Support and perseverence result in realized miracles

İksir Sema Aydın, an entrepreneur who has worked as a math teacher for the last 25 years, has long dreamed of building a "resort town" in her hometown. She fearlessly chased after her ambitions, realized her dream and won the "Entrepreneurial Women of Turkey Who Changed Their Region Award" at the competition organized by Garanti Bank, Ekonomist Magazine and the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGİDER).

Because her family had to move during her childhood due to her father's civil servant career, Aydın lived most of her life outside her hometown, Kastamonu's Daday. However, she never lost her connection with her homeland. She found a chance to realize her childhood dreams by restoring an historical mansion built in 1926 with the support of her two daughters.

Aydın's longing for Daday is now embodied in the holiday resort she has created, known as İksir Resort Town, located in the middle of Kastamonu's fertile lands and unique natural environment.

Aydın wants to offer the finest examples of Kastamonu's rooted local culture, nature, authentic architecture and gastronomy to guests, while establishing an experience with the spa, sports and handcraft activities. To introduce the untouched nature and rooted culture of Kastamonu to tourists in Turkey and across the world, Aydın rolled up her sleeves.

The initiative, which kicked off with İksir Hanım Mansion, has become a town with 60 rooms covering a 65,000 square meter area. The starting point of Aydın's dream was offering guests additive-free and natural products grown on the farm, nature safaris organized in the region, and a chance to discover the unknown parts of the forest.

İksir Resort turned into a holiday and living town where local flavors are offered and people can experience new things in terms of nature and sports. All the fruits and vegetables served in the restaurant, which is a restored hayloft, are grown on İksir Hanım Farm.

İksir Resort Town offers accommodation services in six carefully restored historical buildings including İksir Hanım Mansion, Ceviztepe Houses, Göktepe Houses, Samanlık Houses, Soğucaova Mountain Hut and Pond House.

Known for her fondness for sports and art, this entrepreneurial woman has certain dreams that she hopes to realize in her "town." İksir Resort Town is home to Turkey's biggest horse-riding facility. From horseback riding to motor sports, handicrafts to hobby areas, as well as a mushroom farm, yoga festival area, nature safaris, a library, and outdoor and indoor pools; İksir Resort Town has everything needed to offer a variety of experiences to its guests. Aydın, who is not sitting on her laurels, has blazed a trail by introducing a mushroom farm and the famous Siyez bulgur, which had been long forgotten, to her farm.