A yoga holiday on the stunning turquoise coast, Turkey

18 - 25 July 2020

Cost from £645

Teacher Amelia Hodge

Holiday Expired

Huzur Vadisi, which translates as 'peaceful valley', is set in the beautiful forested mountains inland from Turkey's 'turquoise' coast-line. No other people live in the valley so the peace is profound. The only sounds you will hear are cicadas, the call of owls and the heavenly song of nightingales. At night the valley is dark, free of light pollution, revealing all the beauty of the night sky. At full moon it is truly magical to see the forest and valley bathed in moonlight.

Huzur Vadisi's setting brings a deep connection with the natural world that immeasurably enhances the benefits of your yoga practice. It is an oasis of peace and nature, and yet only a fifteen-minute drive from the sea and the small, chic yachting resort of Gocek.

Staying at Huzur Vadisi is very much like being a house-guest with a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The stunning unspoiled location, welcoming experienced staff and legendary food creates an experience which makes you want to return again and again.

Daily programme

Each day will begin with a yoga class in the spacious and fully equipped yoga shala, set amidst the olive trees and vines. The morning class will include asana, meditation and pranayama. Gently opening the body and attuning the mind to the breath, the class will slowly move and build into a flowing and dynamic sequence, always incorporating the cultivation of awareness, physical alignment and breath. The classes will be suitable for all levels and yoga experience.

There will be time set aside in the day to explore and take in the stunning beauty of the surroundings. The group will meet again in the late afternoon for a second yoga session which will be a more gentle class for one and a half hours. Classes will begin on the morning of Sunday 19 July and there will be one yoga-free day during the week.

Sleeping in a comfortable spacious nomadic yurt, from which you can roll back the roof to view the night stars, practicing yoga in a beautiful outdoor shala, swimming in a natural stone pool and eating truly delicious vegetarian food, you cannot leave here feeling anything but refreshed, rejuvenated and deeply relaxed.

Things to do

Many people find that they do not want to go anywhere else once they have arrived at Huzur Vadisi - it is so restful! However, the local friendly village of Gocek, only a 15 minute taxi ride away, is a lovely place to visit with a picturesque seafront and several small bars and restaurants.

For those who want to explore there are several local places of interest. There are several nice beaches within a fifteen-minute taxi ride from Huzur Vadisi. One beach, with lovely views and slightly pebbly sand, is in the next bay along the coast. For serious beach lovers there are two long beautiful sandy beaches (both in protected nature preserves) within an hours drive.

Boat trips are available - the all time favourite day out is to sail around the islands and bays of this stunning coastline on a traditional wooden boat. There is plenty of time for swimming and sunbathing, with space to stretch out, as well as a shady deck area. A delicious lunch is cooked on board.

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.

Another favourite is a visit to the Turkish Baths in Gocek. A delicious steam bath precedes a thorough scrubbing and exfoliation by attendants. Massages are also available. Relax and refresh Sultan-style! There's also an excellent massage therapist at Huzur Vadisi.

Enjoying the beauty of the region doesn't require an elaborate excursion. You can leave the property on foot and walk unhindered in any direction through the pine forests. Trails provide spectacular views of the coast and islands and of the mountain ranges stretching inland to the north.

Accommodation

The accommodation is something rather special. Huzur Vadisi's version of the nomadic yurt (which is the Turkish word for 'home') is a circular domed structure with a wooden trellis frame. An opening at the top, called the "Eye of Heaven" lets you gaze at the stars from your bed and allows cool ventilation in hot weather.

The yurts, set within olive and fig groves, are spacious and comfortable with triple, twin or double beds, electricity, bedside lighting, wooden floors and bamboo storage shelves. Mosquito nets are provided, although rarely needed.
Bathroom facilities with ample hot showers, toilets and wash-basins are conveniently placed around the site. There are no en-suite facilities.

Client Reviews

ABSOLUTELY FAB. So pleased that I went, the family are lovely, the group was warm and supportive. The place is gorgeous, the food is delicious...what more would you need on a yoga retreat except fab professional attentive teaching - which we had :) We all want to go back next year.
Penny
Amelia was lovely, her style of yoga so grounding and calming yet very powerful. It was a perfect fit with the environment. We learnt so much from her in the week. There was a real range of abilities and experience which she catered for easily. We wouldn’t have changed a thing
Michelle
The holiday was fabulous - best ever...you got the balance right for those of us who've been doing yoga a long time and the newcomer. Beautiful location and hosts, loved the yurts, the company - and the boat trip was a truly memorable highlight. Perfect holiday so many thanks for arranging it all and making possible.
Carolyn
It was a fantastic week. Huzur Vadisi is a beautiful and very peaceful place. The staff were very welcoming and the food was excellent. The sense of physical unwinding and the mental space I’ve come away with has been truly transformational. Thank you again. This was my first retreat and I’m totally hooked!
Elizabeth
Fantastico! The teacher Amelia was fab, the group great fun.
Lotte

A yoga holiday on the stunning turquoise coast, Turkey, 18 - 25 July 2020

Costs

Sharing a triple yurt £645
Sharing a twin or double yurt £695
Single occupancy yurt £795
All prices are per person

Includes:
Accommodation
Three delicious meals each day
Daily meditation and yoga classes (apart from one yoga-free day)

Not included:
Flights
Transfers
Excursions

Travel Arrangements

Dalaman is the nearest airport – a four hour flight from the UK. Huzur Vadisi is about 40 minutes from Dalaman airport. Transfers will be arranged for you and shared where possible. The price will be approx £45 per person return. If you arrive or leave very late, or on another day you may be charged the full transfer cost.

Please note that your passport needs to be valid for a further sixty days from the date you leave Turkey.

Flights
There are many airlines that fly to Dalaman. It is best to take flights arriving and departing at sociable hours where possible to avoid long waits at the airport. Please arrive before 9pm on 18 July if possible. Here are a selection of websites for flights:
www.easyjet.com
www.ba.com
www.tui.co.uk
www.turkishairlines.com
www.skyscanner.net