452... 52... 887,765... 6,001... 37 E 53 - 41 N 00...

Ordu... At the foot of a verdant hill, is this province of Ordu, one of the calmest and greenest sites along the Black Sea coast. Due to its rainy climate, the land is fertile, with vegetable and fruit gardens, and wide forests covering the whole area. On the road to Samsun, there is the town of Unye, 77 km west of Ordu, which is an attractive fishing village. There are clean, beautiful beaches to enjoy the restful atmosphere, and extensive hazelnut plantations, typical of the region. At this site with purple rock formations are historical tombs carved into the rock which remain from the early Romans. Also an 18th century townhall building, an outstanding sight. Fatsa is another little town famed for its hazelnut gardens, and nearby are the ruins of a fortress named Bolaman Castle and the Byzantine Jason Church now converted to an archeological museum. Previously named "Cotoyora", the ancient city of Ordu carries signs more recent; the Pasaoglu Mansion which belonged to a wealthy and influential family of the 19th century, and holds signs of the life style once maintained; and an especially remarkable church dating back to the 18th century. A distinct characteristic of Ordu is its being the center of hazelnut production. The Golden Hazelnut Festival held in September is hosted by this city, and the local chocolate - nut confection is a tasty specialty. When approaching the town from the west, you pass a small Forest Picnic Spot. In the town there is a provincial Tourism Information Office, a port for Turkish Maritime Lines ships, and a museum. Unye, a small port town amidst hazelnut groves and is 95 km east of Samsun. In the centre there is a pleasant, tree - lined seaside promenade. This is the choice of business travellers coming to town to buy nuts. The charming little port of Unye (93 km east of Samsun) is one of the nicest holiday towns on the eastern Black Sea and justly boasts of its excellent beaches and camping facilities. Do not miss the extraordinary 18th century town hall. Within easy reach of Ünye is the beautiful Camlik Beach. After Fatsa (22 km east of Unye), another holiday town on the road to Ordu, the ruins of the Byzantine Jason Church, now a museum, stand on the Camburnu promontory. Legend has it that the Argonauts landed here on their quest for the Golden Fleece. Fish restaurants serving the finest tea found in the region dot the 50 km of scenic road to Ordu. Sea snails, a regional speciality, are particularly delicious at Yaliköy.

Returning from the Babylonian campaign, the survivors of "Xenophon's Ten Thousand" left Anatolia from Ordu in their retreat to Greece. Today, it is a beautiful port situated at the foot of a forested hill. In the Pasaoglu Konak (mansion), now the Ethnographical Museum, see how a rich and influential 19^th century family lived. Hazelnut production centers around Ordu and every September the town hosts the Golden Hazelnut Festival. Be sure to sample the delicious chocolate nut candy. It is worth spending sometime at an 18^th century church, 2 km of town, and the pretty beach of Güzelyali is worth visiting. 58 km further south, at an altitude of 1,250 meters, lies the yayla (plateau) of Cambasi offering beautiful mountain views. The yayla of Keyfalan, at 2,000 meters, is another popular summer destination for local residents.