Turkey Culture Retreat: Fall 2023

Turquoise Coast

Next, we will fly south to Dalaman and spend four days on the gorgeous Turkish coast. During our stay, you will have plenty of time to rest and rejuvenate or have free time for extra activities. As a group, we will spend one day touring the stunning Butterfly Valley in a traditional Turkish gulet and another day visiting remarkable Greek and Byzantine ruins and catching the amazing view from the top of Baba Mountain.

Yoga

We will have daily yoga sessions throughout the retreat.  Our morning sessions will include mindful movement and short meditations and our evening sessions will include calming yoga practices like yin and restorative yoga. While a basic level of yoga is very helpful, all sessions are appropriate for all levels of experience. Our morning yoga sessions will take place between 7-9 am, depending on our daily itinerary.

Activities

• Tour of the old city (Sultanahmet), including the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Cisterns, and inshallah, the Blue Mosque (if renovations are completed)
• Additional tours of Galata Tower, Suleymaniye Mosque, and the Chora Museum
• A visit to the Grand Bazaar for shopping
• A private yacht tour along the Bosphorus at sunset
• A special dinner with a view of the Bosphorus
• A traditional Turkish breakfast
• A visit to Mor Cati, a local charity to learn about and support their work
• A visit to a glass artist studio in Camhane
• A stroll off the beaten path to take in the beautiful traditional architecture of the Fener and Balat neighborhoods. 
• A full-day boat cruise along the Turkish coast and Butterfly Valley
• A tour of the ancient Lycian village, Kayaköy, and an excursion to see the view from the top of Baba Mountain 
• Free time on the coast to relax, hike, or swim

Meaningful Cultural Immersion

Nicole lived in Turkey as an undergraduate while she was studying Islamic Art History and fell in love with the country.  On her retreats, meaningful cultural immersion and mindful travel are the centerpieces while movement and mindfulness practices provide the container to process the trip.

Nicole has continued to visit and study Turkey and its fascinating cultures for nearly 15 years. This Turkey retreat has been expertly and thoughtfully curated to showcase Turkey’s rich cultural and geographic diversity.  Our Turkish retreat will be capped at 12 participants to ensure an intimate and intentional experience.

Read more about my retreat philosophy + general retreat FAQs here.

Social Impact

In attending this retreat you will benefit the local economy of Turkey in many meaningful ways. We are intentionally including opportunities to interact with and support local people, small businesses, and nonprofits.  

Our Turkey retreat will also have a social impact as $200 per booking will be donated to Mor Cati, an Istanbul-based charity that supports survivors of domestic violence in Turkey. 

Cappadocia

A trip to Turkey would not be complete without a visit to the totally unique region of Cappadocia.  Known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” underground cities, and enchanting moonscape terrain, its charm and curiosity should not be missed. 

During our four day stay in Cappadocia, we will tour the local UNESCO heritage sites, learn about the ancient history and early Christianity of the region, practice yoga on a scenic outdoor deck, appreciate local food and handicrafts, and take an inspiring (and optional) early morning hot air balloon ride.

Payments & Cancellation Policy

Trip insurance is required to protect against any unforeseen circumstances. Plan to budget about $200-300 for insurance. Squaremouth is a great resource for comparing different plans.  I highly recommend selecting a plan that has a “cancel for any reason’ upgrade and purchasing travel insurance within 14 days of booking this trip to maximize your coverage options.

Your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable. The remaining fees are fully refundable (minus any unrecoverable transaction fees) up to 91 days in advance. Cancellations 61 to 90 days in advance are eligible for a 50% refund of fees above the deposit. Payments made in the 60 days prior to the retreat are non-refundable. If you are able to find a replacement, we will refund your payment less your deposit and any non-recoverable fees.

In conclusion, this policy exists because we need to ensure that we can meet financial obligations to our venues and in-country partners. In short, this is why trip insurance is so helpful (and required)!

To secure your spot, place a $995 deposit; final payments will be due by March 20, 2022 (60 days before the retreat). 

If the trip is canceled due to COVID-19 or other unforeseen circumstances, all payments minus the deposit will be fully refunded. 

Please inquire about payment plans as we are happy to make them available!

*The itinerary and daily schedules may change slightly. Hotels may also be changed for comparable accommodations based on total bookings and availability. 

*The cost of this trip includes the price of one round trip domestic flight from Istanbul to Dalaman. We have included an estimated cost in our budget. Should the cost of the flight change before booking, the final payments for the retreat will be adjusted to reflect the exact cost of flights. Any changes made will be clearly communicated in writing.

Bring a Friend and Save

Book with a friend/partner to save an additional $100 on each booking anytime with the code: HAYDI2022. Just include the name of your friend/partner in your booking, so I know!

Want to think about it? Have some Turkish Çay and let’s stay in touch! Şerefe! (cheers)!