Holiday review: Golden Sands, Bulgaria

It may be a little further away than the popular mainstream getaways of Spain, but your cash will certainly last a little longer when you get there.

And the resort of Golden Sands is an instant attraction. It may sound more like Blackpool – and there is a sense of the Golden Mile about it – but the large tower dominating its surroundings is a replica of the famous one in Paris and houses a cocktail bar.

The main strip is littered with the usual array of shops, restaurants and bars and offers a pleasant walk, particularly when lit up at night.

Along the way there is something for everyone; from a funfair and games for the kids, to bars with dancing girls and offering two-for-one cocktails for the partygoers.

At first I considered this to be a negative, that the resort did not have an identity. But as time progressed I started to relaise that this was a place where families, couples and groups of young men and women could all mix and get along.

Golden Sands is still something of an unknown quantity to British holidaymakers with many still heading to the more well-known Sunny Beach (the party capital of Bulgaria's beach resorts).

But it still has plenty to offer late-night revellers with the aptly-named Party Street doing what it says on the tin. It is a place that comes alive at night with clubs staying open to the early hours.

Muppet Bar was my particular favourite, offering a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with holidaygoers from a host of different countries socialising together.

The beachfront bars were also a great place to start the evening, chilling out with a drink and watching the sun go down.

Mega Park was always bristling with activity with its sound system blaring out the latest beats and large screens showing the big sporting events.

But there were also bars with live music, karaoke and, of course, the Tom Jones tribute act (you're on holiday, you have to see at least one).

Also located on Party Street is a 6D cinema which is well worth a visit to experience stunning visual effects while on a motion simulator ride.

For those who want to get out and about, there are plenty of excursions on offer and one of the most popular is the trip to the ancient city of Nessebar.

Its abunadance of historic buildings prompted UNESCO to include Nessebar in its list of World.

Facts

Located on the north Black sea coast, Golden Sands, is a very attractive resort situated on a wooded hillside which sweeps down to a very long sandy beach. Well located for the historic city of Varna for a shopping expedition and also airport, Golden Sands features some excellent five star hotels as well as a choice of other accommodation to suit every pocket.

Golden Sands is renowned for its water sports facilities including windsurfing, jetskies, pedaloes, yachting and banana rides. There is also a PADI Deep Blue Diving Centre with a range of courses for children and adults including scuba diving.

Balkan Holidays is the leading tour operator to Bulgaria and has operated specialist holidays to the region for 47 years. Balkan Holidays also operates to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Romania.

A seven night break at the Hotel Bolero in Golden Sands costs from £548 per person, all inclusive, including return flights from Manchester to Varna departing 17 May, 2013. There are also weekly flight departures from East Midlands Airport.

For bookings go to www.balkanholidays.co.uk or call Reservations Tel: 0845 130 1114

GOLDEN?SANDS BULGARIA By Steve Box