Yoga in Turkey - September 2011

We’re going back! You can read about our week in 2010 in the notebook. This week sold out early, so please book ahead to avoid disappointment!

Grenadine Lodge , Dalyan, Turkey

September 5th-12th 2011, from £395

Miles of beautiful unspoilt beach, turtles, riverboats, mud baths, hot springs, bicycles and yoga!

This small yoga hotel is in the conservation area between the village and the beach. If you can tear yourself away from the hotel swimming pool, you can get to the beach by small buses which stop by the hotel entrance every hour, or you can take one of the riverboats from the village, a slow 15 minutes walk away (3 minutes by taxi) or a short cycle ride.

The Yoga

Yoga takes place twice daily on the new ‘yoga deck’ with its shady roof and bamboo screening looking across the field to the mountains beyond. The bamboo screening allows air to circulate whilst keeping out the heat of the sun.

The Yoga will be a mix of slowly flowing Hatha Yoga, building up to stronger sequences and time to learn and explore poses and alignment in a meditative manner. Pranayama will be included also on most days.

See the profile page for more information on Jackie’s teaching style.

Accommodation

The hotel has 14 rooms, all the rooms have air conditioning and en-suite facilities complete with a hair-dryer on the wall.

Upstairs Rooms : the airy upstairs rooms are ‘attic style’. Each has an outdoor space with limited views, en-suite facilities and full air conditioning.

Downstairs Suites: downstairs rooms have en-suite facilities and air conditioning. Each also has a small lounge and a third bed can be placed here if groups of students wish to share to further reduce the cost. Outside each room is a wooden deck with a wooden table and two chairs.

A large Turkish breakfast will be served daily after the morning yoga class as well as 5 evening meals, all included in the cost of the holiday – extra evening meals are available on-site if you wish, however local restaurants are terrific and we do recommend you try them.

Other Activities

Besides visiting the beach we can also arrange a variety of trips; students can rise early one morning to see the turtles as they sunbathe on the river, visit hot springs, mud baths, or spend time exploring the huge lake. A fantastic day out is the Ten Island Boat Trip.

On Saturday mornings there is a large market in Dalyan village selling local produce, spices, fabrics etc. We can also arrange boat trips with barbeque lunches and a visit to a very old Haman (Turkish bath).

If you are interested in history there is the ancient city of Kaunas on the other side of the river or travel further afield to the Ghost Town at Kayaköy which is exactly as it was when the Greeks left Turkey to return to Greece.

Iztutu beach is within the national park. At each end of the very long beach are changing huts, a cafe and sun beds with parasols. The boats arrive at one end and the buses at the other – in between these nothing but sand and sea.

It is a beautiful region to do as much, or as little, as you wish.

Getting There: Fly to Dalaman airport – call Debbie in the Free Spirit office for help finding flights on the internet.

Transfers: Both group and individual taxi transfers are offered by the centre. We will provide you with the airport meeting point and the names of the other guests in your transfer taxi. A taxi is 35 Turkish lira per person (£14) for a group transfer or 50 Turkish lira for an individual taxi (£20). The journey takes 30 minutes.

Includes: accommodation, yoga, breakfast daily and 5 evening meals (one to be the arrival night)

Not included: Flights, travel insurance, transfers, meals other than as specified, excursions.

How to Book

Please contact Free Spirit Travel.
Website: www.freespirituk.com
Email: Info@FreeSpiritUK.com
Phone: 01273-564230

Testimonial from previous Yoga holiday in Turkey with Jackie

“Just wanted to write and say thanks for a great time. The location for
yoga was just perfect i loved the morning sessions sourounded by mountains
looking over pomegranette and lemon tress was just bliss. Jackie i think
your approach to yoga felt just right as the group was a mix of all ages
and various experience of yoga from beginners to other yoga teachers. With
this in mind i think you gave us variations that keep the flow of the
class going really well. I will never forget the ommmms drifting over the
lake as we sat in a natural spring ommming and laughing. I feel like i
have met great new people, had a restful yet energisng holiday and best of
all i can take what i learnt into my own practice. I have just found the
pads of my feet! have been walking on them for 35 years but just
connected! Thanks Jackie for a fantastic week – when the next one? can’t
wait” Jasmin, Hertfordshire