Nesssebar Bulgaria DIY?

[Xoe]

I'll be in Nessebar on Pacific Princess on Wednesday November 14. I've read a few posts suggesting this may be a good DIY port. Are the important sites/sights within walking distance of the dock, and if so is the walk comfortable and interesting? What were your "don't miss" places? Are there any favorite off-the-beaten-path spots you especially liked?

 

Any advice from those who have been there will be appreciated! Thanks!

[KirkNC]

We have not been there yet but plan on DIY. It is supposed to be very easy and pretty.

[alexandra cruiser]

under Azamara and Oceania cruises...looked at recent posts there and reviews on Member review area..the bottom line seems that its one of the least favorite ports. They complain its seems run down and very "communist" looking,,,bleak,drab,???

Think I d take one of the ships tours ,,when I decide to go,,,and get overview and hi lites of area.

These reviews did it DIY and I d also google tourism in ea.port to see more info...let us know what you think.;)

[Xoe]

I've seen negative comments about Constanta Romania (bleak etc.) but not Nessebar so I'm hoping to find charming sights/sites there.

 

I would like to know how far the ship docks from places of interest -- walkable or not, and if so, a pleasant walk or not?

 

My tentative plan in several of the Black Sea ports is a half-day morning ship tour for an overview, leaving the afternoon to go to whatever has caught my interest. However, there's no substitute for feedback from those who've "been there, done that" so I'll appreciate anything you can tell me.

 

Thanks!

[Travel Girl TX]

We found Nessebar to be charming. There are at least 6 charming, little churches spread around the town. Yes, there were also cheap, tourist shops that you will find in any beach resort town, but those should not tarnish your visit unless you are completely against any type of commercialism.

 

We were on the Oceania Nautica and tendered to the port. There was a short uphill walk to the main "town". We walked through the entire town and admired all the pretty little churches that date back as old as the 9th century up to the 16th century. The signs describing the churches were in English. During this walk we came across a lovely little wine shop and sampled many wines before purchasing 2 bottles. We continued our journey around the town and found a nice little square to sit in and watch life go by. We walked by the beach and the port. We probably spent a very leisurely 4 hours in Nessebur before returning to the ship.

 

Constanta is another story. They only purpose is to 1. add Romania to your country list or 2. departure point for another place in Romania like Bucharest. We did the long trip to Bucharest and were glad we did. Do we need to do it again? No.

[Xoe]

All good information! Nessebar on my own sounds fine. Constanta -- hmmmmmm -- maybe a short tour to see SOMEthing while there?! My son has a friend who immigrated from Romania, in fact she is back there right now due to a family member's illness, so I have some interest in the context of its being her home country.

 

Now to find out more about Yalta and Odessa -- on my own or a tour? I was in Yalta in January 1989 -- a long time ago! -- and found it fascinating then. So much has changed since then in that part of the world, so it will be interesting to revisit now.

[Hlitner]

We were one of the negative posters regarding Contanta. Even though DW and I are pretty adventurous travelers we could find nothing positive in that port. If you do find something good please post it when you get back.

 

As to Odessa, we had visited the city right after the collapse of the USSR and enjoyed the visit despite the dire situation of the locals. We were again in Odessa this past April (it was freezing) and were blown away by the improvement in the city. DW and I spent hours walking miles within the city and enjoyed nearly every moment. They have come a long way.

 

Hank

[Xoe]

I'd seen your comments about Constanta, which align with prevailing reports from others. I'll try to find something positive to share with you; perhaps my son can get some "insider" ideas from his friend.

 

So you were in Odessa just after the collapse of the USSR, and I was in Yalta not long before that momentous event. My time there, Dec. 1988/Jan. 1989, was as part of a large (100 voice) chorus on a concert tour that included Helsinke, Leningrad, Yalta, Kiev, and Moscow. It was an amazing experience, and Yalta was a place to which I have wanted to return and now will be doing so. When you were in Odessa and Constanta, did you also have time in Yalta? If so, I'll hope to hear your thoughts on "DIY" walking from the ship's dock.

 

I greatly appreciate the benefit of your experience!

[Hlitner]

I'd seen your comments about Constanta, which align with prevailing reports from others. I'll try to find something positive to share with you; perhaps my son can get some "insider" ideas from his friend.

 

So you were in Odessa just after the collapse of the USSR, and I was in Yalta not long before that momentous event. My time there, Dec. 1988/Jan. 1989, was as part of a large (100 voice) chorus on a concert tour that included Helsinke, Leningrad, Yalta, Kiev, and Moscow. It was an amazing experience, and Yalta was a place to which I have wanted to return and now will be doing so. When you were in Odessa and Constanta, did you also have time in Yalta? If so, I'll hope to hear your thoughts on "DIY" walking from the ship's dock.

 

I greatly appreciate the benefit of your experience!

 

Our recent cruise (this past spring) only wennt to Odessa and Constanta in that region (and 29 other ports elsewhere) so we have not been back to Yalta since 1992. That particular visit was quite amazing since Ukraine had not yet gotten its act together and there was a kind of virutal anarchy. DW loves to remind me (with a frown) about a man who approched is in Yalta who was wearing a Soviet Army Officers Uniform. He offered to sell us his uniform, DW wanted to buy it, and I said no (and she listened). That night on the ship we saw quite a few passengers wearing Soviet Officers uniforms on our ship and DW kept saying "we should have bought that uniform." It was quite interesting to be an observer in a very young country trying to find its way.

 

Our other memory (which others might remember) had to do with a Soviet style water vending machine we saw in Yalta. It was a dreary green and had a typical coin slot. The machne had a single glass (we are talking a real glass of about 8 ounces) and you inserted the coin and then the machine dispensed water into this glass. After you had your drink you put the glass back in the machine (upside down) and it then sprayed a little water into the glass so it was ready for the next person. And to think that quite a few in our country wanted this style of government and economy. Hmmmm. Come to think of it there are some who still want this form of government.

 

Hank

[Xoe]

doesn't leave me wanting that kind of government -- OR a drink of water!! I do not remember seeing such water machines in Yalta; perhaps I didn't look in the "right" places?

 

Actually the water in our hotel in Yalta seemed heavenly after our stay in Leningrad at an Intourist hotel, a huge ugly pile of dark decrepit dullness whose water taps dispensed dark brown liquid, presumably water. The babushka/hostess who served us tea in the reception area routinely hurriedly plugged the large dispenser back in when we approached, which of course meant the contents never achieved a temperature that would make the tea safe to drink. In Leningrad and Moscow (not Yalta), members of our chorus were often followed by the KGB, who clearly did not recognize our "mission of good will" as we presented concerts of a long-lost Rachmaninoff liturgy to overflowing, enthused, and welcoming audiences. Quite the experiences!

[Travel Girl TX]

I finally found my Black Sea cruise pictures so I wanted to show you some of the pretty sites in Nessabar from our DIY day.

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul&Kathy]

Nessebur was gorgeous, one of our favourite ports and perfect to DIY and just wander. There is a little train that runs to a nearby beach resort too if that interests you.

[Xoe]

may be chilly for "beaching", but I like exploring beach resorts off-season as the feel is so different. I know Nessebar will be a favorite stop for me, also.

[Xoe]

may be chilly for "beaching", but I like exploring beach resorts off-season as the feel is so different. I'm confident that Nessebar will be a favorite stop for me, also.

[Cosmic Rays]

Nessebur was gorgeous, one of our favourite ports and perfect to DIY and just wander. There is a little train that runs to a nearby beach resort too if that interests you.

 

Where do you catch that please?

[Paul&Kathy]

As you get off the tender you walk slightly to the left past a few market stalls - just follow the crowd really - and there is a roundabout where the buses stop and the little train stops right there. I can't remember what it cost but it was only a few euros (we did not go as it was raining).

[bcnvcanada]

Just a quick question to those who have been there before. Will I need local currency Nessebar Bulgaria, and Bucharest Romania? Or can I use Euros. I don't want to use a credit cards in either country. Thank you for your help.

[Travel Girl TX]

Just a quick question to those who have been there before. Will I need local currency Nessebar Bulgaria, and Bucharest Romania? Or can I use Euros. I don't want to use a credit cards in either country. Thank you for your help.

 

The merchants on the streets and in stores in Nessebar, Bulgaria took dollars and euros along with local currency. Not sure about restaurants.

 

In Bucharest, Romania we did a full day city tour through the cruise ship and there was only one very limited shopping opportunity at a museum gift shop. They would only take local currency or credit cards with a pin. I had a credit card with a pin and other members on our tour group gave me the USD equivalent plus a guess estimation on a foreign transaction fee for using my card and I paid for all the items on my card. About the only thing to buy were postcards and dolls in traditional dress.

[bcnvcanada]

THANK YOU Travel Girl TX. I called my credit card company and got a pin number just in case I want to buy something. Thanks

[Wendy The Wanderer]

under Azamara and Oceania cruises...looked at recent posts there and reviews on Member review area..the bottom line seems that its one of the least favorite ports. They complain its seems run down and very "communist" looking,,,bleak,drab,???

 

You really must be mixing it up with Constanta. Nessebur is anything but drab.

 

I've seen negative comments about Constanta Romania (bleak etc.) but not Nessebar so I'm hoping to find charming sights/sites there.

 

I would like to know how far the ship docks from places of interest -- walkable or not, and if so, a pleasant walk or not?

 

 

It is very walkable for a DIY. We had a guide when we were there, but she was soviet-style and droned on and on. There are tons of Byzantine churches there, with remarkable architecture. But there is shopping too. Very compact.