Exploring Bulgaria's Varna
Don't fret if you've never heard of it; I didn't either until a friend said I required a "real European adventure" instead of my typical weekend of Netflix and pretending to know how to cook. Varna is Bulgaria's seaside jewel, resting elegantly along the Black Sea coast and somehow able to be both delightfully chaotic and unmistakably peaceful at once. It's like that friend who is always late but somehow makes up for it by bringing the best snacks.
To start with, the beach. The sand is soft, the water is surprisingly warm, and yes, there are enough sunbeds for a small army of sun worshippers to feel at home. If your ideal vacation is less about competitive jet skiing and more about lying down, the Black Sea is preferable as it lacks the drama of the Mediterranean. Watch like a pro, as Varna features people ranging from dedicated locals going about their daily life to tourists sporting headgear they most certainly shouldn't. Actually, I spent a whole afternoon trying to match nationalities with Bulgarian accents. I failed, spoiler alert.
The city combines classic European beauty with contemporary bustle. If you enjoy old architecture and can fantasise about what it would have seemed like 2000 years ago, the Roman Baths are amazing. I spent 10 minutes there, staring at the stones, before I realised I was only looking for someone to compliment my traveller's hat. Another feature is the Sea Garden. Perfect for a long walk, people-watching, or acting as though you are on a travel Instagram reel without really exerting any effort, this is essentially a big park by the sea.
Varna also has an unexpectedly cultural aspect. The Archaeological Museum is full of items that could make you feel like Indiana Jones, but less Indiana and more quietly panicking because you're not sure which ones you're permitted to touch. And if you plan your trip wisely, there is always some local celebration going on. Music, cuisine, dancing, and the odd impromptu parade that have you wondering whether you are indeed awake or in a somewhat perplexing dream.
Eating in Varna is an adventure all by itself. If you've been living on instant noodles up to this point, Bulgarian food—which spans from rich stews to fresh seafood—may make you rethink your life decisions. There are stores and cafés all around town, and the rates are so reasonable that you wouldn't have to sell a kidney to sample a dish of banitsa. Though that is essentially my usual travel style, I might have overindulged and have no regrets.
Varna creeps upon you at the end of the day. It stays in your mind like that ideal, somewhat humiliating selfie you nearly erased, even if it isn't loud or showy. You could come for the food, the history, the beach, or the dance, along with the residents in the park, but you will leave with the strangely reassuring notion that maybe, just maybe, you could live here if you stopped thinking so much and started dancing along with the locals in the park.
Varna is not on meticulously planning or checking boxes. It's about being present, soaking in the sun, maybe getting lost here and there, and knowing that perhaps the most incredible travel tales are the ones that arise from not striving so hard.
