Beaches that seem to go on forever, mountains covered with verdant green and picturesque valley and plains. Fields of tea, hazelnuts, tobacco and corn. The winding blacktop road following the near strip of beach bounded by steep mountains falling, it would seem, straight into the sea. Bays, fishing villages and beaches. This is the Black Sea region.
The following cities are all located in the Black Sea region: Amasya, Artvin, Bolu, Çorum, Düzce, Giresun, Gümüşhane, Kastamonu, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Sinop, Tokat, Trabzon Zonguldak, Bartın and Karabük. You can begin your trip in this charming luxuriantly green little region of ours from the endless hazelnut orchards and foaming sea of Akcakoca.

The name of Sinop, one of the country's province, comes from a queen of the Amazons named Sinope. The birthplace of the philosopher Diyojen, this city, with its natural bays protected from the winds, is one of the Black Seas best holiday spots. Samsun is one of the Black Sea biggest ports and is a industrial and commercial center. The first rays of light that would eventually lead to the birth of the Turkish Republic broke through the darkness here.

The characteristic feature of the coast between Samsun and Trabzon are the extensive hazelnut orchards. The cities of Unye and Fatsa east of Samsun are popular holiday resorts with natural scenic beauty, beaches, accommodations, camping and restaurants. Ordu is a charming Black Sea city with hazelnut orchards stretching out for miles in every direction. The Castle of Giresun, perched upon a steep rocky slope, is like a crown upon the city. From the castle, the beaches of Giresun, stretching out like cords of gold are unforgettable. The Roman general Lucullus saw cherries for the first time in Giresun and liked them so much we had them introduced into Europe. Another important commercial port on the Black Sea is Trabzon. As the beginning of Iran's transit road, it connections with the ports of the other countries on the shores of the Black Sea.

The most important structure in Trabzon is the Ayasofya Museum. The interior is decorated with frescoes and on the exterior are a number of reliefs. The panoramic birds-eye view of the city which can be had from Boztepe Park and the Ataturk Mansion are splendid indeed.

Near Macka inside the Altindere National Park is the Sumela Monastery. The Sumela Monastery, which is perched on high cliffs overlooking the Altindere valley, was founded in the 14th century by Alexius III. Inside the monastery is a church, a library, various other rooms and a sacred spring. The area around Rize is the part of the country which receives the most precipitation. In this region where every conceivable hue of green can be see, tea is grown on terraced fields set into the mountainsides. It is the center of tea production in Turkey and the view from the Agricultural Park is as much like heaven as anyone could imagine.

Trabzon played an important role in history due it's harbour and it's vital positioning on the legendary silk road. Such was it's fame, that Marco Polo visited the city in the 14th century. Trabzon continues to be a busy city for transit trade and the newly enlarged port has increased it's shipping capacity

Altindere national park in Macka countyprovides a magnificent setting for the 14th century Sumela (Virgin Mary) monastery, perched high on a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge, overlooking the valley of Altindere. It is an exceptional site, not only for the singularity of it's consturuction, bu also for it's magnificience.

Southeast of trabzon is lake Uzungol, a lovely Alpine lake surrounded by mountains and meadows, excellent for camping, hiking and fishing. The restaurants there also make it the best place for eating river trout.

Turning inland after, Ardesen off the road going east from Rize, you come to the beautiful little town of Camlıhemşin straddling a rushing stream. Nearby is the Firtina Vadisi (Valley of Stroms) - ideal for canoeing, and the beatiful Zil castle (Kale-i Zir) and an old stone bridge.

After walking around Ayder's rolling meadows, you can relax in one of the many hot springs. For those who like mountain climbing, this is the best starting point for scaling The Kackar Mountains.

The Emerald range is one of the best and most challenging for climbers in Turkey. The whole of the Kackar range constitutes the beautiful "Kackar Daglari National Park" in the mountains south of Rize, Anzer village offers the world famous and nutritious Anzer Honey and is a nice area for hiking and it's botany.