Varna, Bulgaria

We are in Varna on the Black Sea. It's a somewhat touristy city with nearby beach resorts. Our home for the four nights we are here is a 7th floor apartment in a regular residential area. The beaches and a large park are within walking distance.

The apartment

View from our balcony

Orthodox cathedral

Roman baths

Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship

September 6th is a national holiday in Bulgaria, and as part of the day's celebrations, this folk group was performing in the park.

Shumen, Bulgaria

We spent 2 nights in Shumen, Bulgaria. I found this town interesting because of the contrasts. It's a pretty European town with a nice pedestrian area and relaxing parks. But it also has a massive socialist "Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria" on a hill overlooking the town and at one end of the pedestrian street are two abandoned unfinished buildings and a very 70s hotel.

Unfinished tower in the heart of downtown

Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria

People comment that the figures look like transformers

Ruins of 15th century Shumen Fortress

Tombul Mosque - still being restored

Our hotel room

Coffee vending machines

Coffee vending machines seem to be everywhere in Bulgaria. You can find one on almost every block in the business areas, and often in residential neighbourhoods also. Most of them will make an espresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate, and at least a dozen other variations.

In the park

In a mall

While buying swimwear or jeans

Built into someone's yard

Side by side coffee machines!

Ruse, Bulgaria

Ruse is located on the Danube River and is sometimes called Little Vienna for its architecture. It also has an extensive pedestrian zone with parks, fountains and numerous fancy buildings. We were here for 4 nights which gave us plenty of time to explore side streets, visit museums, and sit in parks and streetside cafes.

We have been receiving an education in the Bulgarian National Revival, a period from the late 1700s (while the country was ruled by the Ottomans) until Bulgaria came an independent nation in 1878 after the Russians defeated the Ottomans. Many monuments and historic sites are focused on events and people from this period of time.

Monument of Liberty in main square

National Revival style house

Socialist style city hall