In the first Cappadocia Yoga Retreat group—from April 15th to 20th, 2022, during Holy Week—we collectively created moments that will remain deeply etched in our hearts.
Amidst an otherworldly landscape, we lived a breathtaking experience in what felt like an open-air museum. With a strong sense of Hellenism and Orthodoxy, we searched for our roots and felt a profound mix of nostalgia, sorrow, and deep emotion.
The core message of our journey was to remain humble, tolerant, simple, calm, merciful, affectionate, generous, and compassionate.
Those of us in the first group understood this well, as we experienced all these virtues through the flow of our Yoga sessions and within the sacred places we visited.
Ακολουθεί η μετάφραση των highlights στα Αγγλικά, με τη σωστή ορολογία για τα αξιοθέατα της Καππαδοκίας:
Trip Highlights:
✔ Hot Air Balloon Flight: Fulfilling our childhood dream.
✔ Yoga at Saruhan Caravanserai: Practicing for the first time in Turkish history at the historic Dervish Khan.
✔ Göreme Open Air Museum: A visit to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site.
✔ Underground City: Exploring the ancient subterranean dwellings.
✔ Authentic Whirling Dervishes Show: Witnessing the traditional Sufi ceremony.
✔ Ihlara Valley: A journey through the breathtaking canyon and its rock-cut churches.
✔ Cave Hammam: A traditional Turkish bath experience in carved-out caves.
✔ Mevlana Museum in Konya: Visiting the sacred sanctuary of Rumi.
✔ Ürgüp Fortress: A visit to the historic rock citadel.
✔ Sinasos (Mustafapaşa): Visiting the Church of Constantine and Helen and an authentic Greek mansion.
✔ Avanos: A visit to the traditional pottery and ceramics village.
✔ Cave Hotel Stay: A unique accommodation experience in rooms carved into the rock.
Testimonials
“A wonderful journey filled with colors and scents, adventure and exploration, art and design. New places, new friends, new experiences. Truly grateful.”
— A.A.
“My first trip abroad after COVID, in a wonderful, unique place full of surprises. Fotini and Petros, thank you so much for this experience; I can’t wait for the next ones!”
— E.K.
“You cannot help but feel awe, being in the heart of the East and having everything around you smell of Greece. A magnificent experience. Petros, thank you!”
— E.G.
“Fotini and Petros, thank you so much for this wonderful trip! We lived a unique experience—from the hot air balloon flight to the excursions and, of course, the yoga classes. We recharged our batteries and filled our suitcases with amazing images and memories! We can’t wait to see you in Cuba!!!”
— M.K. & M.L.
“Dear Fotini and Petros, I arrived feeling very pressured and I’m leaving feeling like a young child. The hot air balloon was my childhood dream since reading Jules Verne’s Five Weeks in a Balloon. I will be seeing these landscapes in my dreams because that’s where they were taken from! I met new people and set new goals! Nicola is in a league of his own! Eva is by far the best guide I’ve ever met! Our paths will cross again somewhere. The most beautiful journey is always the next one!”
— M.B.
“I am so happy to have met you, dear Fotini and Petros! This trip is and will remain unforgettable for me. The organization and time management were perfect. I would be thrilled to join more retreat-trips. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
— Z.X.
“I decided to come to Cappadocia to witness the beauty of its mystery and feel the connection to our ‘Lost Homelands.’ I was delighted to discover the great atmosphere, my fellow travelers, our wonderful driver with his rare qualities, and our cheerful, willing guide with her beautiful stories. Fotini and Petros are simple, approachable, natural, and spontaneous; they truly helped us relax and made us feel warm and at home. May they always be healthy with their sweet child and continue to organize such trips.”
— M.B.
“Once again, everything was wonderful! Wishing you even better things for the future! Fotini and Petros, a huge thank you for all the rare moments we lived. Nicola and Eva – you are the best. Love and strength for what’s next!!!”
— T.F.
“Fotini and Petros, I think this time I left a piece of myself in enchanting Cappadocia. Thank you for the wonderful moments we shared and the beautiful images that captivated our eyes and filled our souls. I was deeply moved by the history of our ancestors, and many times tears rolled down my cheeks. Once again, our fellow travelers were wonderful. Thank you to our polite driver, our amazing guide Eva, and of course, Nicola… and since the best is yet to come, I look forward to enjoying your company at our next meeting in Astypalaia!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
— T.S.
“Everything was amazing—the atmosphere, the organization, the tours. Thank you to everyone who organized this.”
— I.K.
“Fotini and Petros, once again you managed to make me surpass myself and my fears. Everything was wonderful, the atmosphere was magical, the organization flawless, and you were always by our side. I love you very much; I wish you health and good luck always.”
— M.K.
“A very good trip indeed.”
— C.M.
“The trip was amazing, but a big part of that is due to the fantastic duo, Fotini and Petros. May you always be well and keep traveling us to places where your positive energy takes everything to the next level. Once again, I feel very lucky to have met you.”
— S.S.
“I feel so lucky to have met you and to be hosted once again, this time in this magical retreat. Honestly, the community you have created brings me great joy. Thank you so much.”
— K.R.
“I had a beautiful time both in the yoga sessions and during our travels. Eva is the ultimate guide—an exceptionally pleasant personality and professional. Nicola is full of positive aura and great humor. As for our hosts, Fotini moved us with her teaching once again, and Petros shared the wonderful photos he took. Bravo to you guys for organizing trips that fill both the soul and the mind equally! I look forward to hearing about Cuba and seeing you again. My love to you.”
— S.T.
“Fotini and Petros, you are amazing organizers. This was my first time participating in a retreat, and everything was special and unique. The guides were also fully informative and knowledgeable. Thank you very much; I hope for a future meeting! With love.”
— E.X.
“A thrilling experience!!! You traveled us centuries back; I lived a dream! Our guide is a wonderful person; you could never tire of listening to her. Thank you, I love you very much!”
— D.F.
“My dear friends (koumbarakia), once again you outdid yourselves and exceeded every expectation for this unparalleled journey to our roots and Greek culture. We filled our hearts with experiences and colors. As always, the organization was flawless, filled with emotion and love. And at the Caravanserai, we made HISTORY!!! Always wishing for trips like this. I love you.”
— M.D.
“Ah! Cappadocia was a deep longing for me! What otherworldly beauty, what lovely people in the group and around us, so much spirituality in the air and within us! Fotini, a bright star guiding us; Petros, always present and supporting us; our guides, wandering souls. And Sinasos… filled with emotion and goosebumps. Ancestral lands awakened memories and lead to Love, with so many hospitable people in this place. Thank you Petros, Fotini, Eva, Nicola, and all my fellow travelers on this good and beautiful path!”
— K.D.
“Beloved Fotini and Petros, once again you exceeded expectations. For me, Cappadocia was a trip of a lifetime. Combined with yoga and your presence, it became a reality. I thank you both and our dear friend Maria for everything. Many kisses and strength to you.”
— A.A.
“Third time in Cappadocia—beloved Cappadocia—but first time for yoga with Fotini and Petros. A particularly difficult undertaking, which this charismatic couple carried out flawlessly!! Once again, we had a wonderful time!!! A big, heartfelt thank you to both of you, with the wish that you continue to do with your heart what you know so well.”
— M.G.B.
“A journey of souls, with spiritual stimulation and colors emerging in a journey that is still ongoing. Fotini, Petros, Eva, Nicola, we thank you from the heart.”
— K.B.
“My dears! The trip was wonderful, but you are even more wonderful! Petros is a Professional with a capital ‘P’ and Fotini is so giving that she overflows!!! Because people are the ones who make the journey… Namaste.”
— X.M.
