With the UK summer off to a rainy start, hundreds of happy holidaymakers were Bulgaria-bound at London Southend Airport (LSA), as tour operator Balkan Holidays began its service to Bourgas, which boasts the popular resort of Sunny Beach – which not only has eight kilometres of stunning sandy beaches but it was also voted the best value for money out of 46 worldwide destinations in a recent Post Office Travel Money survey*. 

The new charter service, which will operate every Monday until 2 September, is bookable via the Balkan Holidays website, where travellers will enjoy a 5% discount when booking online, or by using your local travel agent. Sun-seekers from the region can use Bourgas as a gateway to some of the best beaches and nightlife on the Black Sea, while sightseers can stroll through the Old Town of Nessebar, which is a renowned UNESCO site.

Nigel Mayes, Business Development Director at LSA said: “With this summer already looking like a bit of a washout at home, many people will be seeking the sun, sea and sand that Bourgas in Bulgaria has to offer. With low deposits from £49 per person, and free 22kg luggage and transfers on all package holidays, Balkan Holidays is making a sunny break overseas easy and affordable for people in Essex, the East of London and East Anglia.”

Andy Jones, Head of Product and Commercial at Balkan Holidays added: “With the school holidays just around the corner its great news for anyone not booked yet for this summer that we still have plenty of great value holidays from London Southend – and from as low as £265 per person. That said, for those with a bigger holiday budget and looking for a bit more luxury, we also offer holidays all the way up to five-star, all-inclusive breaks.”

Passengers can travel to LSA in just 52 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street or a mere 43 minutes from Stratford (connecting via the Elizabeth Line), before walking only 100 paces to the terminal door for a quick and easy airport experience. 

The start of the new service to Bourgas by Balkan Holidays follows on from last week’s announcement that Tenerife has been added to the routes being offered by easyJet holidays next summer from LSA. The popular Canaries destination, which has long been in demand by regular users of the airport, joins new flights to Gran Canaria also in the Canaries, Antalya and Dalaman in Turkey, Pisa in Italy, Marrakech in Morocco, and Enfidha in Tunisia. 

*2021 Post Office Travel Money Holiday Costs Barometer