Bulgaria – Bourgas

“The new kid on the European block, Bulgaria knows a thing or two about sunshine and beaches.”

Okay, so hear the words ‘beach break’ and we can almost guarantee Bulgaria won’t be the first place that springs to mind. It won’t be the country that elbows all the others out of the way to snatch centre-stage in your mind’s eye. But if you fancy a sunshine break from the norm, then check out this seductive stretch of coast that’s wheedling its way onto wish lists everywhere. We’re talking sun-bleached sands that snake into the distance. Crystal waters so warm you feel like you’re getting into a hot bath every time you take a dip. A great menu of restaurants and more bars than you can shake a fresh fruit cocktail at. It’s not hard to see why this sun-drenched slice of the world is rocketing in the popularity stakes. But where to go? Bourgas is the largest hub on the southern coastline. It turns the cosmopolitan cheek on your typical seaside resort. Not only has it got a fantastic beach, but there are galleries, museums and cathedrals. And the shopping’s pretty good, too. Just an hour away from Bourgas is Sunny Beach, one of Bulgaria’s top beach resorts. It’s all silvery sands and neon nightlife. Away from the coast, the scenery steps up a gear - glass-like lakes, craggy mountains and traditional villages. And on the history front Bulgaria delivers with towns like Sveli Vlas and Nessebar. This season it’s all about a new kind of black – Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

Weather

This part of the world’s got weather well and truly on its side. In the height of summer, temperatures hover around the 27 to 30°C mark. And even in May and September daytime mercury levels flit between 20 to 25°C. Refreshing sea breezes see to it you don’t swelter so you can sit back, relax and get that tan underway in comfort.

Beaches

Your swimming gear, a bumper bottle of sun cream and a stack of best-selling reads. You supply that and Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast will provide the rest. Sands as soft as silk. Balmy waters seducing you in for a swim. Beach bars churning out cool-down cocktails. Bulgaria’s shores are spot on if you’re looking to spend most of your holiday horizontal. In fact, its clutch of gently sloping beaches are more akin with the Caribbean than Eastern Europe. Ozbor Beach, Nessebar and Sveli Vlas are all blessed with blonde sands and crystal waters. The perfect ingredients for sun-drenched days of sandcastle building, sunbathing and swimming. But for the best beach breaks in the Bourgas area, Sunny Beach is where it’s at. You’ve got golden sands, calm sea and more watersports than you can shake a snorkel at.

Food & Drink

When it comes to food, it’s fair to say Bulgaria’s yet to make a name for itself in the world’s culinary kingdom. It’s not a name that trips off the tongues of the world’s foodies like, say, France or Italy. But that’s not to say you won’t find plenty to send your tastebuds into overdrive. Bourgas and Sunny Beach both have a good selection of restaurants, ranging from cosy, folk-style affairs serving local dishes to Western-style fast-food joints that are ideal if you’re just looking to grab a quick bite in between sunbathing. One thing’s for sure, they like their stews here, rich concoctions baked in earthenware pots. Keep an eye out for ‘gyuvech’, a tasty stew stuffed with meat, peppers, aubergines and beans. ‘Kavarma’ is another one to try, a spicy meat stew that’s a bit like Hungarian goulash. Fancy something a bit simpler? Then go for easy-to-find grilled meat served with good-old fashioned potatoes and vegetables and a basket of oven-fresh bread. It’s real no-nonsense fare in Bulgaria. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, nibble on syrupy ‘baklava’ or get your mouth round some of that delicious, sugar-dusted Turkish Delight. Just don’t forget to save room for the local wine. Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet – the list’s impressive so get sampling…

• Hanska Shatra, Sunny Beach Built to look like the tents of the Bulgarian Khan with a mosaic decorated interior, this restaurant is the place to go for live entertainment.
• Caribby, Sunny Beach Tasty, traditional dishes are the order of the day at this Bulgarian favourite.
• Mamacita’s, Sunny Beach Margaritas, Mariachi and plenty of Mexican spice are always on the menu at the only authentic Latino restaurant in town.
• Djanny’s, Sunny Beach Skewered meats, shopska salad and freshly baked bread are what Djanny’s is all about – don’t be surprised if you have to queue to get in.
• Raphaello, Sunny Beach Get a taste of traditional Italian at this pizza and pasta house.

Shopping

The outdoor markets are the perfect place to begin your shopping. From fruits, nuts and spices to religious icons, rose oil and Turkish delight, you can buy all manner of souvenirs and keep sakes. And remember, they’ll expect you to haggle so get ready to bargain them down. Souvenir shops, tiny boutiques and village stores jostle for space beside more modern, western-style shops. But, the place to go if you want to shop till you drop is Troika Mall in Bourgas. Not only will you find the likes of Wrangler, Nike and Puma here but there are also restaurants, beauty salons and jewellery stores spread over several floors.

Nightlife

Make no mistake about it, the cat’s creeping out of the bag as far as Bulgaria’s concerned. And the further out it comes, the more bars and discos pop up to give it somewhere to party. Unsurprisingly, the beach resorts are where it’s at in terms of nightlife. Sunny Beach and Bourgas certainly know how to have a good time, with a great selection of bars, restaurants and discos to keep the holiday vibe lively. As night falls, the coastline lights up like a line of neon fireflies. Big club beats spill into the night, disco glitter balls light up the sky and, if you listen carefully, you can hear the distant clatter of the roulette wheel. And if you fancy something out of the ordinary, you’re bound to stumble across some Russian dancing while you’re here. Away from the bigger towns and beach resorts, nightlife centres on small handfuls of bars and restaurants that pepper the seafronts. Low-key or lively, your holiday is what you make it.

• Beach Bar, Mania Chill-out to the sounds of Deep House at this trendy bar.
• Amigos Fire shows, cocktails and plenty of cheesy pop music – that’s entertainment.
• Iceberg A disco with a difference – it’s live music all the way with bands covering the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Oasis and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
• Lazur With 2 floors and 8 bars and an outdoor terrace, this is the biggest club in Sunny Beach.
• Disco Orange 80’s tunes, retro rhythms, RnB, commercial dance and chart – you’re spoilt for music choice at this party place.

Date for your Diary

This place is known as ‘the city of festivals’. During the summer months there are festivals devoted to folklore, pop, blues and rock music festival.

Top 10 Sightseeing

The Sea Garden
The Bourgas Sea Garden is a great place to take time out. Running parallel to the sea, it’s a narrow green park filled with fountains, sculptures and cafes. Pretty as a picture, it’s the perfect setting for a picnic. And what’s more there’s an open-air theatre sheltering among the trees. Home to the International Folklore Festival and the Golden Orpheus Pop festival, it’s a party-fest in the summer.

Sozopol
Journey south of Bourgas and you’ll discover the fishing village of Sozopol – among the jewels in Bulgaria’s crown, this one is a real gem. A popular haunt with artists and writers, the town’s small harbour is a charming place to while away your time. Watch fishing boats bobbing on tranquil waters. Wander to the old town beach. And unleash your inner culture vulture at the archaeological museum.

Pomorie
The Black Sea is well known for it’s healing powers but the lakes and springs can sometimes be overlooked. Not the case in Pomorie. If wallowing in mud baths is your idea of heaven, head for this seaside town. The mud here is famous for its therapeutic properties. Slap on the mud and you’ll have beautifully soft skin before you can say ‘where’s the nearest spa?’ St Cyril and St Methodius Cathedral It’s not the work of Michelangelo but the frescoes in St Cyril and St Methodius Cathedral are gorgeous enough to take your breath away. Make time in your sightseeing schedule to admire this Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Blue Mountains
See Bulgaria in all its rural glory with a trip to Silven and the Balkan mountain range. There’s many a trail snaking through this beauty spot. But why walk when you can take a chair lift? Soaring above the Karandila Nature Reserve in the Blue Mountains, you’ll get a great bird’s eye view.

Rila Monastery
Nestled into the Rila Mountains, this UNESCO-protected monastery is a must-see sight for history buffs. Originally founded in the 10th century, it was burnt to the ground 1000 years later and completely rebuilt. It’s the biggest, most famous monastery in Bulgaria - and with 300 chambers, 6 chapels and 250 manuscripts to its name, you can see why it deserves this accolade. Then there’s the myriad of gold icons, wood carvings and frescoes.

Valley of Roses
No trip to Bulgaria would be complete without buying a bottle of the famous rose oil to take home. And what better way to do it than visiting Rose Valley where 70% of the world’s supply is produced? It’s especially awe-inspiring in May when the rose fields – that stretch right through the valley – come into bloom.

Sofia
With everything from art galleries and markets to parks and museums, there’s more than one reason to call in on Bulgaria’s capital city. It’s even got its own Yellow Brick Road. Nearly a whole mile of road was paved with yellow bricks from Venice in 1917 and most of Sofia’s landmarks are on or near this avenue. And that’s before you get started on the bars, restaurants and clubs – there’s over 300 of them. Never mind a day trip, Sofia’s worth an overnighter.

Etara Open-air Museum
Leave the modern world behind and pay a visit to Bulgaria’s past. The first of its kind in Bulgaria, this open-air museum is an authentic reproduction village. Watch master craftsmen fashion beautiful gold, leather and wooden goods right before your eyes. Taste the freshly baked bread at the old bakery. And sip Turkish coffee that’s been brewed in a copper pot at the tiny coffee shop.

Cape Kaliakra
Legend has it that rather than be captured by the Ottomans, 40 Bulgarian girls tied their hair together and jumped off the cape. Whether this is fact or fiction remains to be seen but the site, marked by an obelisk, has been known as ‘The Gate of the 40 Maidens’ ever since. Don’t worry though you’re far more likely to see dolphins and cormorants in the water than the maidens’ ghostly forms.