we always take cash.travellers cheques are charged a high commission.last year we got the best rate of exchange at the bulbank,as advised by a taxi driver.the notes that you change must be clean,not like the ratty ones you get in your change from the shops

How does it work with Visa? Is it possible to exchange money using Visa/Mastercard? Should we have alot of cash with us? Sounds like a risk. If we only take cards with us, where can we withdraw money in SB? Do anyone know about a ATM in SB? (That works?)

You can use ATMs (plenty in SB - banks, etc.) used to be a limit of 200 Leva per withdrawal & two withdrawals per day. Other posts that I have read suggest that this may have increased to 400 Leva per withdawal but I can't confirm that.

I always take clean, unmarked & undamaged Sterling (safe deposit box in hotel for cash/passport/cards, etc.) and only change in banks/hotels.

Just carry enough to cover what you need for the day/trip, etc., avoid 'money changers' in the streets or you *WILL* be ripped off.

Thanks for all the answers

going to sunny beach on the 22august to hotel yavor palace anyone stay here? i know its a new hotel would like to hear peoples comments.thankyou[/b]

i'll go and have a look at your hotel if you want and give you my opinion on it

I am going to the Yavor Palace July 16th please could you pass any info you have about it to me. Thanks.

Edit to remove email address as per T&C's. luci - HT Mod

hi im of to sunny beach in two weeks, can anyone tell me what if any excursions there are as we are not sit around the pool/beach for a fortnight sort of family.
2 adults
2 teenagers age 16 and 17
thanks sue

Hi Sue,

There are quite a few excursions you can go on in Sunny Beach. There is the lazy day boat trip, which I have heard is really good, I did not go on it last year but plan to do so this year. There is the water park, there is also another water park at the Kuban Hotel which is really good we were there last year. We went to The Britz I think it was called, it is a floor show and was absolutely great. There are numerous things to do and you will have a great time. We dont go until the 25th July. Where are you staying?

Hi redsusan56,

There are a wide range of excursions available, both from your tour rep & tourist offices around the resort.

These include 2-day trips to Istanbul, Jeep/4x4 Safari, Khan's Tent (multi-course meal, drinks & entertainment) and many others that I can't recall offhand.

Hi jemajo were staying at the kalina Gardens Hotel on the 5th July, have you any idea what the hotels like?
thanks Sue

nessebar is worth a visit,its not too far,also the aqua park is a fab day out

Nessebar is a beautiful old town with some fantastic views.

But the number of shops and stalls they have in this small area is amazing

But still really worth a visit.

HI dont be scared to take the bus into bourgas (or a taxi) there are plenty of shops and also a trip to varna is also worthwhile

Hi Sue,

We went on one of the pirate cruises last year, and will be doing so again this year. Great day out.
I, like you fly off in 2 wks time. Got my tickets this morning

Yvonne

myself and my family fly to sunny beach on the 18th july....cant wait.Will post when i get back and let everyone know what we thought.Staying at the Avliga Beach Hotel,seems good reviews so far.

Thanks for all you're replies, we go on the 5th July will post when we get back

Over the last few months I have been an avid reader of this discussion forum. They say a holiday is what you make it. I went to Sunny Beach Bulgaria with an open mind, really excited somewhere new etc. etc.

Boy! Are my eyes completely open now!!

I am really tired now but will spend Sunday doing a complete and frank report on the positive and negative side of Sunny Beach Bulgaria

How a trip to a local community showed the real side of Bulgaria and the reason I am posting here

POSITIVE
It will give you the best places to see, to eat, to drink

All the little nuances that you need to get about

NEGATIVE
What places to avoid like the plague

Why the price of a pint is different in different areas of SB

Why there are only three places to get draught guiness and why they are the same price 6.50 Leva (same as UK)

Why the price of anything is 25% cheaper in Mesambria (Nessebur)than SB.

The Begging, the poverty, the greed,and the commercialism.

But how the bulgarian people work long hours (exploited by ex pats) live in the back of the pub for slave wages.

Where the mafia reside and what they own.

Why there are various types of security and why they are armed.

What not to do in Bulgaria

And more importantly why you have to have a registration document to get out of Bulgaria

But It will always show that some Bulgarians spoil it for the others

And that most Bulgars are the nicest friendliest people you will ever want to meet

Lecke Nosht

So watch this space???

A holiday is what you make it. I would have been better off in a tent. The Building was rushed, we were only there to snag for the owners. One reasonable sized earthquake and that building would come down. The work was cosmetic only. Their idea of self catering is not my idea, they hadn't a clue. I never asked or accepted Sunny Fort. It felt like allocation on arrival, which we didn't spend 2 grand for OK.

I am very angry about this but I am trying to add a little humour into it (My anger management course).

On the whole I went there with the excitement of a teenager and was I disappointed. But not with the majority, with the small minority.

Shall I start with a rant or at the beginning?

Flight-- uneventful-- breakfast packed lunch Tea the worst you've ever tasted. (Never had Tea with powdered milk before)

Even brought my own tea bags on Holiday (Scottish Blend)

Transfer In, --uneventful-- On to Bravo Apt then moved to Sunny Fort Waited an Hour in the heat with all the bags to be shown the apartment (Dying for a cuppa) Allocation on arrival you see!!

On the outside apartment looked nice enough (cosmetic) 3rd Floor balcony overlooking the pool.

Where's the kettle? Oh No! Last time I made a cuppa with a pan was in the early seventies in a power cut (spoke too soon) two rings on the hob No oven, No Microwave, and No toaster (self-catering!!)

My Partner was freaking out because there was an iron and washing machine in there as well.

The supposedly one bedroom apartment was in fact a studio with a little glass conservatory as a bedroom. My Daughter had the studio couch. At least they had frosted glass (spoke too soon) that could afford some privacy.

Its seems we were placed in apartment that was for sale!

Cup of Tea at last, decided to get changed to go out for a meal.

You know what it's like guys two women in a small room all wanting to use the shower and to change. Nightmare starts, I take the bedroom to change. To be told that my daughter can see my white bits through the glass.

Need something slightly stronger than tea now, and so does my daughter (12years).

Quickly change and go downstairs for my first real drink.
Mans prerogative to wait for the women and their makeup etc

Down to the Bar

What shall I have first

Pint of Guiness? No

Karmanitsa the local Lager/beer No

Bar was not up to much, nothing I wanted. Settled for?

You guessed it........................ A Cup of Coffee

Partner and Daughter arrived We then decided to find "The Happy Duck" to get some advice on how to proceed

Walked over the busy road making sure to look left, or is it right?

I knew by information on the net " The Happy Duck' was by a pier.
The amount of times we were canvassed for cafes was unbelievable.

I will never insult Timeshare again

Asked a few bars where the "duck" was including The Grey Pub.
No Help. Found the Lazur and Fat Cat eventually got a Guiness 6.50 Leva
and proper directions to the "Duck" wonder why?

At last Found the "duck" it was empty. We took the best part of the evening trying to find it.

First Round cost 8 Leva. Im in heaven!
Next round no different from the first 11 leva

Whoa! Whats going on?

Is this make your price up time?
Decided to make a quick exit.

Found the Market Inn and Sharkeys Pub. At last can now unstress from the journey. Had a Ball with a couple of the locals, was invited out of SB for a meal.

Decided to get on with the holiday, Went to the Swan for a meal excellent value for money and although only over the main road from the bus station far cheaper than the beach part of town

First lesson

When you buy a packet of fags the price is on the packet, and not what they say it is.

I find the Victory Blue a bit like Regal in the UK at 1.60 leva (50p)

Kolka struva? -----How Much?
Bloga darryaa----- thank you

Went back to apartment tired and merry

to be continued...............

To Be continued......

Come on hurry up with next installment, just getting into that
Please tell us how to say bulgarian words is it how its spelt