The Black Sea region - Today's Zaman

Black Sea radiatesmillions of colorsTRAVELBLACK SEA 201094The Black Sea region has history, hundredsof years of tradition and its own uniquefoods. It continues to draw all kinds of adventureseekers, nature lovers in particular.Artvin: Green fields meet blue skiesAt its extreme is Artvin, often referred toas the “soils neighboring the sky.” This quiettown is split in half by the Çoruh Riverand surrounded by valleys, cliffs and mountainsthat reach up to 3,900 kilometers.Rize: The capital of teaKnown for its tea, it should come as nosurprise that tea gardens line the streets.Have a cup at the Ziraat Tea House as yougaze at the mountains that stretch fromthe coast way up into the sky.If you have the time, visit theAyder Plateau to see its natural beautyand wooden houses dotting theslope, shrouded in fog. The scene isnothing short of picturesque. And ifyou love water, stop by the FırtınaValley, whose rivers are perfect forrafting. If you're into mountainclimbing, head for the top of theKaçkar Mountains. They are home toover 2,000 plant species, and theirsummits offer a stunning view.Trabzon: The star ofthe eastern Black SeaTrabzon, a city with thousands of yearsof history as a cultural and trade center,is one of the most important tourismcenters in the eastern Black Sea region.The Greek Sümela Monasterysituated on the side of a hill that risesabove a river draws large crowds oftourists. If you arrive in the summer,you'll be surrounded by green; wintervisitors will see it covered by a sheet ofwhite snow. Other places to visit inTrabzon are the Hagia SophiaMuseum, which dates back to the 13thcentury; and the Trabzon Castle, whichis the best protected historical monumentin the region and stretches all theway from the sea to the hilltops.Fırtına VadisiUzu