OVERVIEW

St. Tropez is THE place to be in the South of France for casual french sophistication and fun in the sun during the summer months. September is the best time to be there with many tourists gone yet there is still a party buzz in the air and the salty sea is perfect for a long swim. This retreat begins each day with yoga, yet make no mistake we will be hitting all the highlights of the area. This retreat can be as relaxing as you want it to be but when in St. Tropez….well….it’s time to let go and be part of the international vibe at beach clubs, wineries, fabulous fancy dinners, charming towns and all with a glass of rosé in hand. Take a look at our activities below and if you weren’t already sold on joining us in St. Tropez, you will be!

THE AREA & ACTIVITIES

The legendary South of France town of St. Tropez will be the setting for this fun-loving, beachy retreat. What makes this place so unique is the juxtoposition of incredibly beautiful nature with the charming sophistication of the French culture. It draws an upscale international crowd who is looking to have some major fun, as are we! This isn’t going to be a traditional yoga retreat as the intention is to let go and enjoy all that the area has to offer including exceptional restaurants, beach clubs, an incredible experience of St. Tropez by boat, shopping at chic boutiques, a countryside jaunt to a charming provencal town, a picnic in a new winery (oh yes, rosé please!), aperitivos in the port and of course a game or two of pétanque. I know we will make beautiful memories together as these groups always do when we arrive with an intention to let go , connect with others and enjoy life.

HOTEL

We will be staying at the chic 4 star boutique Hotel des Lices. Situated truly in the very center of St. Tropez, you will be within walking minutes to the boutiques, the port, and best restaurants in town. We will be taking the hotel’s Villa Paloma next door to the hotel as well as additional rooms at the hotel itself. The villa will be used as a place for us to practice yoga, relax in privacy or socialize. Champagne on the terrace? Yes!! We will have breakfast at the main hotel every morning and have full access to the main pool and bar as well.

YOGA

This retreat will feature daily yoga classes led by certified yoga instructor, Michelle Lee.  Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and will be led in both an Ashtanga-inspired general vinyasa flow and Yin Yoga.  We will begin each day at 8am with a yoga class to bring intention and an uplifted energy for the day ahead.

ABOUT YOUR RETREAT LEADER

After leading a successful 13-year career in the corporate world, Michelle transitioned her career into a soul coach, retreat organizer & leader, and internationally certified yoga instructor in Florence Italy - following her passions and sharing this with others around the globe. She holds an MBA in Finance from USC, an MA in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica, and became a certified Ashtanga yoga instructor in Florence, Italy. She now currently lives in Santa Monica, CA working in the corporate world, coaching entrepreneurs, and leading yoga retreats in places that inspire the soul.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

Included in the Retreat:

• 6 nights at Hotel des Lices in downtown St. Tropez

• Daily Breakfast

• Dinner every night including select wine and alcoholic beverages

• Daily Morning Yoga Class

• Boat Day around the cape of St. Tropez

• 50 minute massage at the Clarins Spa + lunch on the rooftop of the Hotel de Paris

• 2 Beach Days including beds at Bagatelle Beach Club & Bouillabaisse Beach

• Wine tasting & picnic at a local biodynamic winery

• Visit to the town of Gassin

• Transportation on all group day trips

* airfare not included

PRICING - 

• 6 nights/7 days luxury room accommodations 

• Please inquire for pricing

• Deposit to hold space = $950

• Final balance due 30 days before retreat start date.

• Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions

Luxury Yoga & Astrology Retreat:  Comporta, Portugal

June 23 - 28, 2024

OVERVIEW

We really can’t think of a better way to kick off the warm summer months than to spend it in the bohemian chic beach area of Comporta Portugal. Just 1 hour south of Lisbon, it is easily accessible yet when we arrive we will relax into the peace and nature of the area. This retreat is meant to offer a true escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. With daily yoga and astrology sessions to start off each day, it will set the tone for a soulful journey into the heart. Then we will take indulge in the beauty, cuisine, wine, and local activities of the area. Each day is designed to give you some space to enjoy what feels right for you and also offers group dinners and activities that will lend itself to a wonderful social experience. A mini trip to Lisbon on the front or back end of this retreat is highly recommended!

THE AREA

This small village in the literal Alentejo is an authentic painting. Instead of Van Gogh's infamous sunflowers, we are presented with groves, pines, dunes, and traditional houses, here silence fills our hearts, it's impossible not to feel at home. It is for this reason that personalities such as Madonna, Christian Louboutin (who seek the location for its simplicity), and Jacques Grange, among many others, choose Comporta and the regions that surround it as the location to live and relax. Dream beaches, unmissable restaurants, and hotels where we wouldn't mind living. The country's hippie-chic region, is a refuge for the rich and famous yet, still maintains a genuine side, with typical restaurants and untouched sands. More than a holiday paradise, this region, located just an hour south of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, the breathtaking and elegant Comporta, is where we will be spending a luxurious week together.

Rice farmers have been in Comporta since the beginning of time, as have the fishermen and salt makers. They have shaped the look of the landscape in this part of Portugal, dotted with cork oaks, covered with glowing red poppies and yellow carpets of wildflowers, and conserved the unique architecture - small, low-built, thatched cabanas, hooped with tightly packed grasses from the riverbanks and beams of wood from the pine forests.

The area is well looked after, not only because much of it is a highly protected nature reserve (look out for huge nesting storks and flamingoes in the river), but because it is owned and managed by the Espírito Santo, the country's leading banking group. These two factors have kept this slice of the Alentejo astonishingly preserved and pristine.

HOTEL

We will be staying at the 5 star resort Quinta da Comporta amidst the rice fields and a short bike ride to the beach. We are also a 5-10 minute drive to town, other beaches, and wineries. The location truly is the best in the area to enjoy the area without moving too much, and this retreat is all about relaxing, unwinding and enjoying the nature, cuisine, and beauty of the area. There is a pool and spa and a beautiful restaurant that will complete the experience.

Infused with a contemporary feel, the resort’s simplicity unveils elegance in every detail and invites you into a deep retreat, where wellness and tranquility play a leading role. Discover a new sense of belonging creating authentic memories at Quinta Da Comporta. From traditional architectural lines to all décor details, everything at Quinta da Comporta was thought of to be a genuine translation of the local way of living, and at the same time provide a deeper connection to the neighbouring natural reserve for a real journey inwards.

Cuisine

This is truly a highlight of the week as we will be going to the best restaurants in the area for wonderful group dinners in the evenings. Comporta has a reputation of offering excellent culinary and wine experiences and it’s a priority on this retreat! Additionally the restaurant at the hotel, Mar D’Arrozal, is one of the best in Comporta where we will dine twice throughout the week. Rising between Comporta’s rice fields that extend to the Atlantic Ocean and the resort’s own vegetable garden, Mar D’Arrozal takes shape in the form of a local barn, built using recovered wood beams that trace back over a hundred years. Here, Comporta’s gastronomical culture is represented in signature dishes, rich in diversity, flavour and local heritage, served in an elegant yet relaxed environment.

activities

Although each morning will start with yoga and breakfast followed by astrology class with Donna, we have some special excursions planned that center around the best offerings of Comporta. The beaches are a must so an afternoon at Sublime Beach Club will kick off the week. On one of the days you will have some free time mid-afternoon to choose what feels best for you (rest, pool time, walk on beach). We will then convene in the late afternoon for a sunset horseback ride through the rice fields and on the beach, an exceptional experience for sure! Another day we will indulge in massages at the spa and enjoy the property followed by a visit to a beautiful winery and rice museum for wine tasting. We will also be going into the charming town of Comporta where there are beautiful boutiques and very cool restaurants. The idea is to offer the best activities and must-do’s of the area without it feeling too rushed. Restful, reflective, and rejoicing is the goal!!

ASTROLOGY

Donna Flood will bring a deeply personal aspect to this retreat by adding the dimension of Astrology. Donna is a Spiritual Counselor who draws on her knowledge, education and experience in health, fitness, nutrition and Astrology to intuitively guide her clients on their Spiritual journey towards reaching their optimal potential and living an overall more integrated life. She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Kinetics, a Master's Degree in Spiritual Psychology, and has spent the last 25 years studying and practicing Astrology throughout North America. Donna currently lives in Indio, California after moving from Manhattan Beach where she lived for over 20 years and originally coming from Vancouver, Canada with her husband and 3 daughters. Donna offers one-on-one astrology and personal coaching sessions along with a variety of personal growth workshops and retreats around the globe. 

"I feel it is important for us to nurture every layer of ourselves, Inner and Outer, nourishing both a healthy body and a healthy Soul." - Donna

YOGA

This retreat will feature daily yoga classes led by certified yoga instructor, Michelle Lee.  Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and will be led in both an Ashtanga-inspired general vinyasa flow and Yin Yoga.  We will begin each day at 8am with a yoga class to bring intention and an uplifted energy for the day ahead.

ABOUT YOUR RETREAT LEADER

After leading a successful 13-year career in the corporate world, Michelle transitioned her career into a soul coach, retreat organizer & leader, and internationally certified yoga instructor in Florence Italy - following her passions and sharing this with others around the globe. She holds an MBA in Finance from USC, an MA in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica, and became a certified Ashtanga yoga instructor in Florence, Italy. She now currently lives in Santa Monica, CA working in the corporate world, coaching entrepreneurs, and leading yoga retreats in places that inspire the soul.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

Included in the Retreat:

• 5 nights at a luxury 5 star hotel

• Daily Breakfast

• Daily Dinner at the hotel or hand-picked special restaurants including select wine and alcoholic beverages

• Daily Morning Yoga Class

• Daily Astrology Class - personalized to your chart

• 50 minute massage at the hotel’s Oryza Spa

• Beach Day including beds at Sublime Beach Club

• Sunset horseback riding on the beach, dunes and rice fields

• Local winery tour, tasting and tour of the rice museum

• Shopping in the charming town of Comporta

• Farewell Tasting Menu Dinner 

• Transportation on all group day trips

* airfare not included

PRICING - 

• 5 nights/6 days luxury room accommodations 

• Inclusive Retreat Price, Shared Room = $4,600 (Single Room is a $1600 supplement)

• Deposit to hold space = $950

• Final balance due 30 days before retreat start date.

• Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions

PUGLIA, ITALY - SEPT 1-7, 2019
Sold Out

MOVE+MANIFEST [LUXURY] - Join us on our annual retreat to Italy's "it list" region of Puglia on our NEW itinerary! Spend a week amongst fertile red earth, gnarled olives, turquoise seas, beautiful trulli and some of Italy's best cuisine!

OVERVIEW

VILLA

Our home for the week will be at the fabulous new ultra-chic boutique hotel Ottolire:

Deep in the heart of Puglia’s rolling, romantic Valle d’Itria, the conical whitewashed buildings of the famous trulli houses pierce the velvety blue sky. Hewn from the dry stone of the valley and topped with a handmade pinnacle – a signature from the stonemason – these former farm dwellings have become fashionable places to stay for travellers seeking quirky lodgings in the sun-beaten south. The once-derelict trulli houses of Ottoleri Resort captured the attention of a local couple in 1973, and after a family affair of painstaking reconstruction, their children have transformed the settlement into a tranquil resort. 

Made of smooth, honeyed stone, the trulli and cummerse now enjoy a new lease of life as a fleet of suites, with modern furniture and luxury touches. Sleep under the grand arches of the ancient buildings, wake to a Bacchanalian-style breakfast of Italian cakes and pastries, slip into the cool waters of the swimming pool and inhale the scent of summer in the Valle d’Itria. There’s a restaurant where you can sample traditional Apulian cuisine and bikes to hire for exploring the local area. —SecretEscapes

Located in the Valle d’atria, which is one of the prettiest areas of Puglia, (the sun-splashed heel of the Italian boot), this villa is surrounded by olive groves, ancient fortified farms and whitewashed towns spilling down the rolling hills towards vineyards and orchards. Outside are terraces encircled by chestnut and olive trees, a pool that’s large enough for laps, and an organic garden where fruit and vegetables are grown for the restaurant. It’s a stylish slice of rural Italian life, a place to savor simple delights: dappled sunlight on your skin, a poolside siesta in the shade of a prickly-pear tree, a glass of local wine at sunset, and the chatter of birds from the hotel’s surrounding estate.

SURROUNDING AREA

Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will take a tour through Pulgia's famous "Trulli," white, cone-shaped houses in the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO heritage site where the main concentration of these trulli still stand. We'll enjoy a walk around town and a meal at an award-winning restaurant with a tasting menu + wine pairing. Next we have a relaxed day at one of the region’s blue beaches - we will explore the amazing coastal areas at a private beach club, visit a unique cheese farm and have a tasting in the area before heading back to the hotel. One day will include a winery visit with a tour and tasting, and yet another day with a visit to one of the area’s most picturesque towns with plenty of photo-worthy vistas and blue waters, followed by an amazing unique meal in a "grotto" overlooking the cliffs by the sea in Polignano al Mare. We will round out the week with massage treatments and plenty of time to relax at our home-away-from-home with it’s beautiful pool, walking trails, and more.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast and dinner daily, as well as selected lunches. We've carefully chosen delicious and fresh meals from renowned restaurants and chefs, which will give guests an expansive experience of the cuisine. Our dinners will include a few multi-course tasting menus, as well as tastings throughout the week which could include regional specialities such as wine, cheese, and olive oil. While on-site, we'll dine in the restaurant which offers a modern take on the local food, based on traditional cooking methods and full creativity of the chef. A cooking class is in store for us as well as a meal in the world-famous Grotta, which is said to be one of the most beautiful restaurant settings in the world.

YOGA

MOVE+MANIFEST retreats will feature daily yoga classes and life workshops. Yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice. Depending on each retreat location, classes will be held in a dedicated indoor yoga space and some also offer outdoor options as well for us to use if the weather is agreeable. Yoga lessons will begin the mornings and, in this theme of retreat, will be the assistant to help guests feel prepared and open to explore deeper in the focus of the life-coaching workshops.

After leading a successful 13-year career in the corporate world, Michelle transitioned her career into a life & financial consultant, retreat organizer & leader, and internationally certified yoga instructor, following her passions and sharing this with others around the globe. She now leads EPM retreats which, besides yoga, adds workshops for life development, manifesting your dreams, and vision board creation. She holds an MBA in Finance from USC, an MA in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica, and became a certified Ashtanga yoga instructor in Florence, Italy. She lives part of the year in Florence, part in Los Angeles, and part wherever her heart takes her.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

DETAILS / PRICING

• 7 days / 6 nights (Sept 1-7, 2019)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $2,995 (shared room*), +$450 (single room supplement)

• Deposit to hold space = $950

• Max # Guests = 12

* Many of our guests come alone and we match up based on guest profile
** Final balance due 45 days before retreat start date.
Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*:

• Hotel accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)

• Daily Breakfast and Dinner

• Selected Lunches

• Airport Transfers on retreat start/end days

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily meditation and yoga classes

• Use of hotel amenities (pool, relax rooms, etc.)

• Tasting menu dinner + wine pairings

• Cheese farm visit with tour + tasting

• Winery visit, tour, tasting

• Day in Alberobello, trulli, walking tour, freetime

• Beach day, entrance to private beach club

• Day in coastal town of Polignano al Mare

• Meal at famous ‘grotta’ restuarant

• Spa treatment

• Taxes

* airfare not included
** all meals are vegetarian. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated

DAY TRIPS:

• Alberobello - UNESCO site of the famous Pulgia "Trulli"

• Visit to coastal town of Polignano al Mare with meal in upscale "Grotto" restaurant

• Winery visit with tasting and lunch

• Beach day

• Cheese farm visit + tour + tasting

• Spa treatment

TRAVEL:

• Located in the heart of Valle d'Itria in the territory of central Puglia, Ottolire Resort is just outside of the picturesque town of Locorotondo

• The hotel is about 65 km from Brindisi Papola Casale airport and about 80 km from Bari Palese airport.

• AIRPORTS: Brindisi Salento Airport (BDS), Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI)

• Airport transfers to the Masseria will be provided to and from the retreat on start and end dates

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Bathing suit (on-site pool, beach day)

• Yoga clothes

• Personal yoga props (blocks, straps, etc.)

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Comfortable walking shoes