David Less Tours, Ltd

Grief Support Travel in Turkey

with Ella Indra, MS,LICSW

This tour is for those who are actively grieving the loss of a loved one. Grief is a difficult journey as it is, and to grieve in isolation can be our worst enemy. Most of us live in a culture where we don't feel that we have the permission to be ourselves and to express our grief fully and honestly. It takes courage to share not only our sadness but also our deep longing for the loved one and the loneliness that makes our hearts physically ache and our insides feel empty. We feel confused and embarrassed when we suddenly burst into tears in public for no apparent reason. We feel angry when we hear well meaning friends and family tell us that "they are in a better place" or "I know how you feel". We may feel guilty, have regrets, have doubts and feel abandoned. In the midst of this experience of vulnerability, despair, confusion and emotional pain, we feel we must hold it together, appear strong and grieve in an "acceptable" manner. 

Unfortunately, grief that is not expressed, seen, heard and understood tends to stick around. The goal of our trip is for all of us to be in a safe, supportive and healing environment where we can experience whatever we are experiencing in the company of others who are in the same situation. We will create an environment where there is no judgement but there is compassion, understanding and guidance. Your guide Ella Indra is a grief specialist with 30 years of experience as a hospice social worker, grief counselor, bereavement coordinator and therapist. Ella approaches grief with compassion as well as clinical knowledge based on her extensive experience and education. She holds a Master's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work.

The idea of going to a foreign country on a grief tour was born out of a support group Ella was facilitating in Seattle. Group participants dreamed of being in an environment where they could experience their grief safely in each others company with the guidance of a grief specialist. They also wanted to be able to take breaks from actively grieving by focusing on new sights, sounds and experiences. Our tour will offer morning and evening gatherings facilitated by Ella.  We will share our experiences, learn about grief, support each other while also experiencing the beauty and riches of another culture. Travel itinerary includes ( fill in... Yalova spa, discovering lesser known parts of Istanbul, etc etc). (Shall we also say something about the fact that this Ella person speaks Turkish?) Our intention is not to make our grief go away but to integrate it in our lives. 

Ella Indra is a Clinical Social Worker and a Grief Specialist with 30 years of experience as a hospice social worker, grief counselor, bereavement coordinator and therapist. Her approach is built on the recognition that our deepest grief responds to someone who is truly capable of being with us during all the ups and downs of our grief journey. Her goal is not to "fix" the grieving person but to create a safe and supportive space that can hold and allow grief. She offers gentle, clear and non-judgmental guidance in the process of facilitating our grief so it can flow and run its natural course.

Ella holds a Master's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington State.

Why go on a Grief Tour?

There comes a time on our grief journey when healing and healthy coping requires us to integrate our loss into our lives. (This time is different for everyone as everyone's grief is as unique as their fingerprints.) At that point, we have the option of closing ourselves around the loss and make it the center of our lives, or re-engaging life and participating in social activities. Traveling with others who also lost a loved one can be very helpful in this transitional stage, for a number of reasons:

• When we travel with others who are going through their own grief journey, we can let our mask down and open up. We don't have to fear that suddenly, for no obvious reason, we will be in tears. When we need to cry, we will cry and no one will judge us and think that we are weak. They will also not look at us with pity or be uncomfortable in our presence.
• When we are able to laugh, we will laugh without fearing that others will think "wow, she sure got over him very fast" or "finally she is done with grieving, what a relief".
• We won't have to stop ourselves from talking about our loved one fearing that it will make others uncomfortable. We will have supportive and kind listeners.
• We will also have ongoing grief support.We will gather every morning and evening and share our experiences and support each other. Ella will facilitate these meetings and address any questions or concerns. Ella will also be available to meet with each traveler individually.
• Having this kind of support allows us to relax and enjoy the trip. There is freedom in being ourselves and like one my clients said " feeling normal for a while".

When a group of participants from our support group went on a cruise last year, others on the ship wanted to know what kind of group they were. When told they were a grief support group, no one believed them as they had been laughing and having more fun than others.

Why travel to Turkey?

Travel is wonderful way to get out of our every day patterns, which can be especially fruitful in times of great change in our lives. Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities, a vibrant, magical place at the cross-roads of Europe and Asia. Its history, culture, architecture, cuisine, and natural beauty are all reasons to visit. While offering stunning and exotic sights, it is also a thoroughly modern city, allowing us to provide a comfortable, first class travel experience.

Your guide Ella grew up in Istanbul and has lived in the US for almost 40 years, so she is fluent in both English and Turkish.

Itinerary

Each Day will begin with breakfast at the hotel and a check-in circle led by Ella. Each day will similarly conclude with a circle led by Ella.

The exact itinerary will be agreed upon – some other ideas are under consideration & being worked out, and price and budget reflect only the itinerary as listed below.

DAY 1 Arrival to Istanbul	Check into Boutique Hotel in Sultanahmet
DAY 2 Istanbul	Historic Sultanahmet Sightseeing in Sultanahmet: Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia
DAY 3 Istanbul	The Sparkling Bosporus Local boat ride to the Black Sea, eating at a fish restaurant, a full day in the Bosporus
DAY 4 Istanbul	The Bustling & The Hidden Grand Bazaar; Rumi Tekke with Sufi Whirling
DAY 5 Istanbul	Ancient Christian Constantinople Visit to an Ancient Christian Church in Cora from the 3rd Century
DAY 6 Istanbul	Springtime Getaway from the City Princes’ Island & the Tulip Fields
DAY 7 Istanbul to Yalova	Turkish Pampering + R&R by the Sea Check out of Sultanahmet; Take the Ferry to Yalova, check into a Turkish Thermal Spa for some R&R on the Sea of Marmara
DAY 8 Yalova	Turkish Pampering + R&R by the Sea Decompress, enjoy a full day at a world-class Turkish Spa featuring Hot Spring-Fed Thermal Baths. Meet together as a group to continue the counseling and griefwork held by Ella Indra.
DAY 9 Yalova	Turkish Pampering + R&R by the Sea Decompress, enjoy a full day at a world-class Turkish Spa featuring Hot Spring-Fed Thermal Baths. Meet together as a group to continue the counseling and griefwork held by Ella Indra.
DAY 10 Yalova	Turkish Pampering + R&R by the Sea Decompress, enjoy a full day at a world-class Turkish Spa featuring Hot Spring-Fed Thermal Baths. Meet together as a group to continue the counseling and griefwork held by Ella Indra.
DAY 11 Yalova to Istanbul	Returning Rejuvenated to the City of Crossroads Check into a boutique hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district at the heart of Istanbul. Return to the City from the Hot Spring Spa to enjoy the culture, food, and beauty of the city where Asia and Europe meet.
DAY 12 Istanbul	The Spice of Life Spice Bazaar, Gem Shops, Walk across the Galata Bridge & lunch at a fish restaurant under the cross-Bosporus bridge; Visit to the Galata Tower with Belly Dancing & Folk Dancing.
DAY 13 Departure	Fly Home Return home with memories, souvenirs, new friends, and having been held in the process working with and healing through grief, to find newness again in life at home, however great or small.

Itinerary Subject to change at the guidance, need, or discretion of David Less Tours

Please RSVP as soon as possible to chris@davidlesstours@gmail.com to put your name on the waiting list.

Register Here

Tour is $6,750 per person, not including international airfare.

Tour price include all transportation within Turkey, all accommodation in 4* and Boutique Hotels, Tour Guides, Grief work led by Ella Indra, minimum two meals per day, and all tips. Not included are drinks, alcohol, room service, and transit and transport not on the group itinerary.

To reserve your place: make a deposit of $1,000 USD to David Less Tours

Deposit is $1,000, made by check to David Less Tours, LTD, and mailed to 2372 Arden Drive, Sarasota FL 34232, or payable by credit or debit card by calling (941) 993-9994. Credit and debit card purchases may be subject to a 3% processing fee.

Contact: Chris@Davidlestours.com, (941) 993-9994