Oct. 10, 2014. Sinop #1

The Black Sea has three harbors - July, August and Sinop.  So goes an ancient Mariner saying.

I walked around Sinop for 5 hours yesterday, Oct. 10, 2014.

Copied from Men's Journal website, with my photos and comments in (.......):

Sinop, Turkey

The best views from Sinop, Turkey's loveliest Black Sea resort town, are toward the south and the mainland, thanks to the city's peninsular perch. 

In the mornings, boats bob in the picturesque harbor near to where fishmongers call out to potential customers.

(The Tea Gardens are on the right side of the harbor)

It's a telling wake-up for this medieval city, which has always relied on the sea. An important trading port that's served the likes of the ancient Hittites through to the Ottomans, Sinop has become a fishing hub and an ideal jumping-off point for travelers seeking a summer-holiday alternative to the country's popular (and heavily touristed) Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

The coastline of the Black Sea, or Karadeniz in Turkish, may have cooler water temperatures and cloudier skies, but the region's charm (like Maine's or Scotland's) lies in its craggy beauty, long history, and low-key, off-the-beaten-path vibe. Sinop's idyllic setting may outshine its ancient architecture – the city's been fortified for 4,000 years – but a walk along the crumbling city walls offers a panorama of both. 

Sinop's compact waterfront, lined with tea gardens, seafood restaurants, small hotels, and the requisite statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, invites aimless strolling and menu perusing. 

What else is there to do? You might visit the old fortress prison, poke around some 13th-century mosques, peruse the charming model-ship souvenir stores – or just make like a Turk and park yourself along the water with a cup of tea.

(Ismet Ulgen, Model Boat Builder, who invited me to share tea with him)

(Cengiz Ozekes, Master Knife Craftsman, who also invited me to tea and who spoke fluent English)

From Sinop, a great road trip along the Black Sea coast beckons to the east, through bustling Samsun and the charming hamlets of Ünye, Ordu, and Giresun to the port city of Trabzon.