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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 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 morning café. And the tastes... we'll fill our bellies (and our souls) with the cuisine of this fascinating region.
We will come home filled.
With experiences, with the love of a culture, with new friends, and with a renewed sense of self.
A vibrant city in the north of Portugal, Porto is packed to the brim with extensive history, interesting attractions, famous wine, and mouthwatering food. During this 6 night retreat, we'll explore all that Porto has to offer. Local guides will teach us the insider secrets to this city and experts will lead us through the simply breathtaking Douro Valley to see & taste their incredible wines.
Our retreat home is a unique one. We've done a full buy-out of a small, boutique hotel. We'll have the run of the roost with all 9 bedrooms - keeping our retreat still intimate but with plenty of room to spread out. Attendees will have the option of reserving a single room or sharing with a friend (new or old!). This 17th century building has maintained it's rustic charm while adding in the modern conveniences that give us a great night's rest. In the morning, enjoy our handmade breakfast by the staff before we head out to explore for the day.
This is a great retreat for the adventurous soul. This will be an active retreat with lots of exploring, walking & being out & about! This is not the retreat to attend if you're looking for more focused down-time.
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! For this trip in particular, we will be walking a decent amount so please be prepared to do so before signing up.
What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?
The group will include up to 14 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?
Our home for this retreat is a small boutique hotel which will will have exclusive use of. This 17th century building has been restored to maintain the charm of the past with the comfort of the present. Come expecting an amazing breakfast in the morning by our staff, and a cozy place to lay your head in the evening. Guests will have the option of booking a solo room or shared room. 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?
You can either fly right into Porto & take a taxi to our retreat home (10 miles from Porto's airport), or into another city like Lisbon & take the train up. The train system is great, so don't be afraid to add an extra day or two on to your trip & check out more of the country.
Should I be a wine drinker to enjoy this trip?
Great question! There will be a decent emphasis on wine during this retreat as Porto is the home of the famous Port wine. In addition we will be spending a full day on a wine tour in Douro Valley. While this retreat is not exclusively a wine retreat in the least, there will be several wine tastings. Please keep that in mind when considering the experience you're looking for!
How active is this retreat?
Each Illuminare Retreat is a little different than the next. During this retreat you can expect to do a good amount of walking. Private transportation will be provided for some activities, but others we will be exploring on our feet (the best way to see any city in my opinion!)
Some days you will be with the group the entirety of the day exploring together, other days you'll have more free time. What you do with that free time is up to you! Sleep in, relax at our retreat home - or get out & explore on your own!
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
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Go home refreshed & empowered
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Embrace the culture, history, and food of PoRTO
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
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Go home refreshed & empowered
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EMBRACE THE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND FOOD OF porto
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 Portugal - 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 a boutique hotel reserved just for our group, in the heart of Porto's historic city center
-A day trip to the Douro Valley to take in the stunning sights... and tastes... of this famous wine region
-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 Porto by locals to explain the vast history & art at every turn
-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, April 8, 2025.
The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Monday morning, April 14, 2025.
What is included:
join us.
investment
Retreat cost:
$5200: Double Occupancy
$5800 Single Occupancy
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:
SOLD OUT
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