St Constantine and Helena Holidays

You’ll find St Constantine and Helena perched on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast. This town is one of Bulgaria’s original holiday hotspots – it’s been attracting visitors since the beginning of the 20th century. The mix of scenery is one of the reasons why. Three kilometres of golden sand are offset by lots of cypress, lilac and fig trees. Plus, Varna city’s 20 minutes away by car, so urban sights are covered, too.

Natural thermal springs are peppered throughout this place. The mineral-rich waters are said to possess healing powers. And you’re not short of spots to have a dip. As well as dedicated spas, there are two open-air pools right on the seafront. Bathing in these springs is just as popular now as it was in Roman times. History buffs can take the 15-minute drive to Varna’s Roman Thermae to see the remains of a second-century bathhouse.

Spend an afternoon visiting the town’s namesake, a centuries-old monastery. No one knows exactly when it was originally built, but rumour has it that it dates back to the 16th century. Elsewhere, the Euxinograd palace is a five-minute cab ride, or 30-minute walk away. This former royal summer house is surrounded by botanical gardens, and it has its own boutique winery which puts on tasting sessions.