What to do in Varna, Constanta,Odesa

[Catathome]

Hi Everyone,

 

Has anyone visited these ports of call? Have you been on any of the ships tours in that area? I would love any suggestions or comments. I am leaving this week. Help?

 

When I get back, I will give a review of the ship tours I am taking, to help others plan. I think a section in this site would be helpful for each city.

 

Cat

[bobpatj]

We'll be visiting these ports in the fall, and will look forward to your review.

[Thrifty]

We tried just going ashore without either a cruise line or a private tour and were disappointed two times out of the three. Odessa was the exception. There is an impressive flight of stairs and a nice promenade along the sea. A few blocks inland, there are shady cafes. We would have gladly traded both Varna and Constanta for Nessebuhr (spelling?), but we didn't have that option.

[sfocruiser]

We hit all three last summer. Did tours in Varna and Odessa, enjoyed both. As the other poster mentioned Odessa is also a nice walk unescorted. Nice Sea shore, great to people watch. Constanta we did on our own and regretted it, our table mates took the (LONG) trip to Bucharest and though much of it was on a bus they raved about the journey. Varna was a wine tasting and Archeological museum and Odessa was a palace and Wine tasting. Both were great. One thing we faced in All three (and Sochi) was that rarely were Euros or dollars accepted. We had to get some local currency from the ATM

[luvcruisn']

In Odessa I walked around on my own in the morning, found a wonderful flower market, and then returned to the ship for a shore excursion. The excursion went to a local theatre where two ballets were performed for us in the afternoon. Doing this shore excursion was the only way to see the ballet, as ordinarily it is performed in the evening. This of course wouldn't interest everyone, but it was nice to see what their theatre looked like, and the performance was very good. In Varna, there was a small Catholic church to see, and the clerics sang for people there. Across the street from the church there was an open market with local crafts and other goods that could be purchased in US dollars. There was a very affordable internet cafe that I found, but the washroom attached was filthy. I ended up walking several blocks to find a better washroom and ran across some very inexpensive shops selling clothes and shoes. There were also some good quality jewellry stores. In Constanta I went to a folk museum and looked at costumes from the different areas. I also walked around and found a local theatre that put on plays, and was let into the lobby to see a little bit of the theatre. Many people from the ship went to see a historical museum in the town. Hope this helps.

[ldog]

We were in these ports in the fall of 2006. They were very new to cruisers then so a lot might have changed.

 

We walked Odessa on our own. It was nice but I'd take a tour next time. The steps are interesting if you remember "Battleship Potemkin". Lots of hawkers selling fake caviar and postcards and interesting photo ops (for a fee).

 

In Constanta we went to the ruins at Histria - the museum there was wonderful! Small, but well laid out. The ship's tour also took us to the folk museum in town. We didn't spend time on our own in town - wish we had.

 

In Varna we walked on our own again. The museum has some amazing old gold. We had to get local currency to pay admissions. The bank closest to the museum was a hassle but one at the main square was very helpful. There is a nice tourist office in the downtown that was friendly and helpful. Wish we'd found it sooner.

 

It was a fabulous itinerary. We'd like to go back.

[Cruising-along]

We were in these ports in May of 2006.

 

In Varna we took a ship's tour that included the archeological museum, the petrified forest, and a great outdoor lunch that included wine and entertainment by a local folk dance group. The yogurt was to die for :D

 

In Constanta we took the shuttle into town and walked around. There were some Roman ruins in the middle of town, and we went to a museum.

 

In Odessa we did the same, took the shuttle into town where we were dropped off with little maps of the city. Trouble was, our maps were in English, and all the street signs were in Russian :cool: It just added to the challenge LOL. We heard a local giving directions for the shops, so we headed that way. After walking through the shopping area, a little further on we found a delightful flea market in a tree-lined area. We also did the steps and promenade, must-sees.

[Copper10-8]

We were in two of those three ports (Varna & Odessa) last year. Varna is still pretty new to cruise ship passengers and it shows. We took a shorex that went to the Madara Rider or Horseman, a relief portraying a life size horseman, followed by a dog carved on a cliff which dates back to the early middle ages. It's an impressive sight in a nice area but, unfortunately during our visit, it was obscured by scaffolding.

 

 

Odessa is a nice city. You can climb the 192 Potemkin steps right across from where the ship has her berth. On top of the steps is the statue of duke Emmanuel Richelieu, a relative to the famous Cardinal Richelieu in France. Once you reach the top, turn left and walk the tree-lined Primorsky Boulevard.

 

 

 

 

The Odessa Duma (City Council) at the end of Primorsky Blvd used to be a Stock Exchange Office. The canon in front belonged to the English frigate "Tiger" and is war trophy from the Crimean War.

 

 

 

 

Shevchenko park, not far from the city center and located adjacent to the Odessa Port Terminal. is the location of the tomb of the unknown sailor. The memorial has sea cadets guarding it most days they have classes. They change the guards hourly.

 

[Catathome]

Thank you my cruise critic friends!!

 

That is some great advise. I did look to see how far Bucherest is from Constanta, under 2 hours if they have freeways, but our ship isn't spending much time at the port. I would be nervous about getting back on time.:( I would of loved that.

 

I am going to revisit looking at some of the ship tours and maybe do both, on my own with a short tour.

 

Cat

[british betty]

We were there in October 2007 and unlike Copper 10-8 the weather was very grey, bleak and cold so our pictures aren't so inviting!. If you think that the steps will be too much , there is a small train ( perhaps its called funicular) that is just by the side of the steps. We didn't go on it because we didnt have any of the local currency, but we found out later that it was free of charge!... but the walk up the steps helps you walk off some of that cruise food!! Odessa is very interesting even if its just to see some of the old cars that they still drive around in.

[bobpatj]

Many thanks to all of you for your replies and pictures! Wow! Can't wait. :D