DESTINATIONS | & THE BALKANS Here comes the sun Look beyond Sunny Beach’s lively character and there’s more to the resort than meets the eye, findsNatalie Marsh

here’s something charming about wandering Looking north along the coast, I can see my home around the cobbled streets of a historical for my few days’ stay – the vibrant resort of Sunny town overseas. There’s ancient architecture Beach. I’m with tour operator Balkan Holidays, on seemingly everywhere I turn, and ruins of churches a mega-fam trip with travel agents from across the thidden down some of the backstreets, sitting side by UK, ready to see what Sunny Beach and the nearby side with local shops and tourists enjoying a drink towns have to offer. alfresco. I’m in Nessebar, on the coast of Sun and sea . Named a Unesco World Heritage Site It’s early June, but summer is well under way in Sunny back in 1983, the small town was once home to 40 Beach. Staying true to its name, the resort welcomes churches, and the ruins of many can still be seen warm temperatures between May and September, today. Some are small, with intricately beautiful sitting comfortably in the low to mid-20s by June. architecture, while others have structures large Stretching for five miles along the coastline of the enough to explore, imagining how majestic they must Black Sea, Sunny Beach is best known for its nightlife. have looked centuries ago. The resort is home to more than 200 hotels, and ➣

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and strolled along a pier-like structure for money. Its array of hotels, attractions WHERE TO stretching far out into the Black Sea, to and water parks also make it popular take in the vista of the towering cliffs. among families. “The cost of living in Sunny Beach ASK THE stay Beaches and bars is unbeatable,” adds Rand. “You can Walking down Flower Street, one of enjoy a delicious three-course meal in a agents Sunny Beach’s main roads leading to the restaurant for about £10 and a pint of the Hotel Laguna Park shore, it’s hard not to be enticed by the local beer is just 50p.” This four-star all-inclusive restaurants, bars and shops. It’s no secret On my last night, we ventured 10 “My highlight was seeing how traditional and property boasts great that this resort is well known for its nightlife minutes from the main strip to the recently pretty Nessebar was, with its beautiful cobbled facilities, making it popular – the bright lights, drinks deals and lively opened Djanny’s Beach Club. Set right streets and cafes. And I have learnt what a with families. Its outdoor music along the beachside promenade on the beach, it was the perfect location fantastic-value destination Sunny Beach is.” area has a water park, attract tourists and locals. to sit and relax after the sun set. We’d Stacey Collis, Hays Travel, Consett poolside bar and five pools. There’s a huge variety of places to eat learned that there is more to Sunny The hotel’s proximity to the in Sunny Beach, starting with Mexican Beach than vibrant nightlife, with quiet “I loved visiting old Nessebar, which has fabulous beach, a short walk from the restaurant Mamacita’s in the centre of the neighbourhoods and historical towns architecture and wonderful history. Bulgaria has promenade and next to local resort, which serves up great nachos and hidden in plain sight. TW something for everyone – it’s not just for those who shops, is a great selling point. tacos at reasonable prices. Meanwhile, like to party. There’s fabulous scenery, wonderful up in the hills overlooking the beach and beaches and, most of all, value for money.” Hotel Trakia Garden beautiful countryside as far as the eye BOOK IT Jacqueline McFarlane, Bonny Travel, Falkirk As the name suggests, can see, is Khan’s Tent. Here, visitors are this family-run property treated to a Las Vegas-style experience, Balkan Holidays offers seven nights’ all- “My highlight was Khan’s Tent. The view is great is situated in a beautiful featuring gymnasts and cabaret acts, inclusive at the four-star Hotel Laguna Park, from the top and the show was fantastic. The garden, among hundreds alongside a generous meal with wine. Sunny Beach, from £595 per person, based food was amazing – the best I had in Sunny of flowers and plants, along Sunny Beach has topped the Post on two sharing. The price includes return Beach. For the price, it is definitely worth it.” with the owner’s rabbits and Office’s Holiday Costs Barometer for the flights from Gatwick on May 31 and transfers. Chantelle Caulfield, Barrhead Travel, Belfast tortoises. With only 140 past two years, thanks to its great value balkanholidays.co.uk rooms, Trakia Garden is on CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Church of Christ Pantocrator; Nessebar; ; the fam group PICTURES: Shutterstock the smaller side, but about 60% of customers are repeat visitors. Although it’s the variety of restaurants, shops Look beyond morning sun. On my right, there’s only 250m from the beach, and attractions make it a popular an occasional gap in the buildings, the property is a peaceful destination for those looking for a the main strip and and I steal quick glimpses of the respite from the bustle of great-value break. Sunny Beach is bright-blue sea. Sunny Beach. But look beyond the main strip Sozopol is one of the oldest and Sunny Beach is in an ideal ideal for those who settlements on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Hotel Globus location for those who want to coast, dating from as far back as This beachfront hotel is a leave the bars behind and explore want to explore the seventh century BC. It has an convenient place to stay if some authentic Bulgarian towns and some authentic , home to ancient ruins your customers want to be villages, enjoy the glistening sea, or and beautiful churches, as well as a near the centre of the resort. take a trip into the country’s fourth- towns and villages more modern area offering shops, The rooms are spacious and largest city, Bourgas. restaurants and hotels. On my walk guests can stay on a half- Nessebar is the next town through the town, I was struck by board or bed-and-breakfast along from Sunny Beach. Only a how many front doors of houses basis. The hotel has three 10-minute drive or a short boat ride beautiful town with cobbled streets, have posters stuck to them – one restaurants, and a spa and away, you don’t have to venture gabled houses and restaurants that way Bulgarians acknowledge loved health centre. far to experience one of the most look out to sea.” ones who have died. picturesque towns on the Bulgarian The town is ideal for coastline. Along with the church History and heritage experiencing Bulgarian life, and ruins, visitors can also pop into It’s not just Nessebar that showcases there are many hotels here if visitors quirky shops or head to one of the Bulgarian heritage at its finest. I’m want to stay on a quieter part of the beautiful beaches just outside the wandering through the historical coast. Between Sozopol and Sunny old city. town of Sozopol, an hour south Beach is the city of Bourgas. It’s “Always recommend that if of Sunny Beach. Either side of me home to the Sea Garden, which is someone stays in Sunny Beach, they are traditional, partly wooden the perfect place for an afternoon have a day out in Nessebar,” says houses, while the cobbled streets stroll while enjoying sweeping Chris Rand, head of trade sales also double up as beds for the coastal views. We walked down at Balkan Holidays. “It’s a truly local cats, which snooze under the a set of steps on to the beach

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