Lilia Hotel Varna

... ve ever seen. I accompanied Ian and his rotvieller for a hasty beer breakfast. The two litres of beer helped temporarily cure Ian's physical need for alcohol and me to realise that I had best leave.<br><br>The first Bulgarian town I rolled into was called General Toshevo. Named unsurprisingly after a General, called Toshevo who had helped kick the Turks out of what is now Bulgaria and had, posthumously earned himself the honour of having a town named after him. <br><br>I ...

... and Soda Ash production.<br><br>The GDP is amongst the lowest in the EU but it has risen since entering the EU and the standard of living has risen visibly since 2000.<br>WWII Bulgarian Govt was by necessity in league with Nazi Germany, but plans for Jews to be deported were uncovered and there were major protestsso the plans were abandoned. All the Jews in Bulgaria were saved and there is now a monument in Israel to thank the Bulgarian people.

... She tries to visit once a year and I begged her to let me tag along. She was gracious enough to conceed and we had a wonderful time.<br><br>Her husband Rick was very jealous that he could not get away from work to join us, the beaches were wonderful the weather mild, and the prices cheap. We were in heaven.

A very nice place and quiet resort, is ideal target for family with kids, food and drinks very cheap and the people are friendly. About the security reasons I saw all the time the officers from Security companies -armed- and Police patrols on the street, here you need just to choose the proper location and enjoy the time.<br>

... br>In addition to the miles and miles of beach, Varna is a charming little city with a few other things going for it, like a huge park that runs along much of the beach, with a planetarium, a dolphinarium, and some stages for local performances. We stumbled on one of these performances, mostly high school aged children in traditional costumes doing some dancing and singing. Priceless. <br><br>There are natural hot springs that come out to meet the Black Sea, so there are ...

... us all out at 9.30 to go and drink on the beach together. <br><br>We really haven't seen anything in Varna just sat on the beaches during the day and drunk at night time. We have in the end enjoyed our time here in Varna just there aren't many stories to tell or write about, it was just like hanging out with our mates from home. We didn't even manage to take a single photo. <br><br>To Istanbul we go.

... years ago) and we would have to go around. We found our way to the other side of the landslide and then asked for more directions ... we were on the right track ... just up that way. Our third enquiry had us just up the hill, turn right, then left, then right where we finally found it but the sign was written in Cyrillic lettering. We checked in to the old but comfortable multi storey hotel, complete with pool and ...

Due to the Cold War being over and the world seems to a much more settled place now, Russia has an over abundance of FSB officers with nothing to do. So, as not to have them wandering about the workplace with nothing to do, the Russian Government has rented out these ...

... as today we reached the ocean or better saýd, the black sea. Kýnd of a mýlestone as you now really felt you had crossed Europe from West to East. The day was pleasant and I felt much stronger. Unfortunately some bloody ýnsect decýded to fly ýnto my shýrt and started býtýng me when I was cyclýng down the hýll....I screamed, stopped abruply and took of my shýrt and started dancýng, or I guess that ýs what ýt would have looked lýke for all by ...

... Hot water baths". It's very peaceful, overgrown with weeds and flowers in the middle of the city. We accidentally walked into a church in the middle of some sort of ceremony. There were two priests, singing in beautiful harmony and the haunting sound rose up into the dome, through the incense smoke caught in the rays of sunlight. People were standing in the nave, holding the little yellow tapers they have in churches around here, listening to the singing ...