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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 exploring the South of France. If you're longing for inspiration, self-care time, or a mental break - One thing is for sure, you'll find that here.
Illuminare Retreats provide a curated & immersive travel experience for women from all walks of life. In the company of new friends, you'll find time to relax & recharge - while also being inspired & renewing your sense of adventure. 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, eating in the same space as some of the artistic heroes of our lifetimes. And the tastes... we'll fill our bellies (and our souls) with the food only the French can provide.
We will come home filled.
With experiences, with the love of a culture, with new friends, and with a renewed sense of self.
St Paul de Vence: One of the most beautiful and wonderfully preserved medieval villages in all of Europe. This is the town we’ll call home as we explore the French Riviera together. It’s an artist’s city; packed with galleries and stories of those who drew inspiration from its streets like Picasso, Chagall, and Matisse. Even the stone filled streets seem like artwork here.
Our home within this quintessential hilltop village is among two apartments in the same building. One was once the home of a famous French poet & screenwriter: Jacques Prévert. It’s also likely one of the most instagramable corners in all of France.
We’ll be nestled into 2 apartments within this building; a grand total of 5 bedrooms between the two apartments, each with their own bathroom, and of course multiple living spaces for the group to enjoy. This building dates back to the 12th century and is everything you could want in a space like this. The authentic charm of stone & ancient wooden timbers, combined with a stunning restoration lovingly crafted by an interior designer with a clear respect for honoring the space & history.
From our home base, we’ll begin our slow exploration of some nearby towns. We’ll get lots among the streets of the beautiful village of Èze. We’ll walk along the shoreline of the coast. We’ll soak in the "big city" of Nice. And we’ll have a day of shopping & strolling in glistening Saint Tropez.
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. Specific to this retreat, attendees should come eager to get out and explore! We will check out various towns along the Côte d'Azur, which means spending a little time in transportation from place to place. Some of the villages (like the one our home is within) are filled with stairs or hills, so guests need to be able to do lots of walking without issue. Guests should be eager to mix & mingle among their new friends, while also enjoying some intentional downtime to explore & shop on your own.
What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?
The group will include only 8 participants, plus the host Amanda & other retreat staff
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. This is a great time to discuss any transportation questions too, as you'll find several other travelers likely on a similar itinerary whom you can share rides with!
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?
Authentic to the core. Regularly listed among Conde Nast's "Best Places to Stay in the South of France" - our apartment(s) for this retreat are beyond charming. There are 5 bedrooms between the 2 apartments, each with their own bathroom. Guests will be sharing a room and superking size bed with a fellow attendee. Please note this is a 12th century building; their are many steps (some winding & rather fascinating) so mobility is a must. Additionally, one bathroom has a tub without a typical stand-up shower, so a few friends might want to pop into another's shower. One guest bedroom does not have air-con, however, it is in a lower level where it stays nice & cool (especially mid-September) and fans are provided.
Will we have wifi?
We will have wifi available for you within the apartments so you can stay connected to your family & friends at home. If you'd like to have wifi on the go when not at home 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?
Our retreat home is only about a 25 minute drive from the Nice airport. You can hire a taxi at the airport for transportation to the apartment, or we can pass along private driver information for your airport transfer upon request.
Guests are responsible to get themselves both to the apartment for the retreat as well as back after the retreat is over. Travel is included during any group related activities where transport is required.
Do I need a car?
You do not need a car during your time at the retreat. Other than getting yourself to/from our apartment (which is easily accomplished by hiring a private driver) you will not need a vehicle for any retreat excursions, as we will provide that transportation.
That said, if you'd like to explore the nearby towns during your free time you may consider renting a car.
Once-in-a-lifetime experience in a 12th century home in the South of France
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Go home refreshed & empowered
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Embrace the culture, history, and food of FRANCE
Once-in-a-lifetime experience in a 12th century home in the south of france
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Go home refreshed & empowered
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EMBRACE THE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND FOOD OF france
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 France - 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
our home
-6 night stay in a set of 12th century apartments (within the same building) in the French Riviera in a town beaming with charm & history.
-Double accommodations for all rooms. Each attendee with share a room and superking size bed with a friend. Each room has it's own bathroom. (Coming solo & would like a double room? No problem! We will pair you up with a fellow attendee).
-Exploration of towns such as Nice, Èze Village, and Saint-Tropez.
-At least one meal per day (either lunch or dinner depending on the day's itinerary) included, leaving you time to follow your nose into a brasserie during your free time as well.
-All transportation during group activities while we venture town to town.
-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 time away.
-Free time for shopping & exploring on your own.
-....and (as you know by now, my favorite...) plenty of surprises! :)
Details:
We ask that all guests plan to arrive at 2:00pm on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Tuesday morning, September 16, 2025.
What is included:
join us.
investment
Retreat cost: $6800 per person
Deposit: $900
Remaining balance broken into 2 payments
Note: Airfare & travel to/from apartment before & after retreat is not included. We are happy to help you connect with private drivers for your convenience.
Registration opens 5/17/24 at 9am EST for the waitlist & 5/18/24 for the public
Our group will remain intimate in size, therefore spots are very limited.
A note:
REGISTER NOW! CLICK HERE
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
illuminare retreats © 2020
| Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative
Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative