St KONSTANTIN
Area: Bulgaria


Location:
Black Sea resort, almost N suburb of regional capital and port of Varna. 8 mls S of Golden Sands. 10 mls NE of Varna airport.

Telephone code from UK:
359 52

Website:
http://www.beachbulgaria.com (unofficial site)

Position:
Compact concentration of accommodation and services lying slightly above and behind central stretch of beach; tranquil heavily wooded setting beyond busy coastal highway that bypasses resort.

Description:
Formerly known as Drouzhba (Friendship) until reverting to its original name in 1994, St Konstantin was the first purpose-built resort on the Black Sea coast in the 1950s. Despite its proximity to the busy town and port of Varna, this "garden" village enjoys a peaceful existence, set well off the highway and sheltered by thick bands of woodland. The hub of the resort is centred around the prestigious Hotel Grand Varna and its sister properties, slightly above and behind the beach, and extends for º ml along the coast. A secondary cluster of 4 hotels _ known locally as Sunny Day Resort _ is situated » ml or so along the beach and is reached via a narrow lane terminating at the complex's security checkpoint. It is easy to get about on foot and private vehicles are prohibited in the centre during peak times with car parks on the fringes.

Suitability:
Couples and mature families seeking good-value, unsophisticated, low-key base close enough to a major town for added diversions. Not generally a favourite with younger crowd. Facilities at Grand Varna and Palace Hotels make it popular with visiting business delegations.

Accommodation:
About a dozen properties in all, varying from basic 2-star B&Bs to 5-star Grand Varna and Palace hotels offering Western-style standards. Usual preponderance of Communist-built concrete monoliths have been improved in places by modernisation and touches of individuality.

Shopping:
No genuine shopping opportunities. Limited to handful of poorly stocked outlets selling usual tourist paraphernalia, supplemented by number of stalls and kiosks selling everything from handicrafts and bootleg CDs to local brandies and cigarettes.

Beach:
Series of golden sandy coves and longer stretches backed by some wooded, rugged slopes; main concentration of hotels slightly above and behind are served by promenade. To promote boating and water sports, a marina and breakwater were completed at S end of beach in 1994. Generally placid sea and gently sloping beach are ideal for safe swimming and coast guards patrol beach.

Entertainments:
Daytime: little to occupy young children, other than beach. Public pool. Tennis courts. Cycling. Nightlife: quite low-key and unsophisticated, centred in various hotel bars, principally Grand Varna's bar, nightclub and casino. Hotels Palace and Marina, situated in Sunny Day Resort, offer less convenient alternatives for those not staying on complex. Most popular venues are frequented by sprinkling of prostitutes from Varna _ a fact of life in these coastal resorts.

Eating:
A few restaurants and snack bars scattered around resort but not a great deal outside major hotels. Menus are disappointing by Western standards but usually very good value. Staples are pork and veal, with chicken when available, accompanied by various rich gravies. Rice and tinned mixed vegetables are the most common side orders.

Public-transport:
Half-hourly buses into nearby Varna and neighbouring resort of Golden Sands cost very little. Taxis hang around near information office and Grand Varna Hotel; it's wise to agree fare before you set off and try to avoid more rickety vehicles.

Local-excursions:
Book only through your tour operator. Local companies may well be cheaper but are often unreliable or uninsured. Half day: Varna and its dolphinarium; nearby resort of Golden Sands. Full day: more southerly resorts of Nessebar and Sunny Beach. Two days plus: Sofia; Istanbul by air; Cairo by air.