Stunning sunsets lined with mountains, breathtaking day trips, unforgettable entertainment and a hot sun that shines down all day on sandy beaches. 

Though up-and-coming Bulgaria may not yet be one to tick off the bucket list, it does have its fair share to satisfy sun-seekers, history-buffs and families alike.

Famed for its raucous party hotspot, Sunny Beach, it seems 'stag do's and cheap booze' is all that comes to mind when tourists dismiss the Black Sea coastline.

But brimming with a curious mix of cultures from surrounding Turkey, Romania and Greece, this is far from all the scenic Balkan nation has to offer.

For just a short drive from landmark Sunny Beach, and on the southern peninsula of Bourgas Bay, sits the idyllic seaside town of Pomorie.

The land is incredibly sparse and mainly empty, but five star hotels and water parks are starting to pop up everywhere as the country's tourism industry flourishes.

My partner and I were to enjoy a six-night stay at the luxurious Sunset Resort, a vast and stylish complex encompassing within it a 400m natural beach.

The rear view of Sunset Resort, Pomorie

The journey

It was clear from the beginning of our trip that the country is at the start of its journey to become a tourist destination, with the plane from Birmingham Airport diverting up to Manchester to pick up more passengers.

Only fifty locals opted for the package trip with Balkan Air and Balkan Holidays, so it was either fill up the plane up North or don't go at all.

After a delayed three-and-a-half hour flight arriving in Bourgas Airport at 2.30am local time, we were glad to see the travel company's air conditioned coach waiting for us.

The resort

It took just ten minutes to reach the first stop, where only ourselves disembarked the coach packed with families and couples destined for Sunny Beach.

The studio apartment bedroom at Eta, Sunset Resort, Bulgaria

Despite the late hour of our check-in, smiling faces greeted us at the hotel's grand, glossy marble reception.

A bell boy was soon at our disposal to take our four suitcases - all 54kg permitted by the airline - to our studio apartment in one of the five six-storey blocks within Sunset Resort.

A bottle of Bulgarian sparkling white wine was the perfect finishing touch to our spacious, spotless apartment - which boasted our own private balcony looking out onto the coast.

And we were soon to discover glorious temperatures of 28C and a sun that blazes down from dawn till dusk.

At the resort, you can literally chase the sun before watching it set along the beach, as it shines on the five separate pool areas at different times of the day.

The food

One of the dining areas at Sunset Resort, Pomorie

All-inclusive and full board guests help themselves to a vast buffet at meal times hosted within three in-house restaurants of your choice.

For breakfast, everything from fry-ups and croissants to cinnamon crepes and fruit is available.

At lunch and dinner, various meats are on offer alongside soup, rice, fish, pasta, salad, chips, cheeses, potatoes and other vegetables.

Each night slight alterations are made to the spread to keep it fresh - with traditional Bulgarian veal cooked on a barbecue in front of you for Sunday's entertainment.

Veal and chips at Sunset Resort

And if you're still craving something a bit more exciting, high-quality a la carte restaurants are dotted around the complex - including Chinese, Italian, French, Mediterranean and a Grill House.

Between lunch and dinner, the smell of hot sugary donuts fills the warm air as staff cook the sweet treats in front of peckish holiday-makers.

Hotdogs are also free for those patient enough to wait in the lengthy queue. And there's a patisserie on site for anyone with a sweet tooth as well.

There are nine bars serving everything from coffee to cocktails within the hotel itself, but you also have the option of the cool, quirky bars which line the beach front too.

Cocktails on the beach at one of the many bars at Sunset Resort

Cocktails at the hotel are reasonable (for those who aren't all inclusive), costing just £4 and a beer is roughly £1.60 - but eating out is even cheaper along the beach.

The entertainment

There's plenty to do at the hotel to keep you occupied all week, but it is mainly a place for young families as we soon discovered during Saturday night's entertainent.

Dozens of kids from aged three up to around ten were all dancing near a stage to songs like YMCA. And the entertainment for the rest of the week was similar, including a comedy sketch which had the children chuckling along.

The main pool area at Sunset Resort, Pomorie

But we kept ourselves busy, with sunbathing, swimming, sunset walks along the beach, playing at the resort's own bowling alley, drinking wine on our balcony and cocktails in some of the bars yards from the hotel.

On the Sunday night, the resort hosts an unmissable Folklore night - to go with the traditional barbecued veal. It features an authentic Bulgarian dance routine with young men and women adorning traditional clothing.

Folklore night at Sunset Resort, Pomorie

The best part about the hotel for parents, I suspect, is the completely free kids club they offer every day for all guests.

The children can get involved in a whole host of activities, from crafts and sports to water games and exercise classes. And there's a Disney shop selling toys and clothes for the youngsters too.

The resort's waterpark is just a short walk away and includes a range of daring, colourful slides. It costs an added £20 per person for those who aren't all inclusive, so it's well worth booking the full package.

The Sunset Resort waterpark

For the adults, there's a gym and a spa on site for guests to use, but these cost extra cash as well.

Friendly staff at the hotel also encourage anyone sunbathing by the pool to engage in water polo and other free group activities.

The beach at Sunset Resort, Pomorie

Sunbeds are another added luxury - and are within a designated no-towel zone, as we discovered when we were kicked off that part of the beach.

The trips

The time spent at the resort was relaxing, but it was the excursions offered by the hotel that made the trip extra special for us.

From seeing a pod of dolphins swim alongside our catamaran through crystal clear water to the unbelievable ancient Greek ruins in Nessebar, there's plenty to see and do nearby.

The ancient ruins in Nessebar

The historical gem of Nessebar old town is around 30 minutes away and costs just 3 leva each (£1.38) on a bus which handily stops right outside the resort.

Instead of isolating the town's history into museums or turning it into a tourist trap with a fee, Nessebar's incredible five century old ruins sit embedded amongst quaint restaurants, bars and shops.

There were many stunning five star restaurants to chose from, including those with panoramic views of the harbour there, but we chose the highly-rated Old Sailor - with outdoor seating overlooking the remains of an ancient Greek building.

The food was some of the best we've ever tasted, and what's more, was dirt cheap - just 80 leva (£36) for a starter to share, two main meals, a side of potatoes, two drinks and water to dilute the brutal strength of the Bulgarian vodka.

A traditional Bulgarian mixed grill, with various pig cuts, had a sumptuous barbecue taste and was just as fresh as the seabass my partner devoured.

A traditional Bulgarian mixed grill at The Old Sailor in Nessebar

If we were to visit Bulgaria again, Nessebar would definitely be a place we'd stay for a few days as it is beautiful and there was so much more to see.

You can opt for the hotel's guided sightseeing trip to Nessebar, but it only runs on Tuesdays and Sundays and costs £14 per person.

Another brilliant day out was our VIP catamaran cruise organised by the resort.

It set us back around £54 each, but was a perfect day out from the air conditioned bus and friendly staff to the unlimited drinks and magical dolphin sighting on our way back.

Cost and how to book

Seven nights at the five star Sunset Resort, Pomorie flying from Birmingham on May 22 2020 costs from £563 per person.

Price includes return flights and transfers to the resort. Balkan Holidays also operates to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Romania.

To book your holiday, go to www.balkanholidays.co.uk or call Reservations Tel: 0207 543 5555 or contact your local travel agent.

Lunch was provided and during the cruise, you stop off to dive into the sea and cool off from sunbathing on the nets.

We were recommended Khan's Tent for our final night in Bulgaria, which was the ideal way to finish what had been a fantastic holiday.

You're transported by the hotel's taxi to a classy white circus tent with stunning, elevated views of Sunny Beach.

Inside Khan's Tent ahead of the entertainment

After a short 20 minute journey, you're seated and staff wait on you hand and foot, serving up a four-course meal and a bottle of wine to wash it down with.

Throughout, the hundred-strong crowd - who we're told were 95 per cent British - are serenaded by the brilliant band playing familiar hits.

The main event kicks off after dinner, with a range of talented and awe-inspiring circus acts in elaborate costumes prompting cheering and wooing from the amazed audience.

You're then invited onto the dancefloor as the party continues with classic songs all Brits know and love.

It cost a reasonable £41 each for the whole night, including food, drinks, entertainment and transfers.

The resort also offers several other trips for tourists to truly soak up the rich culture - including a Virgin River Tour, The Valley of Roses, Black Sea Riviera, Balkan Safari, Blue Mountains and a Night of Traditions.