SOLD OUT: Ikigai
The Ikigai Retreat is a 3-night transformative journey designed to help you discover your true purpose and craft a personalized action plan for lasting fulfillment. Rooted in the Japanese concept of Ikigai—the intersection of what one loves, what they’re good at, what they can be rewarded for, and what the world needs—this retreat is a perfect blend of mindfulness, wellness, and luxury to help you reconnect with your true self.
Led by self-transformation expert Niki Smirni and Francesc Miralles, co-author of Ikigai, this retreat provides a supportive and intimate space for deep self-reflection, goal-setting, and personal growth. Set in the tranquil and luxurious surroundings of Six Senses Kocataş Mansions in Istanbul, the retreat’s natural beauty offers the perfect environment to recharge and align both your personal and professional priorities to become the successful entrepreneur of your own life.
In this historic city that bridges cultures and continents, you will explore Ikigai—your personal reason for being—through experiential learning and immersive practices. Whether you’re looking for direction in life, transitioning careers, or searching for deeper meaning, this retreat is designed to guide you toward becoming the CEO of your own life.
Key Highlights & Experiences:
– Find Your Purpose: Gain clarity on your life’s purpose through expert-led workshops and individualized coaching from Francesc and Niki, aligning your passions and talents with your goals.
– Clarify Your Values & Priorities: Identify what truly matters to you and ensure your life aligns with your core beliefs & prioritize your personal and professional goals.
– Master the ‘You Do You’ Strategy: Leverage a business model for personal growth, empowering you to become the successful entrepreneur of your own life.
– Create an Action Plan: Develop a step-by-step strategy to integrate Ikigai principles into your daily life, enabling meaningful changes that lead to lasting fulfillment.
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.
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.
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.
- 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM – Arrival & Check-in at Six Senses Kocataş Mansions, İstanbul
- 7:30 PM – Welcome Dinner & Introduction
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM – Optional Body Movement
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – Breakfast at the restaurant
- 9:15 AM - 11:30 AM – Workshops & Individual Exercises
- 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM – Free Time to Reflect & Explore OR Optional Guided Tour in Istanbul
- 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM – Afternoon Session: Discovering Your UHQ (Unique Human Qualities) with Niki
- 7:30 PM – Community Dinner
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM – Optional Body Movement
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – Breakfast at the restaurant
- 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM – Morning Session with Niki: Exploring the concept of Ikigai & its application in business and life
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM – Free Time to Reflect & Explore
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM – Afternoon Session with Francesc: Interactive workshop on "writing the book of your life"
- 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM – One-on-One Sessions: Francesc will provide individual interviews to help clarify personal purpose
- 8:00 PM – Community Dinner
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM – Optional Body Movement
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – Breakfast at the restaurant
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM – Morning Session with Francesc: Deepening self-reflection and personal exploration
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Session with Niki: Creating a personalized action plan to integrate Ikigai into daily life
- 12:00 PM – Check-out
Disclaimer: This schedule is indicative and is subject to change as we move closer to the retreat date.
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
- 3-night accommodation at Six Senses Kocatas Mansions
- All sessions with Niki Smirni
- All sessions with Francesc Miralles
- All breakfast meals
- All dinner meals
- 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
- Airport and Land Transfers
- Soft drinks, beverages, water
- Lunch meals
- Whatever is not mentioned clearly in the inclusions
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: A 10% deposit secures your spot and is refundable within one week. An additional 20% payment is required within one month (non-refundable). The remaining 70% balance can be paid in flexible installments, with full payment due no later than 45 days before the retreat start date. Cancellations after this point will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
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).
Prices
Sold out
