OVERVIEW

FORM & FOCUS - Wellness + Creativity Retreat

After many requests, we’ve finally added the UK back onto the schedule - this time at a brand new location for us - beautiful BATH & the COTSWOLDS in Somerset, England. Made famous by many literary and films through the year from Jane Austen to Bridgerton, Bath is a UNESCO heritage site and a stones throw from some of England’s most picturesque rolling countryside hills. Popular from pre-Roman times because of the plentiful natural thermal springs, history abounds here from the ancient Roman baths, to the Abbey, the river Avon, and Pulteney Bridge.

Bath is best described as ' An Intimate London' because of its ability to combine Old World heritage with New World living, it has all that a large city has to offer but is perfectly placed to ensure that everything is fully accessible by foot, eliminating the stress of transportation. Bath today is the only remaining “truly quintessential” city in the UK. 

We will be based in Bath’s most prestigious address at the Royal Crescent Hotel as the perfect base to explore the city and also close for our day trips outside to the ancient Stonehenge site as well as an award-winning winery, stops at some of the picturesque Cotswolds villages and English garden visits. In town and throughout the week we’ll enjoy a walking tour, see the sites, take a scenic boat ride, savor a luxurious high tea, relax during a spa day, and be inspired with the beauty - which we can record in our travel journals.

Yoga and meditation classes with EPM founder, Erin Lewis, will be held daily to prepare our bodies and minds, and then our travel journal creation classes, led by collaborator Julian Hyzler, will help us find news ways of seeing. Both yoga and art work together to find focus in the many layers of beauty and history which abound in this part of the world. Like countless famous artists and literary minds who flocked to this part of the UK in years past, we’ll draw upon the light, color, and nature to get our creative juices flowing. *NO PREVIOUS ART OR YOGA BACKGROUND REQUIRED. All levels are welcome, and participation is voluntary. Projects and classes will be offered as a completely exploratory, unintimidating and personal experience.

ACCOMMODATION

Our retreat will take place at Bath’s most prestigious hotel - The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a five-star retreat nestled in the historic city of Bath. As you step inside, you'll discover a hotel that goes beyond providing just a place to stay. Set around an acre of beautiful gardens, our iconic sanctuary offers a tranquil escape in the heart of the city. The beautifully appointed bedrooms and suites feature unique designs with many offering spectacular views and the sprawling garden, onsite restaurant, and spa will leave you feeling as if you’ve retreated to the English countryside even with the city just outside the doors. With a prestigious history, boasting more than 250 years of charm and grandeur, we are one of the few landmark buildings in the world where you can actually spend the night.

“With its Roman history and sweeping Georgian crescents, Bath is a true English gem. Few can resist her Palladian architecture and buttermilk limestone: even UNESCO World Heritage gave into her classical charm (the only British city to warrant this stamp). Bath’s Roman history endures in the remarkably preserved baths and temples which were built around the hot springs of Aquae Sulis back in 70AD. The quintessentially English city – perfectly proportioned and tastefully weathered – is a perennial location for bonnets and horse drawn carriages, most recently for the Netflix hit, Bridgerton. “— House & Garden

ACTIVITIES

Not only will we take advantage of the amenities and beauty of our hotel and their gardens, bathhouse, and grounds, but we’ll enjoy some very special cultural activities in the area during the week. Our program consists of a guided walking tour through Bath to be introduced to all the historic and modern culture that this city has to offer. We will enjoy a day in the Cotwolds countryside getting to visit and esteemed country manor and a high tea, stops at some of the most picturesque English villages, and a visit to one of England’s award-winning wineries for a tour and tasting.

Then a highlight of the week will be a private access tour at sunrise to visit the ancient Stonehenge. We will hold a mediation in this energetic vortex and get to experience this site in a unique way. Following Stonehenge we’ll continue on to the lesser known but larger area of Avebury where we’ll explore the incredible Neolithic monuments here, before enjoying a lunch in the countryside. A ride on a boat in the River Avon which cuts through Bath will be a part of our tour with a lovely relaxing aperitif before dinner in this unique way to see the city and nature. Our week will also include a special evening access visit to the famous Roman Baths as a beautiful way to experience this incredibly historic site - one of Bath’s most important. And speaking of the thermal waters of Bath - we will of course get to indulge in some spa treatments in the week and access to the hotel’s exclusive bathhouse with warm pools, sauna and steam room to better take on the healing waters.

CUISINE

Healthful, local food is part of the retreat experience. After a welcome cocktail reception, we will be indulging in a variety of fare during our luxurious week - from award-winning kitchens in Bath, the gourmet tasting menu at the hotel’s restaurant, and gastropubs, to private access dining rooms, to a high tea at a gorgeous English manor house in the countryside, a visit to the oldest house in Bath for a taste of their famous buns, a winery and cheese experience with tastings, and a stop at a garden for breakfast. Our program includes daily breakfast, and most lunches and dinners (there are a couple occasions where meals are during freetime for guests so they can arrange as they prefer).

*Provided meals are vegetarian with a couple of them having a pescatarian option, although daily breakfast is an open menu for all guests to enjoy whatever they choose on the menu. Plus a few selected meals, guests will be on their own to dine as they wish. Thus allowing all diet preferences to be accommodated. Special allergy and dietary restrictions can also be noted and taken care of.

WELLNESS

Daily practices will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in the mindfulness nature of the trip. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and vinyasa flow. Plus meditations such as yoga nidra, guided meditation and/or walking meditation will be offered. 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.

Connection - the true meaning of yoga - is our intention for each retreat. Connection with a new culture, other people, and yourself. The movement we do on our mat is just one small part of the full practice of yoga; and we see the entire experience as a practice - being mindful of our senses, using travel as a tool to be in the present moment, even the creativity journaling we do on this specific retreat is just used as a mindfulness tool. We ask that guests come ready with an open mind and sense of adventure.

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

WHAT PAST GUESTS ARE SAYING

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 days / 5 nights (Aug 11-16, 2025)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $3595 (shared room*), + single supplements and various upgrades available during sign up

EARLY BIRD PROMO: SAVE $200 UNTIL SEPT 30, 2024

• Deposit to hold space = $1500

• Max # Guests = 14
  * Guests traveling alone can choose the shared deluxe room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
  ** 50% of final balance due 120 days before retreat start date, and remaining 50% due 60 days before retreat start date.
  Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*:

• Luxury Hotel accommodation

• Access to Hotel gardens and exclusive bath house & spa

• Daily Yoga classes

• Daily Creativity and travel-journal classes

• Daily breakfast

• Welcome reception

• Dinners at restaurants in town and at hotel

• Various lunches on daytrips

• Winery visit with tour and tasting

• Luxury high tea in English countryside manor

• Daytrip to Cotwolds villages

• Visit to Manor and gardens

• Daytrip to Stonehenge with exclusive early access

• Meditation at Stonehenge at sunrise

• Visit to Avebury Neolithic site

• Boat ride on River Avon with drinks

• Access to Bath’s ancient Roman Baths

• Spa Day + Treatment

• Group airport transfers

• Taxes

* airfare not included

*tentative schedule, activities may be substituted based on weather and seasonability. All activities are carefully chosen based on the best experience for the guests.

LOCATION / TRAVEL:

• Hotel is located in the heart of Bath, Somerset

• Nearest international airport: Bristol Airport (BRS). About 40 min from the hotel

• One group transfer will be offered at 2:00pm on arrival day from Bristol airport to the hotel, and one return transfer at 10:00am on departure day.

• Next closest airport: London Heathrow (LHR). This is also an option and is about 1hr50 from the hotel. No group transfers are provided from this location, but we can offer guidance to options of arrival from here.

• For guests arriving outside of the group transfer or from another location other than Bristol Airport, we can offer guidance to the best way of arrival by train, bus, or private car.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

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

• * YOGA MATS AND ART SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED *

• Bathing suit

• Yoga clothes

• Smart phone with camera and/or digital camera

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Light layered clothing, sun hat