Join us for a thoughtfully curated journey through Turkey, designed from my personal history of living and studying here, that blends immersive cultural experiences with my signature Explore & Restore practices.

This small-group retreat is for travelers who crave rich connection, intentional adventure, and space to slow down. We’ll explore ancient cities, surreal landscapes, and hidden corners of Istanbul and Cappadocia, with a thoughtful pace that keeps you grounded and nourished.

This is more than just a vacation. It’s a spacious, nourishing immersion into Turkey’s rich cultural tapestry with a thoughtful pace that keeps your nervous system resourced.

Some days we’ll explore world heritage sites, meet inspiring women, and wander colorful neighborhoods. Others will invite more ease: time in quiet villages, slow ferry rides, local meals, and sunset wine. This is travel that expands you without overwhelming you.

You’ll also experience Nicole’s signature Explore & Restore approach—a simple blend of gentle movement, mindfulness, and nervous system support that helps you stay grounded, present, and supported throughout your travels.

Nicole’s approach to mindful travel has been featured in Katie Couric Media. Read the article here.

This retreat is for you if you want to explore Turkey in a way that leaves you feeling enriched and restored and are:

• Open to group travel and deep cultural immersion

• Curious and adaptable, seeking something beyond tourist highlights

• Interested in nervous system-friendly travel

• Looking to balance structured adventure with ample time to restore

In Istanbul, we’ll stay in a charming boutique hotel in the heart of the city. In Cappadocia, we’ll stay in a cozy cave hotel with modern comforts and incredible views.

You’ll feel welcomed and supported in every location, experiencing the beauty of Turkey with the guidance of those who know it well.

Please plan to fly into Istanbul Airport (IST) and arrive by the afternoon of Sunday, April 20, 2026. The trip ends the morning of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with transfers back to IST airport.

Airport transfers will be arranged for you.

Trip Insurance
Travel insurance is required. At a minimum, you must be covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that your policy also includes coverage for COVID-19, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage or personal effects.

For US residents, we partner with Allianz Global Assistance. COVID-19 coverage is available through Allianz; please speak with one of their agents for more information. You can reach the Allianz reservations team at 1-866-884-3556.

Deposit & Booking

• A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the trip price is required to secure your spot. Deposits apply toward your final balance.

Payment Deadlines

• 100 days prior (1/10/26): Booking Deadline

• 65 days prior (2/14/26): Final balance due.

• 45 days prior (3/6/26): Flight and travel insurance details due.

Cancellation by Traveler

• More than 65 days before departure: Payments beyond the deposit are refundable. Deposit remains non-refundable.

• 65 days or fewer before departure: No refunds. All payments are non-refundable once final payment is due.

• No-shows: Treated as cancellation with 100% cancellation fee.

Cancellation by Organizer
If the trip is canceled by the organizer, travelers may choose a full refund or a credit toward a future trip, subject to supplier terms and conditions.

During our time in Istanbul, we’ll visit the KEDV Foundation (Women’s Empowerment and Development Foundation) and see firsthand how they support women artisans and cooperatives across Turkey. KEDV creates opportunities for sustainable income, education, and community development, with their flagship store—Nahıl Dükkan—celebrating abundance, tradition, and sharing.

A portion of this retreat’s proceeds will help sustain KEDV’s work and other women’s empowerment initiatives in Turkey, ensuring your journey supports lasting change for the communities that welcome us.

“Nicole's retreat was life-changing. Every day felt like a dream—meeting inspiring locals, exploring hidden gems, and unwinding with restorative practices in truly magical places. Her deep connection to the culture shines through in every detail, making this experience unlike any other.”

“Nicole's expertise in nervous system regulation made this trip incredibly grounding. I felt safe, cared for, and fully present. The perfect balance of adventure and rest.”

“If you want to immerse yourself in a culture in a way that feels deeply personal and enriching, this is the retreat for you. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, and I will cherish this experience forever.”

As seen in Katie Couric Media. Read more here.

This retreat is your opportunity to explore Istanbul and Cappadocia in a way few travelers ever experience—blending breathtaking cultural immersion with intentional, restorative practices.

Turkey holds a special place in my heart. I first lived here as an undergraduate at UCLA, studying abroad and immersing myself in Islamic art history. Those months in Istanbul sparked my lifelong love for travel and cultural connection. Over the years, I’ve returned again and again, building deep roots and lasting relationships with people and places that continue to inspire me.

This itinerary is one I’ve personally curated from that experience and affection—every detail chosen to help you see Turkey through the lens of its art, history, and warm hospitality. I’ll take care of everything so you can fully savor the journey.

I would love to share the Turkey I know and love with you. If this calls to you, I encourage you to reserve your spot now—these retreats fill quickly, and our group will be intentionally small.

Only 7 spots available—Reserve your spot now!

Monday, April 20

Meals included: Dinner

Merhaba! Welcome to Turkey. Your journey begins in Istanbul, the dazzling city where continents meet and centuries of history mingle with modern vibrancy. Once home to the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, this is a place where every corner holds a story.

We’ll meet at 6:00 PM at our hotel for a warm welcome, introductions, and a brief orientation to set the stage for the week ahead. From there, we’ll share our first dinner together, soaking in the flavors and atmosphere of this cosmopolitan neighborhood.

As you settle in, you might notice the layers of life unfolding around you—locals gathering over coffee, friends sharing raki and mezze, and the hum of a city that never stops moving. This is your first taste of the magic that awaits.

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Tuesday, April 21

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, we step straight into history with a guided walk through Istanbul’s Old City—a living museum where empires have risen and fallen. We’ll stand in the ancient Hippodrome, once alive with the roar of chariot races, and admire the elegant minarets and blue-tiled beauty of the Blue Mosque.

Our journey continues to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has transformed over its 1,500-year life from church to mosque to museum—and now mosque again. It’s a place that humbles and inspires all at once.

No morning in Istanbul is complete without a sweet treat, so we’ll pause for a traditional slice of flaky, honey-drenched baklava before heading to the KEDV Foundation. Here, we’ll meet the inspiring women behind this social enterprise, dedicated to empowering low-income women across Turkey through craft and cooperative networks. At their Nahıl Dükkan store, browse beautiful handmade pieces steeped in a tradition of abundance, fertility, and sharing.

The afternoon is yours to explore at Galata Port—a lively waterfront where you can stroll, shop, or simply watch the ferries glide across the Bosphorus.

Included Activities:

• Old City walking tour

• Blue Mosque

• Hagia Sophia

• Baklava tasting

• Visit to Nahıl Dükkan by KEDV Foundation

• Free time at Galata Port

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Wednesday, April 22

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we step into the grandeur of Topkapi Palace, the opulent seat of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Overlooking the shimmering Bosphorus, this vast complex holds tales of intrigue, power, and lavish living, told through jewel-studded treasures and ornate courtyards.

From here, we wander to the Spice Bazaar, a feast for the senses and one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric markets. Meet a local spice merchant and learn the secrets behind Turkey’s most beloved blends, then follow your nose to a traditional Turkish Delight shop for a taste of these iconic sweets. Compared to the sprawling Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market wins with its intoxicating aromas, vibrant colors, and countless temptations you can sample along the way.

In the evening, your guide will lead us on a street food tasting tour, where we’ll savor Istanbul’s most mouthwatering local delicacies under the city lights.

Included Activities:

• Topkapi Palace

• Süleymaniye Mosque

• Rüstem Pasha Mosque

• Spice Market

• Night Street Food Tasting Tour

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Thursday, April 23

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we step off the tourist trail and into the Fener and Balat districts—colorful, history-soaked neighborhoods that feel like living time capsules. As we wander narrow cobblestone lanes, you’ll pass bustling markets, fragrant bakeries, and tea houses buzzing with conversation. Laundry flutters between weathered buildings, kids kick soccer balls in the street, and the sounds of daily life spill out from open windows.

These streets hold the layered stories of three religions, where synagogues, churches, and mosques stand as neighbors. We’ll learn about the history and cultural crossroads that shaped this unique community before meeting a local marbling artist. In a hands-on Ebru workshop, you’ll create your own swirling, colorful marbled paper—a piece of Istanbul you can take home.

Included Activities:

• Fener & Balat walking tour

• Ebru marbling workshop

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Friday, April 24

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we set sail across the Bosphorus for a day on the Asian side of Istanbul. Our journey begins in Kadiköy, a lively district where murals brighten the streets, markets brim with local produce, and cafés spill onto sun-dappled sidewalks. We’ll explore the creative enclave of Yeldeğirmeni, now home to hip artists and vibrant street art.

A local dolmuş (shared taxi) takes us to Üsküdar, where we’ll walk to the charming village of Kuzguncuk. This peaceful enclave is known for its history of religious tolerance, traditional wooden houses, and lush gardens tucked between the buildings. A soft Bosphorus breeze drifts through the streets as we pause for an optional lunch of handmade manti (Turkish dumplings) and tea before ferrying back to the European side.

Included Activities:

• Kadiköy & Kuzguncuk exploration

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Saturday, April 25

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we transfer to the airport for our mid-morning flight to Kayseri, gateway to the magical landscapes of Cappadocia. From there, a scenic one-hour drive brings us to Göreme, where dreamlike valleys of towering rock formations—cones, needles, and columns—stretch as far as the eye can see. These “fairy chimneys” were shaped over millennia from soft volcanic rock, and many have been carved into homes, churches, and even entire underground cities.

After settling in, we’ll take an orientation walk through the village, breathing in the crisp Cappadocian air and getting our first glimpses of this extraordinary terrain.

Tonight’s dinner is a special one—prepared by Nuray Abla, a beloved local cook and community leader, in her own cave home. As we savor her signature Anatolian dishes, we’ll hear her inspiring story of how hospitality and food have helped her support her family and empower other women in the region.

Included Activities:

• Domestic flight to Cappadocia

• Cappadocia orientation walk

• Home-cooked dinner with Nuray Abla

Accommodation: Dere Suites or similar

Sunday, April 26

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

For those who don’t mind an early start, the day can begin with one of Cappadocia’s most iconic experiences—a hot air balloon ride over the region’s surreal landscape. As the sun rises, watch the valleys and fairy chimneys glow in shades of gold and rose from a breathtaking aerial view.

Back on solid ground, we’ll set off to explore the region’s treasures, starting with the sweeping vistas of Pigeon Valley and the otherworldly rock formations of Pasabag (Monks Valley). We’ll wander through the peaceful paths of Soganli or Love Valley, where the scenery is both dramatic and serene, and then enjoy a homemade lunch at a female-run restaurant—a chance to savor local dishes and support women entrepreneurs in the community.

In the afternoon, we step into history at the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries are adorned with vivid frescoes that tell the stories of early Christian life in this remote corner of the world.

Included Activities:

• Valley walk

• Göreme Open Air Museum

Optional Activities:

• Hot air balloon ride

• Pasabag – Zelve Archaeological Site

• Whirling Dervish ceremony

Accommodation: Dere Suites or similar

Monday, April 27

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our last full day in Cappadocia begins with a taste of village life. After breakfast, we’ll join locals for a traditional coffee and unhurried conversation, soaking in the rhythms of daily life in the heart of Anatolia.

Next, we’ll visit a carpet cooperative to learn about the artistry and skill behind Cappadocia’s renowned rugs and kilims. Watch as weavers bring intricate patterns to life—each one telling a story through color and design.

In the evening, we’ll raise a glass of local wine as the sun sinks behind the fairy chimneys, painting the valley in gold and rose. Our final dinner together will be a celebration of shared experiences, new friendships, and the magic of our journey.

Included Activities:

• Village visit

• Carpet cooperative

• Ürgüp Three Beauties viewpoint

Optional Activity:

• Hammam (Turkish bath)

Accommodation: Dere Suites or similar

Tuesday, April 28

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes to Cappadocia’s extraordinary landscapes and make our way to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul.

The trip concludes upon arrival at Istanbul Airport—your heart full, your camera roll brimming, and your mind carrying the quiet magic of Turkey home with you.

Included Activities:

• Departure transfer

• Domestic flight to Istanbul