Marieta & Ivo
Things To Do
Arkutino Beach
St. Thomas Hotel is located on the Arkutino Beach, just a couple of steps below the complex. The beach of Arkutino is one of the few not overbuilt beaches on Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The region is known for its wild beauty & rough sea. Area of Arkutino was nature reserve and there can be found densely populated and diverse habitats ranging from islands, cliffs, sandy beaches, bays, dunes, the Arkutino swamp, to forests and meadows.
Greece
Halkidiki is a 5-6 hr drive from Sofia Airport & a 7 hr drive from St. Thomas Hotel. Thessaloniki and Kavala are only a 3-4 hr drive from Sofia & 5 hr drive from the complex. Sofia also has direct flights to Mykonos, Santorini, Crete & Athens for approx. $50-100 roundtrip. A prime summer destination in northern Greece, Halkidiki is a lush region, made up of three peninsulas near Thessaloniki – Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos. Kasandra, the first branch of the Halkidiki semi-island, is the most popular of the three branches on Halkidiki. Turquoise water, dense pine forests, dreamy hotels, small coves with fish tavernas and cafes, beach bars, archaeological sites, traditional villages, and the famous Petralona Cave in Kassandra: a microcosm of miracles.
Melnik
Melnik is a 2.5 hour drive from Sofia Airport. Melnik is the smallest town in Bulgaria. The unique architecture of Melnik and the nearby Rozhen Monastery make it a popular tourist destination. In addition, the town has been famous for producing strong wine since at least 1346. The local wine from the varietal Broad Leave Melnik Vine was reportedly a favourite of Winston Churchill's. Lately, the area of Melnik is enjoying a revival of vine growing and wine making. Several new, modern wineries have been built and operate, producing high quality wine from local and international varieties.
Nessebar
The town of Nessebar is northeast of Burgas on the Black Sea coast & 1 hr from St. Thomas Hotel. Due to its unique combination of ancient history, ancient ruins and Revival architecture, the Ancient Nessebar was included to the UNESCO List in 1983. This hub on the Black Sea changed the world because the very concept of money was invented here. Today, you'll find the remnants of these eras in the form of buildings from the Middle Ages and Byzantine Empires. The archaeological reserve is situated on a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is in central Bulgaria, 1.5 hrs from Sofia Airport & 3 hrs from St. Thomas Hotel. If you decide to drive, we recommend this as a stopping point on your way to our venue. Plovdiv is the European Capital of Culture in 2019! While it's hard to summarize 6,000 years of visible history, an obvious highlight is the Roman ancient theater. Plovdiv's old town has its winding cobbled streets and elegant revival-era townhouses from the times of the Bulgarian Revival which had been preserved and restored.
Pomorie
Pomorie is a 1 hr drive from St. Thomas Holiday Village & a 30 min drive from Burgas. The resort of Pomorie is located on a narrow rocky peninsula jutting into the Black Sea, on the northwestern coast of Burgas Bay. Pomorie is the third largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast after Varna and Burgas. Because of its unique natural benefits and the famous healing mud of the Pomorie Salt Lake, it’s the perfect destination for a spa and wellness vacation all-year-round.
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is a 2 hr drive from Sofia Airport. Rila Monastery, historic monastery and cultural site in the Rhodope Mountains of southwestern Bulgaria. It is situated in a valley of the Rila massif, some 70 miles (110 km) south of Sofia. Rila is a symbol of Bulgarian national identity, and it is the most prominent monastery of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes are a 2 hr drive from Sofia Airport. The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of glacial lakes, situated in the northwestern Rila Mountain in Bulgaria. They are the most visited group of lakes in Bulgaria. The lakes are situated between 2,100 and 2,500 metres elevation above sea level. Each lake has a name according to its shape or characteristic. They are (in the order you will visit them): The Lower Lake, The Fish Lake, The Trefoil Lake, Twin Lake, The Kidney Lake, The Eye Lake and The Tear Lake.
Sozopol
Sozopol is the closest town town to St. Thomas Hotel, a 10 min drive. Sozopol is a place where the old, authentic atmosphere meets the new, modern feel of a summer destination. There is so much to offer for any visitor, especially those with an affinity for romantic landscapes, a star-filled sky and an artistic environment. The curvy streets, beautiful houses, the beach and cliffs all make for great backdrops, particularly if you manage to include a sunset or sunrise as well. The Old Town beach is right in the center of town, so it is easily accessible. If you want to explore a bit more, you can always head to the beaches of the nearby camping sites, Kavatzi and Smokinya. The Gradina camping site is also a great option.
Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is a 1 hr drive from St. Thomas Hotel. Sunny Beach is centered around tourism. It offers great parties, but is not a "traditional" Bulgarian small town. Initially a small beachside resort, it has grown to include a large variety of recreational activities and services, gambling establishments as well as sports and music venues. The clubs and discotheques of Sunny Beach are famous and known all over the world. Popular DJs and performers are often guests here, and their parties attract many young people.
Varna
Varna is a 2.5 hr drive from St. Thomas Hotel. Bulgaria's 'sea capital'. It's a lovely place, where you can take a walk around the city center, check out the beautiful sea garden, eat some excellent fish or just chill in a beach bar.