SUMELA MONASTERY

Altindere National Park provides a magnificent setting for the 14th-century Sümela Monastery, perched high on a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Surrounded by the ruins of the monks’ quarters, is a church covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes. Southeast of Trabzon is Lake UzungöI, a lovely alpine lake surrounded by mountains and meadows, excellent for camping, hiking and fishing. The restaurants there also make it the best place for eating river trout.