Hello and welcome ...
to our late autumn/winter newsletter...
A big THANK YOU to all of you who booked holidays with us this year, and in the past. Despite the recession, we have been very busy and have chalked up a record number of bookings in 2009. Our success is partly due to our relatively low, inclusive prices (compare our competitors), and we will maintain this policy in 2010; e.g. £405 for a Yoga Holiday in Turkey in June/July, including 7 nights full board, expert tuition and group airport transfers.
Since 1999, we have offered holidays at the Faralya Hotel in Turkey, about 2 miles from our main centre Yuva. I am happy to say that the Faralya has recently come under the direct management of my colleagues the Sevilmis family. This year the family has worked hard to re-furbished it as a comfortable environment-friendly hotel, surrounded by productive, organic fruit and vegetable gardens. A large new yoga platform has also been built. Like Yuva, The Faralya is open all year, offering Summer and Winter Breaks. Contact us for information, or see: www.faralyahotel.com
We still have some space on our Christmas/New Year events in Turkey and the UK. In Turkey choose a relaxed walking and 'just being-there' break, with good food and good company, or a more active Yoga Break, with a choice of accommodation at Yuva or the Faralya Hotel. Flight prices are still reasonable at Xmas, but our experience is that prices rise very steeply the nearer we get to Xmas. We recommend immediate booking!
In the UK our 19th Christmas Houseparty is at Croydon Hall on Exmoor, near the rugged Somerset coast, with great organic food and a choice of activities (or none!).
We have an exciting range of holidays next year in Turkey, the UK and the Caribbean. And we intend to offer short-breaks in Peru. Please see below and visit our websites: www.vegiventures.com and www.yuvaholidays.com
We are often asked, 'Is it ok to come on a holiday on my own?' The answer is YES. On average 70% of our guests are individuals travelling solo. Meeting new people from all walks of life is part of the excitement of VegiVentures. Of course it's also fine to go as a couple, or with friends.
Happy Travelling, Nigel
Christmas Events
![[Group Yoga Class]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=351.jpg&jW=193&jH=144&jQ=95 "[Group Yoga Class]")
Christmas & New Year Yoga Breaks, Turkey
21 - 28 Dec & 28 Dec - 4 Jan
This year we offer the exciting option of Christmas and New Year Yoga Breaks with Carl Slater. Choose to stay at the Faralya Hotel or Yuva. Carl will teach two yoga classes per day, plus pranayama and meditation/visualisation. This is a great way to tone-up and start 2010 with a healthy body and mind. Carl's yoga suits all ages and abilities. For beginners there are gentle postures, interspersed with lots of deep breathing and relaxation. If you have an established yoga practice, these classes will offer the chance to build upon this, with stronger and more challenging postures. There will be guided walks and time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. 7 nights £425, 14 nights £735, per person, includes full board and transfers Dalaman/Yuva return, excl flights. Single occupancy supplement £70 per week.
![[Untitled]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=355.jpg&jW=140&jH=187&jQ=95 "[Untitled]")
Christmas & New Year Holidays, Turkey
21 - 28 Dec & 28 Dec - 4 Jan
Come and relax at Yuva (or The Faralya Hotel) over Christmas with Atilla and Caroline. Enjoy the bright sunshine, fresh forest air and wonderful views over the Mediterranean Sea. There will be guided walks and evenings by a log fire or bonfire. There's an optional visit to the local town and Turkish Baths, a range of complementary therapy treatments and optional yoga classes. 7 nights £365, 14 nights £615. Price includes full board and transfers Dalaman/Yuva return, based on sharing a twin room, excl flights. Single occupancy supplement £70 per week. Arrival and departure dates can be flexible. You can download full details of our Turkey Holidays at: www.yuvaholidays.com/programme.asp
![[Circle Dancing, Croydon Hall]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=357.jpg&jW=175&jH=131&jQ=95 "[Circle Dancing, Croydon Hall]")
UK Christmas Houseparty
24 - 28 December 2009, Croydon Hall, Somerset.
Croydon Hall is a lovely mansion in the beautiful countryside of the Exmoor National Park. It is situated 3 miles from the rugged North Somerset coast. Both traditional and creative events are organised. You may choose to join in, or simply relax and toast your toes in front of the log fire. Each day begins with an optional Yoga/Do In (stretch, breathing and relaxation) class. There will be country and coastal walks, circle dancing, singing, sauna/spa, natural therapies... and excellent vegetarian/vegan food including Nigel's famous 4 course Christmas dinner, served with organic wine. Prices from £295 for 4 nights full board. Please contact us for full details.
![[Lake district, group]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=258.jpg&jW=175&jH=131&jQ=95 "[Lake district, group]")
UK Holidays 2010
1 - 5 April, Easter Creativity Break, Derbyshire
27 May - 1 June, Peak District Walking Holiday, Derbyshire
4 - 11 & 11 - 18 September, English Lake District Walking Holidays
12 - 14 November, Creative Cooking Weekend, Derbyshire
Please contact us for full details, holidays@vegiventures.com T: +44 (0)1760 755888. Also see here
![[Yuva Eco Holiday Centre]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=274.jpg&jW=175&jH=114&jQ=95 "[Yuva Eco Holiday Centre]")
We have an extensive programme of 28 one week holidays including many Yoga Holidays, Wild Herbs and Walking Week, Lycian Way Walking, Family Holidays... For details of all our group holidays, please see our up-to-date programme: www.yuvaholidays.com/programme.asp Also, please contact us for info on our 'Independent Breaks' and 'Bargain Winter Breaks' at Yuva Eco Holiday Centre & the near-by Faralya Hotel. yuva@vegiventures.com
![[New Medicine Wheel, Yuva]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=348.jpg&jW=193&jH=128&jQ=95 "[New Medicine Wheel, Yuva]")
Earth Wisdom Journey, Turkey
Council Guide Training (CGT)
beginning 2 - 6 December 2009 at Yuva
For the first time WhiteEagle, Keeper of The Delicate Lodge Teachings, an ancient body of knowledge evolving over thousands of years through a Mayan and Native American lineage, will bring the Council Guide Training (CGT) to Turkey.
People all over the world are calling for balance and harmony in their way of Life, and seeking to learn more about expanding their consciousness. This the CGT teaches. It is an extraordinary two-year journey in self knowledge, evocative leadership & reconnection to the self, the earth & the humans we walk with, in family, community & organisational life.
In September a stunningly beautiful and powerful Medicine Wheel was built on the land at Yuva, during an introductory ceremony for the CGT. Overlooking the deep blues and turquoise of the Aegean Sea, backed by high mountains and bright forests, this medicine wheel, a manifestation of Life's energies at work, is calling people to gather and to grow their Sacred Dream.
Right now, a truly international group is forming to begin the full two-year CGT quest together. Will you be sitting in sacred circle with us? To learn more please visit www.cgt.mono.net or contact us at VegiVentures
First meeting: 2 - 6 December 2009 at Yuva Eco Holiday Centre. You may arrive on 30 November and depart on 7 December.
![[Balcony view]](http://www.vegiventures.com/vcms/images/drawImage.asp?jP=291.jpg&jW=175&jH=131&jQ=95 "[Balcony view]")
Caribbean Holidays
A fabulous venue for a quiet holiday with excellent cuisine, on the green tropical island of Grenada. These are independent breaks, staying in the friendly, colonial-style luxury of a planter's house, with ocean and rainforest views. Perfect for couples and honeymooners! Fly at any time. Full details on our website.
Peru & Guatemala
Following 17 years of succesful holidays in Latin America, we have decided to take a break from running major tours to Peru and Guatemala in 2010. We will be offering short breaks in the country in Peru, from Spring 2010, and will relaunch our programme with tours of Peru at Easter and Christmas 2011. Please contact us, if you would like to be on our priority mailing list.
Istanbul or Bust (Overland to Turkey)
Many people have asked us about travelling to Turkey by train. You may have noted that we already give some advice on how to do this on our web site. We are creating a group, departing Eurostar from London's St Pancras International Station on Monday 12 April 2010. This links with our spring Lycian Way Walking Holiday 19 - 26 April & Turkish Cooking & Walking 26 April - 3 May 2010, see www.yuvaholidays.com/programme.asp If you are interested, please let us know and we will put you on our priority mailing-list.
Purple Poppies
Recently, a friend told me he had laid a wreath of purple poppies at a war memorial on England's south coast. It was to remember all animals who have suffered and died in wars. It was carried out with the blessing of the Mayor of Eastbourne, on Remembrance Sunday, and the purple poppies were laid alongside the wreaths of red poppies. - Although my family lost heavily in both world wars, I have mixed feelings about Remembrance Day. Due to the hype and hidden agendas, I have never really felt comfortable wearing a red poppy. However, about a year ago, I saw the stage production of Michael Morpurgo's War Horse, and was struck by the statistics: In the 1914 - 18 War one million horses were shipped from the UK to France and Belgium, only 60 thousand returned. In the first months of that war there were cavalry charges straight into machine guns and barbed wire. These facts opened my imagination to the suffering of other animals in wars. I feel these innocent victims deserve to be remembered, and I was deeply touched by this gentle 'purple poppy' campaign. My friend, Bill Palethorpe, wishes to spread this idea further afield. If you would like to help, please contact Bill: hobdell@fastmail.fm or Mary Shepherd at Animal Aid: 01732 364546.
Assisting
Free holiday?... Well yes, in exchange for some enjoyable work:
Catering assistants are required for some of our UK holidays. Experience is a bonus, but not essential. Please contact Nigel for details: T. 01760 755888 or email: nigel@vegiventures
Climate Care
Each time we take a flight or travel by car CO2 is added into the atmosphere. One way we can help to reduce the impact is through carbon offsetting. There are several organizations that offer this service. We recommend Pure: www.puretrust.org.uk and Climate Care: www.climatecare.org. Offsetting isn’t the answer to climate change. The first step should be to see how we can avoid and reduce emissions. However, some emissions can’t or won’t be avoided. That's where offsetting has a role to play. It’s a way of compensating for the emissions produced with an equivalent carbon saving. - You could also consider donating to Trees for Life. It’s not directly a carbon offset provider, but a very worthwhile forest regeneration project in Scotland: www.treesforlife.org.uk
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