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Explore and Expand Retreats Curated bucket-list retreat experiences designed to delight + challenge intrepid travelers. We are not your average yoga retreat!

Want to know why Oaxaca’s is getting all the buzz as one of the must-travel destinations in 2025? Join us for a curated ...
03/02/2025

Want to know why Oaxaca’s is getting all the buzz as one of the must-travel destinations in 2025? Join us for a curated small group travel experience and find out! We love Oaxaca for it’s vibrant art, rich customs and traditions, and of course, because Oaxaca is one of the best food and drink destinations on the planet! We have handpicked and carefully curated the best of the best experiences for YOU: culture, cuisine, history, nature elements, and of course, movement and meditation…all this with attention paid to our environmental and social impacts on this beautiful land and her people.


Oaxaca: A Cultural Tapestry Woven in Tradition ✨Oaxaca isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. A living, breathing celebr...
31/01/2025

Oaxaca: A Cultural Tapestry Woven in Tradition ✨

Oaxaca isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. A living, breathing celebration of heritage, artistry, and deep ancestral wisdom. 🌎 From the vibrant colors of handwoven Zapotec textiles to the hauntingly beautiful rhythms of traditional music, every street, market, and mezcal toast tells a story.

✨ Walk through the ancient ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla, where whispers of the past still echo.
✨ Get lost in the sights and scents of local markets, a sensory overload of spices, pottery, and local magic.
✨ Feel the energy of a temazcal ceremony, connecting you to the earth and your own transformation.

Whether you come for the art, the rituals, or the spirit of resilience in every corner, Oaxaca invites you to not just visit—but to become part of its story. 💫

📍 What’s the most culturally enriching place you’ve ever traveled to? Tell us in the comments! 👇

you consider yourself a foodie, Oaxaca City should be at the very top of your travel list. Known as the culinary heart o...
29/01/2025

you consider yourself a foodie, Oaxaca City should be at the very top of your travel list. Known as the culinary heart of Mexico, Oaxaca is a feast for the senses, where every dish tells a story of tradition, history, and regional pride. From vibrant markets bursting with local flavors to high-end restaurants reimagining ancestral recipes, Oaxaca offers an unparalleled gastronomic experience that reflects the depth and diversity of Mexican cuisine.

Why Oaxaca is THE Ultimate Food Destination:

1. Home of the Seven Moles – Oaxaca is famous for its rich, complex moles, including the iconic mole negro, a symphony of chocolate, chiles, and over 30 ingredients.

2. Unmatched Street Food Culture – Whether it’s a crispy tlayuda, a warm memela, or a triangular tetela, Oaxaca’s street food is both delicious and deeply tied to Indigenous cooking traditions.

3. The Magic of Corn & Chocolate – From hand-formed tortillas to the ancient frothy tejate drink, Oaxaca celebrates the sacred ingredients of maize and cacao like no other place.

4. The Mezcal Capital of the World – Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal, Mexico’s smoky, artisanal agave spirit, best enjoyed at a local mezcalería or straight from a family-run palenque.

5. Fresh, Local, and Sustainable – Oaxacan cuisine is rooted in farm-to-table practices, with markets overflowing with heirloom vegetables, chilies, and native herbs used in everyday cooking.

6. A Fusion of Tradition & Innovation – While street vendors carry on centuries-old recipes, Oaxaca’s top chefs, like those at Casa Oaxaca and Criollo, are reinventing classic dishes in exciting new ways.

7. An Immersive Culinary Experience – Beyond eating, you can join a cooking class, visit traditional Sunday markets like Tlacolula, or witness ancient techniques like caldo de piedra (stone soup) made before your eyes.

Simply put, Oaxaca is a place where food isn’t just sustenance—it’s culture, community, and an art form. Whether you're sipping hot chocolate with pan de yema in a mercado, indulging in a slow-cooked barbacoa taco, or raising a glass of mezcal under the stars, every bite and sip tells a story of Oaxaca’s soul.

you consider yourself a foodie, Oaxaca City should be at the very top of your travel list. Known as the culinary heart o...
29/01/2025

you consider yourself a foodie, Oaxaca City should be at the very top of your travel list. Known as the culinary heart of Mexico, Oaxaca is a feast for the senses, where every dish tells a story of tradition, history, and regional pride. From vibrant markets bursting with local flavors to high-end restaurants reimagining ancestral recipes, Oaxaca offers an unparalleled gastronomic experience that reflects the depth and diversity of Mexican cuisine.

Why Oaxaca is THE Ultimate Food Destination:

1. Home of the Seven Moles – Oaxaca is famous for its rich, complex moles, including the iconic mole negro, a symphony of chocolate, chiles, and over 30 ingredients.

2. Unmatched Street Food Culture – Whether it’s a crispy tlayuda, a warm memela, or a triangular tetela, Oaxaca’s street food is both delicious and deeply tied to Indigenous cooking traditions.

3. The Magic of Corn & Chocolate – From hand-formed tortillas to the ancient frothy tejate drink, Oaxaca celebrates the sacred ingredients of maize and cacao like no other place.

4. The Mezcal Capital of the World – Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal, Mexico’s smoky, artisanal agave spirit, best enjoyed at a local mezcalería or straight from a family-run palenque.

5. Fresh, Local, and Sustainable – Oaxacan cuisine is rooted in farm-to-table practices, with markets overflowing with heirloom vegetables, chilies, and native herbs used in everyday cooking.

6. A Fusion of Tradition & Innovation – While street vendors carry on centuries-old recipes, Oaxaca’s top chefs, like those at Casa Oaxaca and Criollo, are reinventing classic dishes in exciting new ways.

7. An Immersive Culinary Experience – Beyond eating, you can join a cooking class, visit traditional Sunday markets like Tlacolula, or witness ancient techniques like caldo de piedra (stone soup) made before your eyes.

Simply put, Oaxaca is a place where food isn’t just sustenance—it’s culture, community, and an art form. Whether you're sipping hot chocolate with pan de yema in a mercado, indulging in a slow-cooked barbacoa taco, or raising a glass of mezcal under the stars, every bite and sip tells a story of Oaxaca’s soul.

Have y'all seen the new site?Tell us what you think!
28/01/2025

Have y'all seen the new site?

Tell us what you think!

Rooting down and feeling grounded is often the key to fully experiencing life’s journey, much like travel itself. It’s a...
23/01/2025

Rooting down and feeling grounded is often the key to fully experiencing life’s journey, much like travel itself. It’s about planting your feet firmly in the present moment while still keeping an eye on the horizon, always aware of the adventures yet to come. In travel, as in life, the balance is crucial: you must be rooted in your surroundings to truly appreciate them, to feel their depth and meaning, but also gaze forward, eager for what lies ahead. The horizon represents not just distant places, but the endless possibilities that await when we allow ourselves to grow, explore, and stay open to the unknown. By grounding ourselves, we find stability—yet by looking ahead, we remind ourselves that the journey is ongoing, and there’s always more to discover. Travel, in this sense, becomes not just a physical movement, but an ever-evolving process of becoming.

We're grounded in deep appreciation for all of you and your willingness to gaze forward with us into future travel adventures!

Our July 2025 Explore & Expand Retreats trip to Oaxaca is filling up fast! This vibrant destination is stealing hearts—a...
12/12/2024

Our July 2025 Explore & Expand Retreats trip to Oaxaca is filling up fast! This vibrant destination is stealing hearts—and spots are going quickly!

If you’ve been dreaming of colorful markets, rich history, and world-renowned cuisine (hello, mole and mezcal 🍹), this is your sign to join us.

✨ Why Oaxaca? ✨
We just posted a new blog on our website diving into what makes Oaxaca the ultimate travel location for 2025. From its breathtaking landscapes to its deep cultural heritage, we’re sharing why this magical spot is perfect for exploration and personal growth.

🌍 Head to our website to read the blog now and secure your spot!

Imagine this: a journey curated with care, where every detail is designed for your comfort and joy. You’re not one of hu...
06/12/2024

Imagine this: a journey curated with care, where every detail is designed for your comfort and joy. You’re not one of hundreds crammed onto a tour bus, and you don’t have to navigate unfamiliar terrain solo. Instead, you’re part of an intimate group, sharing unique experiences while maintaining space to explore on your own. That’s the magic of small, boutique group travel—and here’s why it’s the ultimate way to explore the world:

●Personalized Experiences
Small groups mean big opportunities for tailored adventures. Whether it’s a private wine tasting at a family vineyard, a secluded yoga session overlooking the ocean, or a hike off the beaten path, boutique travel ensures your trip feels custom-made.

●Connection, Not Crowds
Large tours can feel impersonal, but with a smaller group, real connections blossom. You’ll share stories, laughter, and moments of awe with like-minded travelers while still enjoying room to breathe and reflect.

● Immersive Cultural Exploration
Smaller groups can slip into places big tours can’t—intimate bistros, hidden alleys, or artisanal markets. You’ll experience authentic local culture instead of the tourist traps, making every destination feel like a treasure discovered.

●Flexibility and Flow
Big tours run on strict schedules, but boutique travel embraces spontaneity. Want to linger over lunch in that charming piazza? Done. Prefer a sunrise hike instead of a late breakfast? Let’s make it happen.

●Sustainable and Ethical Travel
Smaller groups leave a lighter footprint, and boutique travel companies often partner with local businesses, ensuring your trip supports the community and environment you’re exploring.

●The Luxury of Feeling Cared For
With fewer travelers, your guides and hosts can truly focus on you. Need a special diet accommodated? Curious about an extra excursion? They’ve got you covered. Boutique travel isn’t just a trip—it’s an act of hospitality.

When you choose small, boutique group travel, you’re choosing a way to see the world that honors both your individuality and your desire for connection. It’s adventure elevated, exploration with intention, and travel at its finest.

Let's Explore & Expand together!

Why book with us?There are two of us. Ha! Seriously, though: when you book with us, you get a ton of support, encouragem...
22/11/2024

Why book with us?

There are two of us. Ha! Seriously, though: when you book with us, you get a ton of support, encouragement, and guidance both before and during our retreats. If one of us is temporarily unavailable, the other one of us has your back. You can count on us to take really good care of you, and even more importantly, to support you in taking great care of yourself while on retreat. Also, we’re longtime friends IRL, and we simply work really well together to serve you well.

We have a sh*t ton of training, experience, and specialized expertise. With a background in social work, Carrie has been teaching yoga since 2012, training yoga teachers since 2015, and coaching executives and leaders since 2016. With a background in leadership development, Kelly left corporate management in 2014. Since then, she has incorporated somatic bodywork, mindfulness, ceremony/ritual, and life transition coaching into her healing services. We create a strong container for you and offer practices during retreat that previous participants have described as “transformational.”

We’re fun. Seriously! Meet us and find out! One of our favorite quotes from a first-time participant: “At first, I was skeptical, but y’all are actually cool as hell.”

For more information about our company ethos, training and reasons to travel, please visit our website!

, nothing excites us more than crafting experiences that go beyond what you imagined. From the first sip of wine at a tu...
21/11/2024

, nothing excites us more than crafting experiences that go beyond what you imagined. From the first sip of wine at a tucked-away vineyard to the breathtaking views on a secret hike, we delight in those moments when your eyes light up with joy and surprise.

Our retreats are about more than travel—they're about creating unforgettable connections, exploring the unexpected, and expanding your horizons in ways that make your soul sing.

When you join us, it’s not just an itinerary—it’s a journey tailored with care, creativity, and a dash of magic. 💫 Seeing your expectations met and exceeded is the heartbeat of what we do.

Ready to be amazed? Let’s explore the world together and make your travel dreams even better than you imagined. 🌍✨



ChatGPT can make mistakes.

We realize you have many options for travel on this big, beautiful planet of ours, and we are excited when someone is co...
29/10/2024

We realize you have many options for travel on this big, beautiful planet of ours, and we are excited when someone is considering joining us for one of our bucket list adventures. So why us?

For starters, we’ve been in this game a while. We’ve been leading group retreats since 2012 and have been exploring the world long before then. We’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and believe we have found the sweet spot of painstakingly crafting locations and itineraries that will delight (and sometimes lovingly challenge!) our intrepid travelers.

We typically invest many months and sometimes years of detailed and tedious research before traveling to new locations, go there ourselves, develop relationships with individuals and vendors, before extending the invitation for you to join us. We do the “not fun” parts of travel research and planning, so you don’t have to. You simply get to say “yes!” to the retreat experiences that speak to you, and show up. We take care of the rest.

We love this work and the connections we make while doing it. Our longterm (24 years!) of friendship is: trust, support, and understanding, which allows a natural ease in how we hold space for our groups. We’re fun. Seriously! Meet us and find out! One of our favorite quotes from a first-time participant: “At first I was skeptical, but y’all are actually cool as hell.”

Check out the "Why Us?" tab of our website to learn more about our values, ethos and training, OR reach out! We'd love to meet you and chat about your travel options, share more about us, and what we bring to our .

Have you ever met a new friend while traveling? We want to hear about it! Tag them below to let your new friends know yo...
28/10/2024

Have you ever met a new friend while traveling? We want to hear about it! Tag them below to let your new friends know you're happy to know them!

We believe that the heart of every memorable journey lies in the personal connections we foster with our participants and local partners. These relationships transform ordinary trips into extraordinary experiences, enriching both our travelers and the communities we visit.

We strive to cultivate a sense of community among our participants and those we meet within a destination. When we connect with one another and share experiences, it enhances our journey and fosters lasting friendships for all. Our small group sizes facilitate this bonding, allowing for meaningful conversations and shared adventures that enrich the travel experience and life once home. ✨️

Our business is also very personal. When we travel, we're introducing friends and sharing in an activity that we hope will expand horizons and heart spaces! BIG thanks to all our travel families for trusting us to build unique itineraries in beautiful places AND BIG THANKS to all our local partners and friends who help to create the magic of local experience! 🙏

# # #

The food was amazing, and all the activities felt curated in such a special way. Everything felt like there was such a p...
27/09/2024

The food was amazing, and all the activities felt curated in such a special way. Everything felt like there was such a personal touch added in.
~Brooke, Greece retreat participant

✨ We believe that the magic of travel lies in those thoughtful touches that turn an amazing trip into a truly unforgetta...
23/09/2024

✨ We believe that the magic of travel lies in those thoughtful touches that turn an amazing trip into a truly unforgettable experience. Whether it’s a handpicked local treat waiting for you after a long day of exploring, or a surprise sunset toast to celebrate the journey, we try to make every moment special. 💫

Join us on our next adventure, where every detail is designed to create lasting memories and bring you closer to the heart of each destination. Oaxaca booking is now OPEN!!!🗺️🌺

Want to know why Oaxaca’s is getting all the buzz as one of the must-travel destinations in 2025? 🧳✈️Join us for a curat...
20/09/2024

Want to know why Oaxaca’s is getting all the buzz as one of the must-travel destinations in 2025? 🧳✈️

Join us for a curated small group travel experience and find out! We love Oaxaca for it’s vibrant art, rich customs and traditions, and of course, because Oaxaca is one of the best food and drink destinations on the planet! ✨️

We have handpicked and carefully curated the best of the best experiences for YOU: culture, cuisine, history, nature elements, and of course, movement and meditation…all this with attention paid to our environmental and social impacts on this beautiful land and her people.🌎

Booking opens to the public SOON✨️

Advance booking is open for all Explore & Expand Retreats VIPs, so if you've traveled with us before, be sure to check your email for the password to access ALL the details!

Every journey begins with a single step... and often, the twist of a doorknob or flip of a latch. 🚪✨ Whether it’s a new ...
18/09/2024

Every journey begins with a single step... and often, the twist of a doorknob or flip of a latch. 🚪✨ Whether it’s a new destination or a new chapter in life, stepping through unfamiliar doors invites adventure, growth, and discovery. 🌍🌿

Let’s explore the unknown, embrace the surprises, and celebrate the beauty of new beginnings, one door at a time. Where will your next adventure lead you?

Our Oaxaca retreat announcement and booking launched to all our VIP, previous traveler mailing list members~ if that's you, be sure to check your inbox!
All other mailing list subscribers get their link to book in a few short days, keep an eye out!

📸:
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Like the first light of dawn breaking over a new horizon, travel awakens us to parts of ourselves we've yet to discover....
17/09/2024

Like the first light of dawn breaking over a new horizon, travel awakens us to parts of ourselves we've yet to discover. It reminds us that every day holds the potential for growth, transformation, and a deeper connection to the beauty around us. 🌅

Just as the rising sun stretches across landscapes, travel expands our hearts and minds. It urges us to see beyond the familiar, to explore new places, new cultures, and most importantly, new ways of being.

May we always chase the sunrise, knowing that the journey itself is where we find our light. ✨

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