Istanbul Yoga + Art Retreat
Yoga Retreat + ART in Istanbul
A unique yoga retreat that has it all
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Istanbul is a long time favorite city for design and inspiration. Housed on the edge of 2 continents, this very European city (living it’s coolest life in Asia) is our haven for other-level interiors, delicious food and drink, epic shopping in the Grand Bazaar, and being pampered by their luxurious hammam spa treatments. Istanbul is filled with hip coffee shops, gorgeous architecture, boutique design studios, and incredible restaurants and nightlife. We are thrilled for this amazing Yoga + Art retreat in this thriving city!
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Soulful and deep yoga practices with Sherry Sidoti 500EYT will start your days off grounded and open. Create your own piece of jewelry inspired by the design genius that are the Turks and enjoy a hat-making workshop with BONE by Dawn creating your own unique piece with her guidance and help. Join us for inspiration and relaxation in this amazing city full of culture, art and so much more!
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About
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Yoga + Art Retreat in Istanbul
Soulful and deep yoga practices with Sherry Sidoti
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Creative Workshops with Dawn Dafgek of Bone X Dawn
Istanbul is a long time favorite city for design and inspiration. Housed on the edge of 2 continents, this very European city (living it’s coolest life in Asia) is our haven for other-level interiors, delicious food and drink, epic shopping in the Grand Bazaar, and being pampered by their luxurious hammam spa treatments. Istanbul is filled with hip coffee shops, gorgeous architecture, boutique design studios, and incredible restaurants and nightlife.
Soulful and deep yoga practices with Sherry Sidoti, ERYT500 will anchor your days, pampering hammam spa treatments, shopping the souks of the Grand Bazaar for Turkish towels and trinkets, and sipping Turkish tea and enjoy incredible cuisine and drink on the edge of the Bosphorus will round out your days. All the quintessential stops along the way; Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and so much more. Join us for inspiration and relaxation in this amazing city full of culture, art and so much more!
We’ve looked to Turkey for design inspiration and emerging art for years and now we’re taking our Yoga + ART retreat to its shores. Create your own piece of jewelry inspired by the design genius that are the Turks and enjoy a hat-making workshop with BONE by Dawn creating your own unique piece with her guidance and help.
Includes
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RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES :
6 nights in gorgeous hotel accommodations
Traditional Turkish breakfast daily
Four incredible dinners together*
Soulful yoga classes daily with Sherry Sidoti, 500EYT as per itinerary
Daily Creative Expression brainstorming sessions and workshops with Dawn Dafgek of BONE by Dawn
including creating and making your very own piece of jewelry and a custom BONE hat just for you
Grounding circle with Turkish tea & delights
Walking Food tour on both sides of Istanbul; Breakfast & Lunch included
Traditional Turkish bath (hammam)
Custom guided walk to the see some classic Istanbul sights like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, followed by a sunset boat cruise along the Bosphorus with Turkish cheese and wine
Free time to explore as you wish; shop the Grand Bazaar; take a spa treatment
All local taxes
What’s not included :
Staff gratuities (daily cleaning service and restaurant)
International flights
4 lunches & 2 dinners
Alcohol & water
Travel insurance
Itinerary
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ISTANBUL YOGA + ART RETREAT ITINERARY*
DAY ONE
Arrival & Settle-in**
3:00pm Hotel check-in
6-7:30pm Grounding circle with yoga stretch
8pm Dinner together as a group
DAY TWO
8:30am Coffee, Tea & Fruit
9-10:15am Vinyasa Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast
1-5pm Group outing to explore the Asian side of Istanbul; lunch included along the way
5:30-7:30pm Turkish Bath Experience
Dinner on your own
DAY THREE
8:30am Coffee, Tea & Fruit
9-10:15am Vinyasa Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast & Creative Chat with Dawn
12pm-5pm Free time to explore the Grand Bazaar and other shops
5:30-7:30pm Hat Making Workshop with Dawn
8:30pm Dinner together as a group (included)
DAY FOUR
8am-11am Breakfast when you like
Free Day to rest, shop or explore the islands like Burgazada, Büyükada or Heybeliada
Dinner on your own
DAY FIVE
8:30am Coffee, Tea & Fruit
9-10:15am Vinyasa Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast
12-8pm Classic City Sites adventure followed by a Sunset Cruise along the Bosphorus with Turkish cheese and wine
8pm Dinner together as a group
DAY SIX
8:00am Coffee, Tea & Fruit
8:30-9:45am Vinyasa Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast & Creative Chat with Dawn
Free Day to explore the hip neighborhoods like Karakoy, check out the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, rest or last minute shopping
5-7pm Jewelry Making Workshop with Dawn
8pm Farewell Dinner together as a group
DAY SEVEN
8am-11am Breakfast when you like
Departure Day**
*This itinerary is subject to adjustments, changes in times, locations, or activities as the retreat leaders and hosts see fit. Any change will be on par with our standards or an upgrade in services or location making for an even more amazing experience for the group and our guests. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation if any situation were to arise.
**We will pair those arriving and departing at similar times in shared cars for an additional cost if you like. Please send along your flight details if you are interested in this service.
Stay
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Stay in the hippest neighborhood in Istanbul
Roommate Emir is a stylish boutique hotel reprieve located on the European side of Istanbul’s most current neighborhood, Beyoğlu.
Enjoy incredible design and attention to every detail while on retreat in this beautifully designed hotel.
Daily Turkish breakfast will start your days and find nooks and crannies around the hotel for quiet reading and reflection.
Pricing
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Istanbul Yoga + Art Retreat pricing
SHARED Jr. Suites
Shared Double Junior Suites have 2 individual beds, ensuite bathroom, and lounge area.
2 Twin beds : €3,110 euro per person
PRIVATE JUNIOR SUITES
1 King bed with ensuite bath and lounge area.
Private King Bed : €3,560 euro
Shared bed* : €2,999 euro per person
* You must provide your bedmate for these options.
We will pair single travelers together looking to share a room. Roommates should book their accommodations together.
There will be plenty of space for alone time during the retreat. It is a larger property with several different sitting areas both indoors and out.
Payments
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ISTANBUL YOGA + ART RETREAT PAYMENTS
Deposits* of $750usd are due to secure your space in the retreat.
The balance of your retreat (minus your $750usd initial deposit*) is due 90 days prior to arrival. All details for this will be emailed to the group three months before the retreat.
MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT HERE :
Please check availability with us for accommodations before making your $750usd deposit*
Roommates should book together. If you would like to share a room and do not have a roommate we will provide one for you if possible. Due to Covid regulations, we are unable to pair guests in shared rooms unless both are comfortable assuming the associated risks. In the case that there is no one to share a room we ask that you take a private economy room instead.
Please use the Contact button below to message us with your preferred method of payment and to check availability.
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made within 90 days or less of arrival are 100% non refundable. All initial deposits are non-refundable.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY
The acceptance of a verbal or written confirmation from YOGA & ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE (Y&AWW) constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed herein. Participants are responsible to be adequately insured, therefore Traveler’s Insurance is strongly recommended*. Y&AWW and its staff assume no responsibility nor liability for any delay, loss, damage, injury or accident with regards to persons or property which may be caused by fault or negligence of any third party vendor. This includes hotels, transportation providers, and local operators participating in part for our services. Y&AWW shall be held harmless for any expense caused by injury or accident, to any participants as well as any loss or damage of personal items while on our tours. We reserve the right to make any changes to services and itineraries, with or without notice, which may become necessary.
Yoga & Adventures Worldwide, its affiliates, retreat facilitators, hotels, third party vendors, and tour providers, the ownership, or staff, of course, cannot be held responsible for events that are outside of our control. There are no refunds as per our cancellation policies. We highly recommend that all of our guests secure a quality travel insurance that will cover them for ANY event which may cause for a change of travel plans, or for ANY unfortunate event including but of course not limited to:
– Transportation delays, cancellations or changes due to strikes, labor disputes, or lockouts from airlines, boats, ferries or any type of transportation
– Any inconvenience or complication caused by bad weather, storms, and hurricanes : a direct hit, near miss, or significant threat of a hurricane strike
– Government/political actions, events or situations; threats or acts of terrorism, acts of war or declared war.
– Personal health issues or personal situations in general which may affect travel plans
– Any loss, theft or damage of personal items at any stage of your trip
– Any accident causing injury during any stage of your trip
– Travel restrictions or illness associated with COVID-19.
All travelers may join our retreats “at your own risk”, but should continue to take precautions such as wearing masks in public, avoiding crowds, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently. Testing will be determined by the countries through which the traveler must pass. All testing requirements are at the travelers expense and are not included in our packages. Please stay up to date with current travel related requirements.
We ask that all travelers arrive with proof of a negative Covid-19 test (no matter your vaccination status) no more than 3 days before you travel or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).
Forbes created an updated list of travel insurance companies offering coverage for Covid-19. Please let us know if you have chosen to purchase travel insurance or declined at final balance due.
We recommend that you check your insurance’s policies regarding Covid-19 as we are not able to return funds outside of these policies.
By submitting payments toward your retreat you accept these Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions regarding the details of this retreat please feel free to contact us to set up a Skype conversation or to receive further info via email.
Travel Tips
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ISTANBUL YOGA + ART RETREAT Travel Tips
Arriving into Istanbul :
Options to arrive into Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST) on the European side OR Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), located in the Anatolia (Asia) side of Istanbul. We HIGHLY recommend arriving into Ataturk (IST) if possible where travel time and expenses are about half.
We will coordinate rides arriving at similar times to share costs into the city where possible. Otherwise, we can plan a private ride for you. If you plan to arrive or depart outside of retreat dates you should coordinate your own transportation to and from your hotel with its concierge. Any arrivals and departures on retreat dates we will coordinate for you with others on similar flight itineraries.
Turkish Airlines has plenty of flights into IST and they are a very reputable airline. They have direct routes from Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, and many other major cities around the world. Rates are affordable in Economy and quite fair for their lush Business Class as well.
Travel Basics :
Please plan to sleep well on the plane or arrive a day or two early in order to acclimate yourself to the change in time. If you will stay in Turkey for a few days upon arrival we recommend staying at our hotel if you’ll stay in Istanbul or if you’re up for the adventure, Cappadocia is a unique a gorgeous area of Turkey that is worth the travel.
Bring along your basic toiletries and medicine kit to keep yourself healthy and optimized while you are on retreat. We recommend having probiotics, vitamin C, pain medicine, antihistamines, band-aides, anti-biotic ointment, and the like all within reach just in case any of them become necessary.
The hotel provides bath products but it’s always nice to have what you are accustomed to using handy though this is at your discretion. Please consult with your airline on carry-on limits and make sure you pack what you place into your checked luggage with care to avoid spillage and explosions.
What to Bring & what to wear in Turkey :
You will need to bring along your yoga mat and any other yoga props you use in your practice. I find that folding my mat in quarters at the bottom of my suitcase optimizes space. You can also carry it over your shoulder in a yoga bag on the plane.
Istanbul is a VERY modern Muslim city. You will find a pretty even mix amongst the locals of very traditional dress and typical European street clothes like in any major city in the world. As tourists, you can plan to dress as you would at home. Weather should be quite lovely at this time of year so plan for late summer temps but check the forecast closer to dates to prepare your suitcase accordingly.
When entering the mosques you should have shoulders and collarbones covered.
When entering the hammams, towels will be provided for you and bathing suits are optional as there are separate rooms for men and women bathing together. Our experience will be quite interesting but please plan to bring/wear whatever you feel comfortable in inside the hammam. Keep in mind it is an exfoliation bath so the less you have on the better for the attendant. Most people find that a bathing suit bottom is enough but you are free to wear more or less of your bathing as your comfort level dictates. Keep in mind that no one is looking 😉 We will discuss more of this in the group email prior to the retreat.
