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Научни трудове на Съюза на учените в България-Пловдив. Серия В. Техника и технологии, естествен ии хуманитарни науки, том XVI., Съюз на учените сесия "Международна конференция на младите учени" 13-15 юни 2013. Scientific research of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria-Plovdiv, series C. Natural Sciences and Humanities, Vol. XVI, ISSN 1311-9192, Union of Scientists, International Conference of Young Scientists, 13 - 15 June 2013, Plovdiv.
ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSPORT SERVICES AND MOBILITY TO TOURISM ATTRACTIONS AND SIGHTS IN THE REGION OF VIDIN,
BULGARIA Elena Petkova Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
АНАЛИЗ НА ТРАНСПОРТНАТА МОБИЛНОСТ ДО ТУРИСТИЧЕСКИ АТРАКЦИИ И ЗАБЕЛЕЖИТЕЛНОСТИ В
ОБЛАСТ ВИДИН Елена Петкова Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски"
Abstract: in this paper analysis of the transport services and mobility within the region of Vidin are analyzed. In this regard the accessibility and the options to move from (to) the town of Vidin to (from) other settlements within the region, where major natural or cultural attractions and sites that are interesting for the tourists are located, are outlined.
Keywords: sightseeings, transport, tourism
In this paper an analysis of the transport mobility within the region of Vidin, Bulgaria is performed. In this regard, the available options to move/ travel from the town of Vidin to other settlements within the region of Vidin located near major natural and cultural attractions are outlined. The choice of Vidin as a starting point is justified by the relatively favorable access of the town compared to the other major towns and villages within the region.
The town of Vidin is a nodal point along the Danube River in the area. It has a river station for servicing passenger ships. The town is also easily accessible from Romania, as well as from within the country by the regular bus services and by train as there are a bus and a railway stations. The railway station of the town of Vidin is the last stop of the railway line Sofia-Vidin (from the capital of Bulgaria - the town of Sofia - to Vidin). Regular fast and passenger trains from Vidin to Sofia are available four times a day. The town of Vidin is also the main transport hub in terms of bus lines that provide connections to larger towns and villages in Bulgaria. Some of the buses on these lines run only once or twice a day, while others are far more regular. For example, buses from Vidin to Sofia are available about eight times a day; such is the number of buses on the same routes in the opposite direction - from Sofia to Vidin. Some buses are direct (they stop only in Sofia/ Vidin), while others stop at other towns/ villages of the country. Buses from Vidin to other major towns in Bulgaria, such as Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Lom, Kozlodui, Slantchev Briag, Sveti Vlas, etc. are available once a day in each direction. There are also regular bus lines to other major towns of the country, such as Vratza, Stara Zagora and Burgas. From the analysis of the regular buses and trains between Vidin and other towns and villages of the country, presented above, it can be concluded that the bus transport is significantly better developed than railway transport, as there are more bus routes covering a larger number of settlements and buses operate in more
frequent time intervals. However, the buses to some destinations are infrequent, which could hinder the tourists to both go to and return from the destinations the same day.
The service rent-a-car (providing opportunities for hiring cars, buses, minibuses, motorcycles, etc.) is offered in the town of Vidin. The service is provided by travel agencies and specialized transport companies in Bulgaria and in the region of Vidin. These companies usually offer options for transportation to/ from and within the region, s well as the service hiring a driver. Transportations are offered on the routes: Vidin-Sofia, Vidin-Vratza, Vidin-Montana, Vidin-Belogradchik, Vidin-Lom, etc. In addition, tourists can travel by their own vehicles to, from and within the town of Vidin. In this regard, it should be considered that the tourist centre - the town of Vidin - is situated about 200 km northwest from the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia, 100 km northwest from the town of Montana, 52 km north from the town of Belogradchik, 56 km northwest from the town of Lom and 30 km southeast from Bregovo. When planning their trips tourists should be aware that within the district (the region) of Vidin, accommodation opportunities are available only in the town of Vidin and in (around) the town of Belogradchik.
Destination Vidin
Tourists who arrive in the town of Vidin, either at the river station by ships, or from Romania, or from inside the country by regular buses or trains, or by private cars, or car rental or shuttle service, can spent some time visiting the sites of the town of Vidin. In this regard very interesting are: the well preserved Baba Vida fortress, the fortress system Kaleto, the remains of fortresses walls and adjoining towers of the ancient town of Bononia, the expositions of the Regional Historical Museum located in the buildings, named "Krastatata Kazarma" and "Konaka" the Art Gallery "Nikola Petrov", the Vida Theatre, the Turkish Mail, the Danubian Garden, as well as the cathedral "St. Dimitar", church "St. Petka", church "St. Pantaleimon", church "St. Nikolay", the Mausoleum of Antim I, the Mosque and Library of Osman Pazvantoglu and the Synagogue.
The accessibility of the sites is favorable, and depending on their current locations, that in turn defines the distance to the attractions, tourists can travel by private cars, taxi, car rental, public transport vehicle, bicycle (although it should be considered that there are no bike lanes and special parking spaces for bicycles, which could give rise to problems of a different nature) or to move on foot as much of the sites are concentrated in the central area and near the Danube Garden.
The tourists can visit the following sites located near the town of Vidin: Albot Monastery near the village of Gradec; Izvor Monastery near the village of Izvor in the municipality of Dimovo; Biosphere Reserve "Chuprene" near the village of Chuprene (where one can also see some churches and get acquainted with the local carpentry craft), the municipality of Chuprene; the Area of Bozhuritsa; Rakovishki Monastery in the village of Rakovitza in the municipality of Makresh; Remains of the ancient Roman town Ratsiaria in the village of Archar in the municipality of Dimovo; Dobridolski Monastery "Sveta Troitsa" in the village of Dobridol in the municipality of Ruzhentsi and the Dortikum fortress near the village of Vrav in the municipality of Vidin. Alternatively, tourists can go to Belogradchik, where they can see the famous site Belogradchik Rocks, as well as the Belogradchik Fortress, located nearby, and the Historical Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Art Gallery and the Observatory in the town of Belogradchik. The Magura Cave located near the village of Rabisha, the caves Kozarnika and Lepenitza near the town of Belogradchik, as well as the caves Suhi Pech and Venetz in the municipality of Dimovo, the Rabisha Lake and the waterfall "Bela Voda" in the village of Stakevtsi, are sites that can be visited by tourists who stay in the town of Belogradchik. The tourists also have the option to visit the town of Kula, where they can explore the ancient fortress Castra Martis and the church "St. St. Peter and Paul" located in the town center. It can be summarized that there are options for traveling to the major sites of the region of Vidin, starting either from the town of Vidin or from the town of Belogradchik. The tourists who want to visit the major sites located in the region of Vidin can spent some nights in the town of Vidin and some other nights in the town of Belogradchik. There are hotel establishments in these two towns. There are a number of interesting sites located in or 438
around the two towns that can be visited. In this regard, tourists can travel by private cars, hired cars or buses, taxis or trains (the options for traveling by train are limited as there are no railway stations located near the majority of the sites), and/ or by regular buses that provide opportunities for travel to towns and villages located in the territory of the region of Vidin. Below, an analysis of the bus lines is presented in order the options to travel to significant natural and cultural sights in the region of Vidin to be highlighted.
Destination Albotin Monastery In order to visit the medieval rock monastery Albotin tourists can travel by the regular, scheduled buses from the town of Vidin to the bus stop of Gradec on the following routes: bus routes from Vidin to Gradec, as buses can be direct (do not stop at other settlements besides Gradec/ Vidin) or indirect - stop at other settlements (the timeline is different depending on the days of the week - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday); bus route from Vidin through Gradec to Boynitsa; bus route Vidin - Kula - Boynitsa - Rabrovo - Vidin, where Gradec is one of the last but not the final stop/ destination (it is performed only from Monday to Thursday); bus route Vidin-Rabrovo-Boynitsa-Kula-Vidin, where Gradec is one of the initial stops (performed only from Monday to Thursday); bus route Vidin-Rabrovo-Gradkovski Kolibi (performed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays); bus route Vidin - Rabrovo; and bus route Vidin -Boynitsa - Borilovetz. The average ride from Vidin to Gradec takes about 20-30 minutes (except for the route Vidin - Kula - Boynitza - Rabrovo - Vidin, as the ride from Vidin to Gradec takes about 3 hours). During weekends there are buses in every 1.5-2 hours, and during the other days of the week there are buses in every 1-1.5 hours (or more often) in both directions Vidin-Gradec and Gradec-Vidin. The relatively short distance between Vidin and Gradec (about 13.6 km) makes it possible for tourists to visit the Monastery and return in Vidin the same day.
Destination Izvor Monastery Regular buses from the town of Vidin on the following route can be used by tourists who want to visit the Izvor Monastery located near the village of Izvor (2 km away): bus route Vidin -Dimovo - Kladorub - Dimovo - Shipot - Lagoshevtsi - Dimovo - Vidin, as the village of Izvor is one of the last stops (it is performed only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). The ride from Vidin to Izvor takes about from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are buses only once or twice a day (in the morning and/ or in the afternoon), as there are no regular buses on Mondays and Wednesdays. There are buses from Dimovo to Vidin once or twice a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in both directions. Tourists can go by bus to the village of Izvor in the morning, to see the Monastery and to return to Vidin the same afternoon only on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tourists should plan trips in advance.
Destination Bozhuritsa Area Tourists who wish to visit the area Bozhuritsa can travel by regular buses from the town of Vidin to the village of Sinagovtsi on the following routes: bus route Gramada-Vodna-Vidin (it is not performed on Saturday, Sundays and during holidays); bus route Gramada-Toshevtsi-Vodna-Vidin; and bus route Vidin-Sinagovtsi-Bozhuritsa Park. Some of the buses run only on certain days. The distance from Vidin to Sinagovtsi is about 15 km and the ride by bus takes about 30 minutes or about 40, or 50 minutes up to 1 hour. There are buses from Vidin to Sinagovtsi in every 1 hour on average, hence tourists can go to Bozhuritsa and return to Vidin the same day.
Destination Rakovishki Monastery Rakovishki Monastery is located 4 km away from the village of Rakovitza. Therefore, it can be reached by using the regular bus service from the town of Vidin to the bus stop of the village of Rakovitza, then continuing walking on foot. In this regard the regular buses from Vidin through the village of Rakovitza are traveling along the following routes: bus route Vidin-Kula-Rakovitza-Bukovets-Vidin (it is performed every day except for Sundays); bus route Vidin-Kula-Kireevo-Makresh-Vidin; bus route Vidin-Makresh-Rakovitsa-Kireevo; and bus route Vidin-Kula-Rakovitza. The distance from Vidin to Rakovitza is about 65 km and the ride takes
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about 1 hour and a half. Buses on the scheduled routes are available in the morning and in the afternoon. Tourists can go to the monastery in the morning and return in afternoon the same day.
Destination Castra Martis Fortress, town of Kula In order to explore the Castra Martis Fortress in the town of Kula, the tourists can use the scheduled buses from the town of Vidin, traveling on the following routes: bus route Vidin-Tsar Petrovo-Kula (it is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays); bus route Vidin-Kula (running every day); bus route Kula-Vidin-Kula-Golemanovo-Vidin; bus route Vidin-Kula-Staropatitsa-Kula-Vidin; bus route Vidin-Kula-Rakovitza-Bukovets-Vidin (performed every day except for Sundays); bus route Vidin-Kula-Kireevo-Makresh-Vidin; bus route Vidin-Kula-Boynitsa-Robrovo-Vidin; bus route Vidin-Robrovo-Boynitza-Kula-Vidin; bus route Vidin-Kula-Rakovitza; and bus route Staropatitsa-Kula-Vidin. The distance from Vidin to Kula is about 33, or 50, or even more kilometers, depending on the route. Accordingly, the travel can take about 30 minutes, 1 hour or even 2 hours, and it most often takes about 45 minutes or an hour. There are scheduled buses in both directions in the morning, noon and afternoon, as there are buses from Kula and Vidin in the afternoon in every hour; hence a one-day trip to Kula is possible.
Destination the Belogradchik Rocks and the Belogradchik Fortress Tourists who wish can go from the town of Vidin to the town of Belogradchik. There they can explore the famous sight Belogradchik Rocks, as well as the Belogradchik Fortress located nearby. A longer stay at the town of Belogradchik is recommended as there are accommodation facilities available in and around the town. Thus, it is possible some other sights, located relatively close to Belogradchik, to be explored, e.g. Biosphere Reserve Chuprene, some churches in the municipality of Chuprene, Magurata cave, etc. In order to see the Belogradchik Rocks and the Belogradchik fortress the tourists who had previously visited Vidin, can travel by the scheduled buses from Vidin to Belogradchik on the following routes: bus route Vidin-Belogradchik (performed on weekdays, from Monday to Friday); bus route Belogradchik-Vidin-Rayanovtsi-Belogradchik (performed on Fridays); bus route Belogradchik-Rayanovtsi-Vidin-Belogradchik (performed on Thursdays and Sundays). The distance between Belogradchik and Vidin is about 52 km long and the ride can take about 1 or 2 hours depending on the route. Tourists who wish to visit the Belogradchik Rocks can travel from Vidin to Belogradchik by bus, but because they cannot return the same day by the scheduled buses, they should stay there for the night. Unfavorable circumstance is that there are afternoon buses from Belogradchik to Vidin only on Fridays, in the early hours. Additionally, there are few buses between the two main tourist centers - Vidin and Belogradchik; on Sunday there is only one bus and there is no bus at all on Saturdays. This is probably due to the low demand of the bus services in the region. It is recommended, however, the stay of the tourists in Belogradchik to be longer, as there are favorable conditions, such as accommodation facilities and interesting cultural and natural sites.
Destination Magurata Cave The tourists who want to visit the famous cave Magurata can travel by the scheduled buses from the town of Belogradchik to the nearest to the cave village Rabisha or alternatively by a bus from Belogradchik to the cave itself. There is also a bus line from Belogradchik to the village of Rabisha that passes through the town of Vidin. The scheduled buses traveling from Belogradchik through the village of Rabisha or the Magurata Cave use the following routes: bus route Belogradchik-Rayanovtsi-Dimovo (run on Sundays); bus route Belogradchik-Rabisha-Rayanovtsi-Belogradchik (run from Monday to Friday); bus route Belogradchik-Rabisha-Dimovo-Rabisha (run from Monday to Friday); bus route Belogradchik-Vidin-Rayanovtsi-Belogradchik (run on Fridays); bus route Belogradchik-Rayanovtsi-Vidin-Belogradchik (run on Sundays); bus route Belogradchik-Rayanovtsi-Vidin (performed on Thursdays); and bus route Rabisha-Dimovo-Rabisha-Belogradchik (performed from Monday to Friday). The ride from Belogradchik to Magurata Cave and alternatively to the village of Rabisha takes approximately 1 hour. During the week there are two scheduled buses from Vidin to Rabisha and two - from Rabisha to Vidin. From 440
Belogradchik to Magurata Cave or Rabisha there are scheduled buses during weekday mornings and on Sundays, and from Rabisha to Belogradchik there are afternoon buses only on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The options for travel to the Magurata by scheduled buses are limited.
Destination Chuprene
Chuprene as a tourist destination is famous for its caves and the Biosphere Reserve Chuprene. There are some churches in the villages. There are scheduled buses from Belogradchik to the bus station of Chuprene. In order to visit Chuprene the tourists can travel by scheduled buses on the following routes: bus route Belogradchik-Chuprene-Belogradchik (run from Monday to Friday); bus route Belogradchik-Chuprene-Gorni Lom (run from Monday to Friday); bus route Belogradchik-Chuprene-Ruzhintsi-Oreshets (run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday); bus route Belogradchik-Gorni Lom-Borovitsa-Belogradchik (run from Monday to Friday). The ride from Belogradchik to Chuprene takes about 30 minutes by bus. There are scheduled buses in both directions from Monday to Friday, though relatively few in number, in the morning and in the afternoon. Over the weekend, the options for visiting Chuprene by scheduled buses are limited -there are no buses on Saturdays and there is only one bus on Sunday in either direction.
It can be concluded that the transport mobility to the sites in the region of Vidin by scheduled buses is relatively unfavorable. It is not always possible for tourists to go to the sights and return the same day. Accommodation facilities near the sights are hardly available. The options to visit the sites traveling by private car, taxi or car rental are more favorable - there is a road network within the region, though the pavement on some roads is not good enough.
References:
Възможности за туризъм в област Видин. Оперативна програма „Регионално развитие" 2007-2013. BG161PO 001/4.2-01/2008/014 - «Видин развитие на туризма с прилагане на италианския опит» (Tourism Opportunities for the Region of Vidin. Operational Program "Regional Development" 2007-2013. BG161PO 001/4.2-01/2008/014 - "Vidin, Tourism Development with the Application of Italian Experience)
Посетете Видин. Оперативна програма „Регионално развитие" 2007-2013. BG161PO 001/4.2-01/2008/014 - «Видин развитие на туризма с прилагане на италианския опит» (Visit Vidin. Operational Program "Regional Development" 2007-2013. BG161PO 001/4.2-01/2008/014 - "Vidin, Tourism Development with the Application of Italian Experience) www.avtogari.info www.bdz.bg www.bgrazpisanie.com www.e-vidin.com; www.nasamnatam.com
Информация, предоставена от област Видин, автогара Видин и автогара Белоградчик (Information provided by the region of Vidin authorities, Vidin and Belogradchik bus stations)
