Spend 9 days and 8 nights in extraordinary Turkey. This trip is a perfect balance of old and new, immersion and rest, and city and nature. Our daily movement and mindfulness practices will support our bodies and minds so that we can travel deeper, learn more, and leave feeling nourished and inspired.
We will start our retreat in the inimitable city of Istanbul, the only capital in the world split between two continents. Our time will begin with an immersion into ancient Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Istanbul. Along the way, we will shop, cruise the Bosphorus at sunset, and enjoy delicious Turkish meals and breaks for Turkish coffee and tea (and baklava and Turkish delights too, of course). On our last day in Istanbul, we will visit a local charity to learn about the work they are doing to support Turkish women. We will also visit local artisans and enjoy a stroll off the beaten path to see some lesser-known, hidden Turkish gems.
Next, we will fly south to Faralya and spend four days on the gorgeous Turkish coast. Here, 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 viewing the remarkable Lycian ruins at Kayaköy village and catching the amazing view from the top of Baba Mountain.
Throughout your stay, you will enjoy daily yoga classes (appropriate and accessible for all levels of experience), carefully curated cultural activities, and opportunities to interact in meaningful ways with the diverse people of Turkey.
Nicole lived in Turkey in 2007 and has continued to visit and study the country and its fascinating cultures ever since. This trip has been expertly and thoughtfully curated to showcase Turkey's rich cultural and geographic diversity. The trip will be capped at 12 participants to ensure an intimate and intentional experience. This 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.
Don't miss the opportunity to spend a few extra days in Turkey by booking the three-day Cappadocia Extension Adventure!!
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to chat!
Website: https://nicolegriffinwellness.com/
Email: nicole@nicolegriffinwellness.com
IG: @nicolegriffinwellness
Phone: 510-250-7242
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required to book this trip.
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 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.
In attending this retreat you will benefit the local economy of Turkey in many meaningful ways. We are intentionally including opportunities to support local people and nonprofits. A portion of the proceeds of this retreat will be donated to benefit Mor Cati, a nonprofit we will visit while in Istanbul.
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 is the centerpiece while movement and mindfulness provide the container to process the trip.
I struggled with separating Cappadocia from the main retreat because I didn't want anyone to miss it. It is a very beautiful, unique, and special place. If you can swing three more days, please don't miss the opportunity to book the Cappadocia extension adventure. Full details are here.
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. The remaining fees are fully refundable (minus any unrecoverable transaction fees) 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.
This policy exists because we need to ensure that we can meet financial obligations to our venues and in-country partners. This is why trip insurance is so helpful (and required)!
To secure your spot, register and place a 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. Deposits are transferrable to a rescheduled trip.
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.
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!
-Arrivals to Istanbul Airport (IST)
-Transfer to hotel
-Plan to land by 2:00 pm in order to arrive in time for dinner
-Welcome dinner at 6:30 pm