Turkey's northwestern city of Bolu is one of the most captivating winter resorts in Turkey. Its proximity to Istanbul is another feature that makes this city attractive for both local and foreign tourists. Located on the Black Sea, Bolu has huge green highlands that you can enjoy during the summer . It is thought that there are around 300 highlands in Bolu, and they offer many opportunities to camp, when weather permits, and fill your lungs with fresh air in a place that overlooks the entire city. Most of the locals in Bolu travel to the highlands in the summer for a picnic or a weekend getaway, but the main time of year when Bolu becomes a popular destination is when Turkey bids farewell to hot summer days. Bolu is attracting more attention with all tones of green in autumn and tiny resorts covered with snow in the winter.In fact, the city center does not have enough space for visitors, but the city's outskirts hide many beauties that can help you run away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. The first thing that comes to mind about Bolu is its towns, such as Abant Yedigöller, where you can find all of nature's colors, and Kartalkaya, which tourists who like winter sports mainly prefer. There are various weekend activities in these towns – there are skiing resorts where you can enjoy your time off as well as tiny chalets that give you an opportunity to rest.Apart from the tourist spots, there are also historic places in Bolu that remain from the Ottoman Empire. For instance, the towns of Göynük and Mudurnu are two places where you can see the historic beauty of Bolu, and both of these towns are close to the city center. If you are interested in history, visiting them should be at the top of your where-to-go list.The cuisine of Bolu is also one of the best cuisines in Turkey and cooks from Bolu have a significant reputation across the country, especially from the town of Mengen. It is not an exaggeration to say that cooks from Mengen are some of the best cooks around the world since they have won many awards at international competitions. In the Ottoman Era, those who were cooking in Ottoman palaces were mostly from Mengen.As the cuisine of the city is renowned, you must taste traditional Bolu cuisine, which includes tarhana soup – a special soup made with cracked wheat (or flour), yogurt and dried, fermented vegetables – gözleme (Turkish pancakes) with pumpkin, a ravioli-type dish that is cooked in a traditional Bolu way, halvah, unique to Mudurnu called "palace Halvah" and cheeses special to Mengen. There are also dozens of bazaars set up in Bolu's towns where you can find many organic products and handmade textiles. You can buy handmade textiles and organic products for loved ones during your stay.Bolu is also where you can find different types of accommodations from cottages to lavish hotels. There are big lavish hotels with many facilities, including convention centers, thermal resorts as well as small boutique hotels near the lakes in Bolu. Cottages and chalets are also popular, especially in the outskirts of the city.Abant – seven lakes in northwestern Turkey:Abant Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) is one of the most renowned getaway spots for those who live in Istanbul and those who reside in the capital, Ankara. Abant, which includes Yedigöller National Park, is almost like heaven on earth with its trees – beech, oak, mahogany, alder, elm and fir – that dot the landscape. You can find numerous hotels and camping sites in Abant to discover how the evergreen nature embraces the colors of all the seasons. While you are touring around Abant Lake, you may have some problems looking ahead since the whiteness of snow combined with the sun can be quite bright. During harsh weather conditions in the winter the lake may freeze as well, but the officials urge travelers not to walk on the lake . Abant, offering pure tranquility to visitors, makes you feel as though nature comes from a pastoral masterpiece by a painter. During your stay in Abant you can try activities such as nature photography, painting, hiking, angling and lake fishing. To better understand the language of nature, Yedigöller offers amazing landmarks as well. If you want to enjoy silence and serenity during your stay, Yedigöller is ready to give you just that too.How to get there: Yedigöller National Park is 42 kilometers north of Bolu and can be reached via Yeniçağa Road, 152 kilometers off the Ankara-Istanbul highway.Where to stay: The Grand Abant Hotel and Convention Center is the most preferred hotel in Abant. It has a magnificent view of Abant and is close to the lake. Even if it is for a short weekend getaway, you should sit in one of the hotel's bars or cafes and sip coffee while viewing Abant's amazing landscape.Kartalkaya:Kartalkaya is one of Turkey's most prominent and mostly preferred skiing destinations. But even if you are not interested in skiing, you can still visit Kartalkaya to see the amazing view. Kartalkaya is a favorite for snowboarders with its experts-only off-track slopes. The discipline of this skiing resort looks like to those in the Alps and it is very convenient for tour skiing. The available area for skiing is over 1,850 and 2,200-meters high in the mountains and the surrounding area of the Kartalkaya skiing resorts is covered with pine forests. The suitable season for skiing here is between December and March and the snow depth can reach three meters. There are six hotels operating in this popular skiing destination, which are located in the Köroğlu Mountains, and they are generally completely full over the weekend and reach 85 percent capacity with weekday reservations in the winter. That is why you must make reservations ahead of time before visiting the mountain.How to get there: The skiing and snowboarding center in Kartalkaya is only 38 kilometers away from the Bolu city center and only 28 kilometers away from the Ankara-Istanbul highway. From Bolu city center to Kartalkaya only takes approximately 45 minutes and there are shuttles that operate on the route. The road between these two routes is carefully opened to traffic, but in case of a harsh weather conditions, you must put safety chains on your tires. There are also taxis at all times between the two destinations.Where to stay: One of the best resorts to enjoy your stay in Kartalkaya is Kaya Palazzo Mountain Ski & Resort. Located at the most popular ski center in Kartalkaya, Kaya offers skiing and snowboarding fans a winter holiday dream with its distinct architecture and outstanding quality of service. It offers 1.5 million square meters of ski slopes, seven lifts – one of which is a frontal protection Leitner lift used in Turkey for the first time – and 11 tracks with various difficulty levels as well as its design, which facilitates direct access to the chairlifts.Mudurnu:Mudurnu is a historic town that those who want to visit both historical places and natural beauties will prefer. The history of Mudurnu dates back 4,000 years . The western leg of the Silk Road passed through Mudurnu and it was also a significant route in Ottoman times. There are historic chalets in Mudurnu, but unfortunately most of them are not well protected. You must visit Mudurnu to experience a cozy atmosphere and chat with locals who are some of the friendliest people you couldpossibly meet.How to get there: Mudurnu is only 45 minutes away from the Bolu city center. If you travel from Istanbul, it is 250 kilometers away and takes four hours. If you travel from Ankara, it is 245 kilometers away and takes nearly three hours.Where to stay: Hacı Şakir Mansion is a boutique resort in Mudurnu and is one of the villas representative of Mudurnu-style homes. Since it is not a big town, all villas in the town are small but their services and the friendly faces of their landlords are enough to make you happy. Additionally, the villas feature old style rooms that take you on a journey through history.