Dobrich, Dobrudja Hotel

Dobrich is a commercial centre rather than a tourist resort but I think that as more people become attracted to the north Black Sea area it will develop it's tourist potential, possibly as a day trip destination at first. The restored revival period complex, which houses craft workshops and the Ethnographical museum, is a must. The bakery there is very popular and has long queues at times. St. Georges church, the Art Gallery and park would also be on my list for a second visit. There is also the Yordon Yovkov museum, dedicated to a local literary figure and author of the story that the resort Albena is named after.

Some areas of the the town have a Mediterranean feel with tree lined streets, pavement cafes and everywhere there are carved relief panels on buildings and street sculptures, including some in the Constructivist style. The open spaces bustled with people from morning to late evening and the park was particularly busy at the weekend.

In stark contrast to the central area are concrete apartment blocks from the communist period, which ring the city. Outside the city the area is still heavily agricultural, growing sunflowers for oil production, also maize and other crops. Some countryside areas had a feel of England in the 1950s.

I will be back.