the oldest and to my mind the safest is the resort of St Konstintine/st elina
went last year, being a Closed resort only guest and licenced traders/workers are found the resort even has security guards as you enter the area.. we found it fairly quite but with plenty to do and safe

wizard

Hi

I can only speak of Golden Sands but it is definitely NOT like Marmaris. We think its far better and much smaller, however I suggest you look at St Konstantin or Albena, they are both quieter than the main resorts.

Yes there are some prostitutes around and you will see them if you go out of your way to look for them and although some say they have seen kids begging we saw none in G.S.last September.

Hi Tony

I would definitely recommend Albena.

Albena is a resort that is set out in landscaped grounds with hotels dotted about, not a built up resort with hotels dumped down side by side and right next to each other.

The resort has a good choice of restaurants serving a wide range of (good) food and shops all at very reasonable prices.

The beach in Albena is beautiful, lovely golden sand sloping gently in to the sea.

We found Albena to be a very safe and friendly resort and will defiantly return soon.

Some links for Albena -

http://www.albena-bulgaria.com/

http://www.albena.bg/index.php?language=en *THE 360 VIRTUAL TOUR IS EXCELLENT*

http://www.beachbulgaria.com/albena/index.shtml

The page below shows one of the hotels in Albena but it also has access to a video clip approx halfway down the page.
The video mainly shows Varna the main town in the area, Varna is easily reached by public transport from Albena, the clip ends by showing Golden Sands? which is much bigger and commercial than Albena.

http://www.thomsonbeach.co.uk/th/beach/viewAccommodation.do?accommodationCode=014091&seasonCode=S2006&brochureCode=TH35

I meant to add these link for more reviews of Albena

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/bulgaria/albena/

http://www.holidays-uncovered.co.uk/frames.htm look under Bulgaria Misc

Hope this help
Graham

the oldest and to my mind the safest is the resort of St Konstintine/st elina
went last year, being a Closed resort only guest and licenced traders/workers are found the resort even has security guards as you enter the area.. we found it fairly quite but with plenty to do and safe

wizard

Sorry, but absolutely incorrect.

Two other threads from the past have brought up this idea of St Konstantin being a 'closed resort', and as was pointed out then, it isn't.

Here
and
Here

We have known St Konstantin and St Elena since 1989, and know exactly what is going on regarding security. The control points are all about resticting vehicular access, and that is all. Golden Sands is the same, can't comment much on other places, but I seem to remember the same system operates in Albena.

They only cover the main roads in, there are plenty of other ways of getting into the resort. You are still likely to come across the 'change money' touts, and you can still watch the 'working girls' change shift in the Grand Hotel Varna Reception!

To think of St Konstantin as 'safest' could lull you into a false sense of security, but in all truth, Bulgaria is as safe a place as you could visit anywhere in the world.

There is in St Konstantin and Golden Sands a security presence you cannot see, and we feel far safer there, and in Varna itself, than in York at certain times.

Peter

but I seem to remember the same system operates in Albena.

Correct, Peter, identical system at Albena.

Baldur

Good afternoon Peter, a little update on Albena. There was no check in of vehicles in June and Sept last year, but all vehicles were subject to stop and search on the way out. I have in the past 7 years only seen one beggar on resort and that was a male with artificial limbs. Yes there are the ladies of the night, but a polite no is good enough. Cheers Tonyt

Hi, We have never had a problem in Sunny Beach with the " ladies " although they do exist. In Golden Sands though it was quite blatant on the main street but they didn't bother families/couples. Groups of males or men by themselves though were constantly being approached. Stern no did the trick.

The Toonman

Thanks very much for your replys. It's always better to ask people who have been and can give an review of what they know. I think I may take the plunge and take my clan to either Sunny beach or Albena. It's like they say all you can do is go and try it for yourself and if its not for you don't go back.

Once again thanks for your help Tony.

Hi Tony,

If you decide to go to Sunny Beach and want a quieter part of the resort,then look at this map CLICK HERE(just hold your mouse over the bottom right hand corner to zoom in).

The hotels numbered 1-50(1 being the furthest away) are far enough from the centre of Sunny Beach(about a 10 to 20 minute walk or you can get the noddy train from most),that you can relax if Sunny Beach is too crowded for your liking.
Also Nessebur is also close for you to have a wander round.
Just look at the Hotels and then read the reviews about them HERE.

Hope this helps.

Hi again Tony

I have found several pictures of Albena HERE

Re the ladies of the night in Albena if you go looking for them you will find them, but for a family holiday you will not be bothered by or probably even notice them.

Graham

The virtual tour of Albena is quite a useful resource.

Baldur

Great resource Baldur! I have added it to our map sticky. Thanks.

i too have been to marmaris as my father in law lived there, i loved it but you get mithered to death, golden sands has the same sort of bargains but at cheaper prices without the hassle, the beach is a million times nicer than marmaris, i think gs would be fine, yes party sreet is loud and there are prostitutes but if you stay on the promenade it is fine also it is no where near as big as marmaris and even party street is quiet compared with bar street,so unless you hated turkey iwould try gs it is smaller than sb but you might find albena a bit too quiet have you got young children?