Top 5 Turkish Black Sea Coast Full-Day Tours: A Review
Thinking of checking out Turkey’s Black Sea Coast? So, that part of Turkey’s seriously different compared to the beaches down south. We’re talking lush green mountains that just kind of tumble right into the sea. Plus, the history there? Very, very rich. You see, it is packed with ancient spots and charming little towns. Deciding how to see it all, it is that’s where things get a little tricky, very tricky. To help you, here’s the lowdown on the top full-day tours. I’m hoping to give you a little inspiration on planning your trip.
1. Trabzon City Tour with Hagia Sophia
First up, so, you’ve got the Trabzon City Tour with Hagia Sophia. You see, Trabzon itself is like the heartbeat of the eastern Black Sea region. Now, this tour, basically, it often starts with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, only this one’s not in Istanbul! Apparently, this Hagia Sophia, used to be a church, then it turned into a mosque. After that, so it’s almost like a museum now. That’s not all, as I was saying, the architecture? Truly amazing. And it is filled with detailed frescoes.
Next on the list is usually the Ataturk Pavilion. This spot is very neat, it turns out. That’s because it’s a house. In particular, this house once belonged to Ataturk when he showed up to Trabzon. And after that, it is still filled with period furniture that shows off how they, well, lived back then. We might even do a bit of shopping. So, for instance, some tours take you to spots to check out local crafts.
Keep in mind though. Anyway, this trip means traveling between spots in a tour bus, or, you know, maybe a minibus, as I was saying. Be prepared for a day with others tagging along. Anyway, if you like hitting main historical attractions, then this one could be just for you. Oh, but that pace is set with a larger group of people. Read our full review: Trabzon City Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Trabzon City Tour)
2. Sumela Monastery Tour
Okay, here’s a really something unforgettable: Sumela Monastery. This is an old monastery clinging to the side of a cliff. Now, the views from there are completely spectacular, or very close to.
You have to prepare, as I was saying, for a bit of a walk uphill to actually reach the monastery itself, anyway. Think of it more as an adventure, like your working off lunch, you know? Inside, the walls are painted with pretty ancient pictures of religious figures and stories. The paintings might have suffered a bit in a few spots, mind you, just from the place just aging over time, I’m sure. When you exit, that amazing look-out is still available. Anyway, It’s perfect for photographers. Usually, in fact, these Sumela tours? Basically, they include stops in the surrounding Altindere National Park too. And as a matter of fact, that means you’re getting, very, very immersed in nature, like you’re really exploring the forests. If you dig history and nature combined, so it is the kind of trip you just will like.
Now here’s a little travel tip for you: comfortable shoes are pretty much an absolute must here. Walking up that incline in high heels or flip-flops could cause blisters or sores. Just in general, don’t go wearing a silly pair of shoes. And as a matter of fact, some people might find that uphill walk a bit tough. You might want to, in fact, prepare a little if you don’t feel too physically fit. As I was saying, keep that in mind if someone you are going with struggles on hills. Read our full review: Sumela Monastery Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Sumela Monastery Tour)
3. Uzungol (Long Lake) Tour
If you love seeing nature at its finest, alright, so, you will just love Uzungol. Uzungol translates to “Long Lake,” as I was saying, and honestly, this is one name that kind of fits it perfectly, if I’m being honest.
So Uzungol has these vast green mountains kinda ring this long gorgeous lake. This location almost looks like somebody has stuck it on a postcard, or just grabbed it out of a travel magazine. Frequently, it is a peaceful retreat that the tours provide there. After that, tours to Uzungol commonly feature stops at tea plantations in the vicinity, too it’s almost. I would dare to say: prepare for trying all sorts of teas. You get the tour with some background facts about just how tea gets made. Read our full review: Uzungol Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Uzungol Tour)
What is there to do there? It depends on what you want, you see. More or less, a lot of tours give some free time there, too it’s almost. Maybe it would be something to do to grab a waterside snack? Possibly, and in that case, there are small cafés around. Otherwise, there is the hike around parts of the lake if you like exploring. Plus, there are even boats out on the lake, so you might want to rent one? Oh, you know, for going out for a little row? Either way. Be certain to plan beforehand or it’s easy just to go get overwhelmed by so many nice-looking possibilities. So it goes.
4. Rize and Ayder Plateau Tour
Next on our list, let’s, as a matter of fact, visit Rize and Ayder Plateau, alright? Often, they group together, alright? Basically, you begin in Rize, so this is like the capital city in this region. As I was saying, you’re commonly visiting the Rize Castle that exists there. Or, even just a textile workshop to see people working with the cloth. Then off you zoom towards Ayder Plateau, that high meadow paradise!
One example is the hot springs in Ayder that are thought to hold beneficial minerals for the skin, by the way. Anyway, many people come, too it’s almost, just hoping to soak away stress after a hard journey? And while you are there, really there is just is the landscape surrounding Ayder, alright? With all those forests and waterfalls? And even little cottages are available to rent if you plan your schedule right, that, you know, would make your experience very remarkable. You know? If your liking this tour, keep in mind how things change depending on the time of year, though. Very many people enjoy traveling during the summer just to have amazing green surroundings. Still, apparently, that’s one really crowded touristy time to visit. Snow may blanket much during winter, and, of course, it does just is become completely picturesque too! That is one seriously beautiful sight if that happens! Either way. Just consider such options! Read our full review: Rize and Ayder Plateau Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Rize and Ayder Plateau Tour)
5. Artvin and Karagol-Sahara National Park Tour
Very last here is something kind of wild, actually. So then here’s a place that might be more of a hidden secret in the east! A tour of Artvin and Karagol-Sahara National Park will almost leave one breathless with all the natural glory. Anyway, I had never heard about the locations, actually. Still I learned, anyway.
Artvin can have views from places that are completely remarkable for all, to see for anyone, such as spots atop the Hatilla Valley. You can try getting the look at an entirely sweeping landscape out there. Then you roll towards Karagol-Sahara National Park, as a matter of fact, Karagol means ‘Black Lake’. To be perfectly fair that location kind of stands as almost something from the dreams, really. All that bright lake reflecting all the pine trees that encircle? What if you saw fog lightly covering parts of that terrain! Whoah, I bet it gets dramatic for some travelers! Anyhow, you may enjoy tours if you desire something off from some classic, normal vacation places? But. Consider a little tour because things get kind of rural away out this ways! Like your traveling through the real world. Anyway! It would be an excellent story when that occurs. Read our full review: Artvin and Karagol-Sahara National Park Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Artvin and Karagol-Sahara National Park Tour)
