It was Dua Lipa who famously said “I don’t have a therapist, but I have an astrologist.” I’ve always been fascinated with star signs, too.
As of late, I’ve also realised that I have subconsciously been practising ‘millennial mysticism’. It’s a mindset that we millennials have seamlessly shifted towards: decentralised digital-age spirituality in the form of astrology, mindfulness and manifestation. Feeling burnt out and disconnected, I wanted to connect with it – and myself – further, so I checked into Perdue hotel on the Turkish Riviera.
Located just above the village of Faralyaon (said to be a region founded by ancient feminists and ruled by women thousands of years ago), the hotel’s ‘Stay Written in the Stars’ package connects guests with an in-house astrologer upon arrival for a reading. Afterwards, you’re presented with a tailored itinerary based on the desires and themes she identifies.
After a 1.5-hour drive along the scenic coast from Dalaman, I arrived: nervous, excited and intrigued. At first glance, the hotel is built with a clutch of luxurious tent-style rooms scattered across a rocky inlet. A main terrace sprawls across the top, leading down toward a glossy infinity pool and countless cliff paths with hidden nooks. Built into the rock face are shiny silver ladders down into the deep blue ocean; straw cabanas provide the perfect napping place; natural saltwater plunge pools serve up idyllic spots for a daily dose of vitamin sea.
Meeting The Resident Astrologer
I headed straight to the astrology tent, a structure made of billowing white drapes that overlooks the sea. It was here that I met Seda, Perdue’s resident astrologer. We started with a glass of Turkish tea, as Seda asked for my name, date of birth and place of birth – all key ingredients to enable an in-depth star sign reading. I’m a Scorpio, but on the cusp of a Libra (by just two days), so I was fascinated to hear more.
“Your Scorpio sign is showing you to be passionate, nurturing, protective, determined and a deep healer,” she told me, “while your Libra sign is fair, honest, charming, intellectual and a good listener.” I soon learnt that my rising sign is Cancer (water element), my moon is Gemini (air element), and my sun is Scorpio (water element). After an in-depth conversation, Seda highlighted a few intuitive observations. She revealed that I invite in the good, have an immense passion for writing (reassuring to hear), always have to get to the bottom of something (very journalistic of me), but that I need to work on being stronger within my body (I couldn’t agree more).
This was followed by a deep dive into my elements, where I learned that I am 60 per cent water, 26 per cent air, 6.7 per cent fire and 6.7 per cent earth. Seda recommended that I therefore needed to seek adventure on land, and focus on practical and artistic activities at Purdue to balance and strengthen both my fire and earth elements. We finished by pulling three Angel cards: Shanti The Angel of Peace, which told me my purpose is to find peace and a smoother road ahead; Serena The Angel of Abundance, predicting that new opportunities will be money-focused; and Bas Melek Israfil, the card of divine healing, balance and restoration. Seda told me to use these to set an intention for my trip. “Use your Scorpio energy, but live as a Libra” were her parting words to me. Oh, and… “in a past life you were a Taurus, as your mother is a Taurus.” How she knew that, I will never know.
Luxury Glamping at its Best
With lots to ponder, it was time to check in. Perdue proudly hosts Turkey’s first luxury glamping concept, and I was led through shady forest paths to an Infinity Suite, one of five room types available. This suite was a luxury-style tent, perched on a 40-square-metre wooden platform, surrounded by grand palm trees and bright bougainvillea. Climbing up the little wooden staircase felt like its own adventure, and at the top sat a wide balcony with two wooden rocking chairs and a private Jacuzzi.
Pulling back the canvas doors, a spacious bedroom was decorated with warm-wood furnishings and lamps that glowed gold. This soon became affectionately known as my ‘treehouse retreat’ – a little sanctuary that I would escape to each lazy afternoon for a bubbly dip in the Jacuzzi before sundowner drinks.
A welcome bottle of Turkish red, glass jars of dried fruits, herbal teas and deeply roasted coffee pods sat atop a stocked mini bar. Molton Brown’s Orange & Bergamot products stocked the bathroom, while AC and a Perdue lavender with lemongrass pillow spray helped me sleep. I quickly sunk into a nighttime routine of spraying my pillow then gazing across the ocean from it; the sound of lapping waves and the light buzzing of cicadas acted as nature’s version of white noise, sending me into a deep, hazy sleep.
A Day Spent in Nature
After such good sleeps, I found myself waking early and heading down to the sea deck for cliffside yoga classes (a much more calming morning routine than my usual brash alarm, sleepy phone scroll and dash for the train). The guided yoga was peaceful, and my eyes were met with nothing but blue sky and water: I left with a clearer mind and the satisfying feeling that I’d worked my body.
Next, to help anchor my energy in nature, I took a trek along the Lycian Way, a historic long-distance trail of 520 kilometres spanning Turkey’s southwestern coastline, and easily accessible from the hotel. After trekking along sandy paths in the sun, I soon found a shady forest. It was here that we collected fresh rosemary, thyme, sumac, capers and curry flowers, all while my guide explained how Turkish people have used these as natural medicines for thousands of years. We marched on to find parts of the Lycian Tombs carved in natural limestone; they dated back to the 4th century BC, and were used as burial sites for Lycian kings and nobles. Continuing our trek, I listened to historic tales like this, feeling energised – and very aware of how the hours walking the Lycian Way had felt like minutes without the distraction of a single text or phone call.
How to get Crafty
Sarah Barnes trying Dastar Weaving, a centuries-old technique that uses traditional wooden looms to finely twist cotton yarn and create handwoven garments and textiles. Image credit: Sarah Barnes
To help harness my focus, Seda recommended that I take an art therapy class. And so, I joined a group on a large wooden table under shady palms to wash stones from the local area and paint them in bright colours. I also tried Mandala making: derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘circle’ this is the art of creating a symmetrically geometric design from a central point. These practices are a form of self-expression, you let the pen take control and draw in whichever direction your brain takes you. I soon turned my hand to Dastar Weaving, a centuries-old technique that uses traditional wooden looms to finely twist cotton yarn and create handwoven garments and textiles. The technique was taught to me by Yeşilüzümlü Dastarı, who has been a master of Dastar Weaving since she was sixteen and was overjoyed to share this part of her heritage with me. And, as the hours passed, I came to realise the power of learning a new skill with your hands. I found myself lost in thought, considering my star sign reading and my conversations with Seda. It’s wonderful how much your brain can digest, without any digital distraction.
Dining at Perdue
A Turkish breakfast is a spread unlike anything else. Once I’d picked the perfect ocean-facing table, it was quickly filled with a mini private buffet. Baskets of gözleme (Turkish flatbread) and pide (traditional boat-shaped bread filled with sausage) were laid beside platters of cheese, dried apricots, tomato relish, whipped feta and potatoes smothered in artichoke dip. Eggs (cooked any way you like) are also served alongside bowls of crisp watermelon, vegetables and salty olives. For a side of sweetness, little dishes of fresh honeycomb and candied orange filled any last table space. The main terrace at Perdue serves all three meals. But I most enjoyed lunch inside my sea cabana.
Come dinner, Perdue transforms. Individual candles and torches are lit to guide you along the cliff paths to Woods Bar – the perfect place to watch the sun melt into the horizon, as it turns the sky into shades of fiery crimson. Like any perfect oceanfront bar, soft music beats in the background and master mixologists shake up smooth cocktails to sip. After one (or three), I dined at Perdue Restaurant, on a sea-facing terrace where the seafood skewers and Dakos salad are a must. Once a month, Perdue holds a special ‘Chef Nights Under the Stars’ to celebrate different cultures and cuisines, and where a talented chef creates a themed night of food and music. On a balmy Friday evening, I sat overlooking the ocean to enjoy an eight-course Mexican feast with dishes like smoked shrimp tartare and brisket carnitas – all washed down with an icy Mezcal granita.
The Art of Escaping at Sea
Sarah Barnes at Perdue
The ‘Art of Escaping’ is Perdue’s tagline and an act that is very much prescribed for every guest. For me, this came in the form of a waterfront massage in Perdue’s beautiful raffia tent, soundtracked by the ocean. As I lay overlooking the waves, a slick herb-scented oil was massaged over every limb, and I was stretched and pulled in all directions. I spent the afternoon in a happy haze, dipping into the natural seawater pools and then boarding the Perdue Piyade boat, which guests can use to explore the nearby Kabak Bay and hidden corners of the coastline. A blissful way to help regain perspective and let your worries wash away as you become just a little drop in a big ocean.
The Extra Touches
If the activities tailored to my star chart weren’t enough (and they absolutely were!), Perdue still had more to offer. A browse in the hotel’s boutique – selling local pottery, bandanas and delicate jewellery – was the perfect escape from the midday sun. And to feed my artistic needs, Perdue hosts an open-air cinema each night, where cosy beanbags are set out under the moonlight and you’ll enjoy a movie surrounded by candles and ocean sounds.
Perdue sits under the ‘Soulsetters’ brand of luxury hotels on the Turquoise Coast and, at the neighbouring Nautical Hotel, soft sunloungers sit along the rocky beach at Rups beach club. Here, you can drive straight off the jetty into the water, or enjoy an afternoon of cocktails followed by a DJ set under the stars.
The great thing about Perdue’s star sign-based stay, is that no matter the outcome of your reading, you’ll leave with more than just sunset photos. As I headed back to Dalaman airport I had an overwhelming sense of clarity, alongside a more intentional thought process, and I was proud that I’d reconnected with myself. It seems, then, that Dua Lipa knows what she’s talking about. A restorative star-reading trip away can work wonders – for mind, body and soul.
Lead image: Sarah Barnes
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