Burgas, Bulgaria

The gateway to some of the Black Sea coast's best beach resorts and most historic towns, Burgas (sometimes written as 'Bourgas') rarely features on the tourist itinerary in its own right. It's often compared unfavourably with the more cosmopolitan Varna, but as well as being an important industrial centre and transport hub, Burgas is a lively, unpretentious university city that makes a good base for exploring the southern coast, while its uncrowded beach, bosky seaside park and clutch of museums can happily fill a few days of anyone's time. Burgas is at its best in summer, when the pedestrianised centre is alive with crowds of meandering, ice-cream-licking locals making their way towards the Maritime Park and the seafront, but the city's bars, clubs and theatres give it an active life beyond the transient sunny days enjoyed by the neighbouring tourist resorts. Nature lovers also come to Burgas for the four lakes just outside the city, which are havens for abundant bird life.