Espiye

Day Trips

Land at Trabzon airport and take a scenic 2-hour drive to Espiye. Check into a seaside pension overlooking the Black Sea. Feel the salty breeze as you unpack and prepare for your first exploration.

Head straight to Espiye harbor and watch the colorful fishing boats bobbing along the quay. Strike up conversations with local fishermen and learn about their daily catch. Sample freshly grilled anchovies at a waterfront stall, tasting the sea in every bite.

Stroll along the newly renovated promenade as the sun dips below the horizon. Sip a cup of locally brewed tea at a seaside café and listen to the gentle lapping of waves. Let the mellow glow of harbor lights set a tranquil tone for your first night in town.

Enjoy a hearty Turkish breakfast at your pension, with olives, cheese, and homemade jam. Board a minibus bound for the lush foothills leading to Köprübaşı Waterfall. Hike along a well-marked trail, inhaling the crisp scent of pine and sounds of distant tumbling water.

Arrive at the waterfall’s base and feel the mist cool your face as the cascade thunders down. Explore hidden caves behind the curtain of water for an adventurous photo opportunity. Spread a picnic blanket on nearby rocks and feast on gözleme and fresh fruit.

Return to town for a brief rest as the sky turns pastel shades. Wander through Espiye’s historic streets and admire Ottoman-era houses bathed in dusky light. Conclude with a dinner of karalahana çorbası (collard greens soup) at a cozy local restaurant.

Set off before sunrise towards Yassıkaya, a quaint mountain village a short drive away. Join villagers in preparing breakfast specialties like menemen and warm simit fresh out of the oven. Participate in traditional chores such as feeding goats and gathering fresh eggs from the coop.

Spend the midday learning folk weaving techniques from a local craftswoman. Wander through terraced gardens bursting with vegetables and fragrant herbs. Savor a farmhouse lunch of slow-cooked stews served under a wooden pergola.

As dusk approaches, gather around an outdoor fire to hear rustic tales of village history. Sip on distilled rosehip tea and nibble on sweet treats passed down through generations. Rest in a restored stone guesthouse, lulled to sleep by hoots of owls and chirps of crickets.

Wake to gentle sunshine filtering through lace curtains and enjoy a breakfast featuring local honey. Drive to Kovanlık’s famous tea gardens nestled on misty hills. Wander between rows of emerald tea bushes as women clad in vibrant headscarves pick tender leaves.

Join a tea master for a workshop on proper leaf selection and steeping techniques. Sample multiple infusions of çay, noting subtle shifts in aroma and flavor. Picnic beneath ancient walnut trees, nibbling on walnuts and dried apricots picked fresh from the orchard.

Return to Espiye and freshen up while the sky paints itself in twilight hues. Head to a rooftop terrace for a glass of freshly brewed tea as the village lights begin to sparkle below. Reflect on the day’s fragrant moments before drifting off.

Pack a daypack with water, snacks, and a light jacket for cooler altitudes. Drive to the trailhead that winds up toward Eğribel Tunnel nestled in the Pontic Mountains. Trek along an undulating path lined with wildflowers and panoramic vistas of the sea in the distance.

Reach the historic railroad tunnel built during the Ottoman era and explore its shadowy interior. Enjoy a packed lunch on a rocky overlook, watching clouds drift across the valleys below. Descend through dense beech forests alive with birdsong and the rustle of leaves.

Return to Espiye as daylight fades and riverside street lamps flicker on. Indulge in a mountain-inspired dinner featuring wild mushroom meze and locally sourced trout. Share stories of your hike over çevre rakısı in a cozy lounge.

Embark at dawn on a small fishing boat piloted by a seasoned local seaman. Feel the brisk wind in your hair as you head out beyond the breakwater into the open Black Sea. Learn how to rig lines and cast nets alongside your hosts.

Pull in a bountiful catch of bluefish and anchovies under the guidance of your crew. Enjoy a grilling demonstration onboard, tasting the freshest fish seasoned only with lemon and sea salt. As the boat drifts lazily, take in endless horizons and the cry of seabirds overhead.

Return to the harbor with your catch and unwind back on shore. Visit a family-run tavern to have your fish prepared in regional style, paired with fragrant basil rice. Conclude the day with a leisurely walk along the lit promenade, the aroma of simmering seafood still lingering in the air.

After breakfast, arrive at a traditional Espiye home where a warm host awaits. Head into the sunlit courtyard kitchen and don an apron for hands-on cooking. Learn to knead dough for pide bread while chatting about regional food customs.

Prepare a multi-course lunch featuring hamsi pilavı (anchovy rice), çay, and layered baklava. Discover secrets of spice blending passed down through generations. Feast at a long communal table, tasting each dish and exchanging travel tales.

Stroll through a night bazaar sampling street snacks like midye dolma (stuffed mussels). Sip sahlep from vendors selling steaming cups filled with orchid-root milk. Soak in the festive atmosphere as live musicians play folk tunes under twinkling lights.

Drive up winding mountain roads toward Elmalı Plateau, renowned for blooming apple orchards. Stop at a roadside stand for fresh cheese and honey collected by local beekeepers. Arrive amidst rolling meadows dotted with wildflowers and grazing sheep.

Spread a traditional kilim on the ground and unpack a picnic basket brimming with gözleme, olives, and sun-ripened tomatoes. Lounge in the afternoon sun, reading or napping while the breeze whispers through tall grasses. Spot distant peaks shimmering in the haze beyond the plateau.

Return to Espiye by twilight, watching low clouds drift over the sea below. Warm up with a bowl of lentil soup at a busy local café. Retire early to rest for the final full day of your journey.

Set off for a drive along the scenic Azdavay Road, tracing Ottoman-era trade routes. Pull over at ancient stone bridges arching over crystal-clear streams. Explore ruins of old caravansaries where weary merchants once rested.

Hike to a ruined watchtower perched on a cliff edge, taking in sweeping views of emerald valleys. Share a picnic under the tower spells, accompanied by local muscat grapes and dark bread. Capture photos of crumbling walls juxtaposed against endless greenery.

Make your way back to Espiye as dusk settles across the landscape. Dine on künefe at a culinary hotspot, tasting the sweet cheese dessert with its crisp kadaif threads. Stroll back to your lodging under a canopy of stars, the night still and clear.

Enjoy your final Turkish breakfast complete with menemen, simit, and assorted cheeses. Wander through the morning market to buy small souvenirs like handwoven scarves. Savor a farewell gözleme stuffed with spinach and feta.

Spend your last afternoon relaxing on a rented sun lounger at the pebble beach. Swim in the clear Black Sea waters and watch locals fly kites overhead. Capture your final photographs of fishing nets and rocky coves.

Return to the harbor to witness the sun melting into the sea. Share a farewell dinner of mixed meze platters, grilled meats, and confit vegetables at a waterfront restaurant. Raise a glass of Turkish wine to ten unforgettable days in Espiye as gentle waves lap at the quay.