If it is time to put yourself first, create new life goals, and find your sense of adventure & creativity at the same time, then join yoga teachers and Life Coaches Sherry Smith and Roni Elissabeth for a week of yoga, hiking, beaches and fun, with new friends.

The theme "Chart your Course" will be our guide as we explore our internal landscape through yoga, meditation, journaling and setting new life goals.

Sold out! September 10 - 17, 2016

Relaxing on the rooftop terrace of the hotel, the sun sets softly behind an old walled citadel. The mountains behind you settle into the shadows of the night while sipping delicious wine.  You have just finished an amazing day of hiking  in the beautiful mountains and a yoga class that perfectly compliments the hike with some of the most inspiring and amazing people you can imagine. You make your way to the hotel’s sauna and steam bath to relax a bit before dinner.  Your dinner consists of some of the most magnificent views and food you have ever experienced. Savor fresh, local seafood with amazing french sauces while enjoying a buzz of the activity along a waterfront promenade.

Where are you - you ask?
​Off the French Riviera on 
the Island of Corsica! 

Chart your own course in the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. This unique island which is known for carving its own identity out of the French and Italian influences.

If France and Italy had a baby, it would be Corsica! Imagine the best that France and Italy have to offer in one place - the fantastic marriage of french and Italian cuisine and culture!  

After yoga, you can stroll along the streets of ancient idyllic cobble stoned streets of Calvi - choose to go into town into the unique shops or decide to take a stroll around the marina - filled with incredible restaurants and an amazing, indulgent Gelato shop!
Intrigued? Of course you are,
​let me tell you more!
Over 7 nights that seem to suspend in time, we will be immersed in culture and beautiful landscapes woven together with daily themes, allowing you to step back, reflect, and journal - to make connections over the choices made, and providing opportunities to create intentions and goals for your future.  Your experiences during the week will open your heart and mind to possibilities that you can translate into daily experiences - so that when you leave, you will have some solid intentions to take back to your life. ​
It's simple, This is the PERFECT time to do this for yourself!

This is JUST what you've been looking for - to step away, and find yourself again while exploring another culture, eating incredibly delicious food, laughing until your belly hurts, having many a-ha moments and enjoying the pristine beauty of this incredible island!

So why should YOU join us?

​Never experienced yoga before?
  • No problem! The retreat is for all levels - from novices to teachers!  Our retreats are not just yoga - normally yoga is taught once or twice per day depending on our itinerary and the excursions and meals are just as much a part of the theme of the week as the yoga.  It is an immersion for all of the senses!

Never traveled abroad?
  • We’ve got you covered! We have traveled abroad and to Corsica several times. We will have several meet and greets to help you navigate safely to Corsica and give you information on what to expect.

Never done anything like this for yourself?
  • Just do it! There’s no time like now. It will be a life-defining week!

Can I bring my spouse?
  • Our retreats are for men and women alike :) Sherry and Stu are a husband and wife combination and make everyone feel at home.​

Traveling by yourself?
  • Perfect! We will partner you up with a roommate to share your room with. Once you sign up we also connect you with our private Facebook page so that you get to get to know the group before the trip - so you can find another friend to travel with if you’d rather travel with someone.
Picture
​We are thrilled to experience our day trips with you!  Corsica's landscape is so varied - we will experience it all!
​From the local towns, hikes, mountains, rivers, beaches and relaxation. Corsica is still pure in its traditions and many live like they have years before. The local villages and houses have been in the same families for generations and some craftsmen have carried on their crafts for hundreds of years.

Corsica - an island in the Mediterranean to the south of France and the West of Italy has a unique magnificence. It is about 5 hours from the northernmost to southernmost point with many different topographies - the views are not only of the coastline, the mountains and in between are all breathtaking as well. Celebrities have been known to charter yachts that sail throughout all of the secluded inlets of this magnificent island.  The small vilages take you back in time.  Many Corsicans live the way that generations before them lived... sheep herders, local craftsmen, and locals sit outside in cafes... sharing the events of the day, or maybe even a game of bocce ball.  
Let me explain the fun we'll be having in more detail:
  • Hike from the quintessential town of L'Ile Rousse to the highest town in the Balagne region or Corsica - S'ant Antonino.  On the way we will pass several pastures where we might see the goats climbing trees to eat their lunch and we will have to dodge the occasional cow in the middle of our path.  We will make a stop for a refreshing glass of organic homemade lemonade at the edge of town, where we will stop and savor our accomplishments. Once we gather our energy again, we will have some time to explore this unique town.

  • Visit some of the traditional villages of the area and visit with the craftsmen that are still working on their craft like their fathers before them.​

  • Meander through the magestic mountains and pristine rivers of Corsica.  Each area of Corsica is truly awe inspiring - the mountain range with its highest peak 1.68 miles high (2706 meters) makes you speechless.   We will have a guide who will take us through the different terrain so that we can experience it all!
  • Experience a boat trip in the unique UNESCO heritage site, Scandola - with its majestic red rocks that drop into the ocean. We will stop at a village that is only accessible by boat for lunch and explore the water caves around the area​
  • Explore the other just as beautiful town of Ile Rousse  - its lighthouse and "Red Rock" juts out into the ocean with magnificent views at every turn. This is a cool walk where there are lots of opportunities to stop and take it all in.  The water is so crystal clear you can almost see all the way to the bottom!  You will see many divers in the middle of the rock formation as the water is very deep and the diving is spectacular.  Once you have walked the rock, be sure to take a stroll through the town, which has its morning market every day. After the market, make sure to enjoy your cafe au lait in the town with the locals - who hang out and play bocce - like yesteryear.  ​​​
THE VENUE

Our home for the week will be in the middle of the waterfront town of Calvi, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus in this fabulous 3 star hotel in the middle of everything.  The pool deck has an amazing view of the mountains and the sea - eye candy from every direction!  All rooms have a 1st or 2nd floor balcony to enjoy the fresh Corsican air.

Right outside the hotel are shops, restaurants, and beaches. On your free time, you can explore the citadel to see where Christopher Columbus was born, spend the afternoon shopping along the water, spend a relaxing day at the beach, or stay at the hotel to enjoy the spa services which include its own steam room and sauna.
​
The town has the diversity of cobblestone streets, a walled citadel with amazing views, a marina lined with boats and restaurants, and the beach - with an amazing view of the mountains and the citadel at each turn. 
The beaches in Calvi are also lined with restaurants and different venues.  The local train connecting different towns also runs through Calvi- which you can jump on and check out the other towns very easily. 
We will be enjoying some unique dining experiences in traditional “auberges” or farms that serve the traditional Corsican fare as well as indulging in a picnic of the local products as well including the fabulous local Corsican wines!
​
CUISINE
​
It is fantastic!  It is the best that France and Italy have to offer with a unique Corsican twist.  Mouth watering Corsican wine and cheese is served at almost every meal along with their local apertif liquors made of myrtle.  

Most food is local and organic farmed, raised or fished in Corsica.  On any given day, you can choose from the fresh seafood with organic vegetables accompanied by the famous French sauces or one of the more Italian influenced dishes of fresh made pasta and pizzas with a Corsican twist.  

Corsicans are proud of their island and their food - which is evident in the many places where you can buy Corsican products.
​
YOGA
​
Daily meditation and yoga classes are structured around a theme with journaling, reflection and sharing time to give you space to be able to reflect on an intention that you have set for yourself for the week. We will support you with that intention and give you tools to create goals or ways of being once you leave the retreat - to carry out your experience from the trip - to your daily life - to empower you to make new conscious choices to create a year of intention after the retreat.
 
Classes are open to all levels - we normally have everyone from those that have never done yoga to teachers on the trip. We make it accessible for all - meeting you where you are at  -  yet giving giving you the challenge that you need.  Many types of classes will be offered to support the activities of the day and the theme. You can expect a range from gentle/restorative/yin to more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga/power style classes.  The classes will be held in on the pool terrace as well as a dedicated indoor yoga space.   
​* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!
Picture
Now...finally for the DETAILS:
INCLUDED*
  • Double occupancy hotel accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms)
  • Daily breakfast,  selected lunches (minimum 2 lunches) and dinners (minimum 4)
  • Airport Transfers Transportation to/from day trips
  • All scheduled day trips including tour guide in some cases
  • Daily meditation and yoga classes 
  • Use of hotel amenities (pools, steam room, sauna etc.)
  • Taxes
NOT INCLUDED
  • Your Roundrip airfare from home
  • Other non-included items would include souvenir shopping, personal phone calls, spa services, laundry, tips for your room maid (we recommend $1-2 USD per day per person)
  • Personal, Medical or trip cancellation insurance
  • Non-included meals
** Meals are not necessarily vegetarian, but organic when possible. Corsica is known for its locally grown and raised farms.  Meal preferences will be accommodated whenever possible.
DAY TRIPS
  • A day in the idyllic town of Ile Rousse
  • 12 KM Hike to S’ant Antonino
  • A day trip to the mountains
  • Boat tour to UNESCO site Scandola
Plus surprise experiences planned :)
*Retreat Journeys reserves the right to change excursions if needed

SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY
  • Daily Yoga 2 times per day or a longer workshop type class.
  • Daily breakfast (included)
  • Group activity or free time (lunch normally on own except for a few predetermined activities)
  • Dinners (minimum 4 included)
We are in the process of finalizing details, stay tuned for a more in detail calendar. Excursions could be subject to change with trip finalization
TRAVEL
Airport = Calvi (CLY). From the U.S.  Fly into Paris or Nice and then fly directly to Calvi. Transfers will be provided to/from airport on start and end of retreat at select times. There is opportunity to spend a day or two in Paris or the South of France before the retreat if you would like :)

PRICING
8 days / 7 nights (September 10 - 17, 2016)
Retreat Price = $2,850
Deposit to hold space = $700 non-refundable
* Prices based on shared occupancy. Single supplement available upon request.
** Final balance due June 15, 2016 
***The pricing is valid to Euro - USD at 1.25 exchange rate. If the exchange rate is higher than 1.25, the final balance will be adjusted to reflect the higher exchange rate. ​
CANCELLATION POLICY
​Please note that Retreat Journeys is a small company and sends most funds immediately to the vendors in order to confirm space.  All funds are non-refundable once submitted. We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance or trip cancellation insurance for any recovering of deposits due to unforeseen events or circumstances.  Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early prior to your trip or while on the trip.