Duende Retreats (2024)

06/03/2024

This April 22-27 I will be in gorgeous Cortona, Tuscany hosting a fun group of couples at the dreamy villa where "Under the Tuscan Sun" starring Diane Lane was filmed. The villa was named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the top villas to rent in Italy. There will of course be wine tastings, e-bike rides, day trips, a cooking class and more! There are still some available rooms if any of you fine folks are interested in coming! DM me for pricing and more details! :) https://duenderetreats.com/underthetuscansunapril24

08/12/2023

We’re in the final days of 2023 and we are looking forward to 2024! We are running low on spots for our spring retreats… just a few spots left for Jesse Coulter’s Island Escape and only ONE room left for Greece in June! Don’t miss out! 🥂 Get off to a good start for 2024 and book now. Payment plans available! 🎄

22/11/2023

On the eve of this Thanksgiving, we feel wholeheartedly grateful for all the incredible people who have joined us on a retreat this year. We have benefited from the gift of getting to know each and every one of you and look forward to creating more memories with familiar and new faces in 2024. 💓🙏💓 Happy Thanksgiving to all! 🦃

24/10/2023

Re-entry: the flip side of time away that no one dares talk about. 🛬 I’ve heard it said that the Native Americans believe that our souls don’t travel at the same speed as our body. Which would explain why it might take a few days to feel like we’ve caught up with ourselves, both coming and going. But that’s just one aspect of landing back in our lives. There’s all the other whirlings, swirlings of life that come into play as well. 🌪️ It ain’t easy. But don’t let it put a damper on your getaway. And definitely don’t let it deter you from booking your next escape.
Here are a few helpful thoughts on coming home:
It’s never the same twice nor will it go how you imagine it. 😩 It’s often messy, emotional and unsettling. It’s cleaning out the rotten food from the fridge, getting caught up on laundry that isn’t yours, getting the scoop on what really happened while you were away. 🤯 It’s also, joyful, beautiful and wonderful. If you’re lucky, you will know how much you were missed. ❤️
Don’t expect to reinsert yourself seamlessly back into your routine. It’s a process. Expecting anything less is setting yourself up for a possible breakdown. Don’t be afraid to give yourself what you need: a nap, a snack, a break. ❤️
The first 24-48 hours are the toughest so be especially kind and gentle to yourself. Take your vitamins and if you get overworked, take a drive or a walk… alone! ❤️
You might have a newfound appreciation for where you live. Embrace them. Celebrate them. Share them out loud with your loved ones. ❤️
Whatever the feeling—positive or negative—try to channel it in a constructive way. Frame the photos, paint the wall, make a new recipe. Find ways to bring your experiences home with you so you can maintain some of that hard-earned inspiration and perspective you gained while you were away. ❤️
If all else fails, start planning your next escape. 😂

17/10/2023

Time and time again it’s a privilege to witness groups of educated, smart, powerful, vivacious human beings being human in this beautiful place, watching them fall fully into themselves and find their flair. Feeling so grateful to have a few more days with these ladies. 🌸

05/10/2023

Cash money is a hot question for y’all… so here’s the official and unofficial low down when exchanging money from USD to EURO ✨🌎

👍 DOs:
1️⃣ Research Exchange Rates: Stay updated on current rates to get the best value for your money.
2️⃣ Use Trusted Exchange Services: Opt for reputable banks or authorized exchange offices to avoid scams.
3️⃣ Carry a Mix of Payment Methods: Bring cash, cards, and consider a travel-friendly app for convenience. (Have a look at Revolut!)
4️⃣ Notify Your Bank: Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any card holds due to suspicious activity.
5️⃣ Keep Emergency Cash (in more than one currency!) Have a small stash of for unexpected situations.

🚫 DON'Ts:
1️⃣ Avoid Airport Exchanges: Rates at airports are usually less favorable. Exchange beforehand or in the city. (Or not at all!)
2️⃣ Be Cautious with ATMs: Use ATMs from reputable banks to avoid high fees and skimming risks. Steer clear from stand-alone ATMs at convenience stores, for example.
3️⃣ Don't Rely Solely on Cards: Italy is card-friendly, but it's good to have cash for smaller expenses like coffee or a glass of wine.
4️⃣ Don't Flash Money: Keep cash discreet and be aware of your surroundings to stay safe.
5️⃣ Don't Exchange Too Much: Over-exchanging can lead to leftover currency. Exchange what you'll use.
🌟🇮🇹💶 Buon viaggio! 💸

31/08/2023

❤️✨CALLING ALL COUPLES✨❤️ We rented Bramasole, one of the most idyllic, atmospheric villa in Italy. Located just outside the panoramic Tuscan hilltop town of Cortona which is the setting for Frances Mayes book-turned-movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun, it’s been named by Conde Naste Traveller as one of Italy’s top villas, and we’re absolutely thrilled that it’ll be our setting, backdrop and home base for the week of Oct 21-26, 2024 for the couples escape we’re hosting with Amanda Tatom and her hubs, Troy. (We are doing this retreat for a second time around—the first one in April ‘24 sold at lightning speed by word of mouth—we didn’t have the chance to publicize it!) Couples—if you’re looking for an unforgettably romantic way to celebrate and treat yourselves: this. is. it! Don’t wait to book—rooms will go fast. (Link in bio for more info.) “Life gives you a thousand chances. All you have to do is take one.” - Frances Mayes

04/08/2023

💥We are so excited to announce a new 2024 retreat!💥April 28-May 3, join us with Texan rabble-rouser, Jesse Coulter for five, gobsmackingly glorious days exploring the islands of the Amalfi Coast. With Sorrento as our base, we'll explore pastel-hued Procida, its neighboring thermal island of Ischia and, of course, glamorous Capri. This trip is Not. To. Miss. Pre-registration is key if you want to get on this trip! Link in bio. ☝️🇮🇹

10/07/2023

October’s SweeItaly with might be SOLD OUT but it’s happening again, April 14-19, 2024. 💜Come wander down fragrant, wisteria-draped arbors with us at one of Tuscany’s most glorious villas just outside charming Lucca. We will visit the famous Tuscan butcher and taste wine at a stunning castle winery. We’ll have a cooking lesson with our private chefs in the designer kitchens and Kalin will teach us a thing or two about how to make a beautiful flower arrangement. Bring yourself, your sister, your mom or bestie… just don’t miss this week! We fully expect this retreat to sell out. Book now to avoid disappointment! 💜 Link in bio. ☝️

05/07/2023

Planning on visiting Florence either pre or post retreat? Book your hotel ASAP. As of June 1st, the city of Florence banned all brief-stay airbnb rentals within the UNESCO World Heritage center of town. The knock-on effect will mean that hotels will book up even faster… but perhaps the integrity of the city will be protected and Florence will rightly remain for the Florentines. 🙌Need hotel recs? Visit our blog for a few of our favorites. Link in bio. ☝️🇮🇹

22/06/2023

I was fifteen the first time I ever stepped foot on foreign soil. My parents took us to Mexico for Easter. How different the air felt as it met my skin. Balmy and humid, the scent of tropical Mexican air was warm, soft and fragrant -- completely different from Texas' arid, dry familiar smell. Spain's Barajas airport, when I arrived at age eighteen smelled like stale cigarette smoke; smoking was still permitted in the airport in 1998. Italy smells like Italy; hard to describe and different in every season: sometimes like jet fuel and vespa exhaust mixed with the unmistakable fragrance of a cool, dark entryway to an old palazzo or like flowering jasmine, sun-warmed figs and nearby wisteria wafting in the breeze. New Zealand smells exactly like you'd think it would: clean, fresh, windblown. New Orleans like spicy jambalaya and piping hot deep-fried beignets. Marrakech: oud and donkeys passing mixed with a strong fragrance of orange blossom. Amsterdam? I'll let you guess. Almost thirty years of traveling and it's still the first thing I notice, my favorite thing when I arrive somewhere new. Smells. Such a minor nuance (some people probably don't even notice) yet so pervasive. Rudyard Kipling said, "The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it." I invite you to get to know a foreign country by nuzzling your nose in its figurative neck. You might just find it's just one more way to fall madly in love with the world, and life again. ❤️

17/06/2023

Y’all asked for it so it’s happening. 🇬🇷 Get ready to “Get Your Greece On: a Girls Getaway,” June 16-21, 2024. 🇬🇷 More details coming soon but for now we’ll just tell you: we’ve rented TWO fabulous neighboring villas which sit on their own private beach in the Peloponnese, in southern Greece. With two infinity pools, a tennis court, kayaks, bikes, canoes and paddle boards… not to mention private chefs at our disposal we probably won’t want to leave the villas. (Ever!) But there’s a fishing village within walking distance and the cosmopolitan town of Porto Heli is just a 15 minute drive away. One day we’ll head to the charming, car-free island of Spetses where Elena Ferrante’s “The Lost Daughter” starring Olivia Coleman was filmed; we’ll visit nearby ancient archeological sites, picturesque old towns and of course there will be plenty of time for lazing in the crystalline waters sipping something crisp. Meals will be al fresco, transportation often by boat (from our own private beach!) and we’ll dance. Dance dance dance. 💃🏽🤩🥰😍🇬🇷 Be sure you’re on the mailing list to be the first to know when registration opens in the coming weeks! ✨

15/06/2023

✨Exciting news! ✨We could not be more thrilled about this fast-approaching autumn retreat! 🍂 November 12-17, performer Stella Katherine Cole will join us amidst the suggestive backdrop of fall hues in the Tuscan countryside for a week of wine, jazz, art, history, culture and cuisine. Throughout the week the lovely Stella and her timeless voice will dazzle us with her lighthearted, bubbly presence and perform in cozy, intimate jazz soirées and jam sessions at our stunning private countryside villa in UNESCO World-Heritage Val d’Orcia, Tuscany. This is an incredible opportunity to get to know this phenomenal artist and be moved by her voice up close and in person with other wine, jazz and Italy-loving friends from all over the world.
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Based in New York, Stella has amassed well over half a million followers and nearly 6 million likes from posting singing videos that are beloved by a worldwide audience of all ages. Her videos have been reposted and praised by legendary musicians like Michael Buble', James Taylor and Megan Trainor. ✨Stella has performed at NYC's Dizzy's Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, 54 Below, Town Hall, Mezzrow and the Cafe Carlyle as a guest soloist with Darren Criss. She has toured the U.S. with Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox with whom she has also recently collaborated on a fabulous jazzy cover of "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus. (Linked in bio!) Her much-anticipated debut album will be released in 2024. ✨ This retreat will sell out fast—don’t wait to book! Limited spaces available. Link in bio for more info. 👆

12/06/2023

"This kind of experience is a key to life. I'm convinced!" - Amanda Tatom
This Oct 1-6, for five days and nights, join us, along with firecracker Amanda Tatom as we savour, sip, steep, relish and devour every last bit of what bellissima Toscana has to offer. We'll embrace slow travel, engaging in authentic ways with the region's art, history, cuisine, landscapes and people. Designed to be a soul-nourishing, sensory week for the self, on this retreat you will let go of the demands of your days and be taken care of while enjoying the company of other like-minded women. ❤️ Spots still available but not for long! Deposit before July 1! Link in bio. 👆❤️

01/06/2023

“People don’t buy what you do people buy why you do it.” - Simon Sinek ✨ I’m a whole-hearted believer in the transformational power of changing your surroundings… for a day, a week, a year. It could be a staycation, a vacation or a sabbatical. It could be in your hometown three blocks away, a quick, domestic weekend getaway or a long, transatlantic voyage. Because sometimes we know when we’re in a rut. Other times, it takes getting out of it to see we’ve been in one. The beauty of being in a new place, around new people is promising. There’s something bizarrely comforting in witnessing the way another slice of the world wakes up and goes to work, goes to the grocery store and takes their kids to school. It’s an edifying reminder that despite living in our own little world, we are not doing this living thing alone. Travelling gives us the opportunity to see how others do things and possibly try it on for size in our own lives. This is why I do what I do: helping people find a way to catch a glimpse of Elsewhere, to feel inspired by it, enamoured with it… for it to leave them just the right amount of changed, inside and out. To see themselves in the larger picture, the bigger context… to help them make and discover more meaning in their lives and perhaps create meaningful connections and relationships along the way. It’s an honor and privilege to be along on this sometimes bumpy but always beautiful ride with you. 💜

25/05/2023

"I’ve watched too many people suffer from health issues that could be avoided through better education. My method is to make baking and eating well as fun as possible. I want to show others that’s it’s not only sustainable, but the process is approachable, necessary and FUN!" - Ret Beiler ✨ Join baker, writer, mother of two and entrepreneur Ret Beiler for a scrumptious week learning the “Secrets of Sourdough,” in Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, May 5-10, 2024. We’ll stay on a 900-hectare family estate where the old mill has recently been reclaimed and converted into a modern-concept bakery using old-world ways making all their products— pizza, focaccia, bread, in the ancient sourdough way, using the grains grown on the estate. You’ll also get the opportunity to see the gems in the area, Siena, Pienza, Montalcino and one of Italy’s most beautiful Romanesque abbeys with a working monastic pharmacy where all products are made by the monks, many of which utilizing the herbs and ingredients grown in their surrounding organic gardens. Don’t miss this fabulous week. Spots selling fast! Only a few rooms left! 🌸🥖🥨👩‍🍳🇮🇹 Link in bio.

22/05/2023

Happy Monday, y’all! We have retreats sold out, retreats on sale and knock-your-socks-off-exciting retreats in the works for 2024 and beyond. If you still want to get on a retreat in 2023—run! We only have a few spots left: “Magical Marrakech” Sept 3-8, “Sweeitaly” October 15-20 with as well as “She Let Herself Go” pop-up retreat Oct 1-6! Do not miss your chance! ✨ A huge thank you to all those of you who locked in your spots over the weekend! 🥳 (PSA: “She Let Herself Go…Again, Amalfi Coast is now sold out…again!😁) We cannot wait to celebrate together in person. 🥂Cin cin! 🥂

21/05/2023

Who goes on a Duende Retreat? Anyone and everyone. Just look at what a dynamic group “Tasting With Tina” was. Joining us were couples, sisters, entire families, cousins, friends, colleagues, expecting couples (two!), solo travellers, father and daughters, mother and daughters… we even had newlywed honeymooners! What a blast. And what an honor to spend such a memorable week with so many wonderful strangers who are all now like family. Stay tuned for “Tasting With Tina” 2024… in Puglia! 🥂❤️🇮🇹🍝🍕🍷

18/05/2023

If it looks like we’re up to something it’s because we are! We’re doing it again, y’all. So many of you messaged and asked when we’re going back to Tuscany we’ve added a last-minute, pop-up week in beautiful Val d’Orcia, Oct 1-6, 2023. ❤️ If you want to come, act fast. We expect to fully book! Registration deadline ends July 15. Deposit link in bio. 🥂

14/05/2023

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.” —Rene Daumal ♥️ May you all remember the many fabulous laughs and rip roaring amazing times as you re-enter your regular life’s atmosphere. Thank you gorgeous ladies for a glorious week in bellissima Toscana. 🥂🥰

12/05/2023

Siena! And later… SO much Prosecco. 😜🥂🤭

04/05/2023

This is a shout out to all my new followers: thank you for being here! Instead of telling you about me, I want to know about YOU! Tell me your wildest travel dream. Have you been abroad? Are you aching to go? Longing to go back? Have you just received your brand new passport in the mail and can't wait to gaze into a customs agent's eyes and get that first stamp? Are you a nervous traveller or do you thrive on the wild ride? Whatever the season of your traveling life, I hope I get to journey with you somewhere wonderful. ❤️ In the meantime, tell me everything. I really do want to get to know you. Comment below and tell me how I can help make your travel dreams come true. ✈️🚗🚘❤️🥰🥳

01/05/2023

Meet Kalin (if you haven’t already) and her gorgeous family. Once upon a time she studied abroad in Perugia, Italy and attended the program I managed. She’s just one of those people who, once crossed paths with, will remain a welcome, fun and fabulous fixture in your life. I can attest. I’m proud to say I’ve known Kalin since “way back when” and seeing her family and career flourish over the years has been a big bright spot in my life. She’s launching her first brick and mortar store in her hometown of Petosky, Michigan today and we couldn’t be more thrilled! We also couldn’t be more excited about the line up of retreats we’ve got scheduled with Sweetwater this year and next. If you want to be inspired and fueled by Kalin’s wildly contagious energy, spirit, sense of humor and pizzazz—follow her or visit her shop next time you’re near Walloon Lake. Or better yet, join us in Tuscany in October or in Sicily in 2024 for a couples retreat! Spots still available for both! 🙌🥳🥰🌸🤩

25/04/2023

Currently in Tuscany, “Writing With Phylicia.” When your day includes a ukelele, napping by the pool after having written 1800 words, sharing, singing, relaxing, praying and enjoying the chefs’ amazing meals… and gelato in gorgeous, sunny Siena. Tomorrow, we’re off to traipse through the Tuscan hills! 🥰🇮🇹🙏

08/04/2023

The topic of one of our most frequently asked questions? Hair. Yep. “I’m going to Italy… but what about my HAIR?!” -said every woman going to Italy
🇮🇹
Hey, we get it. You’re going to the capital of glam and you want your hair to look good. But what about the plugs? Will they have a hairdryer where I’m going or do I need to bring my own?
If you’re coming on a retreat with us this year—all our villas will have one hairdryer per room. Most hotels in Italy also have some kind of a hair drying option… even if it’s just a wall unit, it’ll do the trick. In other words: don’t bring yours. It’ll just take up precious room in your suitcase and chances are, it won’t work. Same with a flat iron. Voltage is different and even with an adapter you run the risk of ruining your styler… or your hair! Because Italy has three different types of wall sockets, we recommend bringing a universal all-in-one adapter. And as for preferred hair products and other toiletries, definitely bring everything you need in your carry-on bag so in case your bag gets lost the high of your arrival isn’t totally bust because you’re spending precious time racing around to find what you need. Believe us when we say villas aren’t within walking distance of any shops and the closest towns are tiny with very limited options.
Last bit of advice: adjust your expectations and know that your hair might not look as perfect as it usually does but…you’ll be in Italy! Frizzy hair, don’t care… pass the Prosecco!🥂

26/03/2023

Introducing…
❤️SWEET SICILY: A COUPLES' ESCAPE ❤️ in collaboration with
🌸
OCT 27 - NOV 1, 2024 🥂
🇮🇹
Join us, along with the inspiring, fun, down-to-earth, power-house couple Kalin and Matt Sheick of Sweetwater Floral, for a relaxing, romantic week indulging in Sicily's phenomenal flavors, breath-taking panoramas, and abundant terroir.
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Spend a week at a gorgeous, historic private villa, complete with full staff, a spa and a private chef. When we aren’t basking in the backdrop of Mt Etna with views of the shimmering Mediterranean below, we’ll visit the stunning nearby towns of Taormina, Syracuse, Ragusa, Modica and more. We’ll hike (light), taste rich reds made from the fertile soils of the island, laugh, cook and have (several!) uninterrupted conversations. This adult-only trip is THE ULTIMATE celebration, an unforgettable adventure with the one you love among other couples who’ll become fast forever friends. 👏🥂 Limited spaces available. Link in bio. 👆

19/03/2023

Sunday vibes. Brought to you by the gorgeous Jenn and Mandy during our post-hike lunch and tasting at the stunning . Can’t wait to do this again in a few weeks! Spots still available… DM me for more info.

11/03/2023

✨BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! ✨ We are so excited to announce that soon we’ll be launching Duende Private Getaways. With over a dozen fabulously curated itineraries, these exclusive tours are for groups of four or more. All the details of your trip are taken care of—all you have to do is decide when. 🙌 Be the first to know when we launch (and be eligible for discounts) by getting on our list! ☝️Link in bio above.

08/03/2023

Women are at the very core of what we do and why we do it. Today, for International Women's Day, join us in celebrating yourself and the inspiring women who've made a difference in your world by donating to Project Soar, a US-based nonprofit organization founded by humanitarian Maryam Montague. Benefitting teenage girls in Morocco, Uganda and Syria, "Project Soar envisions a world where every marginalized teen girl knows her value, voice, body, rights and path."

https://www.projectsoar.org/donate

Link also in bio.

Duende Retreats