PROMOTING INNOVATIVE RURAL TOURISM IN THE BLACK SEA BASIN REGION (PIRT) PROJECT Study Tour to Bulgaria A regional group of tourism sector service providers and representatives of travel agencies from Armenia, Georgia and Turkey were on a study tour to Bulgaria in the framework of the PIRT Project. During the visit to Bulgaria the representatives of tourism sector service providers and travel agencies have the opportunity to discover the specifics of the Bulgarian tourism sector and to learn from the best practice of local service providers in the North-East and South -East Planning regions and country. The participants visited different sites in Varna and neighbor towns such as: Nature Park of Golden Sands Nature Park “Golden Sands” (in Bulgaria known as Zlatni Piasatsi) is the smallest nature park (13.2 sq. km) in Bulgaria. The park was declared as protected area for conservation and protection of valuable habitats, flora, fauna and specific landscapes in 1943. The Park is part of the “European Network Natura” 2000 as a Special Area of Conservation named Zlatni Piasatsi. The Nature Park is situated 17 km northeast from Varna. The area is parallel to the coastal line, forms the west border of the resort Golden Sands and reaches the Kranevo village in the north. In the framework of PIRT project Varna Economic Development Agency (VEDA) partners with the Directorate of the Nature Park as a potential touristic site for those who are interested in eco tourism. For the purpose of fostering the flow of tourists and other visitors into the Park, the team works on the development of appropriate environment for organization of trainings, festivals, meetings, observations and research in the park during visits of students, citizens, scientific workers and foreign guests. Rural Guesthouse of Baba Radka The guesthouse of Baba Radka is located in the village Solnik, 50 km south from Varna, Bulgaria. The house is a “living museum” of national authenticity, traditions and culture. About 20 years ago granny Radka welcomed the first visitors to her home. They were American tourists who came to learn more about the Bulgarian traditions and customs. It was at that time when an idea came to granny Radka to transfer her house into a tourist attraction. This is a typical destination for those who love rural tourism. In “Baba Radka” all the guests are welcomed with bread and salt, as the old tradition says, and generate hugs and smiles of granny Radka. The guests are welcome to visit a typical Bulgarian village house with its farm buildings, domestic animals, orchard, vegetable garden and vineyard. The dining area is in the inner courtyard which reflects old atmosphere from the past. One can see jugs, copper bowls, gas lamps and other old household goods on wooden shelves. Here the tourists can also see a summer kitchen and a place for bread baking. The old stone fountain, the well, the vine-arbor and the colorful garden flowers complement the feeling of Renaissance mountain yard. The hosts present very interesting folklore program of authentic songs and national dances with participation of old and young generation and the guests which brings nice emotions and impressions. The guests are served delicious homemade dishes and may stay overnight at granny Radka’s house. A Bee Farm in the village of Kosharitsa The regional group of tourism sector service providers and representatives of travel agencies visited a bee farm in the village of Kosharitsa. Kosharitsa is a small village, situated in Nessebar municipality, in the region of Bourgas. It has a very good location, just 4 kilometers away from the lively Sunny Beach Resort. This virgin mountainous nature is also a wonderful place for honey production. The farmer produces honey in hives and hollows and offers his visitors to taste honey, honey cake, honey brandy and juice rights at the site. The tourists can also purchase all of the products of the farm as well as nice souvenirs relating to bee farming and national traditions. Aladja Monastery Aladzha Monastery is a medieval Orthodox Christian cave monastery complex in northeastern Bulgaria, 17 km north of central Varna and 3 km west of Golden Sands beach resort, in a protected forest area adjacent to the Golden Sands Nature Park. The monastery caves were hewn into a 25- m high vertical karst cliff near the upper edge of the Franga plateau on several levels. The complex includes two small nearby catacombs. Today, the grotto is a popular tourist destination. Nowadays the Monastery does not function, no monks live there and it is turned into a monument of culture and a museum. More videos and pictures at: http://impactpressgroup.org http://impactpressgroup.org

• published: 12 May 2015
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