Nessebar – One of the oldest European towns, included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage

On a rocky peninsula, linked with the mainland by a narrow isthmus, the natural elements and human fantasy have shaped a town, which rises from the waves like a mirage. Throughout 3.000 years different civilizations have left the marks of their history here. The town’s old name – Messambria – evidences its Thracian origin. Greek migrants settled here permanently in the 6th century, creating a busy trade centre and inaccessible citadel. Both to the south and north, the outlines of the oldest fortress and port are still visible in the sea today, and old Nessebar is entered through the majestic ruins of an ancient gate. Neither Roman, nor later Byzantine rule diminished the importance, wealth and beauty of the town. The impressive walls of the largest early Christian church, the Old Bishop’s Residence, still rise in its centre. 

The holiday-makers love Nessebar because of the ambivalence it shows. The old and the new town offer different but always interesting and unforgettable experiences. The old town is situated on a small island connected to the new part with a natural narrow neck of land. A very beautiful and romantic sight while passing through the neck can be observed – an old wind-mill which catches the eye of the tourist and has become a favorite place for taking pictures. A night view over the luminous mill often is an illustration on postcards and advertising catalogues of Nessebar. It is no wonder that the small stone squares at the center of the Old Town are always full of painting artists. They can be observed on the coastal rocks and around the picturesque houses. The old Nessebar houses which have kept their typical architecture during the centuries are usually with a stone basis with wooden body. Revival houses with stone foundations and broad wooden eaves, overhanging narrow cobbled lanes leading right into the sea, are also remarkably beautiful. Some of the seaside local dwellings are painted in the usual colour for sea ports which is white. The houses are scattered around the coast line and are looking forward to their guests at Nessebar. 

Today Nessebar is steeped in peace and tranquility, caressed by the sea breeze. The quiet is disturbed only by the splashing of the waves, the song of the birds and the multi-lingual tourist din. 

Sozopol

Ancient Sozopol, with its charming old town of meandering cobbled streets and pretty wooden houses, huddled together on a narrow peninsula, is one of the coast’s highlights. With two superb beaches, a genial atmosphere, plentiful accommodation and good transport links, it has long been a popular seaside resort and makes an excellent base for exploring the area. Although not quite as crowded as Nesebâr, it is becoming ever more popular with international visitors. There’s a lively cultural scene, too, with plenty of free concerts and other events in summer. The new town, known as ‘Harmanite’, lies south of the tiny bus station. The best beach is in this part of town, but otherwise, it’s mainly modern hotels and residential areas.

Program

Day 1

Welcome to Bulgaria -a country with an impressive history and unique natural and anthropogenic landmarks. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. It is the 14th largest city in the European Union, with a population of 1,241,675 people. Here you can dive into the atmosphere of old historic buildings and monuments, and take advantage of the nightlife of the capital.

You will be meet at Bourgas Airport by our representative and drived to your chosen 4 or 5* hotel in Pomorie.  Before arrival at the hotel we will take to the lake of Pomorie. Divided from the sea by a narrow strip of sand (spit) and an artificial dike, the lake is an ultrasaline natural lagoon.

Lake Pomorie is a protected area since January 2001. Sea salt is obtained in the north part and curative mud in the south. Located on the Via Pontica bird migration route, the lake is inhabited by 215 species of birds, 4 of which globally endangered, and is thus of ornithological importance.

Free time and night. 

Recommended hotels for your accommodation in Pomorie

4* Festa Hotel Pomorie

4* Saint George Hotel

5* Grand Hotel Pomorie – our favorite hotel with:

• 17 treatment rooms
• Phisiotherapy division
• Mud and lye treatment division
• Heat and water facilities including steam room, saunas, Turkish bath, Egyptian bath,bucket shower, ice room, shocking pool, kneipр, relax room, Jacuzzi, salt water indoor pool, salt water Jacuzzi, 3 outdoor pools.

Day 2

After breakfast departure by bus or private car to Nessebar. This day we will visit the most popular historical places in Nessebar –Windmill, Fortress gate, Church – Museum “St. Stefan”

The “Unbaptized” temple, Old Nessebar houses, Church “Christ Pantocrator”, The hidden altar, “St. Sofia” Basilica, active Temple “St. Assumption of Mary”,Churches – Museums “St. John the Baptist and St. Spas” and optional visit to Winery and wine tasting.

 Free time and overnight at your hotel.

Day 3 ,4 and 5 are dedicated to treatments and spa packages specially designed for relaxation, rejuvenation and overall wellness!

Take time and embrace total relaxation within a universe of luxury and pure pleasure. Several facial and body procedures restore inner peace and eliminate all the tension and stress out of your body and mind.

Day 6

After breakfast we will go to town of Sozopol and we will have short walking tour on the town. After our trip, we will have lunch time at typical restaurant and accommodation at your hotel. Free time and overnight.

Recommended hotels for your accommodation in Sozopol

Santa Marina Holliday Village 4*

Blue Orange Hotel 4*

Blue Bay hotel 5*

Art Complex Anel 5 *

Day 7

After breakfast we will go to Castle of Ravadinovo

The Castle of Ravadinovo is a spectacular attraction located a couple of kilometers from Sozopol.

The Castle In Love With the Wind in Ravadinovo is a private property. It is the child’s dream made true of Architect Georgi Tumpalov. The construction of the Ravadinovo Castle started in 1996.

It was built in a cross shape with 20,000 tons of stone, specially extracted in Strandzha Mountain. The castle is situated in a park with several thousand exotic trees, plants and flowers and amidst deep lakes with freshwater fish and waterfowl.

The castle provides unique memories and revelations, along with being an excellent photo opportunity, especially if you come in the summer. In the summer the walls and towers are covered in lush green ivy mantle and the flowers in the garden are in full bloom. You can listen to the sounds of parrots talking, peacocks screaming and the water splash in ponds and basins. You can stop by the lake and watch the graceful swans float peacefully across the clear water surface. There is so much to see in the garden – there is a chapel, plentiful fancy fountains, garden statues, antiques, tiny bridges and other amazing treasures.

The Castle of Ravadinovo is a bold combination of various building and decorating styles and materials but it is definitely fun to see what some ancient castles must have looked like when they were newly built. Many visitors perceive The Castle of Ravadinovo as an utterly mystical and romantic place, for others, it is the closest to a Disneyland or fairy tale adventure which they can experience in this part of the Balkans.

The castle of Ravadino is probably the only castle in Europe, constructed by one man only. In 2016 the Bulgarian attraction won the prize for tourist attraction number 1 in the world. Castle Ravadinovo “In Love with the wind” took gold and silver medal in the “Tourist Attraction” category and was declared an architectural wonder of the prestigious international competition “A ‘Design Award” 2016. Its architectural design is unusual, a bit extravagant and exotic.

Day 8

After breakfast we will go to Thracian sanctuary Begliktash and ancient observatory. Near the ruins of the ancient city of Ranuli on the ridge of Cape Maslen, about 210 meters above sea level. and 3 km. from the town of Primorsko is the sanctuary of the town of Ranuli – a circle of huge stones, located on a glassy surface jumping out of nowhere in the middle of a green meadow.

The ancients deified the area, brought gifts and turned it into a kind of temple. In the course of time, dwellings were built for the servants of the temple (the priests), and on the bare rock they began to carry huge stones from the surroundings, and in the way of arrangement a calendar-clock-observatory was formed. After this fairy tale we will continue to Ropotamo river 

Day 9

Free time for relax

Day 10

After breakfast private transfer to Burgas airport.

 

Bulgaria Travel Tips

• The currency of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev. 1 Lev = 0.6 USD = 0.45 GBP = 0.81 AUD.
• Tipping is standard practice – aim for 10%.
• Bulgaria is typically a very safe country 
• Bulgaria is 2 hours ahead of GMT in the winter and 3 hours ahead in the summer.
• You’ll need a European style 2 prong plug to travel Bulgaria.
• You can arrive into Sofia airport from various destinations around Europe, or you can cross the border overland from Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia or Romania.

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