MONEY:
Bulgarian currency is the Lev. Each Lev is made up of 100 Stotinka (Stinkies). The exchange rate is currently about 2.25 Lev to the pound.
If you want cash stick with the cash machines at the major banks. There is one in St Vlas village square (Right hand side at far end of square) Gives a better exchange rate than you will get in Britain.
Current Account If you have a “Nationwide” Flex account withdrawals are free, otherwise you will probably be charged a couple of pounds by your bank.
Do not use any of the stalls offering Cash Exchange or fall for the person in the street offering the "great deal". It won’t be and you might get the old now worthless currency.
TIME:
Bulgarian time operates at GMT +3, putting their clocks two hours ahead of British Summer time.
FACILITIES:
The Watermill is part of the “Dinevi Resort” and as such you are "technically" allowed to use the facilities at other Dinevi complexes. The facilities include Gyms and Piano Bars, Hairdressers, Massage Areas, Watersports centre and an Amphitheatre. Although there may be charges for some of these services and some complex Managers might not be to keen to let you.
EATING OUT:
We have not tried every place in the vicinity, but below are some of our recommendations and some of the places we'd avoid. If you find somewhere that you think is really good or bad during your stay, then please let us know. Many of the complexes nearby have restaurants. Here is what we have tried.
The Watermill (Vodenitsata)
The Watermill specialises in Bulgarian food. Mostly Chicken and Pork dishes. Do nice Omelettes, English Breakfast (Back Page of the Menu). Was used by a lot of Bulgarians last year but they have raised their prices and as a result it was not as busy this year.
The Triumph
The Triumph is the large complex to the left of the Watermill heading down to the Marina. It has a good restaurant. Liked their Kavarma. Cheaper than the Watermill. It has a lot of kids playing about near the pool, where you eat so if you don't want distracted by them it is a good idea to eat slightly later.
The Diamond Bistro
Set at the rear of the Diamond and actually across the road from it is the Diamond Bistro. We liked lunch in here, great toasted sandwiches but again a bit expensive.
The Monastery
The Monastery offers typical Bulgarian fare similar to the Watermill. We liked going here for desert after eating elsewhere. Spirit measures were rather generous.
La Dolce Vita
The Dolce Vita has an Italian Themed Restaurant. Nice food and excellent views down over the marina, towards Sunny Beach, but again a bit expensive.
THE MARINA
The Marina is situated only a few hundred yards from the front of the Watermill. There you will find various restaurants, bars, shops and water sports. The restaurants here are more expensive than elsewhere on the resort. Watch if you ask for wine, ask for the price of the bottle first. I've heard stories of them serving 90lev bottles.
We have only ate at the Old Mill. This is run by the manager of the Watermill and staff there are all ex from the Watermill. Food was good Bulgarian themed.
All the restaurants are supposed to be good.
The Yacht Club is situated on the immediate left when you come through the barrier into the Marina. It is where a lot of the rich people go. It was 6 lev a pint there when we last visited. Even has a hot tub !
If not intending to eat there then the Marina is still well worth a visit at night time just to see all the expensive cars.
Kept my 14 year old son happy !
St Vlas
St Vlas is behind the Watermill and has some really nice places to eat. We haven’t tried everywhere. So again let us know what you think.
In 2009 I found a new bar and a Bulgarian themed restaurant behind the Watermill. Go up the metal steps to right rear hand corner of the Watermill, and across the road. Small satellite bar the owners Venti & Bobbi are very friendly and speak good english. Slightly further back towards St Vlas there is a small restaurant, both very good and very cheap.
From the Watermill Cross the main road at the rear, and up into the village, head left will take you along the narrow main street towards the village square. On the left hand side of this road there is a large arch decorated with shells leads in to a barbecue type restaurant. We ate their last year, service was dreadful, food wasn’t very good when it did come and some of it was cold. Not recommended.
Balkan Barbecue
Nice barbecued food. Have heard some good and bad reports about this, but personally any time we have ate here the food has always been good.
Miami
Not easy to find. But at the end of the village square, turn up to the right past the Post Office and the Miami is a couple of hundred yards up on the left. Found that the food was good and staff make for an entertaining night. (Don’t get the Prawn Cocktail though). Expect dancing and burning trays !. Very different from other places. However thought it was quite pricey. (When compared to other restaurants). I would say that it is worth going to, but once you've experienced it there isn't much reason to go back.
Central
This is one of our favourites, food and service are good, nice location with views over the village square. Nice Pizzas. Head up the white staircase and turn left at the top.
Brazilia
This is set up on 1st floor, to the right of the Central. We found this "not very nice" with pretty awful toilets. Best avoided.
Tepa Ha
Situated at the top left corner of the Village square with a big yellow sign over the top, the Tepa Ha is again quite good and serves a variety of food.
Chinese
The Chinese is upstairs from, and to the right of the Tepa Ha, doesn't look much, but the food is very good and tasty. Not like some of the bland Chinese restaurants in Britain.
Most Other places in the Village seem to be quite good.
There are many restaurants and shops including a few boutiques, and gift shops in St Vlas. Many of the restaurants on the coast side have roof top or terrace areas offering spectacular views, a beautiful place to enjoy a meal or even just to stop for a drink.
Sunny Beach
Djannys
Situated behind the Main Bus Stop in Sunny Beach is Djannys. Go up to the left of the building with the sign for the Go Go Girls. About 150 yards or so up on the left is Djannys. It will be busy the food is very good… and cheap !. Prepare to queue if not early. Otherwise if in Sunny Beach during the day and you want to go back at night then pop in and book a table.
If getting a taxi they will know where Djannys (De Jannies) is.
Forest Hut
Perhaps not as easy to find is the Forest Hut. From the main bus stop cross the road and head down the main walkway towards the beach. After about 400 yards bear right. Very good food, cheap beer, and excellent pizzas.
Tipping
Usually Leave about 10%
Water Parks
If you fancy a swim or the kids need to run off steam, There are various water parks. Most provide free buses to the park but you have to pay when you get there. Not allowed to take food or drink in with you, but the prices for it there aren't bad. We tried the Aqua Paradise Park at Nessebar which was very good. Details should be available on new information board at the Watermill.
Nessebar
Over the bay, due North from Sveti-Vlas is the ancient town of Nessebar (Несебър), previously known as Mesembria.
The old quarter of the town, situated on the Nessebar Peninsula and linked to the mainland by a narrow bridge, is declared an architectural and archaeological reserve. It is filled with a large number of very old ruined churches.
There is much to see and do in old Nessebar with the market stalls, shops and beaches.
A Water Taxi (boat) travels to Nessebar hourly throughout the season from the St Vlas Marina (15 Leva, per person each way). If the sea is calm then this is a great way to get there. You might see some dolphins on the way.
There are some lovely places to eat in Nessebar.
The old Anchor Steakhouse is in the middle of Old Nessebar, By looks alone would be the type of place i'd avoid. But well worth a visit. Best English Breakfast i've found. (proper bacon a rarity in Bulgaria)
Word of Warning: watch out for people offering money exchange, or cheap jewellery: - in Nessebar ...Don’t do it !.
Transport
Buses
The bus Service from St Vlas into Sunny Beach and Nessebar is a very cheap way to get around. The Bus stop is located over the main road from the Watermill complex. Fare is 1 lev from the Watermill into Sunny Beach. Then a separate bus costing another lev to Nessebar. Take small change if you are going to use them.
Word of caution. During the Summer months pickpockets do work on the buses. Often between Sunny Beach and Nessebar. Usually of the darker skinned gypsy fraternity the pick pockets work in teams of 3 or 4 and are well skilled in dipping a pocket, a bag or even cutting the bottom out of a bag. The property is quickly passed to others in their team. If the bus is busy be careful, be aware of who is beside you, hold onto your valuables, try and get a seat.
Likewise make sure you get a ticket from the conductor. A ploy they sometimes use is to take the money from you and not issue a ticket. (They keep the money). If an Inspector comes on the bus and you don't have a ticket you will have to pay again or risk being put off.
Taxis
The fare between Watermill and Sunny Beach should be about 15lev. (Although 20 isn't too bad) However, agree the fare with the driver as there are no meters. If they think you don’t know any better they will tell you the fee is anything up to 35lev. Don’t pay it walk away and generally they will come running after you to accept the 15.
At the taxi rank in Nessebar they sit in a queue waiting for tourists. The first driver was going to charge us 30lev to take us to Sunny Beach, we said no we will give you 15. He turned it down second in queue said he'd take us for 20, again we said no, and at that one of the drivers further down the queue said he'd take us for 15. If they think you are a tourist who doesn't know any better then they will try it on.
Filip is a good driver, speaks good English and doesn’t overcharge. He charges 15lev from Watermill to Sunny Beach. He normally sits at the bus stop behind the Watermill. He will also come and collect you from Sunny Beach and take you back to the Apartment. Tel No. 00359 898 595554. (worth storing in your phone)
NB Although the complex is known in English as the Watermill, most of the locals refer to it as Vodenitsata (pronounced Vodenitsa). Sometimes Taxi drivers will be confused if you tell them it is the "Watermill".
