Things to do in

Trabzon

Begin your day with a visit to the mesmerizing Altindere National Park. Soak up the tranquility of the park as you listen to the sound of the waterfalls and snap photos. Follow your guide on a 15-minute walk to the Sumela Monastery observation point and marvel at the impressive architecture of the monastery, carved into the cliff face. After admiring the views, continue to Cosandere Valley and spend some free time exploring. Stop among the pine trees to enjoy a delcious lunch at Zigana Pass. After lunch, visit the ancient Tortul Castle and put your bravery to the test with a walk along a 240-meter-high glass observation platform. Later, enter the magnificent Karaca Caves. This natural wonder is filled with easy-to-navigate walkways and plenty of lighting to showcase its beauty. The final stop is in Hamsikoy, a peaceful region of 5 farming villages, where you’ll taste a local pudding known as sutlac before beginning the return journey to Trabzon.

Your tour will begin with pickup from your hotel in Trabzon. From there you will travel to Uzungol, which takes approximately one hour. As you travel from Trabzon you will visit a tea factory, which will provide you with a look at the way fresh tea is grown and harvested. You will also be able to buy fresh tea to take with you.  Once you are done learning about the hectic life of tea makers, you will visit the Surmene knives and gift shop. There you will see the hard work of master craftsman of the Surmene region, as well as their handcrafted blades. These blades have been forged, folded, twisted, and hammered, until a unique blade is finished. After a lunch break you will be free to discover the Uzungol area by yourself. You may like to rent a pedal boat on the lake, or can instead opt to follow one of the hiking trails for a chance to see some of the impressive local wildlife. In the evening you will return to Trabzon, where you will be dropped off back to your hotel.

You will begin by visiting a clothing factory that creates items for all of Turkey. Whilst there you will become familiar with the clothing culture of Turkey, and can also purchase different types of items which can be used throughout daily life. Firtina Valley, known as Storm Valley, is the next destination of the tour. This river is fantastically beautiful, and contains elegant old bridges. Whilst there you can discover the many stunning vantage points from which you can admire this amazing river, and can choose to river raft if so desired too. After arriving at Ayder, you will be able to enjoy lunch surrounded by stunning mountains whilst you eat. After enjoying your meal you will have free time to explore some of the hiking trails that wind their way through the hills and mountains around you. After relaxing or exploring you will begin to make your way back to Trabzon, making stops along the way to enjoy the stunning natural waterfalls the region has to offer.

Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your hotel in Trabzon. Enter the Hagia Sophia, a 12th-century church which was later converted into a mosque, then an ammunition depot, then a hospital, and now finally, a museum. Admire the Georgian and Seljuk-influenced architecture. Marvel at the stunning stone frieze depicting the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, as well as the churches frescoes. Visit the Atatürk Mansion, the stately mansion that was once owned by the founder of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Explore the mansion’s gardens and enjoy its fine views. See the map of the WWI Dardanelles campaign which has been scratched into the table in the study. Next, see authentic silver Telkari, a craft style used in ancient Greece and Rome which employs wirework. Admire fine works of Telkari and learn about this crafts cultural history. Afterward stop at Akcaabat for meatballs and other regional dishes such as kaygana, kuymak, tursu kavurmasi and sarma. Take a leisurely bicycle ride around Sera Lake, the gorgeous sapphire lake nestled in the hills of Trabzon. Sip a special Black Sea Tea prepared with a regional samovar (traditional container used to heat water), as you take in the scenic views. If you’d like, your tour guide will be happy to take you to the Trabzon Forum, the city’s largest shopping center. Afterward you’ll return to your hotel at around 6 pm.

Enjoy a pocket hotspot device rental service. Access the web throughout Turkey. Avoid expensive data roaming charges or connecting to insecure public internet points and, most importantly, save yourself the time and hassle of looking for free Wi-Fi every time you need an internet connection. With this service, you won’t have to change your sim card during your vacation or buy a high-cost data package in advance. This is an unlimited package at truly 4G/LTE speed - it is secure and works everywhere in Turkey. There are no speed limitations at any level of data usage. Watch movies, play games, make online calls, stream your playlists, share your memories, use live navigation, and more. Please note that mobile operators sources may affect speed. Order your pocket WiFi device and have it shipped to your destination before you arrive. You also have the option of picking it up at the airport upon your arrival. When you get there, you’ll be ready to enjoy unlimited WiFi throughout your trip. In order to receive the package on time, please provide your mobile number with country code.

Stop first at Firtina valley, given its name because water runs out from under the bridges in a wonderful scene that captures minds. Enjoy the sights and charming green nature in one of the most beautiful areas of the Black Sea, also filled with adventure activities. Explore the most famous waterfall in the town, and later have a Turkish tea in one of the recommended cafes nearby the Old Ottoman Stone Bridge on the Storm Stream set amidst the Storm Valley. Head to the most beautiful waterfalls situated at the summit of the Ayer highland. Eat delicious Turkish lunch, then move on to discover the Ayder highland, lead by the tour guide to a number of special spots.

The tour will begin in the morning as you are picked up from your hotel in Trabzon. Your city tour will take place in the beautiful city of Trabzon, nestled in green forested mountains and sitting on the Black Sea. A highlight of your city exploration will be when you visit the Aya Sofya Mosque. The sister monument to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it offers a fantastic tour displaying artifacts from the history of the Black Sea region. As you travel through the city you will visit some of the best heritage sites, which include Ataturk’s Villa. This home was the favored place to stop when the founder of modern Turkey visited the region. Following your time in the city, you will head to Boztepe Hill. Standing above the city is a park on the top of the hill where you can take a guided tour of the hilltop. As you walk, you will view the bright colors of the city contrasting against the backdrop of the Black Sea. This location will provide the perfect opportunity for you to take photos of the breathtaking views. Following this wonderful park you will head to Sera Lake, where you will enjoy an unusual body of water which was created artificially through the rocks which naturally found their way to the water's edge. Before you return to your hotel, you will have one last chance to do some shopping in Trabzon's famous shopping centers.