 The
vibrant green of Turkey's lush, humid Black
Sea Coast surprises those who imagine the
country to be nothing but barren steppe. From
the European border with Bulgaria to the Georgian
border, dense pine forests cover the mountaintops
while lush vegetation and bountiful crops
grow in the lower elevations and valleys.
Along the coastline, mile after mile of beautiful
uncrowded beaches offer sun, swimming and
relaxation. In the springtime, delicate wild-flower
blossoms carpet the rolling meadows of the
eastern hills.
The wooden houses in fishing villages and
mountain hamlets alike preserve indigenous
and traditional architectural styles. The
humid climate and fertile soil encourage
cultivation of a variety of crops including
tea, tobacco, corn and hazelnuts. The magic
of such a diverse landscape proves irresistible
to any friend of nature, whether hiker or
mountain climber or canoe enthusiast; whether
you go in by mountain bike or by jeep safari.
Archaeological excavations from the early
Bronze Age settlements at Ikiztepe in Samsun
Province have uncovered evidence of the
region's earliest inhabitants. The Hittites,
Miletians, Phrygians and, according to Homer,
the Amazons all colonised parts of the coast.
Alexander the Great in his world conquest
also brought the region under his sovereignty.
Eventually, it was incorporated into the
Roman and then the Byzantine Empire. The
15th century saw the greater part of the
area come under the Ottoman rule of Sultan
Mehmet II.
The Black Sea is easily accessible to tourists
and provides a wide range of hotels and
restaurants at a variety of prices.
The Western Black Sea
Coast
The Yildiz (Istranca) Mountains bisect
the province of Kirklareli. Lush
mountainous landscape dotted with quaint
houses transport you to an idyllic and tranquil
reverie. The 14th-century Kirklar Memorial
with its impressive 18 columns stands on
Kirklar Hill honouring the site where 40
soldiers lost their lives when the Ottomans
conquered this area under the command of
Murat I. The Archaeology Museum exhibits
finds from local excavations.
If you are travelling north to Bulgaria,
linger for a few hours in the peaceful and
green town of Dereköy, the last stop
before the border.
 Kirklareli's
Black Sea Coast is another place to enjoy
beaches and good fish restaurants. Igneada,
98 km east of Kirklareli, lies sandwiched
between sandy shores and the Yildiz Mountains.
Kiyiköy (Midye) is another holiday
resort town with good accommodation and
picturesque dwellings from the Middle Ages.
Across the Bosphorus, on the Asian shore,
Sile's (71 km from Istanbul) long sandy
beaches, overlooked by the remains of a
Genoese Castle, attract many visitors. The
excellent restaurants and nightlife make
it a popular weekend retreat for Istanbul
residents. Cotton blouses and shirts (Sile
Bezi) are sewn and embroidered here.
Agva (50 km east of Sile), on the banks
of a river as well as on the shores  of
the Black Sea, is surrounded by lovely scenery,
ideal for a camping holiday. Kerpe, Kefken
and Karasu are three quaint fishing villages
east of Agva. Inland, between Ankara and
Istanbul, is Bolu (262 km from Istanbul
and 192 km from Ankara), an important provincial
center with an impressive 14th century Ulu
Mosque and modern thermal facilities close
at hand.
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