| THE BLACK SEA AREA | |||||||
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TRABZON The entire south coast of The Black Sea is Turkish. This coast has played an important role in the history of the Republic. Ataturk, when he left Istanbul, landed at Samsun and it was from the Black Sea that the first real efforts to establish the republic took place There have been settlements on this coast since the beginnings of history. The Amazons, for example, had their kingdom on the shores of the Black Sea, and it was from here that they they established colonies as far south as Ephesus. |
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| As the Taurus Mountains dominate the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, so do the brooding Black Sea mountains dominate the north coast of Anatolia. | |||||||
| In the east , these mountains and their lush valleys are home to fascinating and ancient tribes--the Hemsin and the Laz. This area is also the tea growing capital of Turkey and many many tea factories dominate the landscapes of the area. |  |
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| The haunting Sumela Monastery was built deep in the mountains. The Orthodox Church abandoned the monastery in the 1920’s , but it still has a mystic presence today. This part of Turkey also has many, many Georgian Christian Churches . All of them are spectacularly sited and many are still in very good condition, even though they have long been abandoned. The capital of the eastern Black Sea region is Trabzon. Originally known as Trebizond, the city is very old and very atmospheric. Most of the major sites of the area are easy to visit from Trabazon |  |
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RISE
The centre of Turkey’s tea growing region is Rise. Located about 150 kilometres east of Trabzon on the Black Sea coast, Rise has many, many tea orchards and factories. It is also the home of the Tea Institute of Turkey, which sets and monitors quality standards for the region’s producers.
The centre of Turkey’s tea growing region is Rise. Located about 150 kilometres east of Trabzon on the Black Sea coast, Rise has many, many tea orchards and factories. It is also the home of the Tea Institute of Turkey, which sets and monitors quality standards for the region’s producers.
MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
The Black Sea mountains of Eastern Turkey offer wonderful vistas of extraordinary beauty. The alpine village of Ayder with its hot springs, the enchanting lake Uzungol with its most photogenic mosque and, in June, the blooming of the wild rhododendrons are three examples.
The Black Sea mountains of Eastern Turkey offer wonderful vistas of extraordinary beauty. The alpine village of Ayder with its hot springs, the enchanting lake Uzungol with its most photogenic mosque and, in June, the blooming of the wild rhododendrons are three examples.
ERZURUM
On the other side of the mountains from the Rise, is the important and strategic city of Erzerum. One of the highest cities in Turkey, Erzerum dominates and controls the high plateaux of Eastern Anatolia. The large military presence in the city today attests to its strategic importance--an importance that has existed since the days of the Byzantines. Erzerum was an important centre in the Selcuk Turkish Empire, and is still graced with many lovely twelfth and thirteenth century monuments. We visit the Black Sea area and Erzerum on our Ancient Kingdoms tour.
On the other side of the mountains from the Rise, is the important and strategic city of Erzerum. One of the highest cities in Turkey, Erzerum dominates and controls the high plateaux of Eastern Anatolia. The large military presence in the city today attests to its strategic importance--an importance that has existed since the days of the Byzantines. Erzerum was an important centre in the Selcuk Turkish Empire, and is still graced with many lovely twelfth and thirteenth century monuments. We visit the Black Sea area and Erzerum on our Ancient Kingdoms tour.
Some touring highlights: Sumela Monastery, Trabzon, Macka, Samsun, Hagia Sofia, Hemsin, Laz, Uzungol, Ayder, Rhododendrons, Azalea, Hot Springs, Black Sea Mountains, Tea Factories, Rise, Rise Tea Institute, Ispir, Ikidere, Black Sea Summit, Erzerum, Uc Kimbetler (Tombs), Ulu Camii, Bedestan, Cifte Minareli Medrese.ON TOURS: ANCIENT KINGDOMS
