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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 England 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.
Set within the rolling countryside of Kent, this retreat is shaped by winter light, historic towns, and the kind of quiet beauty that invites you to slow down. Rather than rushing from place to place, our days move slowly - lingering mornings, wandering cathedral streets, pubs with a roaring fire, and taking in the understated elegance of England at its most timeless.
Kent has long been known as the garden of England, but in winter it reveals a different kind of magic - softened landscapes, hushed villages, and a sense of calm that feels increasingly rare. From medieval lanes and ancient cathedrals to intimate bookshops and quiet afternoons, this is a retreat rooted in presence rather than performance. The perfect place to start your new year.
Our home for the week is the remarkable Goodnestone Park - a 12 bedroom privately owned English estate with deep literary and historical ties. Built in 1704 and still held by the same family today, the house and family are draped in fascinating history. With connections going back to the signing of the Manga Cara and the backdrop to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the house carries centuries of lived-in beauty, thoughtful restoration, and stories held within its walls.
During our six nights together, the estate becomes our sanctuary - a place to settle in, wander the grounds, and truly winter.
This retreat is designed for women craving rest, restoration, and slow exploration. Days will include time spent entirely on the estate, gentle outings to nearby historic towns like the storybook town of Canterbury, and ample space for personal reflection, pampering, and unstructured wandering. Nothing is rushed.
This is a week for fireside conversations, soft mornings, meaningful pauses, and returning home feeling grounded, nourished, and quietly changed.
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. Please note: This home is not ADA accessible.
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 and 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.
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 Goodnestone Park, a privately owned English estate set within the Kent countryside. Held by the same family for generations, the house dates to the early 18th century and offers the kind of lived-in beauty and quiet character that only historic homes can provide. Jane Austen was a frequent visitor here as her brother and his wife lived on the estate. We'll share more stories from Jane at the house together! This Georgian mansion is filled with warmth, thoughtfulness, and a sense of ease that invites you to slow down and settle in. A true escape from the ordinary into the extraordinary.
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?
Our house is very easy to access. Fly into London and you have two options: Hire a driver for a 90 minute ride to our estate or take the train to Canterbury, followed by a 20 minute taxi ride to our home away from home. I'm happy to connect you with private driver options if needed.
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 fields 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.
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
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
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Go home refreshed & empowered
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Embrace the culture, history, and food of the English Countryside
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
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Go home refreshed & empowered
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EMBRACE THE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND FOOD OF the English countryside
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 12 bedroom Georgian Manor House built in the 1700s
-Most meals included (a few lunches on your own when exploring towns)
-Housekeeping & private in-house chef to make sure you're always relaxed
-Breakfast daily served in our retreat home by our private staff
-Exploration of the history of beautiful nearby towns like Canterbury
-Relaxing time in our home away from home, being rejuvenated for the year ahead
-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, January 9, 2027.
The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Friday morning, January 15, 2027.
What is included:
join us.
investment
Retreat cost:
$6800: Double Occupancy (twin beds)
$7800 Single Occupancy
Deposit required to hold your space: $850
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:
JOIN US
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
