30 th International Horticultural Congress

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1 Black Sea Tour: Turkish hazelnuts, tea, historical places like Sumela Monastery and nature wonder highlands Pre-Congress Tour SITES TO BE VISITED ON THIS TOUR Tour date: 9-12 August 2018 Tour Leader: Prof. Ali Islam Day 1-09 August 2018, Thursday Depart from ICC (Istanbul Congress Center) at 05:15 a.m. and transfer to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side for Ordu flight Istanbul - Ordu flight (Turkish Airlines - TK 7330) departs from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 08:15 a.m., arriving to Ordu - Giresun Airport at 10:00 a.m. Ordu Province - Hazelnut orchard visit at harvest time Visiting of a hazelnut processing plant Cape Jason & Boztepe Visits Overnight in Ordu Day 2-10 August 2018, Friday Giresun and Trabzon Provinces Hazelnut Research Institute Trabzon Atatürk House Sümela Monastery Overnight in Trabzon Day 3-11 August 2018, Saturday Uzungöl and Ayder Highlands Atatürk Tea and Horticulture Research Institute A tea processing plant Overnight in Trabzon Day 4-12 August 2018, Sunday Depart from the hotel in the morning and drive to Trabzon Airport TK 7423 departs from Trabzon Airport at 09:25 a.m. and arrives to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 11:15 a.m. Transfer to ICC (Istanbul Congress Center)

2 Day 1-9 August 2018, Thursday Ordu Province Hazelnut orchard visit at harvest time The history of hazelnut culture dates back to 5000 years ago, and its origin spans from Caspian Sea shores to China, which includes northern Anatolia and the Caucasus. Historical documents record that hazelnut was growing in northern Turkey s Black Sea coastal area some 2500 years ago, and it has been transported to many other countries during the last six centuries. Hazelnut has an unparalleled tradition and an essential place in Turkish horticulture because of export-driven production and its use as a raw material for the food industry, particularly over the last 600 years. Around 700,000 ha in Turkey is devoted to hazelnut culture, but because of the alternate bearing habit of hazelnut, average annual production fluctuates between 450,000 and 650,000 t, which accounts for 70% of the world s total. Turkey is the world leader and dominates the world markets in hazelnut production and export. These facts show that hazelnut has indeed had a very impressive heritage and a unique position in Turkey. Hazelnut harvest starts from the second week of August in Turkey. Visiting of a Hazelnut processing plant The majority of the hazelnuts produced in Turkey are used in processing, 70% are used in the chocolate industry, 20% for pie and candy making, and only 10% are sold as an unprocessed product. In Turkey hazelnuts are being processed for at least 48 different types of produces. There are over 300 companies specialised in storing and marketing hazelnut and its products. About 60 of these companies export more than one million $US in value annually.

3 There are around 200 hazelnut processing enterprises of which 25 have integrated facilities. Both the natural nuts and kernels that are produced must pass very strict physical and chemical quality and hygiene control measures, and end products are packed mechanically. Product diversification is a high priority for the future, and new enterprises with sophisticated infrastructure are being encouraged because this development promotes consumption and increased exports of hazelnut products. Cape Jason Located in the district of Perşembe this small peninsula has mythological origins. The rocky outcropping gets its name from the mythological adventurer Jason and his companions, the Argonauts. Against all odds this fearless adventure travels beyond the then known world in search of the magical Golden Fleece. It is thought that Jason harboured his famous ship, the Argo, at this location on his way to Colchis, now the country of Georgia. According this legend this is the first ship to ever make it past the currents of Bosphorus Straits, in Istanbul, to the Black Sea. To validate Jason s story archaeologists have discovered remains of an ancient temple. Today you can visit the remains of a 150 year old church constructed by local Greeks on the remains of the ancient temple. This location is the only location in Ordu where you can watch both a sunrise and a sunset over the sea

4 Boztepe, Trabzon Boztepe by cable car Boztepe is the best place to enjoy the amazing scenery of Black Sea in Trabzon and therefore it is one of the most important locations needs to be paid a visit. Boztepe is 3 km southeast of the city. Trabzon leans toward Boztepe, the hill with steep slope and flat ridge. There are Ahi Evren tomb and Ahi Evren Mosque in this hill dominating the city. Boztepe has been an important location for Trabzon since ancient times. This place was called Apollon s Mountain. Day 2-10 August 2018, Friday Giresun & Trabzon Provinces Hazelnut Research Institute This is the first institution responsible solely for hazelnut research and development in Turkey, and probably in the world. It was established in 1936 in Giresun province, and has been undertaking R&D activities on cultivar development, improving growing techniques, orchard management, plant health, harvest, postharvest technologies and socioeconomic aspects of hazelnut industry. Two new hazelnut cultivars recently released by Hazelnut Research Institute

5 Trabzon Atatürk House The lodge was built in 1913, after the declaration of the Republic the ownership was passed to the Private administration. It was a four-storey building with the basement. The large room on the third floor was the bedroom of Atatürk. After Atatürk s visit of Trabzon, the lodge belonging to the Private Administration was purchased by the Trabzon municipality and presented to Atatürk as a gift. After Atatürk s death, the Trabzon municipality decided to open the Atatürk Lodge to the public as a museum. Atatürk s belongings and photographs exhibited in the museum. Sümela Monastery Sumela is 1600 year old ancient Orthodox monastery located at a 1200 meters height on the steep cliff at Macka region of Trabzon city in Turkey. The monastery is constructed on rocks reached by a path through the forest. The beautiful frescoes dating from the 18 th century on the walls of the monastery are biblical scenes of Christ and Virgin Mary. The site was abandoned in 1923 and became a museum and a popular tourist attraction because of its breath-taking location, structure and scenery. After the Sumela Monastery Visit, drive to Trabzon for dinner and overnight.

6 Day 3-11 August 2018, Saturday Uzungöl and Ayder Highlands Uzungöl Highlands Uzungöl Highlands is located 100 km from Trabzon and 19 km from Çaykara district, 1090 m above sea level. The lake, which is located in the middle of the valley and formed by closing the front of Haldizen of the rocks falling from the slopes, is known as Uzungöl and the area is given the same name. In particular, the old wooden houses built in the local style of Şerah village near the village complement the beauty of nature. Ayder Highlands Ayder is a yayla - summer resort in Rize Province, Turkey. Ayder is a typical yayla with no settled population; it hosts visitors during summers. The average altitude is 1,350 metres. It is a part of Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province. The distance to Çamlıhemşin is 17 kilometres. Ayder is famous for its rhododendron honey, which is produced in beehives hung on trees. Ayder is plateau/highland with an elevation of 1350m along the Black Sea. Ayder is famous for its thermal springs, world famous Anzer honey and trekking routes. The area around the Ayder highland village used for trekking to the Kaçkar mountains.

7 Atatürk Tea and Horticulture Research Institute Established in Its mandate is undertaking R&D projects on the improvement of tea growing, processing and marketing techniques. It has 7 departments dealing with breeding & growing, tea biochemistry, soil and plant nutrition, plant protection, microbiology, tea processing technologies, and training and extension. A Tea processing plant In Turkey tea growing has been taken places mostly in Rize province since Today, approximately on hectares has been devoted to tea production, and tons fresh tea produced by farmers. Annual dry tea production is around tons. Slightly more than half of this production is being realised by ÇAYKUR, a public enterprise. Çaykur has 47 tea processing plant, some of them making organic tea. ÇAYKUR plans to convert majority of production to organic tea in the near future. There are also 150 private tea plants. Turkish tea is the only product in the world that has snow in the winter. For this reason, it has almost no pests and therefore, no need to use chemicals to protect the plant. It means that it is really healthy and could be converted to organic.

8 Day 4-12 August 2018, Sunday Depart for Istanbul Depart from the hotel in the morning and drive to the Trabzon Airport for domestic flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gökcen Airport on the Asian side of Istanbul. Upon arrival to Istanbul, transfer to ICC (Istanbul Congress Center) Notes on the tour programme: Bottled water will be provided in the vehicle throughout the tour. Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, hat, sun - cream are recommended. Necessary refreshment stops will be provided during the tour. Tour price includes: Transportation throughout the tour program including roundtrip transfers to/from airport in Istanbul 3 dinners, 3 lunches with 1 soft drink in each meal 3 nights bed and breakfast basis accommodation in 4 star hotels in Ordu & Trabzon Professional English speaking guidance during the tour All toll fees & parking fees, VAT. Tour price does not include: Istanbul - Ordu / Trabzon - Istanbul domestic airfare Any personal expenses, additional drinks & refreshments during the tour are not included and at extra charge.