You're a giver.  

To your family. To your work. To your friends.  To your community.
To continue to give, you must also receive.

This experience is designed to allow you to do just that. Enjoy the company of fellow women on their own personal journeys, all while soaking in the beauty Italy has to offer. If you're longing for inspiration, self-care time, adventure, or a mental break - One thing is for sure. You will leave this trip changed.  We believe that sharing meals together leads to sharing our hearts. That sharing a bottle of red leads to sharing our fears. Illuminare provides a space attendees to look within ourselves & encourage our new friends, too. There is simply no better place on earth for a conversation like this one. Europe has a beautiful way of getting down deep into your soul & stirring alive passions you forgot were there.   Of reigniting ideas & bringing a new perspective to our lives. 

If you've been longing for clarity & inspiration in your life, this is for you.

It's time for you.

Looking for other retreats?

Take Me There

This retreat truly was one of the best weeks of my whole life. Amanda really rolled out the red carpet for us attendees. Everything from the accommodations to the experiences to the personalized notes and gifts were all done with such attention to detail. I have never felt more pampered! I left the retreat with so much more clarity about how I want to live life and make others feel. I would 1000% recommend these retreats for any woman who needs a little blood pumped back into her veins. You will be astounded at how someone pouring into you will change your mind and heart.
-Kate

"We travel initially to lose ourselves...and we travel next to find ourselves."

what to expect

There's something about all 5 senses being engaged. Taking in the smells & the sights. Feeling the ancient roads under your feet, hearing the clank of the cup meeting the saucer as locals savor their afternoon tea.  And the tastes... we'll fill our bellies (and our souls) with the cuisine of this fantastic region.

We will come home filled. 
With experiences, with the love of a culture, with new friends, and with a renewed sense of self.

From the honey-colored stone, to the rose-covered cottages, the Cotswolds is a place found in storybooks. Famous for its lush pastures & stunning villages, it’s no surprise that this gem has been the backdrop for books, artwork, and movies for hundreds of years. 

Prepare to be awed by the rich history, natural beauty, magnificent historic castles and stately homes. It doesn’t get more “quintessentially English” than this.

Live your best Jane Austen life with us during this magical week in the Cotswolds.

We must agree with Home & Gardens Magazine who listed our retreat manor as part of their "Worlds Best Homes."  While it is clearly stunning - is also contains a beautiful story.  The Clifford Family, who still owns the estate today, can trace their ancestry in this area back to the 11th century. In 1730 this incredible manor house was built and has remained in the family since.  Filled with charm, loving restoration, and incredible grounds - you'll likely want to spend leisurely mornings exploring the property, which we'll have all to ourselves during this 6 night retreat.

This is a great retreat for someone longing for a peaceful escape with slow exploration of this incredible region.  There will be a mixture of downtime at our manor house, time to peruse shops in town, and time to explore the storybook villages of the Cotswolds as a group.  




who is this retreat for?

Women from all walks of life who need a little time away, reconnecting with themselves while being in a picturesque setting. Retreat members are eager to make new connections/friends, understand that Europe means a decent amount of walking, and are flexible/happy travelers!  We will do some walking through the villages & countryside, so comfortable shoes are suggested.  However, this will be a more slow paced retreat focused on relaxation over adventure.




What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?

The group will include up to 12 participants, plus the host Amanda

Approximately 4 months prior to the trip, a Facebook group will be created for our retreat members to get to know each other, ask questions & share more about themselves.

I have a special diet, can you accommodate? 

On the application, you'll see a spot to let us know any diet needs you have & we will absolutely do our best to meet those at all meals. If you have specific concerns, please feel free to email with questions.

What are the  accommodations like? 

Featured in Homes & Gardens Magazine as a "Worlds Best Home", our stay for this retreat is a stunning manor house nestled in the countryside.  The Clifford Family, who still owns the estate today, can trace their ancestry in this area back to the 11th century. In 1730 this incredible manor house was built and has remained in the family since.  Come expecting to experience your very own Jane Austen fantasy in our gorgeous home for the week.  If a home with character draws you in, I assure you you'll be amazed here.  Most rooms available are double accomidations. We believe that sharing builds our community & is part of this intimate retreat style experience!

Will we have wifi?

We will have wifi available for you within our retreat home so you can stay connected to your family & friends. If you'd like to have wifi on the go throughout the day as well and your cell provider doesn't offer this, please reach out and we'd be happy to help you arrange a personal hotspot.

how do i get there?

Bristol & Cardiff airports are both approx. one hour drive to our retreat home.  London airports are approx. two hours by car.  The train system is great as well, so don't be afraid to add an extra day or two on to your trip & check out more of the country.  I'm happy to connect you with private driver options as well.



Should I be a wine drinker to enjoy this trip?

Great question!  Some of our retreats are more wine focused than others.  This is NOT a wine-centric retreat, so you will be just fine joining us if wine is not your thing!  While it will of course be part of dinner for many of our attendees, our alcohol-free friends should not shy away from joining this one.



How active is this retreat?

Each Illuminare Retreat is a little different than the next. This particular retreat is more slow paced.  The emphasis is on basking in the beauty of the region with gentle exploration, lingering tea times, walks through the garden, and much more.

This retreat is great for guests longing for rest & relaxation in an incredible story-book setting, while exploring the surrounding region.  Comfortable shoes are always suggested - but you won't be walking for miles and miles on this retreat.



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Frequently asked questions

Once-in-a-lifetime experience

Go home refreshed & empowered
-
Embrace the culture, history, and food of the cotswolds

Once-in-a-lifetime experience

Go home refreshed & empowered
-
EMBRACE THE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND FOOD OF the cotswolds

While this retreat is experience focused, it is also designed to allow you to reconnect with yourself.

Titled after the Italian word for Illuminate, we hope you leave this retreat not just with an incredible experience, but feeling a new sense of purpose, peace, or clarity in your own life.  Whatever it is you're coming to look for - there is a good chance that once you clear out the noise of your day to day life & immerse yourself in the experience designed for you, you'll find it was within you the whole time.

Come experience the tastes, sights, smells & wonders of the English Countryside - and flip your own light back on in the process.


illuminare

/ il:umi'nare/ verb:
to illuminate, to light up

What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?

The group will include 8 participants, plus the host Amanda

Prior to the trip, a Facebook group will be created for our retreat members to get to know each other, ask questions & share more about themselves.

I have a special diet, can you accommodate? 

On the application, you'll see a spot to let us know any diet needs you have & we will absolutely do our best to meet those at all meals. If you have specific concerns, please feel free to email with questions.

What are the  accommodations like? 

We will be staying in a stunning apartment in the heart of Florence! You will be sharing a room with another attendee so either come with a friend or be ready to make a new one! We believe that sharing builds our community & is part of this intimate retreat style experience!

Will we have wifi?

We will have wifi available for you within the apartment so you can stay connected to your family & friends at home. If you'd like to have wifi on the go throughout the day as well, please reach out and we'd be happy to help you arrange a personal hotspot.

how do i get there?

We recommend flying into either Florence, Rome, or Bologna. Transportation within the country is wonderful thanks to Italy's train systems. As the trip gets closer, you'll receive a comprehensive travel email with tips on finding the best flight deals, and how to navigate transport to our apartment once in Italy.  

can i pay in installments?

Yes - We've provided a few options for you:
-You may pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot, with the remaining balance due on December 1, 2021.
-You may pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot, breaking up the balance into 3 payments due by December 1, 2021.
-You may pay in its entirety in one lump sum at the time of booking

retreat home


-6 night stay in an incredible Georgian Manor House built in the 1700s 

-A day trip to Bath to explore, shop, and experience this world-famous, stunning town

-One main meal per day will be provided (dinner or lunch depending on the day's schedule) and of course wine is always included

-Breakfast daily served in our retreat home by our private staff

-Guided tours through the Cotswolds villages by locals to explain the vast history 

-In-house massage for each guest to help you unwind in our stately home

-Conversations with other women on their own journeys. A once-in-a-lifetime style girls trip to grow & be inspired

-Your custom journal to help spur on ideas & meditation

-A digital travel guide to aid you in planning your adventure

-Free time to do sightseeing & shopping on your own

-....and plenty of amazing surprises!  

Details:

We ask that all guests arrive to our accommodations by 2:00 on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Monday morning, July 14, 2025.

What is included:

join us.

investment

Retreat cost: 
$5200:  Double Occupancy (Shared king bed)
$5800 Double Occupancy (Twin bed)
$6400  Single Occupancy (Only one available)
Deposit required to hold your space:  $800

Remaining balance paid in 2 installments

Note: Airfare & travel to/from our accommodations before & after retreat is not included.  


Our group will remain intimate in size, therefore spots are very limited.  

A note:

Fully Booked

If you’re considering going on a retreat, do it. Don’t try to convince yourself you don’t deserve to go, or that you’ll do the next one, or that you can’t afford it.  Pull the trigger.  You won’t regret it if you go.  I promise. 
-Karen, 4 time retreat attendee

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