Black Sea Highlands: 4 Days in Trabzon & Rize's Tea Country and Yaylas

Turkey's northeastern Black Sea coast and the highland plateaus (yaylas) behind it see a fraction of the foreign visitors that Istanbul, Cappadocia or the Aegean coast do, despite genuinely dramatic scenery: cliffside monasteries, cloud forests, and Rize's rolling tea plantations (Turkey is one of the world's largest tea producers, and Rize is the center of that industry). This itinerary is a good fit for travelers who've already done a first Turkey trip and want somewhere less on the well-worn tourist route. The highlands are noticeably cooler and wetter than the rest of Turkey even in summer — pack a layer and a light rain jacket regardless of season. Roads up to the yaylas are winding and sometimes narrow; if you're not comfortable with mountain driving, a local driver or organized day tour is worth the cost.