Karaagach River kayaking tour in Strandzha National Park

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. After the tour, you'll have free time to wander the cobbled streets of the old town, have a spot of lunch, snap photos of the charming architecture or haggle for hand-crafted souvenirs, like stained-glass trinkets and local shell crafts. In the early afternoon, you'll hop back on the bus for a stop in Burgas, the second biggest city on the Black Sea coast. You'll have time to explore the lively city centre and take a stroll through the Sea Garden. This clifftop park is known for its landscaped garden, cultural landmarks and beautiful sea views. Relax with a coffee or some ice cream, pop into a few shops, or simply enjoy the views before joining the bus and heading back to your hotel.

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. And because all children 11 and under sail for free, it's a wallet-friendly day out, too – 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 admire 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.

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.

Half-day 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.

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.

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.

Bulgarian village half-day tour with honey and brandy tasting

Nestled in the Balkan Mountains, two traditional Bulgarian villages take this spotlight on this morning tour. You'll learn about authentic rural life, visit a bee garden, and learn how typical Bulgarian treats are made. Ivaylo, one of our guides, says “the slow-paced life in the village of Erkech, combined with the serene mountain atmosphere and scenic views, makes this tour the perfect nature escape.”First, you'll stop at a bee garden in the village of Kosharitza, where you'll see first-hand how honey is made, and sample some of the produce – there's pure natural honey, as well as mead and sweet honey brandy made here. Then, you'll head over to Erkech – this part of the tour is all about getting to grips with how the locals live. You'll see how wool has been made for hundreds of years, and how brandy is distilled, before a tasting session. Then, you can show off your cooking skills in a competition making banitza, a typical Bulgarian pastry.And for younger guests, there's plenty of fun in store. There's a playground with swings, slides, seesaws and a bunch of games, like badminton, skipping ropes, hoops and more. Plus, kids can get hands-on with making Bulgarian martenitsa, which are small woollen dolls worn on 1st March, known as the day of Baba Marta, to celebrate the end of winter.

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.

Karaagach River kayaking tour in Strandzha National Park

Setting off from the beach, you'll hop in a kayak for an hour of paddling along the Karaagach River in Strandzha National Park. With an experienced guide by your side, you'll glide through untouched greenery, soaking up the wild beauty of Bulgaria's largest protected park. Keep your eyes peeled along the way, too, as there's a chance to spot rare fish like barbel and chub darting beneath the surface. It's a sporty little escape that packs big adventure into just one hour on the water – so, you in?

Istanbul old town walking tour from Bulgaria by overnight bus

Leaving Bulgaria late at night, you'll head down the Black Sea coast until the sunrise welcomes you to Istanbul, the cultural melting pot where Europe meets Aisa. Get your morning started with breakfast included before a bus trip and walking tour of the old town to help get your bearings and see some of Istanbul's top sights, like Beylerbey Castle, the 14th-century Galata Tower and the Blue Mosque. You'll then have free time to roam around this bustling city for yourself. You could check out the Grand Bazaar, full of traditional Turkish crafts like carpets, ceramics and jewellery. History buffs will want to head to the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia, or if you fancy a cruise down the Bosphorus, there's an optional boat trip lined up for you – just so you know, this does come at an extra cost. The midnight return to your Bulgarian hotel is well worth it for a day packed with history, culture and a hop across the river to a whole new continent.