Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations. Here are the reasons why – plus a look at the superb new golf options.

History and Culture

Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878 but then had the misfortune to be occupied by the losing side in both World Wars, and fell within the USSR’s influence, becoming a People’s Republic in 1946.

The Communist era ended in 1989 and socialist policies gradually replaced over the following decade. Bulgaria is now an increasingly-integrated part of the European Union.

Bulgarians are noted for their friendliness, especially in comparison with other East European countries.

Natural Landscape

Bulgaria boasts a diverse terrain
of lowlands, plains packed with fragrant roses and wild flowers, foothills and plateaus, river valleys full of bears and wolves, basins, and mountains covered in lush green forests. About 70 per cent of the country’s territory is hilly land and 30 per cent is mountainous – hence its growing reputation for skiing. And the Black Sea coast rivals anywhere in Europe for sand…

Amazing Value

Bulgaria is arguably Europe’s best-value travel destination. The currency is the lev (BGN) and one Bulgarian lev is equal to 45p. So your money goes a long, long way!

As a result, the beach resorts and the ski resorts – such as Borovets and Bansko – are becoming increasingly popular with tourists seeking more for their money. Travelling golfers are now also following suit…

The Beaches

There are many resorts in Bulgaria, and they are exceptionally diverse. Black Sea resorts include Rusalka, Albena, Golden Sands, Riviera, Sunny Day and Sunny Beach. The Golden Sands beach is 3.3km and up to 100m wide.

Riviera has a wonderful beach within a park with centuries-old trees. The largest of the Black Sea resorts is Sunny Beach whose beach is 5.5km long. To go a bit more upmarket head for St Vlas and St Constantine & Elena.

The Climate

Inland there are cold, damp winters with snow in the higher elevations and hot and humid summers. The coast it is typically Mediterranean; mild autumns, cool winters, mild springs and warm, breezy summers.

Food and Drink

Bulgarian cuisine ranges from salads to stews. Famous for its yogurt and white brine (feta) cheese, a breakfast speciality is ‘banitsa’, a dough stuffed with cheese, spinach, rice, and meat.

There are lots of salads depending on the region you are in, while soups and broths are popular – bean soups in the Rhodope Mountain region and fish soups in the Black Sea and the Danube areas. Meat balls, grilled meat, sausages and stews made in clay pots are also delicious.

Wine production have a long history in Bulgaria while there are some robust local beers such as Zagorka, Ariana, Pirinsko and Shumensko.

Bulgaria’s Golf Story

The Cape Kaliakra area of Bulgaria is benefiting from having the foresight to get involved in golf – it was named the 2012 Undiscovered Destination of the Year at the prestigious IAGTO awards.

The region, in the north east of the country and sitting right on the coast, is one of Europe’s premiere sport, leisure and holiday resorts… and is now a haven for golf.

Cape Kaliakra is a beautiful spot on the Black Sea, 500km east from Sofia. It’s the third-biggest Bulgarian port, and it’s now home to three terrific new courses: the links-style Lighthouse (opened September 2008), the exacting Black Sea Rama (opened in May 2008) and the star of the show – Thracian Cliffs.

Because while the Lighthouse and Black Sea Rama – which won the ‘International Courses’ category of the 2009 Development of the Year Awards – are special, Gary Player’s Thracian Cliffs has taken the quality of golf to a new level.

With seemingly endless sea views across the magnificent bay from Cape Kaliakra to Cape Galata of the Black Sea, this is an awesome spot.

The images on these pages give you an indication of what to expect at one of the most exciting new courses in Europe; this is seriously thrill-a-minute golf of a high enough quality to be immediately slotted straight in at No.65 in Golf World’s continental Europe Top 100.

It takes something special to find yourself so high in such a short space of time – Thracian was only open a matter of months when the rankings was compiled – but that is exactly what this Bulgarian venue is.

Thracian Cliffs is certainly ambitious too – it will host the prestigious World Matchplay in mid-May this year.

“Framed by rugged coastal cliffs and the vast blue of the Black Sea, the 18-hole Gary Player-designed Signature course at Thracian Cliffs is one of the most dramatic golf courses on earth,” says their website, and when Golf Escapes visited this stunning property, we could not disagree with that sentiment.

It is laid out over 164 hectares of wild terrain with the course stretching 4.5km along the coast.

Player, admittedly not the most reserved of men with his opinions, insists Thracian is twice as good as Pebble Beach…

Multiple tees on every hole allow players of all levels to be both challenged in their play and inspired by the incredible views. Covering 164 hectares of wild scenic terrain, the course stretches 4.5km along the coast bestowing a truly exhilarating golf experience.

It is the most impressive course in the area, but it is certainly not alone. So you can play and stay at Thracian and pop out to nearby Black Sea Rama and the Lighthouse.

In 2009, as well as being named the best new course in the world, the former hosted the Bulgarian Amateur. The sea views towards the magnificent bay from Cape Kaliakra to Cape Galata from fairways perched high on the cliffs played a key role in this award and impress the many golfers who now travel to this new destination.

Being close to the sea, the wind is predictably often a significant factor, making holes such as the superb closing four even more challenging.

The Lighthouse, designed by Ian Woosnam, is built on the top of towering cliffs and offers predictably exhilarating views while the former Masters champion is also the man behind Pirin Golf & CC, set in the beautiful Bansko-Razlog valley, in the heart of the Pirin Mountain range of southwestern Bulgaria. Peter Harradine’s Pravets GC is a parkland surrounding the

QUICK GUIDE

Getting there: There are four international airports in Bulgaria: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Bourgas. The last two are served by an increasing number of cheap flights from Britain through WizzAir, Thomas Cook, Monarch and Thomson. EasyJet and BA go to Sofia. Thracian Cliffs is a 50-minute drive from Varna airport. If you book into Thracian Cliffs, their airport shuttle service will greet guests at the airport and escort them comfortably
to the resort.
Time difference: GMT +2 eponymous lake town, 40 minutes from Sofia.

AWAY FROM THE COURSE…

Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort has 151 deluxe, spacious and convenient suites. Guests stay in two quiet and peaceful villages, which are separated by a beautiful lake and offer a stunning view of the sea.

Marina village is situated on the cliffs, where there are 64 deluxe, spacious and convenient suites. The Hillside Village is nestled 350m above the sea, hosting 87 suites designed in a crescent shape around three infinity pools. The Geti, Bendida Beach and Argata Beach restaurants cater for all tastes while there is a huge spa with lots of treatment rooms

Telephone: +359 58 510 550
Website: www.thraciancliffs.com

More On Bulgaria Find out more about golf in Bulgaria, including the 2013 World Matchplay Championship. Find out more >>>