Bolu is a large town in Turkey, situated approximately mid way between Istanbul and Ankara. Bolu is also an administrative area (something like an English County) that stretches from the coast on the Black Sea in the north to the mountains of Koroglu in the south.

Bolu has a climate that is well suited to the English. In the summer it is slightly hotter and in the winter slightly colder than the UK. Unlike the Turkish coastal resorts on the Mediterranean where the mid day sun can be overpowering, the climate in Bolu is softer. On most summer days it would be safe for children to play outdoors or on the beach although some sun protection would be advisable. In the winter, snow is guaranteed up on the high mountains.

Bolu has both a ski resort and some fine Black Sea beaches within 30 miles of each other. You could ski between December and March and comfortably swim in the Black Sea between June and September leaving the odd month for walking, cycling or just relaxing.

Bolu has all the facilities of a medium sized town with shops and restaurants of every type. It provides good medical and transport services. It has a bazaar area and a very large open market every Monday. It is also within easy reach of both Istanbul and Ankara if you fancy a day trip to a major city.

Bolu is a tourist area for the Turkish People. It has not yet featured in the minds of many English. To a certain extent you would be trail blazing – but the rewards are high. Prices are half or maybe a third of those found in the tourist hot-spots in Turkey or other Mediterranean resorts.

Bolu has properties of all types. There are very old wooden Ottoman style houses, old log style cabins, modern concrete frame buildings, American style ranch houses and Swiss chalet style houses. For something individual there is a thriving building and construction industry.

Just imagine owning your own chalet just a few miles from the ski slopes of Kartalkaya or somewhere near the sandy beaches of the Black Sea and under two hours drive between them.