Rize and Trabzon are without a doubt, blessed with some of Turkey’s most natural landscapes.  These two provinces share borders and also have the most stunning green environment of which a rich selection of flora and fauna exist peacefully. Both regions also have a noticeably more laidback culture than the rest of Turkey, which may be attributed to its small … [Read more...]

Apart from being the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa is famous for being a green city, where the government efficiently enforces environmental laws, making the town a refreshing sight. Bursa holds a very rich history, but you may be surprised to see modern city buildings side by side with remarkable ancient structures. Just admire the structures and you’ll have a … [Read more...]

Turkey boasts of many historical, archeological and architectural sights, while for natural wonders, most of the country’s beauty is concentrated in Black Sea Coast. Filled with verdant hills, picturesque alpine meadows, lush valleys and glacial lakes, architecture in this region is also impressive and it includes Ottoman houses, an ancient city and one of the most interesting … [Read more...]

The city of Bursa is also called Green Bursa for the predominant green color from its teeming greeneries that are mostly contributed by numerous parks and gardens. Adding to its “green” character is the Green Mausoleum, which is the final resting place of Mehmet I. Mehmet I’s sarcophagus is considered to be an architecture wonder of the Turkish period. Its colorful and … [Read more...]

The small town of Çamlıhemşin is revered in Turkey for its richness in nature, life and colour.  The year-long rains, high altitude (high up in the Firtina Valley) and cold temperature make Çamlıhemşin’s soil so fertile that its valleys and mountains are all in an opulent colour of green. While Çamlıhemşin is a great visit all throughout the year, the best time to see the town … [Read more...]

Bring drinking water and prepare your knees for a little climb because the best way to appreciate the Kars Castle is to conquer the steppe and view the kalesi face to face. It  went through a lot of rebuilding since its original erection in 1153 to its final rebuilding in 1855.  The structure that presently sits atop the hill, overlooking the city may be a combination of … [Read more...]

The Sarpi Gate is more than just a boundary between the countries of Turkey and Georgia. It is a tourist destination in itself, often the first or last destination when visiting either country. Border rules changed in the recent years and although it is no longer as easy to cross borders as it had been a decade ago, travelers are free to enjoy the beauty of Sarpi. Sarpi … [Read more...]

Turkey is blessed with spectacular plateaus and one of those is the Ayder Plateau located in the town of Camlihemsin in the province of Rize. The Ayder Plateau is fondly referred to as “honey forest” because of its delicacy, the honey. It is a conglomeration of all shades of green with touches of gold and brown that reaches out to the skies. You will also find both hot … [Read more...]

The Altindere National Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Trabzon region of Turkey. Known throughout for its exceptionally verdant forests, you will find many species of trees such as oak, chestnut, Scotch pine, black pine, and the beautiful forest rose. The abundance of fruits, flowers, and plants makes it a perfect habitat for animals such as foxes, … [Read more...]

On the Northeast, coast of Turkey sits the city of Trabzon. Well known for its football team, I was lured to the region because of the many attractions that entice thousands of visitors every year. As a stopping point on the historical silk route, various cultures and traditions have also made their way into the history of the bustling metropolis. Due to its close proximately … [Read more...]

The Black Sea Region of Turkey is quite unlike any other area in the country. Stretching from the outskirts of Istanbul to the Georgian border, it covers most of the northern coastline. While there are many recommend places to visit along this stretch of coastline, the northeast is the most popular because of the amazing historical sites and culture experiences to be had. … [Read more...]

The landscape of Turkey is very diverse and if you head to the Black sea region, there is an abundance of mountains, pine forest hills and waterfalls. One of them is the Gelin Tulu waterfall. Located in the Ayder plateau, it earned its name from locals who thought of a bride’s veil when they saw it. A stay in the Ayder plateau is recommended when you visit the Black sea … [Read more...]

The Black Sea region of Turkey is one of my favorite places. It has a distinctive vibe, mainly because of the original cultures that live there including the Laz and Hemsin people. My tour started in Trabzon and ended in the eastern city of Kars and during that time, I was introduced to beautiful natural landscapes, friendly people and thanks to my guide, I gained in-depth … [Read more...]