Both of our local guides, Alper and Mel, had extensive historical knowledge of Turkey. The history is so complicated, and they were so kind and patient with our many questions. They also introduced us to a wide array of Turkish specialties, from the wonderful mezes, many kinds of fish and delectable desserts. Fun cooking classes were arranged to further our knowledge of Turkish cooking. The small group size allowed flexibility, allowing us to stay longer at some attractions and skip ones we weren't interested in. A very worthwhile experience!

I really liked that I could have input into planning our trip. Hilary was outstanding to work with. She is so helpful and responsive which led to us have an excellent trip. Our guides were extremely informative and enjoyable. There was so much history to learn from going to several historical sites. It was fascinating! On Food, Oh my goodness! Delicious! We had such a variety of food and so much food. The last cooking class was the best. I highly recommend this trip to those who are interested in Ancient history sites and enjoy food. That is what stood out to me. I sure will use Yugen Earthside again !

We enjoyed this trip. Service was excellent, accommodation ranged from good to very good, maps and instructions were easy to follow. We especially appreciated the warning when we deviated from the trail, very helpful to avoid navigation errors.

Five days of relaxation, connection, and delicious food. I organized a retreat for my community and worked with Yugen Earthside to book the 5 Day Not So Serious Yoga + Wine trip in Alentejo, Portugal. This trip exceeded all my expectations and then some! Starting with the accommodation/retreat center, was perfect for our sustainable entrepreneur retreat. The retreat center had private and shared rooms to fit everyone's sleeping arrangements. It had multiple indoor and outdoor common areas for coffee breaks, power hours, and happy hours. The meals were out of this world with many of them being multiple courses. The owners, Vera and Cam, accommodated any dietary needs as they cooked most of the meals. It was amazing to see them and the guest chefs use fruits, vegetables, nuts, and leaves from the land in our meals, giving us a true farm-to-fork experience. The outdoor activities were well spread out to allow us free time. There's something for everyone, from yoga sessions, nature trails, coastal hikes, and walking to town. The best experience that kept giving was the sustainable winery tour, truly going above and beyond! The additional experiences, like the massage and surfing, were easy to coordinate with Hilary. Even when we had some last-minute additions, Vera ensured each participant had time to do what they wanted. The massage and surfing were highly enjoyed by the participants. I would 100% recommend this trip for any active group or retreat organizer. Hilary from Yugen Earthside is the best and made this retreat extra special for us. I already had participants asking me if we are doing this retreat again next year!

Such a fantastic trip! I got to see a 35 ft whale shark, schools of 100s of hammerheads, sea lions, etc. It was outstanding! Here are some details w some pics: https://asenseof.blog/2022/09/16/60-feet-under-in-the-presence-of-a-true-giant/