- SOUTH -EASTERN REGION- BOURGAS DISTRICT- FROM TOURISM PERSPECTIVE

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, BORDERS, SEA PORTS On south the South-Eastern Region borders on the Republic of by three Cross Border Checking Points: , Tzarevo and . On east the region is wide open to the through the 8 ports - Burgas, , Tzarevo, , Pomorie, , Rosenetz and Ribno Port, BUT two major ports on the Black Sea is Varna and Burgas. Both act as East-West transport corridor gateways of Bulgaria. Port facilities are generally adequate for bulk commodities, but lack facilities for special handling. Rehabilitation of both ports is planned. Bourgas is the second largest port in Bulgaria, and is in close proximity to Serbia, FYROM (Former Yugoslavia Republic of ), and Turkey. The Bulgarian railways network and the Bulgarian national road system link Bourgas with major industrial inland points of the . Bourgas offers a large port facility, which can accommodate various ships and is close to a modern commercial airport. The Army has an agreement with the Bulgarian military to use it’s recreation facility located about 20 kilometers from the port, which they use to house task force personnel. Using this port provides the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command, with another choice by providing another access point into the Balkans. Previously, KFOR used two ports for cargo movement supporting its troops in the U.S.-controlled sector of Kosovo—Thessaloniki, Greece and Bremerhaven, . In port of Nessabar yearly are coming in big cruise ships, they make approximately 50 stops in this port per year. And every stop lasts from 5-12 hours in place. Ships are cruising under the flags of Germany, Bermudas, Greece, Ukraina, Portugal, France, Finland, Bahamas. Port Varna is the greatest port a complex in Bulgaria. The strategic site of port makes it to perform a part of a gate between and the Near East. It is connected directly with , and with the ferry and lines Ro-Ro. The navigable companies direct regular lines to , and other cities of the Western Mediterranean. The port unites four connected parts: Port Varna - the East, Port Varna - the West, Port and port of Thermoelectric Power station. Well developed infrastructure also connects port Varna with port Lesport and a ferry complex. In Port Varna 20 terminals are accessible to courts with general cargoes, petro- and chemical products, wood, etc., 2 container terminals, for 20 ' and 40 ' containers, and also the passenger terminal. In November 2001 the modern equipment for grain processing has been introduced. At the port complex there are covered and the open space storage places for cargoes on 400 000 sq. m and on 70 000 sq.m. The port offers possibilities of compound cars and is a point of intersection of four European transport corridors. It reduces distance for the cargoes transported between Danube and Black sea by means of the railway bridge which Varna-Rose is called. Available a railway ferry line with Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. Varna is the unique passenger terminal in Bulgaria. The port has a very well developed and regularly updated Basic Plan of the Arrangement which underlies the program of investments for port. Search of investors for building of three new terminals is conducted: terminal Ro-Ro, the grain terminal and the container terminal. Feasibility reports have been executed to investigate possibilities for building of such terminals. According to the updated General layout two new terminals - the terminal for liquid chemicals and the terminal for cement should be constructed in Varna - the West port. Bulgaria has three major government-owned airports, , Burgas and Varna. is self-financing the upgrading of traffic control and navigation aid equipment. Its specific geographical location – on the border between Europe and , has contributed to its strategic importance for the new relationships in the modern world. The potential of Burgas Airport for handling passengers and cargo has a strong effect on the development of a transport network, tourism and trade between partners from the East and the West. One of the greatest strengths of Bourgas Airport is the excellent opportunity it provides for intermodal transportation by air, sea and land – Bulgaria’s busiest Port of Bourgas, an important railway junction, the E 87 international motorway and Trans European Corridor № 8 are all located just 10 to 15 km away from the airport. The airport has larger international passenger traffic, mostly charters, during the summer tourist season. During the rest of the year it operates mainly as a cargo airport, with scheduled service to Sofia. The civil and cargo airport is about 15 km. north east from the city and has the best atmospheric conditions on the Balkan Peninsula. It is the only airport in the region to accept ultrasonic airplanes. During the summer it is the main airport for charter flights for international visitors. Burgas Airport reports it registered the 10% growth in passenger flow expected for the season. The largest growth has been in passengers from Russia and Israel. 2010 airport reached 1.5 million passengers. Within a 30 km radius of the airport are situated the attractive seaside resorts of Slunchev Bryag, Nessebur, Elenite and , providing accommodation for more than 1 000 000 tourists annually. The tourist season lasts from May to October, thus ensuring steady leisure traffic during this time of the year. The auto and railroad systems are also very well developed. The south eastern region of Bulgaria has very good transport connections with the capital Sofia and the neighboring Turkey. The distance between Burgas and Sofia is 400 km on the highway. All the inhabited places in the region are with running water, electricity, telephones and good transport connections between each other. On west the region is bordered by the South-Central and on north by the North-Eastern Planing Regions. The region consists of 4 districts: Bourgas, , and . The most important rivers in the region are Tunja, Luda Kamchia, Dvoynitsa Hadjiiska, Aytoska, Rusokastrenska, Sredetska, Fakiyska, , , Rezovska (bordering Turkey). The largest dams are Jrebchevo (bordering the South-Central region), Kamchia, Mandra, Ovcharitsa, Malko Sharkovo.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT REGION SOUTH-EASTERN BULGARIA Area size of the region: 14647.6km2 Population of region South-Eastern: 782653 people Provinces in South-Eastern Bulgaria: 4 - District Bourgas, District Sliven, District Yambol, District Stara Zagora Total Municipalities in South-Eastern region: 33 Total and Cities in South-Eastern region: 40 Total Villages in South-Eastern region: 649 BOURGAS DISTRICT Balneological tourism,sea tourism, Eco tourism, cultural tourism, recreation tourism. The Bourgas region is one of the most developed regions in the Republic of Bulgaria. Burgas is the second largest city on the Black Sea coast and has the largest municipality in Bulgaria. It is the second largest in area (next to the Sofia region) and the fourth populated region of the country.

Places of Interest - The Black Sea on the one hand and the southern part of the region, which is occupied by the low bordermountains - Strandja, Dervenski Hills and Sakar mountain, on the other hand, are attractive for many tourists. Another interesting touristic sights are the Ropotamo river and Arkutino reserve. The biggest tourist complex is , and the modern holiday villages are Elenite and Duni. Burgas is an important industrial, commercial, transport and tourist center. Nowadays the city has great economic potential. Burgas has the biggest port in the country with the only petrol terminal south to the Balkan mountain. The railway and road networks are well developed. The airport has the best atmospheric conditions on the Balkan peninsula and is the only airport to accept supersonic airplanes. Since 1989 Burgas has been known as a Duty Free Zone. Burgas is the center of the tourism industry on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is also a starting point for visiting the Black Sea summer resorts and vacation villages around the city – Sunny Beach, Elenite, Dunes, the towns – museums Nessebar and Sozopol, the Ropotamo reserve, the nature park. Burgas beach is very long and the proximity to the city makes it a preferred place for sunbathing. The beach is very windy and famous place to practice wind and kite surfing. At the North end of the beach you can see groups of surfers from May till October. There is a special part of the beach called "Eve’s" beach where people can go nude. According to the economic indicators the Municipality of Burgas is second among the other Bulgarian municipalities. More than 15 000 companies are registered here, and the unemployment is the lowest in the whole of the country - 4.3 %. Burgas has its own spiritual and cultural atmosphere. It is a big educational, scientific and arts center. Burgas and its region are offering a rich variety of opportunities. To the north of Burgas 120 km away is Varna – the other big sea in Bulgaria. It will take you only half an hour to go to Sunny Beach – one of the most famous summer resorts in Bulgaria, and to the vacation village "Elenite". In the same direction is the of Nessebar – a town-museum which has kept the ruins of the ancient Roman town Messemvria. It is under UNESCO’s protection. To the south of Burgas there are also many summer resorts and vacation villages – Chernomorez, , Kiten, Lozenez, , Ahtopol. In the same direction there is the town-museum Sozopol, the vacation village Dunes, the International Youth Center – Primorsko and the Ropotamo reserve. In the most southern part of the Region of Burgas is the Strandja mountains. It is a unique natural – geographic region, ecologically clean and preserved in most parts. It is the biggest natural park in Bulgaria. It has an extremely rich natural collection of flora and fauna – over 50 % of the flora in the country. Over the South Eastern Bulgarian region is the second biggest migrating path of the , called , where more then 260 species could be seen. This park is a kind of an ethnographic reserve – on its territory one can find the village Bulgari, in which the ritual of the fire dancing is preserved. The Strandja region has ancient history. Here are represented almost all of the cultural stages from the stone ages to present. Here are the artifacts of one of the most mysterious European inhabitants – the Tracks. The Strandja region is rare inhabited today. That some how contributed to the preservation of the region. Тhe populated areas are 21 with the total inhabitants only 9000. With the exception of the Black sea towns the prevailing are villages. The villages keep one of a kind traditions and the spirit of Strandja Mountain. Archeological, architectural and historic monuments in the region are favorable for development of cultural tourism. The Old Nesebar is a unique monument of culture and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the Strandzha Mountains can be seen some of the most ancient structures made by humans – the . Thracian mounds, poleis, remains of ancient and medieval fortresses have been found here. One can immerse in the unique atmosphere created by the seaside houses from the National Revival period in Nesebar and Sozopol and the preserved samples of the Strandzha house in the villages of Fakia, , Bulgari, Kosti, , etc. The region still preserves in their purest form the fire-dances on live coals, which are performed on the holidays of the Saints Constantine and Helena. After the Liberation in 1878 the southern parts of the region (the Strandzha region) remained within the boundaries of Turkey until 1913 when the area was returned to Bulgaria.

THE BOURGAS BLACK SEA COAST Coast offers marvelous conditions for sea tourism. It also has unique natural resources such as mineral springs, curative mud and natural lakes which host threaten with extinction and protected plant and animal life. The rich cultural and historical heritage offers opportunities for development of cultural tourism. The Black Sea coastal areas and beaches with fine golden sand together with the thermal mineral springs provide favorable conditions for relaxation and recreation and for the development of balneological and sea tourism. The dense riparian forests with overgrowth along the rivers of Ropotamo and Veleka, the beauty of the rivers of Dyavolska and Fakiiska, the diverse wildlife in the Strandzha and Sakar Mountains and the nature reserves are a prerequisite for the development of ecotourism and hunting. Apart from the Silkosia, the oldest reserve in Bulgaria (1933), here one can visit the Ropotamo and Strandzha National Parks, the Duni (the Dunes) and Vodnite Lilii (the White Lilies) reserves, the fiords and the seals cave on Cape and other sites. The biggest town in the area is Bourgas. The region bears its name. The town of Pomorie is a tourist and a health center due to the availability of curative mud. Thanks to its preserved nature and ecological conditions, it is awarded the Blue Flag Award. In Bourgas region are situated some of the well known Bulgarian sea resorts, such as Sunny Beach and St. Vlas. They offer luxury, comfort, first class service, as well as marvelous conditions for water sports. The town of Nessebar is a preferable place for sea vacations. It combines excellent opportunities for sea and cultural tourism. The old part of the town, which will carry you away in the atmosphere of ancient times is under the protection of UNESCO. The old buildings were restored and new houses in ancient style were built. Other interesting sights revealing the history of the region are the cape of Emine, the village of Emona famous for being a birthplace of the Thracian king Rez that participated in the Thracian war and was killed by Odysseus and Diomedus according to ’s Iliad, the fortress of Paleokastro, the Pomorie tomb. SEASIDE TOURISM RESORTS ALONG BLACK SEA COAST

• Sunny Beach is a well-known name. This is one of the most popular Bulgarian coastal resorts. The history of the resort goes back to 1959, when it was created. Today the resort is much more developed. Sunny Beach is located in the area between the town of Nessebar and St. Vlas and around 40 km north of the city of Bourgas. Nearly 10 km long, Sunny Beach’s shoreline is as wide as 80 to 100m. Several hundred luxurious hotels function in the resort. A number of villas and restaurants meet the needs of the tourists, as well. The resort attracts mainly young people and foreign visitors. Nightlife options abound. Sunny Beach has developed to the extent that it nearly merges with the nearby St. Vlas and Nessebar.Sunny Beach is the central spot around which the so called Bulgarian Riviera has been developed.

• St. Konstantin and resort is located several kilometers north of the city of Varna. The resort is still known sometimes under its socialist-era name, Drouzhba. Construction started in 1908 and since then the resort has been the spot that Bulgarian aristocrats preferred. The palace of Evksinograd is located there.St. Konstantin and Elena carries the name of a small chapel. It was constructed as a part of a monastery honoring emperor Constantine and his mother Helena.Ancient aristocrats from the Roman and Byzantine empires traveled to the spot, well-known for its healing mineral springs. One of these springs flows into the sea and has turned nowadays into one of the resort’s biggest attractions.Accommodation options include hotels and private villas. The resort’s infrastructure is in good condition and roads connect it to Varna and the nearby resorts.

• Nessebar today is seen as one of the most attractive destinations on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The shore line is nearly 4 km long. Nessebar is a town having its hundreds of years of history. The town is located north of Bourgas and south of the edge of Stara Planina Mountain and . Historians believe that throughout time, 40 churches have been constructed in Nessebar. Information about only 26 of them has been preserved till present time. In addition, Nessebar hosted a religious residence. • In the end of the 19th century Nessebar was a small town. Its population made living mainly through agriculture and fishery. A new upsurge began in 1959, when the popular resort of Sunny Beach was set up near Nessebar.

• is a small resort village situated 25 km away from Bourgas and 8km north of Sozopol. Until 1951, it carried the name St. Nikola. According to researchers, the village appeared in the first half of the 17th century. Today, the village has managed to differentiate itself from noisy coastal resorts. The village has four beaches. The shoreline is narrow but its length compensates for the setback. Gradina camp is situated 2 km away from Chernomorets and is a favorite place of surfing and nature lovers. Accommodation opportunities are quite diverse. Chernomorets lacks major hotel complexes, which has preserved it as a quiet and peaceful place for rest. Small family-type hotels and guest houses abound. A long and steep street leads from the center of the village to the main beach. The street features numerous small shops that offer souvenirs and clothes.

• is one of the oldest settlements on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Set up nearly 3000 years ago, the town carried the Thracian name of Navlohos. As it became a Greek colony, the settlement got the name of Heliopolis or the town of the sun. is located between the cities of Varna and Bourgas, in the foot of Stara Planina Mountain. The location is also known for the longest beach on the Bulgarian shore, 8 km covered with fine, white sand.The proximity of Stara Planina, transforming into the beautiful cape of Emine, to the sea creates special ambience. , one wild and relatively non-commercial beach area, is also located nearby. Ecologists are trying to preserve the region and to ban construction there. The village of Emona, located on the cape, happens to be one of the best preserved villages, still unspoiled and unaffected by the resort construction boom. Located in a preserve and a military area, Emona is freed from intense construction and the appearance of large hotel complexes.

• St. Vlas is a tiny resort village, located between the resorts of Sunny Beach and Elenite. It can be found 40 km north of Bourgas. St. Vlas was given the status of town only in the beginning of 2006.The town lies on the southern slopes of Stara Planina Mountain and offers opportunities both for rest and healing. The proximity of the mountain to the shoreline is suitable for the therapy of respiratory and bone diseases. Numerous tourism complexes having their own pools compensate for the short shoreline. Tourists can also make use of the beach of the nearby Sunny Beach. Expensive accommodation attracts wealthier tourists to St. Vlas. The town has its yacht harbor, constructed recently. It has become part of the so called Bulgarian Riviera. This is the most visited and popular portion of the coastline, located between the resort of Elenite and the town of Nessebar. St. Vlas is one of the oldest settlements in the area. St. Vlas’s population reaches only 2000 people. The number of tourists during the summer exceeds this figure several times. The resort of Kamchia and Cape Emine are two of the main attractions located near St. Vlas. The resort is located along the shore of Kamchia River. Forests there give home to some rare plant and animal species. Emine is a 60m-high rock, rising above the sea. A number of cliffs close to the shore make the passage of ships dangerous. Today Emine preserves the remains of a fortress, a monastery and an old lighthouse.

• Sozopol today is a major southern coastal resort. Many Bulgarian and foreign tourists decide to spend their vacation there because of the romantic atmosphere Sozopol’s new and old town create.The old town has its own spirit, preserved over the passage of time. Small restaurants line the cliffs nearby. The height offers wonderful view of the three islands- St. Ivan, St. Petar and St. Cyril. Street shops tempt tourists with authentic Bulgarian artifacts, among which knitted and leather items, as well as portrays. Sozopol’s new part is much more contemporary. Younger tourists prefer it because of the luxury hotels and entertainments spots. The central town beach has fine sand and clear water. Sozopol’s second beach, Harmanite, has wide shoreline as well. A walk can take visitors to both beaches.In case you are looking for a calmer spot, try to find transportation to the nearby camp beaches. Some of these are Zlatnata Ribka, Kavatsite, Dyuni and Arkoutino. Sozopol hosts an art festival under the name of in the end of each summer. Artists gather in the town for several days. The event attracts many tourists, culture and art lovers and has turned into one of the most important Bulgarian cultural summits.

• The resort of Elenite is located 45 km north of Bourgas and only a few kilometers from the popular coastal resort of Sunny Beach. Elenite boasts a wonderful location in a tiny bay. The resort has nearly one kilometer of beaches, covered with the finest, white sand. Only a few hotels function there, as well as a few villas located on the green slopes in the area. Luxury is a must in Elenite. The resort is rather calm and the prices predetermine the type of tourists who spend their vacation there. Visitors have good taste, relatively high wages and are willing to pay for an enjoyable vacation experience. Most hotels and villas offer all- inclusive packages. A number of summer sports can be practices in the resort. The beautiful surroundings also make long walks possible. Cape Emine, as well as the popular wild beach area of Irakli are located nearby. Attractions and entertainment opportunities abound in the nearby Sunny Beach.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT TOWN POMORIE

In Bulgarian Alphabets: Поморие Location: South-Eastern Bulgaria Distance to capital city: 354.353 km from Sofia Distance til airport: 7 km Distance til Burgas: 11 km Beach line: 7km (including 3 differentiated beaches) Altitude: 0 - 49m above sea level Province: Bourgas District Municipality: Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN). It is divided in 100 stotink Language: Bulgarian Area size of Town of Pomorie: 49.879km2 Population of Town of Pomorie: 13578 inhabitants Post code (ZIP) of Town of Pomorie: 8200 Phone code of Town of Pomorie: 0596 from Bulgaria, 00359596 from outside Cities, villages, quarters and resorts in Pomorie municipality: Town of Pomorie, Village of Aleksandrovo, Town of , Village of , Village of Belodol, Village of Gaberovo, Village of Goritsa, Village of Gulubets, Village of Dubnik, Town of Kableshkovo, Village of Kamenar, Village of Kozichino, Village of Kosovets, Village of Luka, Village of Medovo, Village of Poroy, Village of Stratsin.

POMORIE

It is in the midst of a vast expanse, situated on a small peninsula, looking out on the sunrise, where the sunny Black sea town named Pomorie can be found. The ancient settlement of Anchialo was established as a Greek colony at the end of the fifth century BC. A large part of its inhabitants were . In its 25 century history Pomorie (until 1934 called Anhialo) has a turbulent history - a Greek colony, "civitas magna'' - a prosperous town in the , with the right to cut its own money, an important fortress of the First Bulgarian State, a witness of the battle near Acheloi in 917, pillaged and fired in 1366 from Savoy Earl; the chief supplier of sea salt, wine and brandy of the , meets thousands of people from far and wide.Today it stands before us as a modern town, keeping in itself now that same history and glory it had many centuries ago.The town of “white gold”, obtained using the same age-old technology, the town known for its wine and music, the town that has outlived the century. Repeatedly burnt down and built again, Pomorie keeps in its lands the memories of Thracians, Romans and Byzantines, crusaders and Turks. Standing before our eyes are the witnesses of that history: The Thracian Domed Tomb, the ancient city Ulpia Anhealeon Paleocastro (occupying part of Pomorie today), the Architectural Reserve “Old Pomorie Houses” and the exhibits of the Archaeological Museum. In 1934 the ancient name of Anchialo was changed to Pomorie. Christianity appeared here as early as the end of the first century, and the story goes that in the seventh century there already existed a monastery named after St. George the Martyr. That is why, every year, on 6th May, a solemn service is held and respects are paid, followed by a three-day fair which gathers worshipers from all over . St. George monastery in Pomorie is one of the most revered monasteries in Eastern Bulgaria and 6th May is the Day of Pomorie.

CLIMATE & NATURAL RESOURCES

The average annual sunshine here is the longest and can reach up to 2360 hours a year. As the town is situated on a peninsula, 2 km cut into the sea, Pomorie has warm summers and mild winters. Before the sun rises, the air is saturated with ozone and negative ions, ultraviolet rays and iodine vapors, which has a healing effect on upper respiratory tract infections. The sand is rich in iron oxides and salts and, since it is heated up to 60° C, it is suitable for sunbathing. Beach is covered with dark sand because of this it absorbs sun rays extremely well. Its colors depend on a higher contents of iron and manganese. The sea bottom has a slight slope .Water warms up to 20 – 28° C and is perfect for healing procedures for both children and adults. The snowfalls are minimal as the snow lasts no more than 5 to 7 days. From the middle of October until the beginning of March the sea warms the air. The average temperature in spring is 14oÑ. Such a climate allows the resort to be used from early spring until late autumn for sun treatment and sea treatment, and the fruit - vegetable belt which encircles Pomorie from 17 200 decares vineyards, 2 200 decares orchard and 800 decares vegetable gardens assure the resort abundance in fruit and vegetables.

In the resort of Pomorie, the shore is low, sandy, with a fully open horizon to the east and to the west. It is defended to the north from the Balkan mountain. The shallow and flat coastal line, bottom of the sea, with a slight slope and the cold sea currents make it safe for children and inexperienced swimmers. In 1998 the town was awarded the Blue Flag award. It is a European ecology award granted for clean and safe beaches and yacht ports.

The Pomorie Bay is preferred for yachting and sailing, the pier - from amateur fishermen. Together with the traditional means of livelihood of the local population - wine-growing, wine- producing, production of salt and fishing, tourism and its accompanying activities define the new image in economics of the more attractive balneological, the sea resort Pomorie. It is proved that according to its qualities Pomorie curative mud, extracted from the salty lake, is among the best in the world.

Among the most interesting attractions of the town is The Pomorie Lake. The lake is a super-salty lagoon with an area of 760 hectares. Part of the bottom is covered by healing mud. More than 20 procedures for the treatment of various diseases are applied in the health resorts of the town. The greatest value of the lake, though, is in its ornithological diversity. You can relish the sight of low flying pelicans and . The Pomorie Lake is part of the Via Pontica migratory route. More than 250 000 migrating geese, pelicans and other birds fly over it every autumn. The population of birds spending winter here reaches 10 000.

Pomorie Lake- Conservation, restoration and sustainable management. Pomorie Lake is one of the pearls of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The saline laguna is on the list of wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar convention and as of 2007 is a part of the pan-European environmental network NATURA 2000. The project is implemented by Association Green Balkans - Bulgaria in partnership with Pomorie Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Waters. The project aims at aiding the long-term preservation of Pomorie Lake and the wetlands eco- system through supporting a wide range of activities for restoration, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The achievement of these goals includes development of a Management Plan, restoration of nesting for endangered water birds species and hydro-installations for water balance management in the protected area. Programs are worked out for sustainable usage and extraction of the lake’s natural resources - mud and salt, and for promoting eco-tourism. The project is innovative and unique for the Bulgarian Black Sea coast where the protected areas are subject to strong anthropogenous pressure. The project’s implementation helps Bulgaria fulfill its international obligations with regard to the EU Directives, the Conventions on Biodiversity and on the Wetlands etc . The protection of rare and endangered saline habitats and coastal dunes is a prerequisite for development of ornithological and other types of cognitive tourism as well as for setting up an original recreational oasis amidst the dynamically urbanized Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The long-term conservation of the lake will have a positive impact over the populations of a number of endangered bird species - Sandwich, Common and Little terns, avocets, shelducks, black-winged stilts, Kentish plovers etc.

The following natural landmarks, interesting both as objects of science and as tourist attractions, are situated on the territory of Pomorie Municipality, too: • The Koriyata Area - a natural site with an area of 2 hectares, the only age-old forest remaining to this day. • The Chairite Area – a protected site with an area of 2 hectares, which has considerable resources of the protected swamp snowdrop (Leucojum aestivum). • Dobrovanski Gabi – unique rock formations on a territory of 5 hectares, resembling mushrooms.

• Ancient Dome Tomb - among the most interesting places of interest in Pomorie are the from the epoch of the late Roman dominance on these lands ( II - III century), the functioning monastery ''St George'' - a monument of Medieval architecture- in which icons are kept from XVIII and XIX century, the little church ''Christ Transfiguration'' from 1764 and the church ''Virgin Mary'', built from the best student of Kolio Ficheto - Usta Gencho

• Museum of Salt -only one in the Balkans, displaying methods and techniques for salt production from lake-water

NEAREST MOST INTERESTING TOURISM OBJECTS

• Municipality has good environmental parameters. The region has a wide variety of game, which is favorable prerequisite for development of hunting tourism. The overall hunting area is 577 sq.km. (managed by the hunting and fishing society of town Karnobat). Fishing is concentrated mainly in the 80 manmade water reservoirs, the vicinity of which is convenient for picnics, hunting and fishing. At a distance of 15 km from Karnobat is the swamp. It is the largest inland lake in Bulgaria.

• Sea Garden – Bourgas. The park is situated on a hill next to the coast, and is rich in flowers, trees and sculptures. Within the park there is a casino, a small zoo and an open-air theatre, which houses the annual International Folklore Festival, and where participants in the Golden Orpheus Pop-Festival perform. • Poda Nature Centre. This is one of the best Nature Centres in Bulgaria. The building is situated at the south end of Bourgas, on the main road to Sozopol and Malko Tarnovo. There is a good permanent exhibition. In case you are interested, a qualified guide could introduce you to the nature of that region. You can watch the birds around from the balcony on the second floor or just take a tour around. There is a tour around the lakes after the presentation. The shop has some postcards and souvenirs.

• Bourgas Museum , which displays the biggest numismatic collection in the world.Regional Historic Museum in Bourgas city will exhibited for the first time the biggest collection of 2010 antique coins which were minted in the ancient Deultum. Except for the numismatic exhibition, Historic Museum in Bourgas city will exhibited a private collection of coins. It contains exclusively rare and preserved archaeological valuables-7000-year-old Roman gold-plated religious warder which was one of its kind at Bulgarian lands, glass cornucopia, the unique head of a silver statuette of Otton and many others.

ACCOMODATION IN POMORIE

Most hotels and other accommodations are located along the beachside in Pomorie. Private lodgings are very popular and major hotels include the Pomorie Hotel, Anhialo Hotel and the Byala Kushta Hotel. There is also the Europa camping site offering bungalows and Aheloy camping site for those wishing to enjoy nights outdoors. In Pomorie is around 17 hotels.

.....hotel analysis, offers, division.....

ECO TOURISM IN BURGAS REGION/ POMORIE

Preserves and protected areas .

• Poroi dam is situated on the territory of Pomorie municipality, 35 km away from the coastal city of Bourgas and 13 km away from Sunny Beach resort. It is located in the beautiful area between Orizare and Poroi villages. The dam is one of the places where you will be able to enjoy peaceful relaxation. The dam is an excellent fishing destination. You can fish, take a boat trip or simply have a picnic on one of Poroi’s banks. Access to the dam is free of charge. Numerous types of fish, among which carp, inhabit the waters of the dam. Poroi dam is the host of an annual aviation models national tournament. The competition tales place during the first half of September.

• Strandzha preserve has been acknowledged in 1995. Its area represents one percent of Bulgaria’s territory. Five preserves form together Strandzha. These are Silkosia, Tisovitsa, Sredoka, Vitanovo and Ouzounboudzhak (Lopoushna). Another 12 protected areas, the architecture preserve of the village of Bryshlian and the folklore preserve of Bulgari village are also part of the preserve. Strandzha Mountain is located in the southeastern part of the country and reaches the city of Bourgas in the north and Istanbul in the south. The mountain is comprised of moderately high hills. Its highest point on Bulgarian territory is Gradishteto peak, 710 m. The two biggest rivers on the territory of the preserve are Rezvaya (also known as Rezovska) and Veleka. Both of them originate in Turkey. Rezovska River marks the southeastern border between Bulgaria and Turkey. Since it flows in a border region, the river is little known. Veleka is 147 km long and has been acknowledged as one of the most beautiful rivers in the country. Numerous plant and animal species can be seen in Strandzha. Many species are typical for the Mediterranean and Asia Minor region. The park has many deciduous forests. Tourism opportunities in the region have been predetermined by the preserve’s status. Construction in the Black Sea part of Strandzha has been limited and the number of tourists spending their vacation there is small. Eco tourism is best developed in Stradzha. Apart from the traditional routes, tourists can visit unique places like the villages of Bulgari and Bryshlian. The two villages are known for their nestinarski traditions (fire dances) and the typical regional cuisine.

• is situated several kilometers away from Bourgas, on the road to Sozopol. Despite its small area, the region features numerous habitats. This is the first region in Bulgaria that is under the management of the Bulgarian bird protection union. Poda was named a protected area in 1989. Some of the bird species that can be observed there make Poda a region of international importance. The number of animal and bird species there exceeds hundreds. A total of 240 types of birds can be observed. Some of the plants in Poda have been included in the Bulgarian Red Book of Endangered Species. Of the bird species nesting there, eight are of international importance and 132 are of special importance for Europe. The Bulgarian Red Book includes 70 bird species inhabiting Poda. People who like bird watching can enjoy the observation of some especially rare for Bulgaria species, like the flamingo. It is easy to reach the protected area, since it is situated on the left side of the road to Sozopol, shortly before Kraimorie. A nature preservation center has been constructed there. The center offers bird watching equipment, as well as accommodation. WINE TOURISM IN POMORIE

Pomorie has good traditions in wine-producing – here is located one of the most famous winery in the country. Wine tasting at Via Pontica winery is one of the most popular attractions among the foreign tourists visiting this region. “Black sea gold” is one of Bulgarie's leading wineries, it has 3 cellars in the town and satelite cellars in villages Kableshkovo, Bata and Nessebar, their total capacity is 35,000 tonnes. Cellars has wine tourism facilities. They are producing mainly white wine, as well as some reds. Every year Pomorie is hosting “Sea of wine” festival.

The wines of are very famous. They are produced of the following grape varieties: Misket, Muskat Ottonel, Chardonnay, Riesling, Ugni Blanc – for white wine, and Cabernet, Merlot, Pamid – for red wine. Local varieties- Dimyat, Muscat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. highly appreciated not only in this world institutions, but also to world markets, which are highly valued. Local wineries have tasting rooms and welcome tour groups. In addition, improves mood and opens the appetite, Pomorie wine has another use. Wine is already being used for medical and spa treatments – this wine is made and therapy with the use of grapes and grape juice itself in the form of baths, for example. It turns out that these procedures decorate toning and acts very useful for the nervous system.

SPA TOURISM IN BULGARY /POMORIE

Today SPA in Bulgaria means strength and beauty through the magic of the Bulgarian thermal water springs. Following the undisputed motto “Healthy spirit in healthy body” and foreign guests have been spending ever more time in modern-equipped Spa centers preferred by people keen on maintaining both their health and their looks. One of Bulgaria’s advantages as compared to other Spa tourism destinations is the country’s endless diversity of mineral springs.With its more than 800 mineral springs with different curative characteristics and chemical composition ,the country disposes with some of the best spa resorts, hotel complexes and spa centres in Europe.In the modern sanatorium different diseases are cured all year round diseases of the bone-muscular system of the body; gynaecological, surgery and traumatical, skin, peripheral nerves, non-typical of the breathing organs, liver, heart and other diseases.

Pomorie, one of Bulgaria's best known mud treatment and seaside resorts, was founded during the 5th century B.C. It is situated on a peninsula which juts out 3.5 km into the sea, 20 km north of the city of Bourgas. The famous Pomorie curative mud lake and salt pans, numerous vineyards and gardens are located nearby. The mud is ranked among the best in the world for its proven medicinal and healing properties. IT is a natural product formed from organic and non-organic compounds, which are activated by biological, chemical, and microbiological processes,taking place naturally on the Pomorie lake bed. The abundant healing properties contained in the mud include. The prime curative factors here are the Pomorie healing mud, the lake lye, the favorable sea climate, the blue sea and the lovely beach. It is a fact that Pomorie's firth medicinal mud and its properties are one of the most effective in the world. In its liquid phase it contains sulphates, magnesium, bromine, iodine, humic acids, hormone-like substances, vitamins, amino acids and metasilicic acid. The mud is also used for preparation of healing pastes and ointments. The sea lye, which contains curative magnesium, bromine, iodine and sulphate ions, and is used for bandages and electrophoresis, is of great therapeutic value. The favorable sea climate offering plenty of sunshine, the wide beach strip, the sea and, above all, the unique Pomorie curative mud and lye, have made the resort a very popular destination for treatment, prophylactics and recreation, as well as for relaxation and enjoyment. The other highly acclaimed product extracted from Pomorie lake is known as “ LUGA’- (brine). This is a densely salted liquid produced during the salt production. The anti-inflammatory effect of “luga” (brine) is especially recommended for skin complains such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, skin ulcers etc.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN BOURGAS AND POMORY

• Exhibition “Cultural Tourism” will be held in the city of UNESCO. This is one of the possible future projects of Nessebar and Veliko Turnovo. The cooperation between the two cities was acknowledged at the awards giving ceremony of the 8th International tourist exhibition “Cultural Tourism 2011” of which Nessebar municipality was recognized as an official partner. The city of UNESCO has taken part in this prestigious forum for a few successive years and it has won different awards like for a stand, advertisement films and cultural products but recognition of that kind comes for the the first time.

• Musical event “Spirit of Bourgas” is the jinnee in the bottle which you will find on the coast of the Black sea, on the sands of the central beach in Burgas, so that you may open the bottle and set the spirit free. This summer too, the Spirit of Burgas will fly freely over the sands and the endless waters of the sea to breeze over the trees and alleys of the Sea garden. This is the largest and most impressive musical event in Bulgaria following the rules and standards of Europe and conforming to the true definition of a festival.But most importantly – all of this is happening on a carpet of the finest sand and the most spectacular views in the World – the large shining moon reflected on the waters of the sea below a rain of stars, some coming from the august night sky and some of the stages of the festival. Considering its young age, this festival has won quite a number of nominations and considerable praise:

2009 – nomination for the final phase of the top 10 “Best Overseas Festival” given by UK Festival Awards; 2009 – SPIRIT of Burgas is quoted by “Times” as one of the 20 best festival destinations; 2009 – the festival’s program is distributed in the European MTV network in 16 countries; 2009 - nomination for the final phase of the top 10 “Best Overseas Festival”; 2010 – nomination for the “Best Medium Sized Festival at the first European Festivals Award; 2010 – selection among the top 10 of the “Best Overseas Festival” given by UK Festival Awards;

• Balkan Yacht Championship in Bourgas with more than 2000 participants. Except for 2 Bulgarian teams, the yacht federations in Serbia, Macedonia, Russia and Moldova will also participate in the prestigious competition. The Balkan Yacht Championship in Bourgas city will be a trial and preparation for the contestants of the Olympics championship in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Organizers shared their satisfaction that Bulgaria is the official host of European championship in 2011.

• Another event which takes place annually during the spring in Burgas is the floral exhibition "Flora Burgas". Locals and foreigners come to the Sea Garden to enjoy the beauty spread along the alleys. To add more to the artistic spirit of Burgas, there is no other Bulgarian city where so many artists were born – poets, singers, writers, actors, musicians and composers. • In the autumn visitors can witness another admired annual event – the dance sport contest, which combines all dance styles and gathers couples from all over the world.

• An important event known as the orthodox music festival is kept in June annually in Pomorie. With over 700 choristers from nine countries and diverse music and singers, this festival with its non competitive nature offers fun and enjoyment for just about anyone.

• Fire dancing or Nestinarstvo is an old Bulgarian ritual that is still practiced in several Strandzha Mountain villages. In the beginning of the 20th century, the ritual spread to some Greek settlements after Bulgarians relocated from the Strandzha region.The dances were mentioned for the first time in writings from 1862. Some historians believe that the ritual has pagan origin, despite the fact that the firedancers carry icons in their hands. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church persecuted nestinari and claimed that they were possessed by the devil.The authentic ritual used to take place on June 3, the day of St. Konstantin and Elena.On the day of the festivities, nestinari meet in a small chapel, where the icons of St. Konstantin and St. Elena are kept. Drums and bagpipes produce special melodies that enable dancers enter a state of trance. Today some nestinari dance on other occaisions, mainly to entertain tourists.

• Various cultural festivals take place in very near city Nessabar:

- Music festival “Morski Strouni” taking place from May 14 to 16 - A pop-rock festival taking place every other year. It is held from June 3 to 5 - Retro cars festival, August 27 and 28 - Children’s festival “Slunce, radost, krasota” from June 15 to 19 - International honey festival from September 6 to 9 - Bulgarian fashion days, July - Icon painting days, August - National folklore festival, September 22 to 25 - Balkan children’s film and television festival, September 30 to October 2 - Marine days, August 2 to 8 - Nessebar’s holiday, August 15