Nessebur

Your guide will greet you for a short walk directly into the medieval town of Nessebur, uphill past the huge ruins of St Alliturgetos Church to stop at the Church of St Stephen. Built in the 11th century it is a significant example of medieval Bulgarian architecture boasting 700 square metres of interior walls covered with 258 well-preserved mural paintings.

Take a short walk to the Archaeological Museum, which exhibits findings and treasures from all archaeological sites of the peninsula including a rich collection of ancient Greek and Roman artefacts. The pride of the Museum is a collection of Bulgarian icons.

Continue to the attractive resort of Pomorie passing the salt pans surrounding Pomorie Lake, one of Bulgaria's main sources of salt, and renowned for its therapeutic mud baths. Sited upon a peninsula, Pomorie is a quiet, relaxed seaside town with a colourful fishing port. Visit the Thracian Tomb, one of the most famous monuments of Thracian culture.

Pomorie is also famous for its wine cellars and at one of the town’s wine vaults you will have the opportunity to sample some of the aromatic wines and brandies produced in the surrounding countryside.

Your walking begins through part of ancient Nessebur, previously known as Mesembria and declared as a national heritage park of Bulgaria and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stop at the Church of St Stephen, built in the 11th century and a significant example of medieval Bulgarian architecture. The 700 square metres of the interior walls are covered with 258 well-preserved mural paintings.

Continue your walk through the medieval cobbled streets passing by the 2-storied houses from the Bulgarian revival onto the Church of St Sophia for a photo stop. During your walk, pass by and view the magnificent church exteriors of St John the Baptist and Christ Pantokrator. Discover the area under your own steam during some free time before re-boarding your coach for the drive to the Bulgarian resort of Sunny Beach. This large holiday complex, situated between Cape Emine and Nessebur, has numerous hotels and a sandy beach making it a popular area for visitors. Stop at the viewing platform for a photo opportunity offering picturesque views.

Sit back and relax with aromatic local wine whilst being entertained by a colourful folkloric performance at the Bulgarian styled restaurant, Trakia Garden.

Explore medieval Nessebur on foot in the company of a knowledgeable guide. There is no better way to discover the rich legacy of Nessebur than to walk through its narrow streets and visit this ‘museum town’ listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pass by the Church of St Pantocrator, St John the Baptist Church and the Church of St Sofia, all worthy photo stops, before a visit to the 11th century Church of St Stephen to marvel at over 258 mural paintings. The final stop in Nessebur is a visit to the Archaeological Museum featuring a rich collection of ancient Greek and Roman artefacts as well as various archaeological finds.

Continue by coach onto Bourgas, once a small fishermen’s village in the 18th century. The port of Bourgas was the largest one in the southern Balkans and has a beautiful location on the Black Sea bay surrounded by 3 picturesque lakes. Enjoy a Bulgarian style lunch upon arrival before a panoramic drive through its downtown to discover the impressive Cathedral of St Methodius and St Cyril.

Visit the Museum of Ethnography located in a beautiful house from the middle of the 19th century, still in its original shape and original furniture. Have some free time at leisure to browse for local souvenirs and practice bargaining skills.

Your impressive panoramic drive takes you from medieval old Nessebur along picturesque Black Sea coastline with its numerous resorts. The destination resort of Sunny Beach attracts thousands of holiday makers from all over the world. A stop will be made at the viewing platform of the Khanska Shatra Restaurant for a photo opportunity offering picturesque views of Nessebur and the peninsula.

‘Chateau Medovo’ is an ethnographic complex built in authentic Bulgarian style that spans about 9000 square metres and is located north of Bourgas near the Black Sea coast. The Chateau has an open air Museum focusing on Bulgarian crafts, folk traditions, local cuisine and the production of over 30 million bottles of high quality red and white wines.

Explore the various workshops and watch skilled artisans at work. Attend master classes in weaving, coppersmithing, silver engraving, pottery and wood carving, which allow you to participate in the craft activities yourselves. Round off your tour with a refreshing glass of local wine, tea or coffee and the popular Bulgarian snack bannitsa (cottage cheese pie).