Trabzon is a very interesting place in the Turkish Black Sea. The weather is good and there is plenty of Byzantine architecture, beaches and mountain trekking. It was the last town to fall to the Ottomans, and the earliest to hold out against the Seljuks and Mongols.

Of the many Byzantine churches of Trabzon, the earliest is the 7^th century St. Anne’s; the best preserved the 13th century Aya Sofya, now a museum. The Gulbahar Hatun Camii, built in 1514, is the most beautiful Ottoman mosque here. Ataturk Kosku is a lovely 19^th century villa, high up in the hills. But the 14^th century Sumela Monastery is amazing. It is built into a cliff face like a swallow’s nest. It has some fine murals and breath taking views. Special buses depart for Sumela from Trabzon. You can also visit the Sumela National Park.There are camping grounds and two star hotels but cheap accommodation is not always available.

Daily nonstop flights from Trabzon connect to Ankara and Istanbul.  
Mini buses and dolmus- shared taxis -  go from the otogar (bus terminus) regularly to Rize, Hopa, Artvin, Erzurum. Ferries to and from Istanbul link to Trabzon. There are hydrofoils to Batumi in Georgia. The Tourist Office telephone and fax number (462) 321 4659.

For more detailed country and visitor information, see Turkey