Sadly....we left Varna behind and headed to the ancient town of Nessebar, another seaside town on the Black Sea. We had read that it was beautiful and also a UNESCO site so we decided to visit, given it was sort of on the way to Plovdiv...our overnight stop heading towards Sofia. We got there around 10.00, got a carpark and walked over the bridge to the island. It was truly lovely with old churches, museums, cobblestones, restaurants, ruins from the Thracic Period. We purchased a 5 church/museum ticket each and were amazed by church frescos, 3-5th century artefacts, old structures and architecture. We wandered around the streets looking at the local wares. We were really talked with all the beautiful leather. Must confess we did buy another treasure...and unusual vase type thingy. I think we will be ditching most of our clothes to get the treasures back. Left in the arvo for our drive to another UNESCO site...Plovdiv. This was inland.
Arrived in the old town...where we were staying..at Boris's Palace. Our onsite parking was on the site of a footpath near the hotel...in the pedestrian zone. We were allowed to drive up the tiny cobblestone (well minus the cobble...just stone) street because we were staying at the hotel. Boris was very scary...a big old Russian dude. NO sense of humour. But our room with a small balcony over the old town was brilliant. In fact, BR said it was one of his favourites. It was decorated in antiques and felt apart of the landscape. (Lol funny moment. When we went down for our included breakfast, scary Boris pointed to our table. I asked if we could sit outside on the terrace. His very firm NO in a Russian accent put a downer on that ok. Anyway, hotel good. Boris friggin scary...and he charged us twice for accomodation...trying to recoup it back. Must mention that for dinner we had the best grilled halloumi cheese outside Greece.
Anyway. Spent the day roaming Plovdiv before driving to Sofia. Walked up and down small, quaint cobblestones streets. Looked at amazing ruins, beautiful churches, viewing points over the town. One thing we noted was that the cobblestones were really bad. They were really hard to walk on and the car was not a fan.
If you are ever in Bulgaria...Varna, Nessebar and Plovdiv are all must sees. Loved, loved, loved them. Hoping Sofia is as good.
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