Sozopol, one of Bulgaria’s oldest towns, lies 35 kilometres south of Burgas and is easily accessible within an hour’s drive. Divided into the Old Town and New Town, it offers a charming atmosphere with cobbled streets, Greek (and Greek-inspired) architecture, and traditional Black Sea Revival-style houses. The Old Town is basically a museum-reserve, featuring over 180 historic homes, art galleries, and the archaeological museum, which houses relics of Saint John the Baptist. Beyond its historical heritage, the town is known for its beaches, architecture, and the annual Apollonia Arts and Film Festival in early September. Sozopol’s rich history, dating back 7,000 years, blends with its modern cultural scene, making it a standout destination for a day trip.

Corte is at the very heart of Corsica, both geographically and politically, as it was the capital of an independent Corsica during its brief existence as a sovereign nation (1755-1769). The town retains its air of grandeur from those days, with the National Palace and an impressive 15th-century church as the centrepieces.

Irvine Spectrum Center is transformed into a winter wonderland when the festive outdoor Holiday Ice Rink returns to Giant Wheel Court.

Bulgaria’s coastal bunkers, remnants of its WWII alliance with Nazi Germany, are scattered along the Black Sea coast. In Burgas, one bunker sits just off Central Beach, between the Pantheon of the Fallen Antifascists and the Flora Burgas Expo Centre. Another can be found near Lake Atanasovsko, known as the Bunker at the Salt Pans. Once military outposts, these structures now stand as silent reminders of a complex past, with some repurposed into cafes and covered in murals, or left abandoned, offering a glimpse into 20th-century history.