Destination Tip Part Two: Bulgarian Riviera – South

Following on from our article last week featuring the most popular Bulgarian summer holiday resorts of the north, our two part blog special continues with the stunning beach resorts of the south. We start part two with the most popular and well known resort of Sunny Beach...

1. SUNNY BEACH

The biggest resort in Bulgaria with the longest and widest beach strip, lined with hotels spread across the beach amongst the dunes, the resort of Sunny Beach lives up to it's name as the sunniest resort for the sunniest people! This popular beach resort was awarded the prestigious EU Blue Flag for proven ecological advantages. Sunny Beach has a unrivaled mix of restaurants, taverns with folklore shows, bars with floor shows, night clubs, casinos, discos and cafés, providing culinary pleasures and a brilliant holiday atmosphere.

2. ST VLAS

The coastal road leading north from Sunny Beach will take you to the picturesque village of St Vlas. This small resort offers a beautiful combination of sea and mountains, which is made even better by the friendly local atmosphere. The adjacent beaches are of a total length of approximately 1km. Besides the central beach there are also a few smaller pebbly beaches, dotted around the small bay.

3. NESSEBAR

With a fascinating history dating back some 2,500 years Nessebar has often been linked with many ancient civilisations. The old quarter is under a preservation order by UNESCO as a living museum town, housing the remains of some 40 churches from different periods of history. Superb opportunities for photography and painting exist here and the narrow cobbled streets and gabled houses make Nessebar an ideal place for guests looking for a seaside holiday in a typical Bulgarian town. There is no “museum” feeling in Nessebar however as both the old and new town burst into life daily with music and entertainment to keep you going long into the night.

4. ELENITE

Elenite has always been a real favourite with our clients and it certainly has plenty of style and originality. Ideally situated with cosy two and three-story villas clustered around all the amenities you'd expect in a holiday centre. The attractive beach and the excellent range of sports facilities make Elenite especially popular with families. There are also regular buses to take you to and from the famous resort of  Sunny Beach.

5. SOZOPOL

Situated on a small rocky peninsula of the southern Black Sea coastline, south east of the bustling port of Bourgas, Sozopol today is a beautiful seaside town, justly proud of it's past and keeping it's old traditions alive with fishing methods that have remained unchanged for centuries. Artists and Photographers find Sozopol's narrow cobbled streets, historic churches, weather blackened eaves, bay windows and wooded houses (many dating from the 18^th and 19^th centuries) perfect inspiration for their artworks. Sozopol also offers a busy, thriving modern quarter with many restaurants, cafés and bars which stay open late into the night.

We hope you have enjoyed finding out a bit more about these beautiful southern resorts of Bulgaria. For more details or to book a holiday to any of the featured resorts just simply click the resort links or visit our website at www.balkanholidays.co.uk

Destination Tip Part One: Bulgarian Riviera – North

Find out about some of the best and most popular Bulgarian summer holiday resorts in our two part blog special featuring the stunning beach resorts of both the north and south of this fantastic country. Put your feet up and relax as we kick start part one of the northern resorts with the most popular and well known resort of Golden Sands...

1. GOLDEN SANDS

Escape to a summer holiday by the sea with glorious scenery and wooded hillsides sweeping down to meet one of the world's most beautiful beaches and blue sparkling sea. There is plenty to do by day and by night but if you want to take it easy, the friendly, relaxing atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing break too. There are also shops, snack bars, pavement cafés and stalls selling all kind of goods and souvenirs throughout the resort. So choose to bathe in the sunshine of Golden Sands and join the ever-increasing number of Balkan Holidays guests who return to this fantastic resort, year after year.

2. ALBENA

This stunning resort is set between lush wood hillsides and a magnificent clean sandy beach. In fact, the beach is almost 7km long and up to 100m wide, sloping gently into the sea. You will find plenty of activities going on with daytime sports, evening entertainment, discos and taverns, plus two bazaar style shopping centres. Albena is excellent for families with young children as the bathing is safe and there is little or no traffic in the resort. The Balkan Holidays Kid's Club Rep is also always on hand to keep the kids amused and entertained. There is a regular bus service to Golden Sands and Varna as well as the mini trains, which run around the resort all day, costing only a few pence to ride.

3. VARNA

The favourable geographical location and advanced transport infrastructure of Varna makes this city the gateway for visiting the seaside resorts of northern Bulgaria. A long sandy beach stretches along the bay, dotted with small restaurants and beach bars.

4. ST KONSTANTIN

The picturesque resort of St Konstantin is one of the oldest on the Black Sea coast. The resort is conveniently split into different complexes and is full of oak, beech and pine trees with small, sheltered sandy beach and many rocky coves and inlets to discover.

5. LUNA BAY

Situated just a few kilometres away from the coastal town of Byala, famous for it's wine production and a short drive from the historical town of Obzor, the Luna Bay resort is a newly built all inclusive complex located right next to it's very own private beach.

We hope you have enjoyed finding out a bit more about these beautiful northern resorts of Bulgaria. Keep an eye out for part two coming soon featuring the resorts of southern Bulgaria including the popular resort of Sunny Beach. To find out more or to book a holiday to any of the featured resorts just simply click the resort links or visit our website at www.balkanholidays.co.uk

Wines of Bulgaria

Grape growing and wine production have a long history in Bulgaria, dating back to the times of the Thracians. Wine is, together with Beer and Rakia, among the most popular alcoholic beverages in the country. Bulgaria was the world's second largest wine producer in 1980's, but the industry declined after the collapse of communism. Wine production is growing again, reaching 108m litres in 2011, an increase of 4.9% from the previous year. Bulgaria's fertile lands are now once again one of the world's largest producers of wine after France, Spain, Italy & Greece.

A visit to any part of Bulgaria is not complete without sampling at least one of the many established fine wines available. Historically, the cultivation of grapes for wine has been found in many archaeological sites throughout the country and the art of making wine has been refined through deep traditions, technology and time.

The beautiful wine making tourist town of Melnik

There are at least five wine growing regions in Bulgaria. The warm, southern parts of Bulgaria nearest the border with Greece, are known for succulent red wines including Carbernet Sauvignon and Merlot, grown in a warm, almost Mediterranean climate. Whilst northern Bulgaria, although producing both red and white grapes, specialises in crisp, clear whites such as Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvingnon Blanc. The Black Sea area to the east of Bulgaria also boasts three wine growing zones – Bourgas, Pomorie and Varna. The central valleys at the foot of the Balkan Mountains provide another perfect micro climate for wine growing excellence. It's here in particular where red grapes are grown to produce the famous, rich and full bodied Melnik.

The Bulgarian climate provides perfect wine making conditions

The best Bulgarian grape, Mavrud, grows in the Thracian Valley in the south. As the name suggests, it is as dark and as mysterious as the deep red colour of this late ripening appellation. Grown and distributed internally throughout the southern Bulgarian regions of Assenovgrad, Plovdiv, Chirpan, Stara and Nova Zagora. Experts will easily recognise the large bristly leaf vine from which hang large, round juicy fruit that are easy to harvest when ripe. It is said amongst growers of this region, that you must take your time both when making and taking this deeply aromatic drink!

The Mavrud grape is unique and is considered the best in Bulgaria

Another special wine called Pamid is one of the oldest wines still made in Bulgaria today. Produced from a delicately flavoured grape, the wine is light, clear and easily enjoyed.

Wine connoisseurs speak not only of Melnik, Mavrud and Pamid but also of Misket, Shiroka, Melnishka, Dimyat and Gumza as the finest Bulgarian wines of today. You can be certain that whatever your taste in wine, Bulgaria is sure to provide it. Why not find out more and book your place on our next Bulgarian Wine Tour today!

Whatever your taste, Bulgaria is sure to have a wine to cover it

Bulgaria Through The Years - A Crossroad of Civilisations

Although Romans, Slavs, Byzantines and the Ottoman Turks have all ruled the region, no civilisation has had a greater influence on Bulgaria's history than the Proto-Bulgarians, whose leader Khan Asparuh founded the first Bulgarian Empire in the 7^th Century (610-1018). His rule continued to expand until it encompassed the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula and present day Macedonia (Macedonians are still considered Bulgarians by the Bulgarian nationalists).

Leader Khan Asparuh founded the first Bulgarian Empire

In 865, under Tsar Boris I, the Bulgarian's accepted Orthodox Christianity as the nations official religion. In 870, the Bulgarian Church became independent with its own patriarch, which encouraged Tsar Simeon (893-927) to expand his kingdom through Serbia to the Adriatic Sea. Simeon's kingdom shrank once again however when he overstretched his hands towards the Byzantine crown. This weakened Bulgaria, making it an easy target for the Byzantine emperor, Basill II, who successfully conquered Bulgaria a short time later in 1014. To celebrate his victory, Basill II ordered the eyes of over 15 000 Bulgarian soldiers to be removed. Within four years, Bulgaria was completely under Byzantine rule.

The second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396) was founded after two brothers, Asen and Peter, led a general uprising against the Byzantine rule. Surging with a renewed confidence, the new Bulgarian empire soon covered all of Thrace, Macedonia and Albania. However by the end of the 14^th century, the Turks controlled all of Bulgaria, beginning five centuries of Ottoman rule.

By the end of the 14th century, all of Bulgaria was held by the Turks

As repressive regimes go, the Turks were not too bad, making no systematic attempts to convert the Bulgarians to Islam or to eradicate their language and customs. It was only as the Turkish power weakened in the 18^th century that Bulgarians began to suffer rising taxes and inflation as the Turkish attempted to retain control of the country after a series of unsuccessful wars against the Austrians and Russians. Resentment brewed amongst the Bulgarian population and the Turks responded by introducing reforms aimed at assimilating the Bulgarians, but it was too late.

In the early 19^th century, popular customs and folklore blossomed during this national revival period, while underground revolutionaries plotted to rid Bulgaria of the Turks once and for all. When a revolt broke out prematurely at the village of Koprivshtitsa in April 1876, the Turks suppressed it with unprecedented brutality.

Russian troops came to Bulgaria's rescue in the late 1870's and as the Russian army advanced within 50kms of Istanbul, Turkey conceded 60% of the Balkan Peninsula to Bulgaria. The modern history of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian “little brother” complex in relation to Russia dates back to this 1878 liberation. Bulgaria sided with Germany at the outbreak of WWII but Tsar Boris III refused to declare war on Russia.

Tsar Boris III refused to declare war on ally Russia during WWII

Under the communist Todor Zhivkov, Bulgaria's leader from 1954-1989, Bulgaria fell badly behind the other Eastern European countries. The collapse of communism in 1989 left industry exposed and the transition to democracy has been a troubled one. The renamed communist party (now the Bulgarian Socialist Party) managed to control the direction of a newly democratic Bulgaria. In June 2001, the Bulgarian monarchy made an unprecedented comeback when former King Simeon II was elected Prime Minister. Progress continues under the current government and Bulgaria has since qualified for membership of both NATO and the EU.

Communist Leader of Bulgaria from 1954-1989, Todor Zhivkov

The Best of the Balkans

Bulgaria:

Bulgaria is a land of many treasures and pleasures. Situated on the south-eastern part of the Balkan peninsula, this breathtaking country is a natural gem, characterised by soaring mountain scenery, long sun-drenched beaches and a warm, colourful culture with hospitality that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Along with the deep, dense forests and breathtaking mountain ranges that dominate its interior, Bulgaria offers contract after contrast, from rich cultural traditions to the purpose-built resorts that line its scenic Black Sea coast, where broad, Blue Flag sandy beaches meet inviting blue waters along almost 400kms of shoreline. Whatever holiday to Bulgaria you are seeking, whether it be relaxing on the beach, throwing yourself into an action-packed break or cooling off exploring the traditional Bulgaria of sleepy mountain villages and forested mountains – this magical destination has it all.

Find out about our range of Bulgaria holidays by visiting our Bulgaria Holidays page.

Sandy beaches meet inviting blue waters along almost 400kms of shoreline.

Croatia:

Washed by the sapphire waters of the Adriatic Sea from Istria in the north down through Central Dalmatia to the Dubrovnik Riviera in its south, Croatia has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. With its colourful harbours, secluded coves and exquisite cities like Dubrovnik and Porec all sprinkled with an irresistible Italian, Greek and central European flavour, this unique country offers holidaymakers an ever changing mix of pleasures and memories.

Croatia's vibrant and modern capital city of Zagreb boasts a beautiful medieval old city and many parks and lakes, with its unrivalled night life the city of Zagreb is becoming a popular destination in Europe for young party goers. To the south of Zagreb between the capital city and Zadar lies the stunning Plitvic National Park which is a must see for any nature lover wanting to visit Croatia.

Find out more about our range of Croatia Holidays by visiting our Croatia Holidays page.

This unique country offers an ever changing mix of pleasures and memories.

Slovenia:

This stunning country, known as the “Green Heart of Europe”, is tucked into a mountainous corner between Austria, Italy, Hungary and the Adriatic Sea. As Slovenia's one and only beach resort, the beautiful resort of Portoroz offers a mild climate, fashionable hotels and modern tourist attractions. Visitors to the resort can choose from a wide range of health and leisure activities, including two casinos, a marina and a gorgeous sandy beach, whilst the flourishing parks and rose beds ensure that town lives up to its name as the “Port of Roses”.

Without doubt however, the main attraction to Slovenia is its stunning Lakes & Mountains, the resorts of Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj give visitors the chance to experience the magical charm of some of Europe's most beautiful settings. The amazing natural diversity of the landscape together with the warmth and hospitality of the local people create the perfect setting for an invigorating and memorable holiday.

Find out more about our range of Slovenia Holidays by visiting our Slovenia Holidays page.

Experience the magical charm of some of Europe's most beautiful settings.

Montenegro:

Located in the southern part of the Balkan region, this magical tiny republic borders the Adriatic before melting into an astounding landscape of black pine forests, towering mountains and glacial lakes. In the small tourist area of Sveti Stefan lies the villages of Przno and Milocer tucked into the small peninsula of Sveti Stefan, which rises dramatically just a few yards off a beautiful curved beach. It is frequently visited by the rich and famous and is considered by many as the most attractive spot on the Adriatic coast. The nearby resort of Petrovac is located on a long, sheltered bay enveloped by hillsides of fragrant flowers, shrubbery and woodland. With two stunning, small pebble and sand beaches, a colourful array of shops, restaurants and cafés the resort of Petrovac is perfect for guests of any age.

At the heart of tourism in Montenegro is the impressive resort of Budva, an ancient town with fortified walls and considered to be one of the oldest settlements on the Balkan Peninsula, offering visitors a fascinating maze of cobbled streets and small squares, bursting with colourful markets, open-air concerts halls and a wide variety of local shows. The nearby resort of Becici is ideal for the sea lovers because of its range of water-sports facilities and is home to one of the most spectacular beaches in the Mediterranean.

Find out more about our range of Montenegro Holidays by visiting our Montenegro Holidays page.

Budva, considered to be one of the oldest settlements on the Balkan Peninsula.

Romania:

Travelling in Romania is both rewarding and challenging. The mountain scenery, culture and people present a way of life that takes you back in time and gives you a taste of Romanian history. Transylvania is home to some of Europe's best preserved medieval towns, stunning castles such as Bran, located near Brasov, a Gothic fairytale structure often associated with 15th century Walachian Prince Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Romania's beautiful mountain resort of Poiana Brasov is a modern purpose-built resort offering a great opportunity for holidaymakers to explore the stunning mountains and medieval towns. The main city of Brasov with its old architecture, museums and places of entertainment are just 12kms away.

Find out more about our range of Romania Holidays by visiting our Romania Holidays page.

A way of life that takes you back in time and gives you a taste of Romanian history.

A Guide to Sunny Beach

Situated approx 42 km north of Bourgas and 434 km east of Sofia, the resort of Sunny Beach is located along almost the entire length of land between the village of Sveti Vlas to the north and Nessebar to the south making it the biggest and most popular resort along the Black Sea Coast. Its construction began in 1958 during Communist times at a site where two old wells that supplied the nearby town of Nessebar with water in ancient times and again during the Middle Ages had been found and tourists flocked to these natural mineral baths.

The stunning resort of Sunny Beach along the Black Sea Coastline

The Mediterranean climate of the area is the key reason for Sunny Beach's popularity with visitors with the resort enjoying more than 1700 hours of sunshine on average from May to October. Although historically popular with Russian and German tourists, Sunny Beach has recently begun to attract the attention of the British holidaymaker as a more affordable alternative to the established Mediterranean resorts.

Sunny Beach has some of the cleanest, golden beach sand around

Over the last few years the resort has been hugely affected by Bulgaria's property boom, with many (especially British) buying villas here, securing themselves a relatively cheap holiday home by the sea. This steep increase of new construction means that what was once a single line of hotels along the waterfront has become dozens of rows making for a lively resort, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, water-sports, bars and clubs to choose from and an increasing number of visitors every summer.

Sunny Beach holidays provide visitors with an incredible 8 km long and 60m wide beach strip and the resort has been awarded the prestigious International Blue Flag, which guarantees that holidaymakers are granted ecologically clean beaches, water and air. Near the middle of the beach lies a walkway which leads to most of the shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants, plus facilities like the post office and the bus station.

The friendly Sunny Beach promenade is perfect for walks along the resort

There are many attractions for holidaymakers to the resort including sunning at the beach, water sports and a trip to the nearby historical site of Nessebar. Sunny Beach is also extremely popular amongst young people for its superb night life. There are two new aqua parks near the resort, the small Aqua-park Kuban (on the grounds of the Hotel Kuban) which has water-slides and pools, and the much larger Action Aqua-park, on the western edge of the resort, perfect for a day out with the family.

Balkan Holidays are pleased to offer a wide range of excursions & activities bookable locally with your representative including boat trips to the mouth of the Ropotamo River at Primorsko or a trip to the northern Black Sea city of Varna, 59 miles away which has plenty of historical sights, from Roman baths to ornate cathedrals. 

Holidaymakers can enjoy a variety of water-sports when in resort

Although this is tailor-made for tourists, the dinner and folk show at Khan's Tent is a unique night, set at the top of a hill several kilometres north of Sunny Beach. The secluded wooded setting with beautiful views of the coast was supposedly where Khan Krum had a military encampment in the first century. The stunning interior is the venue for superb traditional food, served by costume-clad waiters, with traditional music and a brilliant live show.

Other resorts along the coast which you may like to visit include the more peaceful Sozopol and Ozbor. The waters of Pomorie, 11 miles south have healing qualities, and since Roman times have been attracting visitors for mud therapies and balneological treatments.

Children are well catered for in Sunny Beach where there are 24 hour day care facilities, and where they can build castles on the beach, splash around in the sea, guzzle down ice cream and generally have a great time doing all the things kids love to do on a family holiday.

Sunny Beach has a range of child friendly hotels & facilities

There are also children's pools, merry go-rounds, pony riding, kid's discos and electronic games for those who cannot leave modern technology at home!

You can take your children to one of the many drawing stands along the promenade to paint a beautiful souvenir for the to take home. They of course will love it and you can browse the shops while you wait for the painting to be completed.

With over 130 restaurants and numerous live music bars, pubs, nightclubs, discos and cafés, you are most certainly guaranteed to find something to love about the resort of Sunny Beach this summer. To find out more or to book your Sunny Beach Holiday visit our website.

The magnificent view of Sunny Beach from Khan's Tent

Could This Be The Perfect Destination?

Thinking of your ideal summer holiday destination, you think sun, sea & beaches. You may also think its going to take a long expensive flight to get there, all for the promise of crystal clear waters & breathtaking scenery. But what if there was a destination that offered all the trimmings of a perfect summer holiday plus so much more, right on your European doorstep?

Dubrovnik holidays continue to increase in popularity and enjoys it's ever growing reputation as the perfect holiday destination. Perhaps you have heard of Dubrovnik but never thought of it as the ideal place to spend your summer holiday? Well let us share with you some key reasons why we think that holidays to Dubrovnik are right up there with some of the best in the world.

Located along the Southern Dalmatian coast of Croatia, resting next to the clear blue waters of the warm Adriatic Sea, is the dominating city of Dubrovnik. Indisputably known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic, the city is the crowning centerpiece of the Dalmatian region. With the high walls of the Old Town and the incredible medieval architecture scattered across the city of Dubrovnik, it is like a jewellery box filled with treasures and beauty waiting to be discovered.

Boasting average temperatures of 29c in the summer season and water temperatures that reach a pleasant 24c, the picturesque pebbled beaches of Dubrovnik will ensure that even the most demanding of sun seekers and beach lovers will satisfy their needs for a sun drenched summer holiday.

Besides baking in the hot sun and lounging around the beach, Dubrovnik holidays take your experience to another level as you wander around the city, whether it be on top of the walls, along the Placa, the impeccable main promenade or through the maze of beautiful side streets, with their friendly outdoor markets all but hidden gardens, churches and houses taking in the rich history and culture of this magnificent destination.

When the sun goes down Dubrovnik comes alive with live bands and inviting bars, cafes & restaurants, dazzling under the summer city lights. You can choose to get up and dance with the friendly locals or tuck into some fresh seafood. But one thing is for sure, whatever you choose to do, you can be assured the perfect end to an exceptional day in Dubrovnik.

Balkan Holidays are proud to be the specialist tour operator for holidays to Dubrovnik throughout the summer flying from 9 UK Airports with packages starting from just £330pp. Fall in love with this truly remarkable destination this summer by visiting www.balkanholidays.co.uk