 12.00 p.m,

Robinson — a picnic ground near Baichik. Interesting programme every day from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.