On the southern coast of Bulgaria, nestled against the stunning Black Sea, there is a lovely town that is one of the best kept holiday secrets in Europe. It is called Sozopol, and if you've never heard of it don't worry because you're in very good company. Most people don't know anything about Sozopol, which is quite unfortunate because it is a wonderful place to escape for your next holiday adventure. |
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The town of Sozopol itself is ancient, dating back to at least the 6th century B.C., although there is a great deal of evidence indicating initial settlement of the area well back into the Bronze Age. It has been called by many names over the centuries, perhaps most famously "Apollonia" due to a widely appreciated temple dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. Now the name Apollonia is used primarily in reference to the annual Apollonia Art and Film Festival held in Sozopol each September, one of the premier festivals that attracts large numbers of art and film aficionados from around the world.
Most of the time, though, Sozopol is best known as a scenic seaside resort town, boasting a wide range of sandy beaches, perfect summer weather, and also filled with history, culture, and particularly interesting "fusion" cuisine. Fusion cuisine is unlike anything you have ever experienced before, combining elements of Bulgarian, Turkish, and Greek foods into wonderful dishes of all kinds. It is not unusual for vacationers to return home raving about the abundance of delicious food and the wonderful opportunities to enjoy it throughout the town and next to the sea.
Even though the summer months are the busiest in Sozopol, it remains a relatively undiscovered destination that lacks the throngs and crowds of visitors commonly found in other better known vacation spots. This makes it an ideal place for relaxing, exploring, shopping, and generally soaking up the ambiance of the town. Because it is rather small, it is common to find the best places to stay are small as well, usually owned and operated by a local family. The people of Sozopol are incredibly warm and friendly, so staying in a family-run inn is a real treat. It allows you to experience Sozopol and its culture up close, and also provides you with expert advice on the best places to go for food, drink, or shopping while you are on holiday.
In addition to the smooth sandy beaches in Sozopol, there are many rugged and scenic beaches with large rocks that are perfect for sunbathing up and away from the edge of the water. Some places even have spots where you can jump from the rocks out into the Black Sea, but be cautious about doing this as the water is deep and can be quite rough in those spots. Just getting to these places is a wonderful excursion in itself, as you often find yourself wandering through the traditional older parts of town where you will find all sorts of wooden houses and other buildings that date back hundreds (and in some cases, thousands) of years.
Because Sozopol is relatively secluded and out of the way, getting there takes a bit more time and effort than going to other more popular vacation destinations. Most holiday travellers to Sozopol arrive in Bulgaria via one of two airports in the closest cities - Sofia or Burgas. There are typically more choices in terms of airline flights going into Sofia (with many international options from the UK and throughout Europe) but Burgas is closer to Sozopol (about 45 kilometres away). During peak tourist season you can also find charter flights from major European cities directly into Burgas. Once you're on the ground, you can easily find transportation to Sozopol via train, bus, taxi, or a combination of these methods.
Wiki:- Sozopol
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