Leaving Varna on our way south to Nessebar we pass by the the Kamchia Nature Reserve that covers the lower stream of the Kamchia river. Because of its importance for biodiversity, the reserve is included in the global network of UNESCO biosphere reserves. The dense riverine forests are especially rich in birdlife, with the Black Sea migration flyway Via Pontica passing over.

Near Cape Emine further south, we cross the easternmost part of the Balkan Mountain Range that gives the name and of the whole Balkan Peninsular. It is a picturesque drive through forests and sleepy villages, sunflower fields and charming seaside resorts.

We start our visit to ancient Nessebar at the Archaeological Museum. It is an excellent place to get a grasp on history. With a solid collection of artefacts from the 3,000 years of the town’s existence, it covers six distinct cultures: Eneolithic, Thracian, Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Bulgarian. Although the Archaeological Museum is not large, the quality of the collection offers an insightful look at the various stages of Nessebar’s development. The permanent exhibition "Nessebar Down the Centuries" takes you step by step through the tale of the town’s place at the crossroads of civilisations. While it displays exquisite golden jewelry, imposing marble reliefs, refined pottery, and splendid pieces of art, there’s much more to discover as you look deeper.

The maze of cobblestone streets encourages aimless wandering through this historic city, contained within a small rocky peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea. Once you enter the narrow gate in the ancient fortress wall, you’ll find yourself in a remarkable neighbourhood with memories from thousands of years of civilisation. The trading atmosphere lives on with street vendors selling art and handicrafts throughout the town. At the crossroads of culture, Nessebar was a starting line for many European concepts we take for granted today. Originally a Thracian settlement, it became a Greek colony at the beginning of the 6th century BC. But the peninsular town possesses more than the remains of an assortment of iconic and historic eras. This hub on the Black Sea changed the world because the very concept of money was invented here.