Sapanca

"Turkey’s hidden gem"

Sapanca Lake is Turkey’s hidden gem. A fresh water lake that lends itself not only as a touristy but also as a recreation area close to Istanbul; it is only one hour away via a well finished highway from the city at the Bosporus.

A favourite weekend getaway and second home area for Istanbul’s rich and elite. The crystal clear water is embedded in a green landscape between mountains framing it from the distance gives it a picture postcard view from any villa with a lake view. The area is also famous for its mineral water which is bottled and sold throughout Turkey by Sirma. You can find out more about Sirma mineral water at www.sirmagrup.com, while the rest of Turkey pays for Sapanca’s mineral water, the locals can bathe and shower in it for free as it is the same water that runs out of their taps at home!!

In summer, Sapanca Lake is a well known retreat due to its close to Istanbul.

There is a 5 star hotel by the Richmond hotels group in Sapanca. There facilities can be viewed on their website www.richmondnua.com, another 5 star hotel will be opening soon on a hillside overlooking the lake www.guralsapanca.com and there are many boutique hotels all of which enjoy excellent occupancy levels. You can relax at many of the waterside restaurants or take a walk or go for picnics in the lush green hills with its many fruit orchards which surround the lake. With temperatures hovering around 35 Celsius, water sports on the lake are a favourite, like sailing, water skiing, swimming or if it is just peddling along on the shores on a peddle boat, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In the winter many people come to Kartepe, just 20 minutes from Sapanca where on the tallest peak in the area is one of Turkey’s most favourite ski resorts. There is also a five star hotel at Kartepe whose facilities can be reviewed on their website at www.karteperesort.com

If this is not enough to keep you occupied there is always Istanbul nearby. The city where truly east meets west, where history mixes with modernity, where you can enjoy all that came before while looking to the future!