Bulgaria.

Myself, youngest daughter Lisa , her husband and her daughter (my youngest Granddaughter) Amelie aged 8 are thinking of going to Bulgaria next year. Has anyone been there and if so would you recommend what part to go to for a good fun holiday please?

Re: Bulgaria.

Me and my wife went there a good 20 years ago so I suppose things have changed a lot. We had a week in the mountains , I don't remember the name of the resort, followed by a week at Golden Sands. To be honest I don't remember much about it other than it was dirt cheap to eat and drink. I do remember being harassed by a chap to change travellers cheques into their money but we had been warned off doing that as they gave you money which was no longer in circulation.

Re: Bulgaria.

I went to Sunny Beach in 2007. It was very good fun, lots to do for all ages and very nice beaches. I went on my own and could always find things to do and people to talk to. There are a handful of beggars in the street (mainly children) if that bothers you and the odd adult entertainment venue, but these are not overt. It is and was a growing resort, so probably more there now than when I went. I'd describe it as 'Blackpool in Bulgaria'.

Would I go again? - absolutely yes. In fact I may even move there in a few years time.

Re: Bulgaria.

Thank you Alan and Boy Racer for your replies. I will Google Sunny Beach.

Re: Bulgaria.

We went to 2 destinations in Bulgaria as part of the cruise we have just returned from. Our favourite was Nessebar, we went to the Old Town which was lovely and historic, the beaches are in another part which we didn't see, but supposed to be very popular. I wouldn't mind going back there if the occasion arose.

One of the side streets to give you a flavour.

Re: Bulgaria.

Have been about 10 times to Bulgaria, and will be going again next summer.
My advice is to STAY AWAY from Sunny Beach unless you are a fan of the loutish, and commercialised, purpose-built resorts similar to everywhere else in Europe.
With the ages of your family you mention, I would try the seaside city of Varna.
Varna is cheaper than the purpose-built resorts of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, which the tour operators try to herd you to (because they own hotels there).
Varna has an international airport, which is the landing point for the Golden Sands tourists.

Experience the real Bulgaria and go where the Bulgarians have their holidays. They know where to go.
You will be pleasantly surprised with Varna (nicknamed `The Black Sea capital'). English is widely spoken and prices are far lower than the westernised resorts. Have a look on You Tube.

Re: Bulgaria.

We stopped at Varna on the cruise, but can't say I found it anything special.

Re: Bulgaria.

Fair play. Some people like seeing historic (as your pics above). If so, Nessebar or Sozopol would probably be ideal for a short visit, though I'm not sure they are what children would be interested in.

Not being a culture vulture, the coastal city of Varna fits the bill for me.
Went twice last summer. (5 weeks in total).

Re: Bulgaria.

I watched the documentary on Sunny Beach and thought it was a horrible place full of drunken Brits having sex in the streets, girls stripping off, twas very tacky!

Re: Bulgaria.

I agree with Brian. We've been many times to quite a few places and Sunny Beach seems to be the resort most Brits go to. It's like Blackpool with sun (but reliable sun only up to September). It's loud, packed, chavvy, and you wouldn't know you were even abroad apart from the weather. Sozopol is very nice, lots of interesting old wooden houses and narrow cobbled winding streets to explore, plenty of bars and restaurants similar to Nessebar. Pomorie is also a good resort, plenty of shops and places to eat, a lovely beach, a bird sanctuary if that's your sort of thing, and some fascinating salt flats where sufferers from arthritis can smother themselves with stinky black mineral salts - we saw plenty of Russians by the sea all slicked and blacked up! If you want a truly authentic taste of Bulgaria try renting a house in a village like Dospei. Quiet and simple and quite primitive, with just cows and chickens wandering past, one village shop and a half hour walk to the nearest town.

Bulgaria isn't for everyone, it still has remnants of its communist past with large logos half erased on the side of blocks of ugly flats, some of the pavements are cracked and broken, and there are also gypsies begging from time to time, but it's very inexpensive, the locals are very friendly. If you're a fan of cheese you will be in heaven, their yellow cheese turns up in a lot of food! I'd say they don't really have a cuisine as such, and many restaurants have the ubiquitous photos outside of variations of steak, chicken and chips. Also, some food isn't very hot and they don't seem to get the concept of bringing all parts of your meal at the same time. Fresh fruit stalls are wonderful - oh, and if your OH is into rose scented cosmetics, every other supermarket sells a great - and really cheap - range of their famous rose perfume, body lotions etc. They grow and harvest roses in Bulgaria.

The Santa Marina Holiday Village in Sozopol may suit you, look up the photos. Imagine a large complexof Swiss chalet apartments on several levels, beautifully landscaped grounds, a little bus to take you round, several pools and bars, a couple of on site shops and a 10 minute ride from Sozopol on an open air electric bus. You would need to check what level your apartment was on if you aren't fit, there are lots of steps to the higher ones. There's a private beach across a bridge, not terribly manicured but very pleasant.

Give Bulgaria a try, you'll either love or hate it!