Our admin + guest coordinator, Sarah Roseberry, is not just an employee; she’s also a client, and she wrote a bit about what motivates her to take our retreats, now almost 8 years after discovering us!
SOULFUL SNAPSHOTS / LIZ + RENE - CALIFORNIA, USA
75 RETREATS + ENDLESS GRATITUDE
TRAVELER TESTIMONY / GOING TO FRANCE SOLO
TRAVELER TESTIMONY / EUGENIA - GEORGIA, USA
TRAVELER TESTIMONY / LEIGH-ANN - OHIO, USA
2014 : WHAT A YEAR / PART 1
I know we're not quite all the way through this year, and as we're still looking forward to the holiday season and to our final retreat of 2014 to ring in the New Year in Iceland under the Northern Lights I thought it's a good time to stop and reflect on the amazing year it's been thus far.
This year we began the season in Marrakesh, Morocco at our amazing location of Peacock Pavilions - a "do good boutique hotel" in an olive grove outside the city. There were two amazing weeks there, one classic itinerary and one luxury retreat, filled with great guests as always. We also had two more weeks in Marrakesh this past September and began the "
" retreat initiative, where we were able to donate over $800 to the
non-profit group that we've been working with at Peacock Pavilions. It was wonderful to be able to see the group of girls from the village again, and in September we also got to work with their mothers as well and see the difference that this project is making in their lives.
There are 3 Marrakesh retreats in 2015. Join us for a magical week and also to know you're giving back to an worth while cause!
(click on the links for details)
:: Luxury Retreat
:: FORM+FOCUS Yoga/Art Retreat (only a few spots left!)
:: Classic Retreat
In May we headed to Provence, France for our second visit to the beautiful Cote d'Azur and enjoyed yoga, a visit to the islands of the southern French coast, wine-tastings, and
joie de vivre
! The very next week was spent with our premier week in Dubrovnik, Croatia and it was a week that exceeded everyone's expectations...bike rides through the wine country, secluded beaches with crystal clear water, yoga in the lush gardens, and the warm hospitality of the Croatian people.
We are returning to France and Croatia early summer 2015 and would love to have you join us!
(click on the links for details)
:: Dubrovnik, Croatia (only 1 room left!)
:: Provence, France (SOLD OUT)
These retreats were a great kick-off to the summer and fall that lay ahead...Stay tuned for part 2 where we'll update on how the summer and fall in Italy, Iceland, and Morocco went!
TRAVELER TESTIMONY / SUNNY SOJOURNER / SUSANNA - MARYLAND
We are so excited to introduce you to another one of our EAT.PRAY.MOVE repeat guests, Susanna! She is from Maryland, USA, and she has now joined us for FOUR different retreats (to Tuscany, Ischia, Marrakesh and Provence). We caught up with her and asked about her experiences. While she has loved every retreat, she says Tuscany really stuck out for her as a special trip.
Susanna has added such fun and laughter to each group and connects with guests with her inspiring personal stories. She clearly has a heart that is full of joy and adventure!
What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?
I was doing some research on different yoga retreats and most of them were the same, just on a different Carribean Island. Then I came across the EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreat in Tuscany. I thought it was really orginal and somewhere I've alway dreamed of visiting. I signed up right away and have been on 4 different retreats so far! I can't wait to sign up for my next one!
A beautiful view in Tuscany
How did the trip compare to your expectations?
The trip exceeded all my expectations. We stayed in a breathtaking villa in Tuscany, Italy. All the activities and sightseeing tours were already planned, so there was no stress of where to go and what to do. I got to meet the most amazing women from all over the world and different walks of life.
What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?
I learned how much I really love to travel and learn about different cultures and people. I was really surprised at how much you can learn and have in common with women of all ages and different backgrounds.
Yoga fun at Castello Aragonese in Ischia
What was it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?
Erin was an amazing guide! She did all the research and found the best places to eat, what's important and interesting to see, and she found the perfect balance of sightseeing, shopping and relaxation. The most important thing for Erin is that everybody is enjoying themselves. She puts her whole heart into planning these retreats, and you can feel that every day that you're there with her. Not to mention the fact that she's a fantastic yoga instructor!
What was the best part of your trip?
The best part of the trips were the people that I met and the friendships that I've built while experiencing the most beautiful places in the world.
Overlooking beautiful Italian waters
What lasting impressions did you have? What stayed with you once you traveled home?
There isn't a week that goes by that I don't think of an experience or a person from one of the retreats. Those moments will be with me forever, and they are priceless. Taking these amazing adventures has made me change my perspective on what's important in life and what's just not worth stressing about. I can't say enough great things about EAT.PRAY.MOVE and Erin Lewis.
Susanna, we are so grateful for your thoughts and time. It's travelers like you that keep us inspired to create and to give great experiences. Thank you for being a part of the EAT.PRAY.MOVE family, and we can't wait to see you on another retreat!
TRAVELER TESTIMONY / INSPIRING SPIRIT / BONNIE - PENNSYLVANIA
Welcome to another edition of our series, "
" where we have the pleasure of introducing some of the amazing people that have joined us on EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreats. This month's spotlight is on an inspiring guest who has been on many retreats at all of our locations to date...but today her Q and A is focusing on her experience in Provence, France (where our next
will be held)!
Bonnie lives in Pennsylvania but is definitely a world citizen and always brings a great sprit to the groups. I had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie on a humanitarian trip to Cuba many years ago and from the start of EPM, she's been someone I can count on seeing every year. In her 60s, not only does she keep up with all the activities in the week, she also brings inspiration to others who've met her - with her resolve to see the world, meet other people, experience cultures, get out of her comfort-zone, and never stop exploring! Also, if you happen to be on a retreat that falls just after a breast-cancer awareness 'Race for the Cure' - you may just find that she's dyed her hair one of many shades of pink to show her support!
Bonnie illuminating her henna hands in Morocco
What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?
As a single, retired woman with a strong desire to travel, I realized that there weren't many options available to travel with like-minded individuals. When a mutual friend mentioned that Erin had started EPM, I jumped right on it. The first trip that was available for me was to Marrakesh and there was no way to say no to that. I enjoyed it so much that each time a new location is offered, I sign up before it gets filled up. The last 'new' location was Provence, and since I had spent no time in that area I was roaring to go.
Bonnie showing LOVE on a retreat in Ischia
How did your trip compare to your expectations?
The venue and the fellow travelers always change, so no trip is ever the same. Since Provence was my 4th Retreat, I pretty much knew the mechanics of the trip, and what the general schedule would be like. As it turned out, the details where better than I expected, although each retreat always is better than expected!
What did you learn on your trip?
What was confirmed for me on that trip was that the "universe" which supplied all my fellow travelers was one that matched my interests and suited my travel style.
with some of the group in Tuscany
What is it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?
Erin is a wonderful guide! I recently came back from a retreat in India, and kept thinking that if Erin had led it, things would have been better and easier. Our guide had never stayed at any of the 4 places we used. Erin always scouts out the places before she selects them, and her standards are quite high. Erin treats all of us with patience and tolerance, a really necessary talent for a guide. She also gives us the freedom to choose whether we want to go along with the daily program or arrange our own side trips. And if we feel like sleeping in, missing a few yoga class. whatever, that's fine, too.
enjoying an espresso in Italy
What was your favorite part of the retreat?
It's always difficult for me to pick out the best of anything. I'm very lucky in that there's almost nothing I don't enjoy. But if I'm forced to pick out the most exceptional event in Provence, it was going to the Thermal Spa. After an incredible massage and delicious outdoor lunch, I sat in my bathing suit near one of the many outdoor pools and enjoyed watching the ocean, conversations with my friends, and sketching.
Bonnie in Provence with pink hair for breast-cancer awareness!
What impacted you and stayed with you once you traveled home?
I had always heard about the beauty of Provence, but had no idea what that really meant. After staying in a beautiful 17th century Provincial "demure" with beautiful gardens and surrounded by fields as well as forest, I learned that It is the natural beauty of the area which is so sensational. Charming villages were everywhere we drove. What is reinforced each time I travel with EPM is how grateful I am to have such a wonderful group to travel with. The experience always adds beauty and grace to my life.
Thank you, Bonnie for your words, continued support, and friendship! You're an inspiration and I hope many more guests on future retreats have the opportunity to meet you.