Varna
is Bulgaria's third largest city and easily accessible
from many major European cities as well as the
capital, Sofia. It was inhabited even before the
Greeks established the colony of Odessos there about
580 B.C. Later, under the Romans and their successors,
the Slavs, Varna became a major port trading with
Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. In 1393 it was
captured by the Turks, who made it an important
military centre.
Today Varna is
the main port for both naval and commercial shipping
and, adjacent as it is to the coastal resorts of
Golden Sands, St. Constantine (Drouzhba) and Albena,
it has a stimulating cosmopolitan atmosphere. Sailors
on shore-leave in unfamiliar ceremonial uniforms
mingle with foreign tourists and locals as they
promenade along shady boulevards, lined by dignified
19th and early 20th century buildings.
The city is known as the summer capital of Bulgaria for such traditional international cultural events – International ballet Competition, Varna Summer International Music Festival, Jazz Festival, Biennale of Graphics, Theatre Festival, Love is Folly Film Festival, etc.
Main places of interest are the Opera Theatre, the Museum of History, the Open-air Theatre, the Government Residence in the Palace of Euxinograde, the Sea Garden, the Roman Baths, and the Dolphinarium.
Central Varna is ALL within walking distance of the Black Sea - making it very pleasant and cool in the summer.
For more information
about Varna see
http://www.bulgaria.com/varna/
http://www.goldensands-bg.com/varna_en.asp
For more
information about Bulgaria see http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/bulgaria/
Cherno More Hotel
Accommodation:
Cherno More Hotel (seen here) is located in the centre
of Varna, close to the Sea Garden, the Black Sea
beaches and the main pedestrian/shopping area of the
city.
Double (two/room) accommodation in a standard (unrenovated, no A/C) room with private washroom and breakfast daily is included in your workshop fee. These rooms are clean and basic but are NOT newly decorated. All rooms have balconies.
Upgrades available:
- Single standard accommodation add 15EU/night (+210 EU)
- Limited upgraded rooms (renovated rooms A/C) are available for an additional charge of 40EU/night single (560EU) 20EU/person in a shared room (280EU)
- If you arrive early or
leave late you must pay any additional charge to the
workshop administrator preferably with your workshop
fee.