The Villa Kibela is a place of many dimensions.

Margarita Kaisheva explains with enthusiasm about the villa, registered under the law on tourism in 2005, which is set adjoining Durankulak Lake in the alluring north Black Sea coast hamlet of Krapets, Shabla, about an hour’s easy drive north of Varna.

It is in an area rich in opportunities for eco tourism and alternative tourism, deeply appreciated by visitors for its pristine nature and the fascinating archeological aspects of the region.

“When you visit in summer, you see vast fields of sunflowers, all the way to the horizon.”

Archeological experts, she says, are convinced that the area will become the “top news” in the future.

“It was of the main sites of the Hamandjia, the people linked to the Varna necropolis and the worked gold on view in the Varna museum, a culture that had a strong presence along the Black Sea coast and in Romania.”

As her fascination for the area deepened, Kaisheva says, she realised that the area provided excellent opportunities for hikes by guests exploring the area and its legacy.
During walks with guests, she says, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the wild herbs surrounding them.

“We have an agreement with professionals in Varna who use holistic medicine. On request, they can visit guests for consultations.”

Nearby the villa, there is a natural source of curative mud, and a natural mineral water shower.

“We also plan to produce home-made soap from the herbs.”

As to the cuisine, the Villa Kibela boasts its own supply of organically-grown vegetables. “The soil is so rich that you do not need to use fertiliser.”

From the lake and sea, “fish is on our doorstep” and other meats are easily available. The cuisine traditional to the region uses lots of vegetables, prepared in a variety of ways, “so we have no problem hosting vegetarians,” says Kaisheva.

The villa does not operate as a restaurant, so the dishes are available only to resident guests.

The villa is air-conditioned, and all rooms - each room faces south-east - have their own bathrooms and hairdryers. The villa, designed by renowned architect Dacho Petrov, used entirely natural materials in its construction, and has a large yard and a swimming pool, with a children’s pool, warmed by solar heating. There is also a sauna, and a meeting room for small conferences and for socialising among guests when they feel the need to be indoors.

There is a 12km sandy beach, with a long stretch of shallow water that makes bathing safe, and that is never crowded, she says. Those relaxing on the beach, she adds, have the opportunity to glimpse the three varieties of dolphins that gambol in the area.

For more information: www.villakibela.com