Late Summer Yoga Retreat, Huzur Vadisi, Turkey 2-9th Sept 2013 From £595 sharing
Is it time for you to relax and unwind?
Then why not join our Yoga Holiday in the tranquil sun-filled mountains of Southern Turkey. (Listed under The Independent’s top five yoga retreats.)
Huzur Vadisi means peaceful valley ...... when you arrive you'll know why
Make this the year you get away from it all and join me in the peaceful setting of Huzur Vadisi. Each day we will focus on slow and gentle explorations of the body mind and spirit, gently awakening our physical awareness. Together we will explore elements of the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli, including breath, and the flow of gravity through the body to reveal and release the natural freedom of the body, particularly the spine. This approach to yoga gradually enables us to reveal long-held patterns, helping us find a new lightness and suppleness.
High in the hills overlooking Gocek, Huzur Vadisi is surrounded by virgin pine forest, olive trees and figs. From here you can walk unhindered in any direction to spectacular viewpoints over the coast and islands, and inland to unfolding mountain ranges. It's a truly peaceful and very natural space, perfect for total relaxation, immersion in yoga, and with almost guaranteed great weather.
The atmosphere here is relaxed and friendly, and particularly welcoming to people holidaying on their own. Hammocks are strung enticingly between the trees, there is a beautiful natural stone swimming pool, and a traditional wooden kosk, (like an exotic tree house), which is a favourite spot for siestas and evening gatherings.
Dates:
2-9th September 2013
Sharing costs:
£660 sharing in twin or triple yurts.
Single rooms
costs:
There are 3 single yurts available for an additional supplement of £249.
There are also 4 single canvas tents available which are not subject to the supplement.
All singles are booked on a first come first served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Not included:
Flights, excursions, transfers, insurance, massages, drinks and snacks.
"This unpretentious retreat is a delicious place to escape the stresses of life at home .....… the food is legendary." Harpers & Queen
Yoga classes take place in the mornings and late afternoon in the beautiful yoga shala, where often the only sound is a shepherd’s flute or the tinkling of goat bells in the surrounding hills.
To complete the experience, we will also be joined by Robert Annis, a very talented and intuitive massage therapist, who will be on hand to soothe aching muscles and help everyone to simply wind down, and enjoy the simplicity and beauty of this lovely space.
"Thank you for organizing such a wonderful retreat at Huzur Vadisi. It really was a magical and unforgettable experience... a very safe and nuturing place to unwind and explore on all levels and so much of that came from both of you. I came away feeling calmer, restored and with quieter and deeper understanding of my body and myself. What more could I have asked for ! It was a little piece of heaven." Wendy, 2012
Accommodation
This is something very special ...... stunning Nomadic Yurts
We stay in nomadic yurts, circular domed "tents", made on a wooden trellis frame. Comfortable and spacious, in hot weather the apex of the roof is left open to the sky - the so called "Eye of Heaven", so that at night you can see the stars from your bed. Equipped with "proper" beds, electricity, wooden floors and home comforts, it is definitely not camping! There are shared bathroom areas with ample toilet, shower and washing facilities and solar heated water.
Studio Cottage
There is also a small brick built studio cottage with a beautiful cool veranda which accommodates a comfortable couch where you can sit and look over the olive grove below. It is a peaceful spot to relax, unwind and become one with your surroundings.
The cottage, with its tiled pitch roof, has two single beds and provides a great alternative if you do not wish to stay in one of the yurts.
Summer House
The Summer House is also a fantastic alternative to Yurt living. Situated at the highest point at the retreat centre it offers fabulous views of the surrounding mountains and pine forests. With a hammock right outside the entrance, you don't have far to go before you are swaying gently back and forth whilst watching the red squirrels perched in adjacent branches.
The structure is partially open sided and has one double and one single bed.
Canvas Tents
In addition to the Yurts, the Studio Cottage and the Summer House, there are also two simple canvas tents available for single occupancy.
Each tent has its own proper single bed, storage area for clothes and its own electricity supply for lights and table lamps.
The tents, although they are single occupancy are not subject to the single supplement costs associated with the other styles of accommodation.
Like all accommodation on site, the tents are a short walk to the dining area, swimming pool, shower facilities or yoga shala.
Careful thought and consideration has been given when building the structures on site to ensure that each guest can begin to relax and enjoy their peaceful surrounds as soon as possible.
Yoga Shala
The open-sided shala, set amidst the olive trees and vines is very spacious and ideal for yoga classes. Yoga mats, bolsters, belts and blocks are provided, but if you would like to bring your own equipment that also works for us.
Swimming Pool
The most popular spot outside yoga clasess has to be at the natural stone swimming pool. It is a beautiful place for comfortable lounging, reading, as well as a great place to cool off .
Dining Area
The original farmhouse is the inspiration for the careful restoration and building at Huzur Vadisi. It houses the kitchen, the office and staff accommodation. Its shaded terrace and long communal table provide a lovely ambience for sharing the delicious meals.
In this area you can connect to the free Wi-Fi if you wish to catch up on emails, news etc.
Kösk
The traditional open-sided wooden Kösk whispers “siesta!” to many clients in the afternoon. A cool spacious carpeted upper-deck with comfortable cushions provides a great area to chill out. It's almost like having your own exotic tree house.
The lower-deck has coffee tables, sofas, a large well stocked fridge with cold refreshments and chocolate for those wishing to indulge, and there is also a library of books if clients wish to read.
‘You feel very welcomed by the friendly staff at Huzur Vadisi and the setting is peaceful and enchanting.’ Ulrike Speyer - Neal's Yard Agency for Personal Development.
Food (Harpers & Queens refers to the food at Huzur Vadisi as 'legendary')
Food at Huzur Vadisi is delicious. Many people say it's worth coming for that alone! Based on local Turkish village style cooking, most of the produce is grown organically, locally, and is generally vegetarian, although occasionally we may have some fish. The food is so good that the centre has produced its own cook book, so you can take a copy of the recipes with you to recreate back at home!
Turkish cooking is recognised as one of the great cuisines of the world – created by a thousand palace chefs devoted to tempting the Ottoman Sultan’s palate. The centre's gifted cook, Sevgi, combines this tradition with local village recipes to turn out truly original and delicious Huzur Vadisi food.
Although the menu is vegetarian by default, fish, chicken or meat can be provided once or twice a week if requested by the group. Special diets can also be accommodated, but please check with us first for more detailed information.
"Total peace, delicious food, wonderful environment and great company." Independent on Sunday
Excursions, Trips and Local Activities
Walking / Trekking
You are spoilt for choice for excellent walks. You can walk in any direction from the retreat centre at Huzur Vadisi and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this magical region.
The many trails allow you to choose anything from a sedate 30 minute stroll through the pine foresets all they way through to a full days excursion where you can conquer the moutains which peer down onto stunning coast and islands.
Visit Gocek
For a quick get-away, the small seaside town of Gocek is only a ten minute taxi ride. The town has a pretty palm-lined seafront with bars and restaurants, and still retains its laid-back and friendly village atmosphere, despite being one of Turkey’s most up-market yachting centres.
Shopping includes jewellery, carpets, ceramics, clothes, and spices. There are also banks and cash points.
Visit Fethiye
Fethiye is about 40 minutes away and is the nearest large town. Set on a beautiful bay, it features shops, bazaars, seafront cafes, Turkish baths and the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos.
Visit Dalyan
Dalyan is a lovely little town on a reedy river estuary about an hour from Huzur Vadisi.
Riverboats carry guests to the spectacular Lycian rock tombs, the ancient ruins of Caunos, or they can take you to the hot sulphur springs on Koygegiz Lake.
Alternatively you can spend the day enjoying the pristine sea and sand of Istuzu beach, a nature conservancy area at the mouth of the river.
The Dalyan Mudbaths are a top tourist attraction and visitors from far and wide make the trip in order to take advantage of the cleansing and healing mud. Guaranteed to have your skin glowing and also said to be a remedy for rheumatic and skin conditions.
Visit Saklikent Gorge
Saklikent gorge is a pleasant 60 minute journey from Gocek and is the second biggest gorge in Europe spanning 20km and the deepest in Turkey.
Some 6km of the gorge is walkable, and the shade and cold waters that flow through it (originally snow from the Taurus mountains) make it a wonderful escape from the hot Turkish sun. Saklikent means 'hidden town' ... it is easy to forget that it was only discovered less than 30 years ago.
Full Day Boat Trip
Guests’ all-time favourite day trip is a cruise around the islands and bays of this stunning coastline on a traditional wooden sailing boat. A day's cruise provides plenty of time for swimming and sunbathing, and a delicious lunch is cooked and served on board.
The comfortable boat has toilets and a changing cabin on board, and provides ample deck space to stretch out in the sun or under a shaded awning. The Bay of Gocek, described by the yachting fraternity as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, offers lovely views as well as beautiful clear water.
Visit White Sandy Beaches
While swimming from a boat is a popular way to enjoy the sea, there are also two nice beaches within a 15 minute taxi ride from Huzur Vadisi. One beach, is in the next bay along the coast. The other is at a five-star hotel in Gocek. Day-membership permits access to their private beach, and also reduced prices for lunch at their chic restaurant overlooking the bay.
Another less-expensive but very nice private beach is on the other side of the bay in Gocek, and provides decking, sun loungers and a small sandy beach.
Sunday Market Gocek
A favorite with some of the guests is to visit the local Sunday market down in Gocek. It's very popular with the locals and allows you to submerse yourself in the local culture.
The market seems to cater for everything ranging from clothing, towels and shoes; linens and toys and leather bags; kitchen utensils and farm implements - and then there's all the fruit and veg stalls, chickens & eggs, fish, cheeses & olives, etc.
Turkish Bath (Hamam)
Another favourite guest activity is a visit to the Turkish Baths in Gocek. A delicious steam bath precedes a thorough scrubbing and exfoliation by attendants. Massage is also available. Relax and refresh Sultan-style!
Other Archeological Sites
The history of the region spans the Greeks, Romans and Persians, and before them the ancient Lycians. The region is strewn with the romantic remains of Lycian cities, most of which remain un-excavated and where we are often the only visitors roaming among the temples, broken columns and amphitheatres.
The favourite Lycian city is Cadianda, perched on a wildly dramatic mountain top, which is also the nearest at just over an hour away. Tlos, Pinara and Xanthos are a full day's trip, but are well worth the effort if you have the time.
Programme
We arrive on Monday, and start yoga sessions on Tuesday morning. There are two, two hour long yoga sessions each day, one in the morning, the other in the late afternoon - but of course, if you prefer to laze by the pool, or indulge in a supremely relaxing massage, then that's fine!
There will be one day "off", (usually Thursday) during which you are free to explore the local area, or join us for a full day's boat trip around the beautiful bay of Gocek, anchoring in quiet coves for lunch, tea and swimming. The local village of Gocek which is only a twenty minute taxi ride away, has a pretty marina with shops, little bars and restaurants, providing all amenities.
Getting there ...
There are regular charter flights to Dalaman – which is a four hour flight from the UK.
The airport is about 30 minutes from Huzur Vadisi, and a minibus transfer will meet the group flight for approx. £30 per person, to include both journeys. Those arriving on different flights will need to make their own arrangements to arrive by local taxi, which is around £40 one way. You will receive full details, including directions, upon receipt of your final payment.
If you arrive early or leave late, Huzur Vadisi recommend www.olivegardenapart.com in the nearby town of Gocek.
Some people ask about visiting Istanbul before or after their holiday at Huzur Vadisi. Istanbul is just over an hour's flight with Turkish Airlines and is relatively inexpensive (prices vary with dates and times) www.turkishairlines.com
The coach to or from Istanbul arrives and departs from Fethiye, which is just over half an hour from Huzur Vadisi. It is a 10 hour trip and costs around 65TL (£28). The coach services are very good and professionally run. It is possible (in theory) to book online, and there is a translation service available on Google. Or you can usually buy a ticket on the day, or a few days before, unless it is a national holiday. For more information see www.turkeytravelplanner.com.
Flights
We recommend you book your flights through Kay or Julie at Robinson Travel 01237 476 798 who will be able to direct you to the best flight to coordinate with the shared group transfer.
A non-refundable deposit of £200 is required to confirm your place. The balance is due no less than 6 weeks prior to the event. You may also pay in full at the time of booking if you prefer. You can also pay by bank transfer, please contact me and I can give you the bank details.
Please include your full name and the dates of the week/s you would like to book.
Bookings made less than 6 weeks prior to the event must be paid in full. Payment is by cheque or bank transfer. Please send cheques to:
Catherine Annis
c/o Triyoga
6 Erskine Road
Primrose Hill
London NW3 3AJ.
All bookings are final, and for this reason we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of any need to cancel at the last minute.
Please note that whilst I will do everything possible to adhere to the programme and details laid out above, some things are outside my control, and therefore I reserve the right to make changes if necessary.
For further details, or to clarify any questions about the above retreatplease email : Catherine Annis at [email protected]
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Yoga with Catherine Annis
The yoga Catherine teaches has been inspired by the pioneering approach of Vanda Scaravelli. It's a gentle yet demanding form of Hatha yoga, which concentrates on developing core strength through releasing tension and creating length in the spine. It uses the breath and gravity to allow the spine to unfold like a wave, allowing the uninhibited opening and energising of the whole body.
Yoga with Catherine Annis - inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli London, UK
