There is a part of Turkey that turns its back on the sun-drenched clichés of the Mediterranean. It is a land that faces a different sea, a different sky. A coastline where deep-green mountains, heavy with mist, rise in an almost vertical rush from the dark, churning waters of the Black Sea. This is the Karadeniz – a world apart, a land of dramatic beauty, fierce independence, and resilient traditions.

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We have found ourselves drawn to this captivating northern coast, a place whose stories are not always shouted, but are whispered on the cool mountain air and carried in the rhythm of its unique music. It is a region that teaches you about the profound, intricate relationship between a demanding landscape and the human spirit.

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Today, we are thrilled to invite you to join us as we begin our On Way Storytellers Content Season on the Karadeniz. This is not just a tour of a region; it is an immersion into a unique and powerful way of life.

The compass for our journey: the motifs of Karadeniz

As we began our own exploration, we found ourselves returning to a few core themes that seemed to hold the soul of this place. These will be our guiding stars for the journey ahead:

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• Dramatic landscape & adaptation: We will explore how life is intrinsically shaped by the steep mountains and the ever-present, often turbulent, sea.
• Unique regional identity: We'll listen for the distinct voice of the region in its languages, its kemençe music, and its proud local cultures.
• Highland culture (yayla): We'll journey to the summer pastures in the clouds to understand the ancient, seasonal rhythms of mountain life.
• Agricultural lifelines: We'll taste the stories held within the region's most precious crops – its tea and its hazelnuts.
• Hidden histories & modern impacts: We'll seek out the surprising echoes of medieval Genoese traders and consider the complex effects of tourism on this timeless land.

A glimpse of the path ahead

Our journey will begin by listening for the "Ghosts of the Genoese" in the old castle walls of Amasra. We'll then ground ourselves in the layered history of Trabzon, a city that holds the memory of a Byzantine empire. We will ascend to the breathtaking, cliff-clinging sanctuary of Sumela Monastery, a testament to centuries of faith.

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From there, we will venture into the heart of Karadeniz life: exploring the highland traditions of the yayla, listening to the unique Laz language, and tasting the very soul of the region in its beloved hamsi (anchovies), its comforting cornbread, and the fragrant river of Rize's tea. We will also reflect on the complex beauty of places like Uzungöl, where paradise and tourism exist in a delicate, challenging balance.

An invitation to see differently

This Season is an invitation to explore a less-traveled path. It's an opportunity to understand how a challenging environment can forge a culture of incredible ingenuity and resilience. We don't have all the answers, but we are passionate practitioners of asking questions and finding the stories that lie just beneath the surface.

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We are so excited to embark on this exploration with you, our "Curious Companions." The journey along the Black Sea coast begins now.