Cruising Bulgaria and Romania

Cruising Bulgaria and Romania aims to encourage many more yachtsmen to discover the pleasures of cruising the Lower Danube and the western Black Sea, to visit the ports and harbours (both antique and modern) and the miles of unspoilt beaches in these fascinating areas. For the visiting yachtsman, the cruising areas of Bulgaria and Romania - the River Danube, parts of the Black Sea coast, and (in Romania) the Danube Delta, a special area in its own right - offer a fascinating diversity. Despite being close geographical neighbours, Bulgaria and Romania are culturally very different. Bulgaria shares the Orthodox religion and Slavic cultural roots of Russia and Serbia, whereas Romania is a country with Latin cultural traditions similar to other western Mediterranean countries. Srebarna Lake, the North Romanian Black Sea coast, Kamchia and Strandja and the Danube Delta are internationally important as nature reserves and as homes to some rare and endangered species. The River Danube is one of Europe's most ancient thoroughfares but between Vienna and Bratislava the number of vessels on the river drops dramatically and the area is still relatively unknown to foreign boats. With Bulgaria and Romania's entry into the EU it is hoped that visiting the waterways of the Danube will be easier than ever before. Nicky Allardice has an unrivalled knowledge of the area and how it has developed since 1989 when these countries returned to the mainstream of Europe. The guide contains all the important navigational information details of harbours which are all fully illustrated. It also has lots of information on what to do, where to go and tips about visiting those countries. Contents Preface Acknowledgements I. INTRODUCTION General Preparation Essential equipment Navigational information Using this guide Bulgaria Romania II. THE BLACK SEA Sea and weather Turkey, Thrace Bosphorus to the Bulgarian border Bulgaria Turkish border to Burgas Bay Burgas Bay Nos Eminie to the Romanian border Romania The Black Sea coast River Danube-Black See Canal Sulina Canal entry III. THE RIVER DANUBE General Navigation Navigational dangers History The Danube Delta River Danube navigation Bulgaria Romania Appendix Index