The Marmara Region - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 111

So g uksu, and Lake Sapanca in
the Sakarya valley area, the
Hotel Ma @ ukiye is a private
family-run establishment in the
quiet village of Ma @ ukiye. The
hospitality is good and the wel-
come warm. The hotel caters for
children and the team is only
too happy to provide buggies,
cycles for all sizes and extra beds,
and, it seems, anything else
needed to make your stay a
memorable one. A playground
with safety features such as a
special floor surface is provided
in the garden. The hotel's rooms,
which are located over several
floors, are nicely presented and
have views of either the moun-
tains or the huge lake that sur-
rounds the building. The Hotel
Ma @ ukiye caters for breakfast
only, but the village has some
fine dining restaurants all within
a short walking distance. Be sure
to try the local delicacy, trout.
The hotel is also well placed for
a few other activities. Walking is
popular because of the altitude
and there are some pre-marked
trails, as is cycling and water-
sports on Lake Sapanca, which
all the family will love for sure.
Fishing in the streams is another
option if your family is keen and
there are many picnic areas to
choose from to enjoy your catch.
Rooms 10 including a family suite.
Rates from around 70 YTL. Credit
not accepted. Amenities wake up
call, laundry service, breakfast
restaurant, bar, parking, garden, chil-
dren's playground, television room.
In room en suite bathroom, balcony,
satellite TV, Internet.

to garments, toys and souvenirs.
Iznik-style blue and white pot-
tery is a popular purchase in the
Marmara region, as is pi @ maniye,
the super sweet and sticky con-
fectionery made of layer upon
layer of sugar. Carpets are always
a good purchase too, although if
you're on a family holiday these
are probably not towards the top
of your shopping list. Children
will love the chance to haggle
and get a bargain, although even
the shyest little one will be able
to secure a good buy without too
much effort. Turkish stallholders
adore children and will no doubt
offer yours a good price before
they even ask.

INSIDER TIP

When you're out shopping always
try to pay in cash as you will be
able to get a better price. Credit
cards are not generally accepted
in bazaars or small shops.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY
ACCOMMODATION

Prices quoted are for a double
room in low season.

INEXPENSIVE
Hotel Ma@ukiye

★★
Soguksu Mah. Sarma @ ık Sok. No.18,
41295 Ma@ukiye, Kocaeli. b +90 262
354 21 74; www.hotelmasukiye.
com . Located centrally in the village
of Ma@ukiye, near Kocaeli, on the
easterly coastline of the Sea of
Marmara.

VALUE

A traditionally built hotel
located beside a small river, the

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