Rize is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression. What I loved most was this constant feeling of being surrounded by nature: mountains covered with tea plantations, valleys drowned in mist, powerful rivers, and small villages lost among the clouds. Everything here feels more authentic. The most beautiful moments in Rize are not necessarily found at the famous sites, but often around a bend in a mountain road or over a glass of tea shared with locals.

I would recommend every traveler passing through the region to experience these places:

• taking the road to the yaylas to discover plateaus suspended above the clouds,

• relaxing in the hot springs of Ayder after a day of hiking,

• exploring the Kaçkar valleys and spending the night in a traditional wooden house,

• stopping at a tea plantation to admire the lush green hills of the Black Sea region.