Golden Sands Holidays

This purpose-built Bulgarian resort started developing back in the Fifties. It’s come a long way since then, and these days it’s one of the biggest, most glam resorts on the Black Sea coast. The place is really big on nightlife and nature. Add to that a sandy Blue Flag beach and you’ve got a holiday spot that just keeps on giving.

The sandy beach is a big crowd-puller, but you’ve got three and a half kilometres to play with here, so there’s always room to lay down your towel. The sands slope gently into the sea and there are no rocks, making it great for swimmers of all sizes. You’ve got umbrellas and loungers lined up in neat rows, while the front will see you right for snacks and ice-creams.

The area around Golden Sands is protected countryside. There’s plenty to see here, with more than 500 species of plants, plus deer, wild boar and badgers to spot. Walking and cycling are popular ways to explore, and there’s a horse-riding centre in the resort that runs excursions, if you’d rather save your legs.

Less than half an hour on the bus gets you to Varna, Bulgaria’s third biggest city. Head for the central cathedral and you can check out its first-class walnut wood carvings and scale the bell tower for sky-high views. Then take your pick from the Archaeological Museum stuffed with golden treasure, the zoo, and the Sea Garden park – a top picnic spot.