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 Scotland 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.
There's something about all 5 senses being engaged. Taking in the smells & the sights. Feeling the ancient roads under your feet, hearing the rush of the waves on the Scottish shoreline. And the tastes... we'll fill our bellies (and our souls) with the cuisine of this facinating region.
We will come home filled.
With experiences, with the love of a culture, with new friends, and with a renewed sense of self.
Home to epic landscapes, the mystery of Loch Ness, ancient castles and beautiful waters; We're headed to none other than the Scottish Highlands for this adventure.
This retreat will be for those longing for equal parts adventure and R&R. We'll enjoy seaside views just steps out the front door of our manor house, the former home of a Baron built in the 1800s. We'll enjoy conversation & a hot toddy in the evening by a crackling fireplace. We'll also venture into the great outdoors, hiking into a scene so beautiful it will feel like you're inside a postcard. We'll dine on the fare of the land (sticky toffee pudding anyone?) and stand in awe of ancient castles.
The history, lure, and culture of Scotland is something you have to experience.
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 lots of walking on this retreat on days that we are out exploring the Highlands, so guests must be able bodied & eager to explore by foot. On the days we go deep into the Highlands (like Isle of Skye day) there will be a fair amount of time in private transportation.
The group will include up to 16 participants, plus the host Amanda & retreat staff.
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.
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.
**If you have serious dietary restrictions, please email before registering with your specific needs so we can assess if this is the right retreat for you.
Our home for this retreat is a beautiful Scottish baronial mansion house dating back to 1885. With 9 bedrooms, incredible views of Moray Firth (look for the dolphins!), and private walled garden and terrace, there's something to enjoy at every turn.
Our home has breathtaking views of the sea, so please enjoy morning walks in the sand. The entire mansion has been recently renovated, providing lush accommodations while maintaining the character, tradition, and style of a Scottish mansion.
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.
The Inverness International airport is an easy 15 minute drive from our retreat home. You can catch a taxi from the airport, or I'm happy to connect you with private driver options as well to make your transport effortless.
Great question! Some of our retreats are more wine focused than others. This trip does NOT have a wine emphasis. There will certainly be wine available at dinners, and likely a whiskey tasting (when in Rome...) but you can absolutely enjoy this retreat in full without consuming alcohol.
Each Illuminare Retreat is a little different than the next. This retreat will be fair mixture of both adventure and R&R. We'll enjoy the comforts of home, relax & sit along the water. However, we'll also get out & about to hike in the mountains of the Highlands.
That being said, guests do need to be able to do plenty of walking and on uneven terrain. While you won't be walking miles a day, you will do a fair amount of walking and even hiking, and need to be able to do so without assistance.
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 Scotland - and flip your own light back on in the process.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
-6 night stay in private Scottish mansion
-Time to explore the stunning landscape of the Highlands
-Day trip to Isle of Skye for sightseeing and light hiking
-Relaxing time in our home away from home, situated on the Moray Firth
-Breakfast daily served in our retreat home by our private staff
-Most meals included (you will have a few lunches on your own while in town, however most lunches & dinners will be provided). Wine is always included with your meal
-Exploration of Scottish legends & history by experts
-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 at 2:00 on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Friday morning, June 13, 2025.
Retreat cost:
$6400: Double Occupancy (Shared king bed)
$6800 Double Occupancy (Twin beds)
Deposit required to hold your space: $1200
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.
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Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative