It is just about time to begin thinking about summer 2010!  Instead of taking your rendezvous to generic summer locations (Mexico, various islands, western Europe), consider a less common destination: Varna, Bulgaria.  Long discarded as a mysterious chunk of land in the Balkans, Bulgaria is actually a quite modern country frequented by vacationers from other areas of Europe.

Varna, in particular, is notorious for its summer nightlife; from the belly-dancing clubs in Golden Sands to the rows of beach bars next to the port, there is certainly no shortage of things to do during the night.  The day is for relaxation, but there is a wealth of things to do.  Visit the beaches next to the port in eastern Varna; there are miles of sand (a rarity in European beaches), volleyball courts, Olympic-sized swimming pools, bars, restaurants, and even giant waterslides.

Varna is also home to the Sea Gardens: a national landscape monument consisting of an aquarium, terrarium, zoo, planetarium, and dolphinarium.  At the dolphinarium in particular, there are several shows a day (lasting about a half-hour each), showcasing the talents of five or six dolphins.  Enjoy lunch before or after the show in the dolphinarium café, where one wall is completely transparent so that you can watch a dolphin or two swimming underwater.  It costs 1.50 lev to get into the café, but the nearly one dollar is worth it to marvel at the dolphin(s) and enjoy the sandwiches, which are quite good.

For shopping, head to Varna mall or, for more expensive clothing and souvenirs, Golden Sands.  Golden Sands is an area further up the Black Sea coast, about a twenty-lev cab ride from the Port of Varna.  Here, horseback-riding, high-end shopping, upscale hotels, beachside bars, restaurants, jet skiing, and other water sports are all available.

Sushi is popular in Varna, and the seaweed is far more delicious than in the United States.  There are many restaurants offering the Japanese specialty, but for a guaranteed good experience, visit Rappongi, a restaurant and bar right on the beach.  The best way to try the restaurant is to go in your swimsuit and rent a bed on the beach, which is about twenty lev (or thirteen US dollars) for two under the “palm trees,” which are turquoise and fake, but not cheap looking.  Charging for the beds or chairs is sporadic, however, and if someone does not come asking for payment during the first five minutes, the beds will probably be free.  Order drinks from the Rappongi bar and bask in the sun; toplessness is common here, and not considered taboo.  Afterwards, stop by the outdoor shower and head to the restaurant, where sushi mingles with steak, French fries, and other items on the menu.  A must-order for dessert is the fruit salad, with or without ice cream.

At night, begin at any of the beach bars (either in Golden Sands or next to the port), where the European equivalent to a 22-ounce beer is about $1.50.  Head to another bar afterwards, such as Arabian Nights, a belly-dancing bar in Golden Sands.  Enjoy the hookah (called “shisha” there) and sit around the circular bar, watching the female and the male belly dancers.  Finish the night at Copacabana, a nightclub along the beach, and then stop at any of the kabob stands for a late night or early morning snack that satisfies.

Overall, there is an incredible amount of fun to be had in Varna.  Whether you are the type who enjoys relaxation or partying, there are plenty of things that satisfy both in this up-and-coming European hotspot.