GOLDEN SANDS
Area: Bulgaria


Location:
Sandwiched between neighbouring Black Sea resorts of Albena, 4 mls N, and St Konstantin, 8 mls S. 16 mls NE of Varna airport.

Telephone code from UK:
359 52

Website:
http://www.goldensands.bg

Position:
Built below coast road on densely wooded hillside that descends, quite steeply in places, via web of steep, twisting lanes and numerous steps, to flat band of land beside sea front.

Description:
Meandering for 2 mls along the coast, with a frenetic centre, Golden Sands is second only to the more southerly resort of Sunny Beach in size and accommodation capacity. A well-planned, purpose-built town with a long promenade parallel to a fine beach, its established greenery camouflages many of the slab-like concrete buildings on the hillside above the centre. The "local" population of around 445,000 come in from Varna and surrounding villages and are employed almost exclusively in the resort's service industry or _ taking advantage of the post-Communist entrepreneurial spirit _ have set up umpteen small shops, stalls and snack bars in the hope of becoming an overnight capitalist success. Black-market currency dealing, dodgy car rental and increasing prostitution are the shadier attempts at making a fast, easy buck. Private transport is discouraged from entering the resort and there are various checkpoints manned by local militia and tourist authorities during the peak season; parking fees or prepaid tickets are collected before you are directed to designated car parks, not always near your hotel.

Suitability:
Economical, unsophisticated choice for couples and families requiring little more than a good beach and choice of waterborne activities. Predominantly hilly, it's not recommended for those with walking difficulties unless booked into hotels close to beach or promenade.

Accommodation:
Fair range although most hotels _ unimaginatively built during Communist era _ are substantial-looking, crude concrete constructions, some almost identically designed and ranked together. Hotel Ambassador with its pool and health spa is probably one of most prestigious of traditional set. However, numerous late arrivals are beginning to outflank it in terms of sophistication and more imaginative architecture.

Shopping:
Nothing of substance or quality available. Promenade is packed with motley array of entrepreneurs' stalls, kiosks and snack joints selling all kinds of tourist jumble. Varna may prove better bet for genuine souvenir hunters.

Beach:
Lives up to its name. Stretch of fine, golden sand runs beyond length of resort, fringed in places by low dunes and with some scrub between it and promenade; scruffier at N end around marina and opposite Hotel Glarus. Gently shelving beaches and shallow sea make conditions ideal for safe swimming, especially for children, and an army of lifeguards gives added security.

Entertainments:
Daytime: beach with water slides and various water sports. Tennis. Minigolf. Swimming at Havana public pool or Hotel Ambassador (payable locally). Nightlife: unsophisticated and limited, considering its size. A few lively bars and casino in centre. Gypsy evenings, folklore and Russian dancing.

Eating:
Bland and unadventurous but good value, especially local wines and beers. Most restaurants situated in hotels with a few independents. Pizza, chips and hamburgers available from most snack bars.

Public-transport:
Minitrain service circulates around town and is almost essential for those not staying in beachside accommodation. Taxis and buses regularly serve neighbouring resorts and Varna; available from centre near casino, at several points behind promenade and at resort checkpoints on coast road.

Local-excursions:
Book only through your tour operator. Local companies may appear cheaper but can prove unreliable and/or uninsured. Half day: Varna and its dolphinarium; neighbouring resorts of Albena and St Konstantin. Full day: more southerly resorts of Nessebar and Sunny Beach. Two days plus: Sofia; Istanbul by air; Cairo by air.