About This Event
The Ikigai Retreat is a transformative 3-night experience designed to help participants discover their unique purpose and create a personalized action plan for lasting fulfillment. Rooted in the Japanese concept of Ikigai—the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for—this retreat blends wellness, mindfulness, and luxury to reconnect you with your true self.
Led by self-transformation expert Niki Smirni and Francesc Miralles, co-author of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, this retreat offers an intimate setting for deep self-reflection, goal-setting, and personal growth. Set against a serene natural backdrop, it provides the perfect environment to reset, recharge, and align your personal and professional priorities.
Whether you’re seeking direction in life, transitioning into a new career, or simply looking for deeper meaning, the Ikigai Retreat provides the insights, tools, and support to guide you on a transformative path.
Key Highlights & Experiences:
– Find Your Purpose: Gain clarity on your life’s purpose through expert-led workshops and individualized coaching from Francesc Miralles and Niki Smirni, aligning your passions and talents with your goals.
– Clarify Your Values: Identify what truly matters to you and align your life with your core beliefs.
– Align Life Priorities: Create a clear roadmap to prioritize your personal and professional goals.
– Create an Action Plan: Develop a step-by-step strategy to integrate Ikigai principles into your daily life.
About the retreat leaders
Francesc Miralles: Francesc is a lecturer and award-winning author of bestselling books in the areas of health and spirituality. Born in Barcelona, he studied journalism, English literature and German philology, and has worked as a translator, editor, art therapist and musician. Along with Hector Garcia, he is the author of the bestselling Ikigai: the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.
Niki Smirni: Niki is a high-performing transformational leadership expert with two MSc degrees: one in Inner MBA and Transformational Leadership from NYU and another in Marketing from Strathclyde University. As an entrepreneur, C-level executive, and lifelong student of humanity, she brings 20 years of global experience in corporate strategy, psychology, and spirituality, providing her with a robust foundation to enable evolution in the lives of people seeking direction. Niki is the creator of Travelgems, the leading retreat company in Europe, and serves as a Board Member of Bespoke SGA Holdings and an ambassador for the Global Wellness Institute. She frequently speaks on strategic mind growth, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship well-being. Niki is a proud Greek and a caring mother of twin boys.
About the location
Istanbul, the vibrant metropolis of Türkiye, is a city brimming with charm, where history and modernity intertwine, revealing relics of the past at every turn. Straddling the border between Europe and Asia, this magnificent city has embraced the finest elements of both cultures. With its stunning historical landmarks, exquisite cuisine, lively nightlife, and vibrant festivals of art and music, Istanbul is a treasure trove for travelers. The pulsating heart of the city and the enchanting Bosphorus, watched over by the Maiden’s Tower, create an unforgettable destination for explorers.
About Six Senses Kocataş Mansions
Six Senses Kocataş Mansions, Istanbul, which also incorporates the next-door Sait Pasa Mansion, is located in the prosperous Sarıyer district on Istanbul’s European side, famous for its “Pearls of Bosphorus” waterfront properties. The urban resort recreates historic architectural features and artifacts from the former 19th-century Kocataş Mansions, which were devastated in a fire years ago, paying homage to its original footprint. This historic mansion offers remarkable views over the Bosphorus Strait and incorporates architectural elements from the site’s former Ottoman-era buildings. This “Pearl of the Bosphorus” shines through its commitment to community, sustainability, wellness, and design, infused with touches of fun and quirkiness.
Indicative schedule
Day 1: Welcome Dinner & Introduction
- Check-in / Arrival
- 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Introduction: discussion on the theme "An unexamined life is not worth living," emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and understanding one's purpose in life.
- Purpose Overview: A brief talk on why discovering and pursuing a purpose is key to a fulfilling life.
- 7:30 pm: Welcome Dinner and Introduction: Participants gather for a warm welcome and dinner.
Day 2: Discovering Your Ikigai with Niki
Niki Smirni will introduce the concept of Ikigai, the Japanese secret to a long and happy life, and its parallels with successful business strategies.
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Optional Body Movement
- 9:30 am: Breakfast
- 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Workshops & Individual Exercises
- 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Free Time to Reflect & Explore
- 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Afternoon Session: Through group exercises, Niki will guide participants in discovering their **UHQ (Unique Human Qualities)** that will help them identify their Ikigai. By the end of the day, participants will have a clearer understanding of their unique path.
- 7:30pm: Commuity Dinner
Day 3: Writing the Book of Your Life with Francesc Mirales
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Optional Body Movement
- 9:30 am: Breakfast
- 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Morning Session: Francesc Mirales will lead an interactive workshop on how to metaphorically "write the book of your life," helping participants explore their personal purpose.
- 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Free Time to Reflect & Explore
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Afternoon Session with Francesc
- 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm: One-on-One Sessions: Francesc will hold individual interviews to assist participants in further clarifying their personal purpose and aligning it with their life goals.
- 7:30 pm: Community Dinner
Day 4: Creating Your Action Plan with Niki
- 8:00 am-9:00 am: Optional Body Movement
- 9:30 am: Breakfast
- 11:00 am: Check-Out
- 11:00 am - 13:00 pm: Morning Session: Niki Smirni will guide participants through the creation of a personalized action plan, designed to turn their newfound purpose into a reality. The focus will be on practical steps to integrate Ikigai into daily life, ensuring both success and fulfillment.
Disclaimer: This schedule is indicative and is subject to change as we move closer to the retreat date.
Start your
journey
Event Highlights
Immersive Experiences: Engage in reflective exercises to identify and leverage your strengths in a small, intimate group setting.
Holistic Wellbeing: Start each day with yoga and mindfulness to nurture your mind, body, and soul.
Discover Your Purpose
Clarify Your Values
Align Your Priorities
Develop an Action Plan
Prices
2900€/per person
in Double Occ. room
Prices
3900€/per person
in Single Occ. room
Flexible payment plan
available
what’s included
- 3-night accommodation at Six Senses Kocatas Mansions
- All sessions with Niki Smirni
- All sessions with Francesc Miralles
- All breakfast meals
- All dinner meals
what’s not included
- Airtickets to/from Turkey, Istanbul – We strongly advise you to book flexible airfare tickets and flights with fewer carbon emissions to contribute to environmental protection, as it is our responsibility to safeguard our environment
- Accommodation Tax of 10EUR/ room/ night payble by the guests directly to the hotel
- Airport and Land Transfers
- Soft drinks, beverages, water
- Lunch meals
- Whatever is not mentioned clearly in the inclusions
more info
We strongly advise you to book flexible airfare tickets and flights with fewer carbon emissions to contribute to environmental protection, as it is our responsibility to safeguard our environment
Flexible Payment Plan: Available – contact us at info@travelgems.com for details
Language: English
Private Land Transfer: Available upon request – contact info@travelgems.com
Cancellation Policy: Deposit amount is non-refundable | Should you wish to cancel your participation one month or less before the start of the retreat, 100% of cancellation fees are applied.
Important Info: In case there are Covid-19 restrictions or restrictions related to any other pandemic that prevent guests from traveling the total amount paid will be refunded.
Dietary Needs: Should you have any special dietary need/allergy, kindly let us know in advance in order to be able to better accommodate you in the best possible way.
Transport: For the Ikigai Retreat, you can fly into Istanbul New Airport (IST).
From there, you can book a transfer to the hotel (duration: 40min).
