Off-road safari in Bulgaria’s Balkan Mountains from Sunny Beach

Off-road safari in Bulgaria’s Balkan Mountains from Sunny Beach

The real Bulgaria is calling on this exciting day in the countryside. Hop into a comfy 4x4 for a wild ride through the breathtaking Balkan Mountains, where the thrill of crossing the Aheloy River and the beauty of nature come alive. Dimitar, one of our expert local guides, says, 'You'll visit Kozichino village, the perfect place to experience the authentic Bulgarian rural way of life. Kozichino is renowned for its efforts to preserve old crafts, customs, and the traditional Bulgarian architecture of the region.'As you rumble through the Bulgarian landscapes, there'll be a few stops. Imagine the excitement as kids turn into treasure hunters in an ancient oak forest, guided by GPS, while adults harness their inner Robin Hood for some archery. The journey takes a scenic turn at 'Tabite,' offering a panoramic view that screams photo op. Come lunchtime, we'll swing by the timeless village of Kozichino for a cultural feast at an ethnographic complex.Here, in a vibrant courtyard, get a slice of village life, explore a museum packed with local treasures, and snap photos in traditional attire. The owner whips up his signature bio lemonade, served alongside a hearty meal of cabbage salad, grilled kebabchetas, and bread, with a beer and lemonade included. But wait, there's more – the 'Safari' orchestra sets the soundtrack to your meal, followed by an off-road adventure to Gyulovtsa, where a rakia tasting awaits.

4x4 Photo Safari to Strandzha Nature Reserve with Honey Tasting

The southernmost village on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, Rezovo village is as close to Turkey as you can get. You'll journey by 4x4 along the scenic coastlines and lush landscapes of Sinemorets to see sea views, tranquil villages, rock formations and the Rezovska River. Irena, one of our expert local guides, says ‘Located right on the Turkish border, Rezovo is influenced by both Bulgarian and Turkish cultures. This is reflected in the local customs, cuisine, and even the language spoken by some of its residents.'We'll get the tour started with a quick safety talk from your guide regarding the route and the day's programme before you hop into a 4x4 and set off along the Black Sea coast. Rumble along the captivating coastline of Sinemorets, where you'll have several opportunities to capture great photos. Dive deeper into nature as you steer through the Strandzha woods and take a rugged off-road trail to the Veleka River.Once we arrive at Rezovo, you'll take a walk to Rezovska River to see fascinating rock formations before enjoying time to soak up the tranquillity of the seaside village, from where the border with Turkey is visible. After a brief comfort break, we'll call in at a local beekeeper. Here, you'll have a unique chance to learn about beekeeping and enjoy a honey tasting session, one of the highlights of the region's natural produce. This half day trip is a great combination of 4x4 thrills, culture and nature.

Sozopol Town Tour and Boat Trip with Ravadinovo Castle

Discover Sozopol, an ancient seaside gem on the Black Sea coast. Set sail on a boat trip around St Ivan Island, Bulgaria's largest. Next, follow your guide for a walking tour of Sozopol's cobbled streets. After a local lunch, explore the enchanting Ravadinovo Castle and wander its palatial grounds.

Nessebar Tour with Wine Tasting Experience

A famous Balkan beauty spot and Bulgaria's best wines are in store on this excursion. You'll embark on a walking tour of UNESCO-listed Nessebar, try local treats most tourists miss out on, and visit one of the Black Sea's top-rated wineries for a wine tasting tour.

Nessebar Old Town Walking Tour

Strolling through Nessebar is perhaps the most culturally enriching experience on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. This headland, known as the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea', is only slightly larger than the Vatican City yet has many more churches. Ivaylo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Nessebar is a living museum – there are monuments here that were built as far back as the 5th century. Due to its strategic location, the town has always been a busy merchant hub. This is why it was here, over 2,500 years ago, that money was invented and first used for trade.'You'll begin with a guided walking tour of the old town, which is crammed onto a narrow peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea. Historians know that there's been a town here for 3,200 years, making it among Europe's oldest. There's so much history packed into the old town that Nessebar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relics from the second millennium BC, from classical antiquity and the Middle Ages have been unearthed. There's evidence here that reflects the architectural progress of the whole Balkan and East Mediterranean regions.Winding streets and alleys fringed with characterful timber homes lead you to more than 40 churches dating back as far as Byzantine times. There's also some free time to explore the town on your own, soak up the scenery on a seaside stroll or browse for souvenirs.

Luxury family catamaran cruise from Nessebar Bay

Sailing the Black Sea on a luxury catamaran with food and drink aplenty has got to be up there with the top ten ways to relax on holiday. And this daytrip along the Bulgarian Riviera will leave you feeling chilled, fulfilled and even more smitten with this part of the world. Stefan, an experienced guide onboard, says, “best of all, it's luxury that won't break the bank. For every adult in your group, one child climbs aboard free of charge – so you've got the perfect excuse to splurge on ice-cream or baklava back onshore.”Your transport of choice doesn't get much more state of the art than this. You'll be sailing on a brand-spanking new catamaran – the largest luxury catamaran on the Black Sea. This sets the tone for your trip. Once you set sail, you'll be waited on with platters of salads, meats, cheeses and pasta for lunch, while drinks from the open bar flow freely. On this exclusively TUI experience, there'll even be an animator onboard to entertain the kids (big and small). As you head out of Nessebar Bay, look back to shore to gawp at a coastline dotted with green forests and terracotta rooftops. Then, it's out to sea for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling. Your crew know the best spots for anchoring up, so don a mask and snorkel to explore the local marine life. Look out for seahorses and crabs as you look around. Stefan adds, “it's really common to see bottlenose dolphins out here – they're so playful and love bow riding when the catamaran sails at full speed.” Whether you're lucky enough to spot a flippered friend or not, this deluxe day out will be a highlight of your family's holiday.

Guided walking tour of Bulgaria’s UNESCO protected Nessebar

You'll find the ancient city of Nessebar on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Black Sea. Your journey to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is well worth it, as you begin with a guided walking tour that uncovers the stories of its Medieval churches, forts and ruins. You'll have free time to wander the cobbled streets of the old town, have a spot of lunch, or haggle for hand-crafted souvenirs. In the early afternoon, you'll hop back on the bus, stopping for two hours at Mall Galleria Burgas, the largest shopping centre in the area, before being returned to your hotel.

Khan’s Tent

As rip-roaring Bulgarian nights go, few can hold a candle to an evening at Khan's Tent. You'll enjoy a classic four-course dinner and a world-class cabaret show performed by an international troupe. And the Panoramic Bar boasts fantastic views over Sunny Beach bay, too.Known as Hanska Shatra to the locals, this venue in the hills overlooking Sunny Beach is located where the medieval Khan Krum set up camp to besiege Nessebar. And Bulgarian history and heritage are very much a part of the Khan's Tent experience.After transfer to the venue, you'll sit down for a four-course dinner and witness amazing performances, ranging from acrobatics to choreographed dances and featuring popular live music. Impressive doesn't even begin to describe it. You'll be dropped back at your resort after the show.

Balkan Mountains Quad Safari Small Group Morning Tour

Discovering Bulgaria's stunning mountains will take on a new dimension with this thrilling small group quad safari. You'll spend a day roaming 25km of rugged mountain trails off the beaten track. This is a proper, white-knuckle Balkan adventure requiring serious concentration and effort.To make sure you get the most out of your quad experience, there's a safety course featuring test-driving. Then, once you've got to grips with the quad, it's time to head into the wilderness. We break every now and then to catch our breath during an otherwise breathless experience.You can ride the quad solo or accompanied by a friend. A minibus transfer service picks you up at your hotel and drops you off back at the resort.

Lazy Day Cruise from Nessebar

Set sail for a day of sun, sea and family fun with this Bulgarian Black Sea cruise. Casting off from Nessebar, you'll enjoy a morning of seafront scenery, swimming and sunbathing aplenty. With lunch and drinks included, too, this one is sure to get the holiday vibes flowing.Welcomed aboard by the crew, you'll cast off with ancient Nessebar in the distance. With fishing equipment available to use, as well as areas to sunbathe or unwind, you'll be spoilt for choice on things to do as you glide along the coast. And with the bar open throughout the cruise, you won't be going thirsty either.Then, as the sun starts to heat up, your captain will drop anchor so you can cool off courtesy of a dip in the sea. Meanwhile, back on board, a delicious buffet is prepared. After lunch, there's more tanning time to enjoy on the way back to port.