Yoga Retreats
Paris & Provence
THE VERY FIRST YOGA RETREAT I WENT ON WAS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME, AS I HAD WANTED TO VISIT FRANCE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
The retreat was organized and hosted by Kimberly Wilson, the founder of Tranquil Space, my home studio in the DC area.
She still hosts Paris retreats annually and I highly recommend her retreats if you're interested in exploring your creativity in a beautiful location with a genuinely kind guide. Check out some of my blog entries about this trip here.
Tuscany, the first time
I WAS SO ENAMORED WITH MY PARIS AND PROVENCE RETREAT, I SOUGHT OUT AN ITALIAN ONE.
Erin Lewis is a yoga instructor who created her own company built on yoga retreats, it's called Eat, Pray Move. She's had great success curating yoga retreats around the world and I highly recommend them! My retreat was the classic retreat to Tuscany and was a wonderful introduction to this very special part of the world. I tacked on a few self-guided days in Rome ahead of time, but fell in love with Tuscany and Umbria during the retreat.
Tuscany, the next time
WHEN TWO OF MY FAVORITE INSTRUCTORS ORGANIZED A TUSCAN RETREAT, I HAD TO GO!
Kimberly Wilson and Mary Catherine Starr co-hosted a Tuscany retreat. Even though it was in the height of busy season, I signed up. This trip was different and included a day on the Cinque Terre, which I definitely need to visit again.
As far as I know, Kimberly and MC don't currently have plans to host this trip again but the place where we stayed hosts retreats throughout the year and is near the lovely city of Lucca, the childhood home of Puccini. Check out Il Borghino for more details.
Costa Rica
NOT AN ORGANIZED RETREAT, BUT A VACATION AT A RETREAT CENTER
One of my more adventurous friends, Stacey and I wanted to go to Costa Rica. I searched for luxury, yoga, Costa Rica and found Blue Osa. It's not the easiest place to get to, but it's worth the trip. The food is spectacular, the cocktails delicious and it's the home of *the best* and most affordable spa treatments I've ever had.
Nantucket
FAVORITE TEACHER + CHILDHOOD DREAM
Oh, I was a big fan of the television show Wings as a young person, so I always wanted to visit Nantucket. My friend and favorite yoga instructor Mary Catherine Starr curated a wonderful retreat with her co-leader and friend Laura Whitaker. They plan to host it regularly, so be sure to check it out. Nantucket is beautiful, easy to get to, and they tend to host in bumper seasons when the weather is good and the crowds are thin.
Cuba
BUCKET LIST, SALSA DANCING, BEACH
Cuba held a fascination for me for a long time and I was thinking to go as a tourist. One day in the midst of a very powerful yoga practice, I spotted an advertisement for this retreat on the wall of the studio. I signed up within weeks and had a fantastic trip. Be sure to check out Mhai Yoga, a retreat center that hosts groups for half the year.
