There is no point in saying much about the delights of Turkey when it comes to food. The coastal zone of the Black Sea, or rather Paphlagonia (or the Land of Iron Horses), offers many pleasant experiences from this point of view. Turks go there. Local cuisine is different.

Ideally, if you want to go around the entire territory, it is better to rent a car or drive there. Just enjoy the ride. The road network is very good, several tunnels have recently been made. So, you will always see the coast of the Black Sea.

If you need internet on the go and roaming is expensive, you can find deals equivalent to around €5.50 in pounds for 50GB everywhere in the cities.

Fuel is cheap. It currently costs around 35 Turkish lira for petrol and 38 for diesel. As I was exchanging money at the rate of 31 pounds to the euro, the prices would be just over 1 euro/litre.

That is, much cheaper than in Romania. Obviously, it’s a bit expensive for them.

In most cities you can see fairly large beaches. So, if you are going to travel in summer, you cannot but like this area.

Buy Samsun tea

If you come to this area, it is better to buy tea produced in this area, that is, on the Black Sea.

Turks prefer to buy it in Samsun.

They even have a period when they go to stock up. They say May tea is the best.

If you like tea, maybe you should buy some from Samsun.

Turks also like to eat at local bakeries and always eat mihlama, a dish typical of the area.

* We don’t tell you what it contains (you can find different recipes online, but it’s better to eat directly from the source). Local ingredients differ in taste.

What to see in Kastamona: walk to Tashkopr / Buy garlic

In the Kastamonu region, it is ideal to go to the town of Taskopra, famous for garlic. It is so important and sells so much that right next to the stone bridge – the main tourist attraction if you go – (built in 1336, still functioning, has been restored) you will see the garlic monument in all its glory.

Regarding this garlic, the Turks say that it is rich in minerals and vitamins, and has a more intense flavor than other types.

Also in Kastamonu, not far from Taskopro, is Pompeiopolis, a Roman city founded by General Pompey in 64/63 BC. Archaeological excavations on the territory are still ongoing. Probably, in a few years, the archaeological site will become much larger.

The Turks want to excavate a few more kilometers. You can also see a mosaic from that period.

Kastamonu Town: Try Cekme helva

Once you arrive in the city of Kastamonu and visit the castle (built by the Eastern Roman Empire during the Comnenian dynasty), you cannot miss it, you can see it from wherever you are, you must know that you are great restaurants and cheap food. There you can also find the best halva in Turkey.

It is called Cekme helva (in translation – spread halva) and it is unique. It is a combination of cotton candy and Saray Helva.

Maybe you don’t like halva at all, but it’s worth a try. You may be in for a surprise when it comes to taste.

And it’s not expensive either. A box of pistachio halva (150 grams) costs approximately 1 euro equivalent.

For non-vegetarians, most restaurants in Kastamonu offer etli ekmek, a bread and meat dish. You should also try Banduma.

If I keep reminding you of Kastamona, Samsun or Taskopra, you can find hazelnuts. They are better than the ones we find in the Romanian market. You will pay maybe the equivalent of 2-3 euros for a few hundred grams (depending on where you buy) but you will feel the difference.

Turks say they buy Nutella hazelnuts there.

The saffron city of Turkey

Safranbolu, the city of saffron, is located in the center of the Karabük province. Must visit: architecture, valleys, everything is almost magical. Perhaps that is why it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994.

Turkish baths (hamam), bazaars, inns, mosques, old government house and buildings are unique. See the video for more details.

You can eat very well there. For example, in the Tașev restaurant you can find traditional and international dishes at very good prices.

Ravioli: about 5 euros

Sarmale: about 5.6 euros

Sebze Kofte (for vegetarians): 5.8 euros

Soup: almost 2 euros

These are just a few examples.

A tourist attraction right next to the restaurant after the exit (except for the old government building): the cat’s house.

You should stay in this area for at least one day to see the architecture of the city and more.

You can even buy saffron, including saffron products: soap, tea, shit and much more. Prices vary from place to place. The tea cost about 4 euros. The area, being special, is touristic. Therefore, the prices are slightly higher than elsewhere.

Amasra: good beaches if you go in summer

If you go in the summer, the city with potential is Amasra, you will see a special architecture when the Genoese ruled for a long time.

It was named after Queen Amastris, and after the conquest Mehmed II in 1460, impressed by the beauty of the place, called it “The most expensive in the world”.

You will find some extraordinary beaches that you cannot miss. The Amasra Museum is located right next to one of the beaches. Even in the garden of the museum you can see stone products from the Hellenistic, Roman, Genoese and Ottoman periods.

In Amasra, as a meal, be sure to try the salad that bears the name of the city.

And if it is still there, then as a drink (it is not alcoholic): horseradish. You can probably find it in other coastal towns in restaurants.

Do you like Legends of Olympus? Give place to the 12th labor of Hercules

If you like Greek mythology, then you definitely need to go to Eregli to Chechennemagzi cave. In fact, we are talking about 3 caves located in the center of the city.

They are related to the 12th labor of Hercules, that is, where he fought the 3-headed dog: Cerberus. This is where he allegedly descended to capture him.

Zonguldak: mining museum

We all know that coal is used to make various energy products, including body creams.

If you go to Zonguldak, you will see a real mining town. In 1880, mineral extraction began there. Visit the Mining Museum, you won’t regret it. As part of the excursion, you will descend 60 meters into the tunnels dug by the miners. You will see in what conditions they work.

Consider that some Turkish movies are filmed there, the plot of which is this work.

One of the tour guides of the museum said that once he had American tourists who, after disembarking, discussed the fact that they were dirtying their expensive clothes and shoes. He told them that the work the miners do is hard for them to use coal-based cosmetics.

Hearing this, they laid their hands on the coals in the galleries and began to show their faces.

We don’t know if this is a “fish story”, but it’s funny. According to him, they came to the surface with traces of coal on their faces.

The museum complex has an exhibition hall that you can visit. There you will find beautifully designed models of mining equipment made by children whose parents died in the mine.

The city is quite large and there is something to see at every turn.

In Zonguldak, you must try dessert: pumpkin with tahini and ice cream.

So, if you are thinking of a different holiday where there are few tourists (like Istanbul) and where you want to enjoy travel and new tastes, maybe you should try Paphlagonia. Regarding Istanbul (not related to Paphlagonia), if I still remembered it, they opened a new port in Galata a few years ago and the restaurants offer new tastes. Turks say that dishes change in taste every few years because many chefs study abroad and come up with new ideas. If you go to the port of Galata, you will experience it fully. If you want to go shopping, there is also a mall.