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CREATIVE & INSPIRING RETREATS FOR WOMEN IN SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH
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 Spain has to offer and pushing yourself in new and beautiful ways. If you're longing for inspiration, 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. Walking for days side-by-side? It changes everything. Illuminare provides a space for 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
“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” – Mary Davis
what to expect
There's something about all 5 senses being engaged. Taking in the smells & the sights. Feeling the ancient path under your feet, knowing it has been walked on by people like you for over 1,000 years. Hearing the roosters crow beside you, and stepping into a local tapas bar for a snack and to rest your legs mid-day. And the tastes... we'll fill our bellies (and our souls) with incredible food made by locals like only Spain can do.
We will come home filled.
With experiences, with the love of a culture, with new friends, and with a renewed sense of self.
The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. Pilgrims have walked this trail for more than 1,000 years. This is an experience unlike any other.
This retreat is wildly different from our normal retreats in some ways; and so beautifully connected in others. This retreat will push you physically and on a much deeper level, too. The connections you will make with your fellow travelers will be something to be cherished for years to come; as sharing such a unique experience side-by-side only can bring.
We will be following perhaps the most ancient of all the Caminos, the SANABRÉS/MOZÁRABE which enters into the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela from the south. The Mozárabe begins in Andalucia and is the route Christians from the south used during the Muslim period of Al-Andalus.
Our Camino begins in the Galician city of Ourense and winds 108KM through stunning landscapes, tiny hamlets and arable farming land. The path climbs up and over hills and through lush valleys or cattle fields and eucalyptus forests. We will also cross over the oldest stone bridge of the entire Camino Mozárabe that has carried pilgrims over the River Deza for more than 1000 years.
Each day as pilgrims, we will be walking an average of 20KM (12.5 miles, around 5-6 hours) of walking, enjoying lunches in rural towns and villages, hosted by locals. Each evening a support bus brings us back to base - a 17th Century Galician Manor House or PAZO that enjoys an extraordinary setting in a lush valley. Built from granite in the true Galician style with a grand staircase, its own chapel and a rustic bar to enjoy pre-dinner drinks. We will have this beautiful Pazo all to ourselves during our retreat.
who is this retreat for?
Women from all walks of life who need an adventure & respite for the mind. Retreat attendees must be able to walk an average of 20KM (around 5-6 hours) per day. This is physically demanding so please make sure you are preparing your body and your mind.
Start now and build up gradually. There is plenty of time. Walk with a small hiking backpack with a water bottle, book, extra layer and snacks so you get used to the weight.
Will I have to carry my belongings?
No, we will transfer all of your belongings during our journey from hotel to Pazo. During the day, you need only take essentials such as water, snacks, a journal and a layer incase of rain.
Our driver will pick us up at the end of our walk each day to drive us back home. The next morning, the driver will drop us back off where we stopped the day before. This allows us to do the entire 108km without having to carry all our belongings on our back & giving us a lovely place to gather in the evenings for fireside conversation and meals.
What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?
The group will include up to 12 participants, plus the hosts Amanda & Manni.
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?
Our Pazo is a Galician architectural gem steeped in centuries of history. Located in a privileged location, this stately manor house dates back to the 18th century and has been carefully restored to preserve its original essence, combining traditional elements with modern touches that provide comfort and elegance. Its stone walls, spacious gardens, and period rooms transport visitors to another era, keeping alive the spirit of Galician nobility.
In addition, we will stay one night each in Ourense and Santiago at the front & back of our retreat in beautiful hotels.
Will we have wifi?
We will have wifi available for you within our retreat home so you can stay connected to your family & friends. Along the path, it's safe to expect your data service with your cell provider to be rather spotty as we will be seemingly in the middle of nowhere at times. However, in the evenings you can reconnect to the world again with provided wifi.
how do i get there?
We will begin our journey together in the town of Ourense. It is an easy 2.5 hours on the train from Madrid or 1 hour on the train from Santiago de Compostela.
Is this a religious pilgrimage?
People walk the Camino for a variety of reasons. While the Camino historically represents a Christian pilgrimage, and many still walk it with that in mind, not all do. Our group is open to all who want to journey with us regardless of faith.
For many pilgrims, this is a time of deep reflection, overcoming personal struggles, find inner healing, or seek a renewed sense of purpose.
How active is this retreat?
The MOST active retreat we have ever done.
As stated already, retreat attendees must be able to walk an average of 20KM (about 12.5 miles) per day.
To be camino fit it is advisable to start walking daily, building up to around 20km per day. Start with smaller distances and steadily increase over time. Allow for three - six months’ training before setting out on the camino.
"....It encompasses all of my favorite things: walking, nature, culture, food, wine, and friendship.
For me, there is simply no better way to see and understand spain. It is the epitome of transformational travel."
-Manni Coe
"....It encompasses all of my favorite things: walking, nature, culture, food, wine, and friendship.
For me, there is simply no better way to see and understand spain. It is the epitome of transformational travel."
-Manni Coe
Manni Coe is the second of four brothers and grew up in England. He moved on to study Latin American History & Culture at Edinburgh University which took him on adventures to South America before finally settling in Spain.
Manni first walked the Camino in 2001. The following year, he walked it again with two of his brothers, Nathan and Reuben. They had a life changing experience which led Manni to begin his career as a guide on the Camino. With 23 years of Caminos under his belt, he has chosen to guide only along the Camino Sanabrés as it is his favourite route and affords an authentic experience of an underdeveloped and beautiful path.
Manni now lives between Dorset, England and a tiny village in Andalusia.
He works as a private guide in Spain and around the world and spends his spare time writing and publishing memoirs. His first book titled brother. do. you. love. me. was co-created with his brother Reuben who has Down Syndrome. His second memoir LITTLE RUINS will be published in the UK by Canongate in August 2025.
meet your guides:
Manni Coe
Amanda is the founder of Illuminare Retreats. As mom of 4, wife of 23 years, and business owner for two decades living in the United States - she understands the many hats women wear... and the need to take them all off once in awhile.
As a lifetime traveler, Amanda found the transformative power that travel has to be life changing. It was something she longed to bring other women along for, too.
With a photography career spanning twenty years running full steam ahead, she multitasked (as women do) to launch Illuminare Retreat in 2018 to provide these experiences across Europe for women from all backgrounds. Her mission is to allow the ladies on her retreats to feel safe, taken care of, and deeply seen, all while experiencing the beauty of culture, food, art, and history.
meet your guides:
Amanda Donaho
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
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Go home empowered & Changed
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Embrace the culture, scenery, and experience that only the camino can bring
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
-
Go home empowered & changed
-
embrace the culture, scenery, and experience that only the camino can bring
While this retreat is experience focused, it is also designed to allow you to reconnect with yourself. While this is the focus of all of our retreats, it's even more so with the Camino.
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 Spain - 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
-7 night stay including one evening in a hotel in Ourense (where our journey begins), 5 nights in our Pazo (our official retreat home for our Camino which we will stay at nightly during the course of our walk), and one evening in a hotel in Santiago de Compostela after we reach the end of our trail
-Guided by Manni Coe of Toma & Coe, a boutique tour agency with over 2 decades of experience on the Camino
-Breakfast daily served in our retreat home
-All dinners (with wine) included. (Lunches will be had at tapas bars and restaurants while passing through towns along the trail)
-Exploration of this beautiful area of Spain. Learning more about Galician culture, the Camino itself, the local areas, and Spain by our expert guide
-Conversations with other women on their own journeys. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to grow, do some inner work along the trail, and leave truly changed
-Your Pilgrim Passport (you're a true pilgrim and will collect stamps along the way to present in Santiago de Compostela to receive your Camino completion certificate)
-Bus transportation during the retreat itself. This includes getting us back to our Pazo every evening of the journey (no, you don't have to carry all your belongings on your back - We call this the Glamino for a reason!)
-Your custom journal to help spur on ideas & meditation.
-A digital travel guide to aid you in planning your adventure
-....and surprises along the way.
Details:
Guests will check-in to their hotel rooms in Ourense on Sunday October 11, 2026. We will begin as a group over dinner that evening.
The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Sunday morning, October 18, 2026.
What is included:
join us.
investment
Retreat cost:
$6200 (Per Person) Double Occupancy (8 spots)
$6800 (Per Person) Single Occupancy (4 spots)
Deposit required to hold your space: $850
Remaining balance paid in 2 installments (Feb 1, 2025 & June 1, 2026)
If you are coming solo but booking a double occupancy room, you will be paired up with a new friend/fellow attendee! All double occupancy rooms have 2 twin sized beds.
Airfare & travel to/from our accommodations before & after retreat is not included.
Please read all FAQs and email Amanda with questions illuminareretreat@gmail.com
A note:
Register Now
Essentially, this thirst is not the longing for an extensive walk on the Camino. It's the longing of meeting your own being, outside the temptations of a fully materialistic world. Camino is just a channel, a concrete representation of your inner need to evade the loop your life is repeating over and over again, and find your true nature, your true voice, your true meaning on this planet. And when you walk this path, you complete a layer of your search.”
― Diana-Maria Georgescu
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| Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative
Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative
