Bourgas Lake, also called Vaia, is one of the three lakes that surround the coastal city of Bourgas as a ring.

The lake is an open coastal firth, situated west of Bourgas. It is the biggest natural lake in Bulgaria. The surface area is 28 sq km and the length and width reach respectively 9.6 and 4.5 km. Vaia is quite shallow and its depth is 1.3 m. Because of that shallowness, the lake is sometimes called a swamp. A channel connects Vaia to the Black Sea. The saltiness of the lake’s water varies from four to 11 percent.

Aitoska, Sunder Dere and Choukarska rivers provide the lake with water. During the summer, sea water enters it. Clay deposits cover its bottom.
Several small swamps are situated north of the lake. Breeding pools were constructed in the northwestern part. The eastern part of the lake neighbors industrial and residential Bourgas areas.

Vaia’s shores feature numerous plants among which reed and rush. Marshlands and agriculture territories surround the water.

One of the biggest bird migration routes, Via Pontica, passes over Vaia. In 2003, the lake was named an area of international importance.

Parts of the lake were named a protected area, aiming to preserve a large number of bird species nesting there.

More than 20 types of fish and 254 types of birds can be observed in the region. Apart from nesting birds, tourists can observe some species that rest there during their migration period. As a result, Vaia was named an ornithological spot of European importance.

In 2001, the channel connecting the lake to the sea was cleaned, allowing sea fish to enter Vaia. This provided suitable fishing conditions. Yet, the fish that is most often caught there is carp.

Over the past few years, students gather in the region during August and work on the creation of pelican nesting platforms. They have also set up shelters for bird watching.

Vaia features other opportunities for nature preservation or pleasant leisure time. Tourists can benefit from boat walks, allowing them to observe and photograph bird species. Observing all the pelicans and herons is truly one unforgettable experience. Opportunities for eco tourism in the region are constantly created.

The proximity to Bourgas provides additional spots for rest, accommodation and entertainment.

Ropotamo preserve is situated 50 km south of the coastal city of Bourgas. It includes the banks of Ropotamo River. Ropotamo is one of the oldest preserves in Bulgaria, named as such in 1940.

In 1962, Ropotamo lost its preserve status. Coastal over construction and the increasingly growing number of tourists made authorities name Ropotamo a protected area once again in 1992.

The preserve houses untypical for the latitude plant species. It is also well-known for the beautiful rock phenomena, dunes and swamps.

Ropotamo’s banks are covered by thick forests. Some important plant species used in the production of medicines can be seen there.

More than 100 Ropotamo plant species have been included in Bulgaria’s red book of endangered plants.

The river mouth features salty water. Some marine fish species live there and sometimes go upstream searching for food.

Nearly 250 bird species inhabit Ropotamo. The number of endangered bird species there is 71.

If you decide to explore fully the preserve, hire a local to organize a boat trip. During the hour-long boat trip you will see many of the natural phenomena and some of the animal species.

The village of Goritsa is situated in the calm area in the footings of the balkan mountain, 15 km away  from the biggest coastal resort in Bulgaria – Sunny Beach, and about 45 km away from the city of Bourgas and the International Airport.

The region is very beautiful, the nature is amazing and, in combination with the fresh air, it makes the place really appropriate for a relaxing vacation.

ABOUT THE TOWN OF YAMBOL

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The town of Yambol has population of 94 345 inhabitants and it is at 135 meters above the sea level. It is situated in the eastern part of the Gornotrakiiska valley. It is at 37 km. north of Elhovo, 106 km. west of Bourgas, 28 km. south – east of Sliven, 304 km. east of Sofia. It is one of the oldest Bulgarian towns.
HISTORY

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The earliest traces of communal life were discovered in the dozens of pre – historic living mounds. The so called Racheva and Marcheva mounds are located on the territory of the present day town. Some of the finds recovered there are kept in the Archeological museum in Sofia, and predominantly in the Museum of History in Yambol. The ancient town sprang up as a Thracian settlement called “Kabile” at an important crossroads. Later it became a significant fortress. During the Roman domination the town reached its prime. On his way trough the town in 293 emperor Diokletian gave it the name of “Disopolos”. It existed till 378 when the Goths destroyed it. The first written information dates back to 6 th century. Since 11 – 14 th centuries it was mentioned as a Bulgarian town having different names – “Diosopolis”, “Dublino”, etc. The town was among the first to put up resistance to the Ottomans. It was conquered in 1373 after a long siege. Part of the imposing fortress walls and towers of medieval, Yambol have been preserved till this very day. During the Turkish rule many Turks settled to live here, and after the Russian – Turkish war of 1829 many Bulgarians from the town and the vicinity emigrated to Russia. The town is a native place of the revolutionaries Radi Kolesov, Zahari Velichkov, etc. The Russian armies liberated the town in January 1878. In memory of this act the people built and inaugurated the St. Alexandar Nevski Temple – the first monument of the Bulgarian – Russian friendship in Bulgaria.
LANDMARKS

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The “St. George” church (45, “St. Georgi” str.) dates back to 1737 and it was the center of cultural and religious life. A monastery school was opened in 1805, and in 1857 a class school where Dobri Chintolov was a teacher in the period between 1857 and 1862.
Eski Mosque from 15 th century is the only preserved Muslim worship place in Yambol. The Museum of History ( 2 “Byalo More” str.) – working hours: 8.00 – 12.00 a.m. and 1.00 – 5.00 p.m.
The “George Papazov” Art Gallery, housed in an interesting antique building it is one of the richest galleries in the country. It possesses more than 3 000 works of dozens of outstanding Bulgarian and foreign painters. The town park of Yambol is very beautiful. It is an island in the Tundja river.
TRANSPORT

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There are bus lines to Sliven, Nova Zagora, Elhovo, Sredets, etc. The bus station is situated near the market place (+359 46/23654, 24417). The town is a point on the railway line Sofia –Plovdiv –Bourgas. The railway station (+359 46/22626, 22254) is in the eastern part of the town. There is a railway bureau for reservations in the town (+359 46/22121).
SURROUNDING AREAS

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The Archaeological reserve “Kabile” is situated north of the town. It preserves the ruins of the most significant antique Thracian town of Kabile which has been investigated for more than 25 years. The remains are really impressive. The St.St.Spas and Alexander Nevski temple on the peak of Bakadjik, 14 km. south – east of Yambol. Its construction was suggested by General Skobelev, and realized with the help of the voluntary donations from Bulgaria and Russia. A favorite place of the inhabitants of Yambol for having a rest is the wood Ormana near the Tundja River, 5 km north to the town. The lowlands of Bakadjitsite are a wonderful sight for tourism because of the deciduous woods.