Admission feesIch war mit dem Aiusflug insgesamt nicht zufrieden. Es hat zwar eine Einführung in die Entstehungsgeschichte des Aladscha-Klosters gegeben, aber keine Führung durch die in der Felswand liegenden Räume; auch war die gegebene Zeit (30 Minuten) für die Besichtigung zu kurz. Zudem war überhaupt keine Zeit, sich das dazugehörige Museum mit den umfassenden Exponaten anzusehen. Die Führung in der Basilika war sehr interessant, aber leider gab es dann nur Freizeit und keine Führung durch die Innenstadt.
This outing to Varna and the surrounding area ticks off all the main attractions. We're talking a Medieval cave monastery in Golden Sands National Park, as well as all the heavy hitters dotted around Varna's city centre. Plus, there's loads of free time included, so you can go off and spend some time exploring just how you want to.
First up, you'll head to Goden Sands National Park, just north of Varna, for a walk around Aladzha Monastery. This place dates back to the 12th century (although other nearby cave ruins go back to the 5th century) and your guide will clue you in on all the legends and mysteries that've been linked to it.
When you're done here, you'll then head into Varna's city centre. Before a couple of hours of free time, you'll check out the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin. As cathedrals goes, it's not the oldest one around – its foundations were laid in 1880 – but its colourful frescoes are a must-see. The interior of the cathedral's covered in them, giving it a real Sistine Chapel feel.
