Sometimes the best places to go on holiday are the less known neighbours of the classic destination. The Aegean in Greece draws millions of tourists per year, but the quieter Black Sea coast in Turkey is not to be overlooked. In fact, it’s one of the few places on the planet where you can ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon.

The National Geographic has named this northeast coast as one of the best places to visit next year, and predicted that it won’t fly under the radar for much longer. Turkey is the world’s fourth-most popular tourist destination, but the majority are drawn to Istanbul or the Aegean or Mediterranean beaches in the south.

But with Turkey rapidly improving tourism infrastructure, now it’s becoming easier to head to other regions. And without disappointment: the northeast is specked with monasteries, trekking routes on emerald-green hillsides, hot spring resorts, waterfalls, snow sports and forest-filled valleys. Seafood is a staple, from fish soup to shrimp casserole.

The region is steeped in history and breathtakingly preserved buildings. The Black Sea coast was part of the Silk Road trade route, which took shape during China’s Han Dynasty in 200 BC and existed until the 1400s. The fourth century Sümela Monastery, founded by two Orthodox monks searching for a holy relic, clings to the face of an enormous cliff in Altindere Valley National Park. Its early Christian frescoes are still being discovered and restored in its 72 rooms.

In a way, it could also be a place to go back to your roots. If you have blue eyes, then your family tree can be traced to a single common ancestor who lived approximately 10,000 years ago in the Black Sea region.

If you’re wondering why Turkey has snow, it’s due to the lake-effect snow, occurring when cold, dry air masses from the north pass over the warmer waters of the Black Sea, picking up moisture. Tourists can head up the Pontic Mountains between mid-December and early March to the Çambaşı Ski Resort or the Akdağ Ski Center.