Bolu

At 40°44`N 31°36`E, Bolu lies between Istanbul and Ankara, besides the highway. Like, most other Turkish capital of provinces, Bolu, too, has its share of history. However, these days, it is more well known for its lush green forest cover, a variety of wild life and that exotic of the exotic-hot springs. 
For those who are not aware, it would be impossible to surmise that this quiet place had been a part of the Hittite and Ottoman kingdoms; a principal city in the Bithynia empire. In fact, the name Bolu is a derivation of the Latin Bithynium. Blue sky and you; Bolu is ideal for the veteran tourist looking for an offbeat, lazing spot with generous doses of surprise thrown in.


When it is climate, Bolu is not exactly continental. The summer temperature rises above 30 degrees; the winters are equally cold. However, this slightly unpleasant trait is rubbed off by its other charms. 
The city is extremely reachable, either from Istanbul or from  Ankara. Nevertheless, Ankara is the best bet as the trip from Istanbul involves crossing the Bosphorus and climbing up the steep Boludag Mountains to reach the edge of the Anatolian Plain. The Bolu tunnel, soon to be inaugurated would downsize this trek. Till date, it takes three hours from Istanbul and two from Ankara to reach Bolu. 
Surrounded by woods, mountains, forests and streams, Bolu is a slow-paced celebration of life. Food fests, songs and dances are what make it tick culturally. Mondays are market days and you would find it to be extremely vibrant. It was and still is like a `genie` of activity gushing out from an `antique lamp`, left untouched for the rest of the six days in the week.

The water lilies in Lake Abant would remind you of Monet. 55 kilometers southwest of Bolu set at an altitude of 1500 meters - the lake is an oasis of peace. A classy place and classy accommodations are strewn beside it. The Bolu winters deep freeze it and make it a glorious pad for ice-skating. 


The Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) National Park is for the eyes to see and the heart to revel in. It is unadvisable to describe its scenic charms. Golcuk, an artificial lake 11 kilometers south of the city, surrounded with green forests, is another lovely site for picnicking or trekking. 
Kartalkaya in the Koroglu Mountains, comes alive in winter. One of the three best winter sports centers in Turkey - it is an ideal skiing spot. The adjacent Aladag meadows are other centers of tourist hubbub in this mountain. 
A well preserved Roman theatre and excellent specimens of Roman and Byzantine art are preserved in Konuralp (near Düzce), just 53 kilometres northwest of Bolu. 
A Genoese castle in a hazelnut grove, a couple of mosques, a bath-house (hamam) and a caravanaseri (an overnight stop-over on the old silk route) are the small wonders that round up every tour.


The Koru Hotel is 15 km away from Bolu and near to both the Abant lake and the Kartalkaya Winter Sports Center.127 rooms and 276 beds, the hotel provides: lobby and bar, discotheque, indoor swimming pool, Turkish bath and thermal bath, sauna, table tennis, billiard, electronic games, parking area, fitness room, tennis court, volleyball-basketball-football areas, safe deposit boxes and meeting rooms. 
Kartal Hotel is a special class skiing resort located on Kartalkaya Mountain in Bolu. There are 150 rooms and 15 suites. Rooms come with private bathroom & shower, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, safe, hair dryer and central heating.