Merhaba Bulent Bey,thank you so much for making my cooking retreat one to remember.I initially came to Turkey to escape from London winter for a few
days, and secondly obviously acquire some culinary skills so to become self-sufficient.I have felt so relaxed here with no desire to see city life,just chilling out
with you,Derya,Nesibe as if I were a part of the family-in fact I forgot I was on vacation in a new place.Thank you once more ,keep in touch and see you
again.Best wishes
Shabber Ahmed (London,UK) December 2010
What a short but sweet ,relaxing but informative stay I have had! I have loved being here in the beautifulturkish mountains-the smell of the pine trees is not
something I will forget in a hurry!I have had time to recharge my batteries unwind & feel like I have just been an other member of the family!The
recipes,cooking & eating have been out of this world!Thank you so much for a wonderful time & for a truly real insight into life and reality of a turkish family!I
am sure I will be back again one day.Good Luck
Kristina(London,UK) December 2010
Bulent, your rustic retreat in the mountains is a traveler's haven; relaxing, hospitable and a place to kick back and soak up some quiet. Your mother's cooking
lessons are indescribably brilliant, as are her wit, charm and joyous attitude to food and life. I love the outdoor cushions and bean bags and rugs scattered
in the tree house, on the rooftop, by the lounge room and outside the house which just beg to be reclined in. The Sunday market is awesome, all the meals
great, the beds are comfortable, and the hospitality is incredible! Your place is amazing and I will tell all my friends to visit you.
Tracey (New Zealand) August 2010
This has been the most amazing week! Thank you Bulent for introducing me to this special place full of dance, music, family and friends. I will cherish every
memory and hope someday to find my way to Gokpinar again...Thank you for the gorgeous cuisine! Your mum is fabulous!!
Terry (Canada) April 2010
days, and secondly obviously acquire some culinary skills so to become self-sufficient.I have felt so relaxed here with no desire to see city life,just chilling out
with you,Derya,Nesibe as if I were a part of the family-in fact I forgot I was on vacation in a new place.Thank you once more ,keep in touch and see you
again.Best wishes
Shabber Ahmed (London,UK) December 2010
What a short but sweet ,relaxing but informative stay I have had! I have loved being here in the beautifulturkish mountains-the smell of the pine trees is not
something I will forget in a hurry!I have had time to recharge my batteries unwind & feel like I have just been an other member of the family!The
recipes,cooking & eating have been out of this world!Thank you so much for a wonderful time & for a truly real insight into life and reality of a turkish family!I
am sure I will be back again one day.Good Luck
Kristina(London,UK) December 2010
Bulent, your rustic retreat in the mountains is a traveler's haven; relaxing, hospitable and a place to kick back and soak up some quiet. Your mother's cooking
lessons are indescribably brilliant, as are her wit, charm and joyous attitude to food and life. I love the outdoor cushions and bean bags and rugs scattered
in the tree house, on the rooftop, by the lounge room and outside the house which just beg to be reclined in. The Sunday market is awesome, all the meals
great, the beds are comfortable, and the hospitality is incredible! Your place is amazing and I will tell all my friends to visit you.
Tracey (New Zealand) August 2010
This has been the most amazing week! Thank you Bulent for introducing me to this special place full of dance, music, family and friends. I will cherish every
memory and hope someday to find my way to Gokpinar again...Thank you for the gorgeous cuisine! Your mum is fabulous!!
Terry (Canada) April 2010
I have spent two years exploring what I could of this wonderful world, but nothing I have done so far compares to my experience at your paradise away
from the crowds...Thank you for everything. Thank you to your beautiful wife and kids for showing me such hospitality, plus allowing me to rest before
returning to my chaotic life.
Tziona (Australia) 2008
Many thanks for your hospitality and kindness.Making my first trip to Turkey so memorable.We have laughed,worshipped to sun and moon.Bathed in the sea
and visited the mountains.Beeb shown how to cook and how to shop as the local ladies.
We came to do bellydancing and even learned to do belly folk !
May the rest of your life be the best of your life.
Lynne (Cardiff, Wales) 2008
Beautiful, ultra ultimate, lovely, excellent, tremendous!
Krisztina (UK) 2007
You have a wonderful retreat here in Gokpinar. The space to think and the beautiful company has been appreciated. I learned a lot about dancing and about
Turkey, enough to whet my appetite and to let me how much I don't know. I wish you success in maintaining your ideals and your wonderful sense of life as
it could be lived.
Therisa Rogers (MI, USA) 2006
Thank you for two weeks of relaxed fun in the sun in lovely Gokpinar. We are sad to leave this amazing retreat and yet excited about the beautiful
connections we have made. We caught the history & intensity of Istanbul, peaceful nature of Gokpinar, and even some touristy treks of Bodrum, Ephesus &
Pamukkale. But our favourite moments include dancing + drumming with your family (and Pala and Tekel!). Eating authentic Turkish meals and sipping Raki;
and long discussions about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Best luck in your endeavors. They come from a good place and will bear fruit. Peace.
John and Ashley (Chicago - USA) 2006
Thank you for a great week. Good food, nice belly dance lessons and a wonderful village.
Anne (Sweden) 2005
A wonderful place to relax and see a slice of 'real' Turkey. Great company, too much wonderful Turkish food and a lovely atmosphere. My fifth time in Turkey
but still so many new things to experience and I take away some beautiful memories.
Fiona Wilson (UK) 2005
What a wonderful place you have here! We were so lucky to have met you I do hope to return at some time in the future. Ilhan has been so wonderful and
the meals he has cooked for us have all been delicious. He has looked after us so well. Tesekkur ederim to you and all. We will miss you...until the next time.
With Love.
Gillian (Scotland) 2005
Once again I have had yet another great trip to Turkey! 3rd time round and I'm still enjoying it. You must be doing something right! I really like your dance
camp in Gokpinar - was wonderful experience to be out in the Turkish countryside. All the best to you and your family.
Natasha (South Africa) 2005
The hills and the forest,
The sun and the wind,
The moon and the stars,
The music and dance, dance above all.
No one knows what makes this place a place of peace and magic.
Well, of all the above and the people who live there,
We will always remember you
We are very happy that a chance brought us to this place.
Thank you for everything.
We will always remember you.
Peace and love.
Natalia & Manix (New York, USA) 2005
Thank you for the wonderful time! We appreciated the nice company, the fantastic belly dance lessons, and of course the nice food...I go home with my own
coreography and lots of good new habits for my dancing. Love.
Inge (Belgium) 2004
This is a magical place and I feel very privileged to have been a visitor here.
The garden house has a charming bedroom. I have never slept so long or deeply!
Gulay, thank you for your delicious meals. The home-grown herbs and vegetables are wonderful. I enjoyed eating Turkish style! Gozde, your belly dance
teaching has been inspirational. This has been the best exercise...I have also enjoyed some early morning walks,encountering some of the lovely, friendly
village people. The country side is so beautiful, remote and unspoilt. Watching Mrs Tekel baking bread in her simple home was amazing.
It is going to be hard to leave but I hope to return someday maybe with my daughters
With love & thanks,
Carol (UK) 2003
from the crowds...Thank you for everything. Thank you to your beautiful wife and kids for showing me such hospitality, plus allowing me to rest before
returning to my chaotic life.
Tziona (Australia) 2008
Many thanks for your hospitality and kindness.Making my first trip to Turkey so memorable.We have laughed,worshipped to sun and moon.Bathed in the sea
and visited the mountains.Beeb shown how to cook and how to shop as the local ladies.
We came to do bellydancing and even learned to do belly folk !
May the rest of your life be the best of your life.
Lynne (Cardiff, Wales) 2008
Beautiful, ultra ultimate, lovely, excellent, tremendous!
Krisztina (UK) 2007
You have a wonderful retreat here in Gokpinar. The space to think and the beautiful company has been appreciated. I learned a lot about dancing and about
Turkey, enough to whet my appetite and to let me how much I don't know. I wish you success in maintaining your ideals and your wonderful sense of life as
it could be lived.
Therisa Rogers (MI, USA) 2006
Thank you for two weeks of relaxed fun in the sun in lovely Gokpinar. We are sad to leave this amazing retreat and yet excited about the beautiful
connections we have made. We caught the history & intensity of Istanbul, peaceful nature of Gokpinar, and even some touristy treks of Bodrum, Ephesus &
Pamukkale. But our favourite moments include dancing + drumming with your family (and Pala and Tekel!). Eating authentic Turkish meals and sipping Raki;
and long discussions about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Best luck in your endeavors. They come from a good place and will bear fruit. Peace.
John and Ashley (Chicago - USA) 2006
Thank you for a great week. Good food, nice belly dance lessons and a wonderful village.
Anne (Sweden) 2005
A wonderful place to relax and see a slice of 'real' Turkey. Great company, too much wonderful Turkish food and a lovely atmosphere. My fifth time in Turkey
but still so many new things to experience and I take away some beautiful memories.
Fiona Wilson (UK) 2005
What a wonderful place you have here! We were so lucky to have met you I do hope to return at some time in the future. Ilhan has been so wonderful and
the meals he has cooked for us have all been delicious. He has looked after us so well. Tesekkur ederim to you and all. We will miss you...until the next time.
With Love.
Gillian (Scotland) 2005
Once again I have had yet another great trip to Turkey! 3rd time round and I'm still enjoying it. You must be doing something right! I really like your dance
camp in Gokpinar - was wonderful experience to be out in the Turkish countryside. All the best to you and your family.
Natasha (South Africa) 2005
The hills and the forest,
The sun and the wind,
The moon and the stars,
The music and dance, dance above all.
No one knows what makes this place a place of peace and magic.
Well, of all the above and the people who live there,
We will always remember you
We are very happy that a chance brought us to this place.
Thank you for everything.
We will always remember you.
Peace and love.
Natalia & Manix (New York, USA) 2005
Thank you for the wonderful time! We appreciated the nice company, the fantastic belly dance lessons, and of course the nice food...I go home with my own
coreography and lots of good new habits for my dancing. Love.
Inge (Belgium) 2004
This is a magical place and I feel very privileged to have been a visitor here.
The garden house has a charming bedroom. I have never slept so long or deeply!
Gulay, thank you for your delicious meals. The home-grown herbs and vegetables are wonderful. I enjoyed eating Turkish style! Gozde, your belly dance
teaching has been inspirational. This has been the best exercise...I have also enjoyed some early morning walks,encountering some of the lovely, friendly
village people. The country side is so beautiful, remote and unspoilt. Watching Mrs Tekel baking bread in her simple home was amazing.
It is going to be hard to leave but I hope to return someday maybe with my daughters
With love & thanks,
Carol (UK) 2003
What they said about us ?
Belly Dancing
Turkish Traditional Cooking
Carpet Weaving
Nomadic journeys
Turkish Traditional Cooking
Carpet Weaving
Nomadic journeys
