We are continually inspired by vintage travel posters, postcards and photographs. When we were rebranding last year, these tokens were our main inspiration. Not only for the color and type, but for the memory they provoke. We wanted to share with you a collection of a few from some of the locations we are visiting this year. Hope you enjoy and tha it inspires you to travel somewhere with us in the future!
Our EPM team are avid readers and we wanted to share with you what we are currently into. We would love to hear back from you any suggestions. We want to make this a place we can share and exchange ideas, so comment away!
We always love catching up on their journal for recipes, informative articles, city guides and so much more. On the blog this week we wanted to share a super simple face mask you can make at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Enjoy and take some time to pamper yourself naturally with ease.
We are looking forward to several retreats in Tuscany this year and thought we would highlight some of the charming Italian towns we visit while there. (Our Itinerary changes depending on the retreat and time of year but this will give you some insight into the region.)
We are so excited to introduce to those of you who don’t already know her, our newest collaborator for our yoga + self care + cuisine retreat in Tuscany, Amy Commander! Amy has been friends with our founder Erin for many years and after last years Puglia retreat (Amy is also half of Boxerina) they have finally found the perfect collaboration in Tuscany.
We are continually inspired by vintage travel posters, postcards and photographs. When we were rebranding last year, these tokens were our main inspiration. Not only for the color and type, but for the memory they provoke. We wanted to share with you a collection of a few from some of the locations we are visiting this year. Hope you enjoy and tha it inspires you to travel somewhere with us in the future!
We always love catching up on their journal for recipes, informative articles, city guides and so much more. On the blog this week we wanted to share a super simple face mask you can make at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Enjoy and take some time to pamper yourself naturally with ease.
We are so excited to announce a new retreat to our line up next year in Tuscany, YOGA + CREATIVITY + CUISINE! This retreat will be lead by our amazing guide Mindy Johnstone, you can read more about her HERE. Mindy sat down with us to tell us a little bit more about how this retreat came to be and what you can expect on this week of wellness, cuisine and travel journal creation.
Happy New Year, EPM family! We are so grateful to have the most wonderful team of leaders and guides for our retreats. We wanted to kick off the year with an interview with Mindy Johnstone, our collaborator joining us on many retreats this year including Costa Rica, Bali, Ischia, Amalfi and South Africa….
We are excited to share another traveler testimony! This time around, we were lucky enough to chat with Leigh-Ann from Columbus, Ohio. She works in the health and wellness industry, where she is currently creating her own hair care line! (Her tresses are certainly envy worthy.) Leigh-Ann is a long time member of the EPM family--she has joined us for retreats to Ischia, Provence and Iceland. She is a true testament to the reason we do what we do and love it so much. We asked her to share about her experience with Iceland and EPM.
What drew you EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?
I was originally drawn to EAT.PRAY.MOVE because I loved the idea of having everything organized for me, as well as the vegetarian cuisine and the locations. Iceland looked amazing in the photos, and after going on 2 other retreats, I knew it would be amazing.
The beautiful Leigh Ann, full of love
How did your trip compare to your expectations?
Iceland was my 3rd retreat with EPM, and it absolutely exceeded my expectations.
What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?
I learned that Iceland is even better in person than in the photos! Everyone was very friendly and proud to talk about the history of the country. (I also learned that the cuisine there is a little different--they eat animals that we typically do not!)
What was it like to have Erin Lewis as your guide?
Erin is great as a guide! I am a planner by nature, so the amazing thing with this trip and its itinerary is that I was aware of everything we were doing, but all I had to was show up. Erin took care of the rest. From the food to the activities, everything was handled.
Enjoying a hot tub along the riverside at Frost and Fire
What was the best part of your trip?
The best part of the trip was reconnecting with guests from previous retreats and meeting new people. Once you attend one of the retreats, you have a certain bond with the other guests. There are many repeat guests, so it's always nice to see them again.
What lasting impressions did you have of EPM?
The first retreat I attend with Erin CHANGED MY LIFE. I attended the Ischia, Italy trip, and I was in a very stressful state. I hated my job, and it was controlling my life. I went away on this retreat and realized life is too short. I need to do what makes me happy. When I returned home I changed my career path, and I have never been happier! I began working at Whole Foods and started an all natural hair care line called 2 Girls With Curls. You can check it out at www.2curlygirls.com.
An elegant group dinner in Iceland
These are trips that you will never forget. New friendships are formed and you get to do yoga and see the world in style.
Thanks, Leigh Ann, for sharing your beautiful story and experiences with us. We love having you as part of our family here at EPM, and we look forward to adventuring with you in the future!
We are so excited to introduce you to another one of our EAT.PRAY.MOVE repeat guests, Susanna! She is from Maryland, USA, and she has now joined us for FOUR different retreats (to Tuscany, Ischia, Marrakesh and Provence). We caught up with her and asked about her experiences. While she has loved every retreat, she says Tuscany really stuck out for her as a special trip.
Susanna has added such fun and laughter to each group and connects with guests with her inspiring personal stories. She clearly has a heart that is full of joy and adventure!
What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?
I was doing some research on different yoga retreats and most of them were the same, just on a different Carribean Island. Then I came across the EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreat in Tuscany. I thought it was really orginal and somewhere I've alway dreamed of visiting. I signed up right away and have been on 4 different retreats so far! I can't wait to sign up for my next one!
A beautiful view in Tuscany
How did the trip compare to your expectations?
The trip exceeded all my expectations. We stayed in a breathtaking villa in Tuscany, Italy. All the activities and sightseeing tours were already planned, so there was no stress of where to go and what to do. I got to meet the most amazing women from all over the world and different walks of life.
What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?
I learned how much I really love to travel and learn about different cultures and people. I was really surprised at how much you can learn and have in common with women of all ages and different backgrounds.
Yoga fun at Castello Aragonese in Ischia
What was it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide?
Erin was an amazing guide! She did all the research and found the best places to eat, what's important and interesting to see, and she found the perfect balance of sightseeing, shopping and relaxation. The most important thing for Erin is that everybody is enjoying themselves. She puts her whole heart into planning these retreats, and you can feel that every day that you're there with her. Not to mention the fact that she's a fantastic yoga instructor!
What was the best part of your trip?
The best part of the trips were the people that I met and the friendships that I've built while experiencing the most beautiful places in the world.
Overlooking beautiful Italian waters
What lasting impressions did you have? What stayed with you once you traveled home?
There isn't a week that goes by that I don't think of an experience or a person from one of the retreats. Those moments will be with me forever, and they are priceless. Taking these amazing adventures has made me change my perspective on what's important in life and what's just not worth stressing about. I can't say enough great things about EAT.PRAY.MOVE and Erin Lewis.
Susanna, we are so grateful for your thoughts and time. It's travelers like you that keep us inspired to create and to give great experiences. Thank you for being a part of the EAT.PRAY.MOVE family, and we can't wait to see you on another retreat!
One of the greatest joys of EAT.PRAY.MOVE is the opportunity to meet amazing people from all locations and walks of life. We thought we would share some of our friends with our amazing community in this kick-off of the new series "
".
We recently caught up with Elizabeth Jimenez, a repeat guest of our retreats. An avid yogi from Long Beach, California, she and her family first joined us for a retreat in Marrakesh, Morocco and continued on to the Tuscany and Ischia retreats the following years. Liz, her husband Rene and mother-in-law Blanca are absolutely wonderful people and lovers of life - they've inspired us, made us smile, and most importantly have become friends along the way! To share them with you we did a little Q and A with Liz and loved what she had to say!
·
What drew you EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats?
I started taking yoga classes for the first time right before my 49th birthday and when I saw an ad for EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats on Facebook, I just knew it would be a different yet very exciting vacation for us. The itinerary and pictures for the Morocco retreat at Peacock Pavillion looked like heaven! It was something straight out of a magazine layout, and I knew it would be a very special. When my husband and I excitedly shared with my Mom that we were attending a yoga retreat in Morocco, she immediately invited herself!!
Liz, Rene, and Blanca in Marrakesh
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How did your trip compare to your expectations?
The EPM Morocco yoga retreat went BEYOND our expectations. From the pictures I knew we would be arriving to a beautiful location, but experiencing the environment, our accommodations, the food, daily yoga…it was the most luxurious vacation my husband and I have ever experienced. We really enjoyed Erin as our yogi, as well as our tour and cultural guide! She provides a personal touch and she's so easy to talk to. We especially enjoyed the daily excursions she chose for us.
Y.O.G.A on the beach in Morocco
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What did you learn on your trip? Did anything surprise you?
Vegetarian food is quite delicious!! We didn't miss eating meat while on the retreat.
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What was the best part of your trip?
Practicing yoga outdoors, under the canopy, early in the morning and late afternoon was so refreshing. Each day we felt energized and the fresh vegetarian food was amazing and delicious.
riding camels in Morocco
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What lasting impressions did you have?
It definitely left an impression!! The way we eat, move and pray has definitely changed for the better!! My husband changed his diet and cut out red meat entirely! He really enjoyed the vegetarian diet at the retreat and when we returned he was able to lower his cholesterol by sticking to a fish and vegetarian diet. I've continued to practice yoga daily in my home. It has kept me limber, provides me peace, and helps me most when I feel stressed out from work. Rene and I love to travel and especially enjoy vacations that include a healthy component. For that reason we've attended two additional EPM yoga retreats! We love each retreat’s unique location. We look forward to experiencing the culture, food, people and practicing yoga with Erin. That's what makes it so special.
Thanks for sharing and traveling with us, Elizabeth, Rene and Blanca! We look forward to more adventures with you in the future!
ps: Follow Liz and her yogi adventures on her instagram page
I just got back to the States after an amazing month in Italy. Two Tuscany retreats and lots of research for the next EAT.PRAY.MOVE adventures.
Not only did we have two amazing groups of guests at each retreat at the villa in Tuscany (which by the way, check out the
...week two coming soon!), but we also met the truly lovely people of the villa in Ischia where the October retreat will be held.
That island never ceases to amaze me. It's a one-of-a-kind gem sitting in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the shore of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
We visited ancient castles in the sea...
...lounged on the sandy beaches
...enjoyed magical views from our lunch table
...exploring new "rooms with a view" for retreat day trips
...swimming in the clear waters
And, we also had the opportunity to stay at the Ischia villa where the retreat will be held, which sits on the cliffs of a seaside mountain. Yes, it's quite a magical place itself...
Won't you join us in the bubbling thermal pools...
...relaxing on the deck at sunset
...practicing yoga
...and watching the sun disappear into the sea every night
Here's a video to tempt you...
We have a great group signed up so far, and there are still spaces available for YOU! Don't miss out.
After announcing the upcoming yoga retreat in Ischia, Italy, I've already had a few people ask me, "So where exactly
is
this place?". I know it's not as well-known of a destination (at least not for American tourists) as some of its more famous neighbors, but that's one of the reasons it's so special. So for those of you wondering a bit more about this magical place called Ischia - keep reading!
Ischia is a volcanic island in the Bay of Naples on the mid-southeastern coast of Italy. Located 30km from Naples mainland, it measures just 34km in diameter and is profiled by Mount Epomeo peaking at 788 meters above the sea. Historically, the island has been inhabited by the Greeks, Syrausansa, Romans, Heruli, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Normans, Saracens, Turks, and Aragonese, and plenty of ruins remain to suggest the lineages of these colonies. With its wonderful climate, nice location from the mainland, and richness of therapeutic hot-springs, it's not hard to see why it was a landscape worth fighting over!
Nicknamed the "Green Island", Ischia was one of the world's first health spa destinations. For centuries people have flocked to Ischia to indulge in its volcanic muds and waters rich with healthful minerals. Doctors even prescribe stays here to reap the benefits of bathing in the healing springs. I've had the opportunity to try out various types of springs on Ischia — from the famous "thermal parks" which are planned areas of various pools, gardens and baths — to the naturally-occurring, free and open spring mouths on the edge of a cliff by the sea.
Island Activities:
• Thermal Spas (parks, natural springs, mineral baths, health spas)
• Mountain hikes
• Artisanal shopping
• Beaches
• Gardens
Famous Neighbors:
• Isle of Capri
• Pompeii
• Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, etc)
Besides all of the lovely things about Ischia and it's landscapes and beauty, one of the most appealing things to be about it is the hospitality of the people themselves. I've enjoyed interacting with almost everyone I met on the island, and it's something that draws me back...
As you can probably easily tell, Ischia is a place I really love and that's why I'm very much looking forward to sharing with with the guests who join us on the EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreat. Want to reserve a spot?
(and take advantage of the $100 early sign-up discount for the first 4 guests).
Castello Aragonese, Ischia Ponte
Well, I think I've narrowed down one of my most favorite places ever - to a small(ish) island in the Bay of Naples. Ischia
had always enticed me, (yes yes, I will say that my obsession with the film "The Talented Mr. Ripley" initially had a little bit to do with that), but after getting to visit this amazing island I can say that it now entices me even more since experiencing it firsthand. One day when my husband and I were vacationing and exploring the various villages, I found a partially abandoned building overlooking the ocean and tucked it away in the "maybe-one-day-I-can-make-that-a-yoga-studio-and-live-here-part-time" file in my mind. Who knows....maybe, just maybe...
view back over island from the Castello
There's something magical about this place for me - not only for the pre-Roman history, lush landscapes, natural thermal spas, small castles in the sea, or the dormant volcano which the whole of Ischia rests - but it largely has to do with the pure kindness of so many people there with whom we've come in contact. Plus, since it's a bit more off the grid than at least the main stops like Rome, Florence, and Venice, it feels a bit more authentic Italian and less touristy. Patience towards visitors is something we observed as well. This combined with the amazing hospitality we encountered and the breath-taking beauty of the island, it's easy to see why it's a place I've wanted to return.
Between the two upcoming EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga retreats this summer in Tuscany, I had one week completely free to travel, so during that time I'm headed back to Ischia to explore even more of the island - plus scout out some locations and details for the retreat I just announced today, taking place in, none other than ISCHIA!
The retreat will be at Villa Lina which overlooks the Mediterranean from the western coast of the island, I'm so excited to share all the things I love about this place with the guests. We'll be taking day trips to thermal spas, hiking up to Mount Epomeo for views over the entire bay, visiting famous gardens, and lounging at the beach. Plus enjoying daily yoga classes at the yoga space overlooking the sea. I can't wait!
CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS OF THE ISCHIA RETREAT HERE
SIGN UP TODAY.
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