Sinop... Sinop is the most beautiful natural harbor the Black Sea. There are many legends about the foundation of the city but the most dependable is that the Miletion colonists founded it in the 7th century BC and the city is the birthplace of the cynic philosopher Diogenes. According to another legend the province is said to have received its name from the Amazon Queen "Sinova". The town's citadel dates from that early age and the foundations of the Temple of Serapis is to be found on the grounds of the Archaeological Museum where some beautiful golden icons are displayed. The 13th century Alaeddin Mosque, the Alaiye Medresse, and the Balatlar Church are of interest in the city. Traditional nautical wood carvings, good crystal and the original cotton clothes of the city are praiseworthy and unique, so you will want to have examples of these artifacts. The seaside hotels and holiday villages will make you stay longer and you will have the opportunity to sit in a fish restaurant by the harbor and watch the perfect combination of green and light blue while sipping your wine. Hamsilos Fjord, 11 kms from the city center is the only fjord in the country. Gerze, a lovely town, situated on a peninsula, 40 km southeast of Sinop, will provide you with fine beaches, meadows, restaurants and parks, while Camgolu provides camping facilities in a large forest sloping to the sea. At Boyabat, the largest town of the province, there are many rock tombs and a citadel. It enjoyed a long history as a port beginning from Hittite times, almost 4000 years ago. Successive empires made it a busy trading centre, but the Ottomans preferred to develop Samsun, subordinating Sinop to this eastern neighbour. Sinop has reminders of its prominence as a Seljuk port in the Alaettin Camii (1214), Alaiye Medrese (now the museum) and Seyyit Bilal Camii. Sinop (192 km northeast of Kastamonu) is one on the most beautiful natural harbors of the Black Sea. It was founded in the seventh century by Miletian colonists and was the birthplace of the third-century philosopher, Diogene the Cynic. The town's citadel and the foundations of a temple dedicated to Serapis date from that period. The Sinop Archaeology Museum exhibits several beautiful golden icons and the 18th century Aslan Torunlar Mansion Museum displays ethnographical artifacts. Other important monuments include the 13th century Alaeddin Mosque and the Alaiye Medrese.

Excellent fish restaurants along the charming fisherman's wharf serve tasty meals while brightly colored boats bobbing in the water complete the picturesque setting. Sinop is also known for its traditional nautical wooden carvings. Seaside hotels and holiday villages provide accommodation in all price ranges. Some 35 km to the southwest, high in the mountains, lie the yaylas (mountain plateaus) of Guzfindik and Bozarmut. At an elevation of 1,350 meters, these green pastures with their summer residents offer a glimpse into a traditional way of life. Gerze is situated on a peninsula 40 km east along the coast and is surrounded by parks and beaches. Farther along the coastal road, you arrive at Yakakent, a fishing village with clean, sandy beaches. Camgölü, a large forest which slopes to the sea, has camping sites, guest facilities and restaurants.