RetreaTours

RetreaTours We make world travel easy, safe, and affordable! Lauren & BJ design and lead small-group Around the World tours, wildlife safaris & Buddhist pilgrimages.

See some of our free travel resources at https://linktr.ee/RetreaTours

25/01/2025

What a magical time we shared in Amritsa, from the Sikh spiritual hub at the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) to the border closing ceremony between India & Pakistan at Wagah. We visited a farm and volunteered in the community, and we loved all the Punjabi food along the way. Thank you to our guide Jassi and all the people of Amritsar! (Please click to the video to see the entire uncropped version)

22/01/2025

Our Essential India 2025 trip has begun! Over the next 2 weeks we'll visit Amritsar, Mahabalipuram, Varanasi, Agra, and even the great Kumbh Mela festival! Yesterday, though, we took some time to poke around New Delhi and enjoy some of its more green sites, like the Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, and Humayun's Tomb.

Join us on our June 30-July 13, 2025 Pilgrimage to Mongolia with Tricycle: The Buddhist Review 🙏 Travel with like-minded...
21/01/2025

Join us on our June 30-July 13, 2025 Pilgrimage to Mongolia with Tricycle: The Buddhist Review 🙏

Travel with like-minded folks to the Land of the Eternal Blue Sky to witness the resurgence of Buddhism first hand—AND we’ll see the iconic National Naadam games!

Details at https://www.retreatours.com/mongolia2025/ *Registration ends January 31!*

14/12/2024

We had the good fortune to visit the tomb of St Nicholas on the southern coast of Turkey, the man said to have inspired the idea of Santa Claus!

St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop, was born in southern Turkey, and was renowned for his generosity, miracles, and dedication to helping the poor and vulnerable. His acts of kindness, like secretly delivering gold coins to a struggling family to save them from ruin, earned him a reputation as a protector of the downtrodden and a patron of children and sailors.

The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre was built in his honor and is believed to house his original tomb. The church, dating back to the 6th century, features stunning Byzantine architecture, with detailed mosaics and frescoes that give visitors a glimpse into its glorious past.

St. Nicholas was canonized as a saint due to the numerous miracles attributed to him during and after his lifetime. Stories of him calming stormy seas, saving wrongfully accused prisoners, and even resurrecting children spread throughout the Christian world. His popularity grew rapidly, and his feast day, December 6, became a major celebration in many countries.

Today, the Church of St. Nicholas is not only a sacred site but also an archaeological treasure. Excavations have uncovered layers of history, revealing how the church evolved over centuries. Visitors can walk among its ruins, admire its ancient artistry, and feel the echoes of a story that has transcended generations. Whether you come for the history, the faith, or the legends, St. Nicholas’s tomb is a place where the past comes alive in the heart of Türkiye!

Our latest newsletter is here! See our new tour announcements (Tanzania! Kenya! AROUND THE WORLD!) and learn about drivi...
14/12/2024

Our latest newsletter is here! See our new tour announcements (Tanzania! Kenya! AROUND THE WORLD!) and learn about driving rats, international phone plans, and the church of the real St Nick over at http://mailchi.mp/retreatours/december2024

Join us on a small-group journey to visit some of the Natural Wonders of South America, including Iguazu Falls and Patag...
20/11/2024

Join us on a small-group journey to visit some of the Natural Wonders of South America, including Iguazu Falls and Patagonia! We have two journeys in early 2026 and spaces are going fast–please see the trip link in the first comment below.

TWO spaces just opened up for our June 2025 "Living Ladakh" journey to the Himalayas! Link in the first comment below.
20/11/2024

TWO spaces just opened up for our June 2025 "Living Ladakh" journey to the Himalayas! Link in the first comment below.

09/11/2024
Our latest newsletter, hot off the digital presses! mailchi.mp/retreatours/november2024
29/10/2024

Our latest newsletter, hot off the digital presses! mailchi.mp/retreatours/november2024

29/10/2024

Wednesday is Kukur Tihar! 🐕 In Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a holiday devoted to honoring dogs for their loyalty & guardianship. Nepalis decorate their dogs with flower garlands, place a red tika mark on their foreheads as a symbol of blessing and protection, and offer them special treats. If they're lucky, local street dogs will also get some love! This tradition is a meaningful part of the 5-day Hindu festival of Tihar.

Enjoy some scenes from 2021 Kukur Tihar in the Kathmandu Valley!

There are covered bowls all over the town of Side, Türkiye, encouraging people to leave food & water for the street dogs...
26/10/2024

There are covered bowls all over the town of Side, Türkiye, encouraging people to leave food & water for the street dogs and cats.

Side, Türkiye is simply loaded with Roman ruins everywhere you look!
26/10/2024

Side, Türkiye is simply loaded with Roman ruins everywhere you look!

25/10/2024

New city, new sunset views 🧡❤️🩷💛💜

24/10/2024

It’s our last night in Kaş, Türkiye and I’ll miss these beach friends I’ve made 💔 I’m sure there are lots more friends awaiting me in the next town!

Six years ago today we were exploring Lake Bogoria in Kenya, where I took some of my favorite flamingo photos of all tim...
22/10/2024

Six years ago today we were exploring Lake Bogoria in Kenya, where I took some of my favorite flamingo photos of all time!

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What a magical time we shared in Amritsa, from the Sikh spiritual hub at the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) to the border closing ceremony between India & Pakistan at Wagah. We visited a farm and volunteered in the community, and we loved all the Punjabi food along the way. Thank you to our guide Jassi and all the people of Amritsar! #EssentialIndia2025 (Please click to the video to see the entire uncropped version)

Our Essential India 2025 trip has begun! Over the next 2 weeks we'll visit Amritsar, Mahabalipuram, Varanasi, Agra, and even the great Kumbh Mela festival! Yesterday, though, we took some time to poke around New Delhi and enjoy some of its more green sites, like the Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, and Humayun's Tomb.

We had the good fortune to visit the tomb of St Nicholas on the southern coast of Turkey, the man said to have inspired the idea of Santa Claus! St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop, was born in southern Turkey, and was renowned for his generosity, miracles, and dedication to helping the poor and vulnerable. His acts of kindness, like secretly delivering gold coins to a struggling family to save them from ruin, earned him a reputation as a protector of the downtrodden and a patron of children and sailors. The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre was built in his honor and is believed to house his original tomb. The church, dating back to the 6th century, features stunning Byzantine architecture, with detailed mosaics and frescoes that give visitors a glimpse into its glorious past. St. Nicholas was canonized as a saint due to the numerous miracles attributed to him during and after his lifetime. Stories of him calming stormy seas, saving wrongfully accused prisoners, and even resurrecting children spread throughout the Christian world. His popularity grew rapidly, and his feast day, December 6, became a major celebration in many countries. Today, the Church of St. Nicholas is not only a sacred site but also an archaeological treasure. Excavations have uncovered layers of history, revealing how the church evolved over centuries. Visitors can walk among its ruins, admire its ancient artistry, and feel the echoes of a story that has transcended generations. Whether you come for the history, the faith, or the legends, St. Nicholas’s tomb is a place where the past comes alive in the heart of Türkiye!

Wednesday is Kukur Tihar! 🐕 In Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a holiday devoted to honoring dogs for their loyalty & guardianship. Nepalis decorate their dogs with flower garlands, place a red tika mark on their foreheads as a symbol of blessing and protection, and offer them special treats. If they're lucky, local street dogs will also get some love! This tradition is a meaningful part of the 5-day Hindu festival of Tihar. Enjoy some scenes from 2021 Kukur Tihar in the Kathmandu Valley!

Wednesday is Kukur Tihar! 🐕 In Nepal, Kukur Tihar is a holiday devoted to honoring dogs for their loyalty & guardianship. Nepalis decorate their dogs with flower garlands, place a red tika mark on their foreheads as a symbol of blessing and protection, and offer them special treats. If they're lucky, local street dogs will also get some love! This tradition is a meaningful part of the 5-day Hindu festival of Tihar. Enjoy some scenes from 2021 Kukur Tihar in the Kathmandu Valley!

New city, new sunset views 🧡❤️🩷💛💜

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World Travel Made Easy

We specialize in affordable and authentic small-group Around the World journeys, in addition to cultural, meditation, & Buddhist groups around the globe. We like to think that we provide “tours for people who don’t like tours!” Each group trip considers the needs and interests of the individual guests and is handcrafted to deliver the best experience possible.

We are a small, family-owned business with a clear mission: to create itineraries that are authentic, accessible, and affecting. We have lived on the road for 6 years (since January 2013), personally designing the details of each of our custom itineraries. We craft each trip to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number, including our guests, our partners, and the local community.

Keep it Real

Authenticity is crucial to our itineraries. Authenticity informs everything from our choice of cities, hotels, restaurants to the timing of tours to coincide with local festivals when possible. Your time, effort, and interest are precious resources and should be honored with a true experience.