Potential for alternative tourism 

In the municipality of Shabla there is potential for the development of alternative forms of tourism.

Cognitive tourism is practiced. The major sites of the tourist offer in connection with it are the Lighthouse at Shabla Cape and the so-called Necropolis located on the Big Island of Durankulak Lake. The potential for development of rural tourism in the villages of Durankulak, Ezerets, Krapets and Tyulenovo is still not used.

The village of Durankulak is located 18 km north of the town of Shabla and is known for some of the longest beaches north of Shabla. The area of Durankulak offers a unique combination of cultural, historical and environmental resources, which in combination with the hospitality of local people make it a potential destination for cultural, ecological and rural tourism. Durankulak Lake, which is located here, attracts lovers of ecological and ornithological tourism as one of the most important wetlands in Europe. It is also included in the Ramsar List and is recognized as a globally significant ornithological place. It is a place preferred by many rare and endangered bird species for nesting, wintering and resting during migration along ViaPontica. Durankulak Lake conserves over 260 plant and animal species such as: reed, bulrush, water lily or red-breasted goose, maute swan and others.

The natural attractions of Shabla municipality can be seen by eco lovers and tourists along the way of the four eco trails made near Durankulak Lake, Shabla Lake, Tuzla and the village of Tyulenovo.

Near Durankulak Lake the eco trail and places for recreation are located on the west coast. A shelter is built to watch birds. The lake city built thousands of years ago on the Big Island in the lake is among the unforgettable experiences that can lead tourists to the magical world of legends. Unfortunately, the lack of signs hampers movement of tourists to the island. Practically, the lake city can be reached by a dirt road, which is not accessible, when the water level rises.

Another natural attraction nearby is the Eagle Marsh.

Detailed information about stay, accommodation, food and various activities in the region of Durankulak can be found in the Conservation, Information and Visitor Center of the town[1]. It offers a variety of services related to the practice of alternative forms of tourism such as: bird and nature trips and tours of Durankulak Lake, the northern Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria and Romanian Dobrogea (including the Danube delta) and visits to the Big Island of Durankulak Lake. The Center performs also educational functions, conducts programs and courses for training of specialized bird guides and organizes lectures on nature conservation and biodiversity of Coastal Dobrudzha, archeology, ornithology and botany, environmental and archeological exhibitions. The Center offers accommodation, since it has beds and a conference hall, as well as terrace to watch the lake and the sea, piano bar, café and parking lot. It has internet connection and provides binoculars and telescope for observation. Through it off-road cars and bicycles can be rented and various information on tourist needs can be received in Bulgarian language, but also in several foreign languages – Russian, English and French.

Address: 9670 village of Durankulak, Shabla municipality, Dobrich district

Telephone /Fax: 05743 9293

GSM: 0887 308753, 0888 476601

E-mail: lebalkan@lebalkan.org

The village of Krapets is another small fishing village in the municipality which can become an attractive place for lovers of nature. The sand dunes, clean and calm sea, birds that nest and winter around it and traditions in fisheries are becoming preconditions for the development of ecological, rural, ornithological and fishing tourism. There are many Thracian mounds in the area. Local people and in particular fishermen give a specific color to the village, which makes it the ideal place to escape from the noise and crowds of the big resorts. However, it should be noted that there is no beach in Krapets. There is a beach one or two kilometer on either side of the village, which in the north reaches Durankulak Lake and in the south is near the town of Shabla, passing along Shabla and Ezerets Lakes.

Ornithological tourism is inevitably associated with Shabla Lake. It is also a wetland of international importance, included in the Ramsar Convention. It is accepted as the most preserved wetland along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast from human activity. Being a firth by origin, the lake is freshwater and its great wealth are 32 algal species and 79 higher plant species, as well as 57 bird species, 10 of which are rare. It is particularly impressive in autumn and winter. In autumn the lake is colored in golden halo of dried reeds and in winter visitors are astounded by the population of Red-breast Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose. There is also fish and lake crabs in Shabla Lake. In immediate proximity in the north is located Ezerets Lake. They are separated only by a narrow sandy hair, through which an artificial channel is dug. In the region of Shabla Lake there is also specialized tourist infrastructure – and eco trail and a shelter to watch birds.

Since 2013 legitimate recreational fishing areas have been established on the territory of Shabla and Durankulak Lakes[2]. Fishing in the lakes was prohibited for many years (Order No: RD 09-513 / 18.06.2010 of the Minister of Agriculture and Foods). The current arrangement provides annually to prohibit fishing in particular fish-farm sites agreed with the Ministry of Environment and Waters, according to the Law on Fisheries and Aquacultures. Recreational fishermen can obtain information about the current fishing arrangement on the website of the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture /IARA/ - www.iara.government.bg.

The region of Shabla is particularly suitable for the development and practice of extreme tourism. The rock formations along the coast and in the water area of the municipality are impressive in their uniqueness and offer excellent opportunities for diving, underwater fishing, rock climbing and other extreme activities. As a destination, a special place to practice them is the village of Tyulenovo. It is known for its memorable beach and caves, fresh air and sea water, and beautiful scenery. The village has received this name since 1942, when there were seals here. Today it offers a unique combination of rest, fishing and underwater tourism. In the village of Tyulenovo there is also a specialized diving training center (Driving Center Poseidon, http://bulgaria-diving.com). It can be found on the beach and in immediate proximity are two of the local attractions – the Seal Cave and the Rock Bridge. According to its instructors, the sea near Tyulenovo hides many underwater secrets for shipwrecked vessels. Training courses for underwater dives near Tyulenovo are also organized by instructors from Varna, because of the unique and impressive landscapes.

There are conditions for balneotourism in the area of Shablenska Tuzla. The lake is completely separated from the sea by a sandy hair and is salt. It has over 230 000 tons of healing mud, which is unique in composition and healing properties.

The municipality of Shabla offers also excellent conditions for bicycle tourism. Interesting offers can be found at the specialized website http://www.bikemap.net, such as for example the route following the curves of the rocky coast from Shabla to Tyulenovo, Kamen Bryag, Sveti Nikola and ending in Balgarevo.

In Shabla and the region many periodic and episodic events are organized. Typical holidays are the City Holiday and the Sea Week. The Sea Week takes place in the first week of August. The City Holiday is celebrated on 2^nd of June, when the Shabla Fair is held during which locally produced goods are exhibited and various entertainment is provided for children. The Days of the Sea are celebrated in July and August.

In September, south of the Lighthouse at Shabla Cape, in the Little Sea Area, the Festival of Kites is held[3]. Curious is the fact that the festival is dedicated to the Red-breasted Goose, which is a globally endangered bird species[4].

The program of the festival days is extremely diverse and includes not only parade of kites, but also demonstrations of helicopter operation, kite workshops on site, games and competitions for children and parents. It offers horseback riding, kayaking, bird trips, photo exhibition, library under the open sky, tent of fairy tales, presentations, film projections and other entertainment[5]. The festival has its own Facebook profile, where you can find the latest information of the event, after it is shared: https://www.facebook.com/events/1550550178510298.

Other events are the Popular and Old Town Songs Festival Give me the Sea (in June) and the Festival of Fertility (in September). The Popular and Old Town Songs Festival aims to preserve the traditions of the old song and to popularize it among the younger generation. It is organized jointly by the municipalities of General Toshevo and Shabla and Svetlina community cultural centers in the village of General Toshevo, Zora in the town of Shabla and Otets Paisiy in the village of Spasovo, and is held in the village of Krapets. The Day or Festival of Fertility is held in September in the City Park of Shabla. During the event guests of the town have the opportunity to enjoy delicious home-grown fruits and vegetables and homemade pies, breads, local specialties and pastries.

In the villages of the region periodical reenactments of traditional folk holidays are organized such as for example Palm Sunday and Lazarus Saturday, which are celebrated seven or eight days before Easter. All cultural events are introduced in the Cultural Calendar of Shabla municipality by date of holding.

For reference those who wish to visit the enumerated initiatives and events can open the municipal website where information is available - http://www.shabla.info/index.php?do=70.

In the town of Shabla there is a Green Educational Center built under project funded by the European Union. It is situated in the city centre and is open for visits. Activities and trainings are periodically conducted in it, which aim to familiarize the local population and guests with the traditions, beauties and wealth of cultural and natural heritage of the area. In addition, visitors can observe during their visit on 4 cameras what is happening around the lakes in the area. The center offers also guides and animators and rents bicycles, binoculars, camping equipment and many other services. Guides and animators are mainly local young people who can guide tourists along the eco trails in the area. For this purpose information can be found on the phones and e-mail of the center:

Green Educational Center, town of Shabla

Tel. 05743/42-00 GSM: 0882/299-036

www.shabla-greencenter.info

When visiting the area, you should taste the culinary delicacy Shabla fish soup. The fish soup is made of several fish species to which Salamurica sauce is added – a mixture of lovage, vinegar and garlic; if you desire, it can be cooked with onion, carrots and chili pepper. It can either be settled or not. In the village of Durankulak the fish soup is cooked by another local old recipe with real caviar. In the village of Ezerets duck hearts grilled on a green leaf of lattice can be tasted. Other traditional meals are stuffed peppers and homemade pie.

[1] According to information of the Ministry of Tourism available at: http://www.tourism.government.bg/bg/kategorii/turisticheski-informacionni-centrove/durankulak.

[2]According to information at: http://shabla.be as at October 2014.

[3]http://www.turistbg.com/bulgaria/na-more/kurorti-more/183-shabla.

[4]http://luboslovie.bg.

[5]Ibidem.