Women’s retreats are incredible places to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit, as well as learn new practices and techniques. I love that it also means meeting with women who are on a similar path or who are seeking the “right path” for their lives. I have been on many retreats and want to share some advice about how to optimize the investment you’ve made in yourself and as well as some travel tips.
Traveling Alone to Women’s Retreats
For some people, traveling alone is, well, lonely; for others, it is a chance to move at their own pace and not worry about anyone else’s energy. If you plan to travel by yourself to your chosen women’s retreat, use the time in the car/bus/train/plane to set some intentions for the event. Connect with what you want to get out of this event and what it means to you to go all in, taking full advantage of everything the retreat has to offer. What does it look like to make new connections and gain new insights? If possible, journal those thoughts and write down your intentions so they are clear.
Packing for Women’s Retreats
No matter how far along you are in your journey with women’s retreats, you will need to pack certain items to make the most of your trip. This list can vary depending on the scheduled location, so be sure to read all of the information provided by the organizer(s) and remember to check the weather ahead of time. Your clothes will depend on what type of retreat you attend and where it’s located, but you will always want to bring comfortable clothing and shoes that will support your experience.
Here is a list of additional items to consider packing for a women’s retreat:
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, hat if needed
- Toiletries such as shampoo & conditioner, lotion, toothbrush, soap, etc.
- Cotton tank tops & T-shirts
- Shorts and/or jeans (depending on location and weather)
- Sweatpants, yoga pants, and/or PJs
- Extra underwear and socks
- Comfy shoes and/or sandals
- Layers; extra jacket or sweater depending on weather
- Swimsuit if needed, and towel
- Journal for writing insights and lessons
- Yoga mat and/or pillow
- Water Bottle
- Enough medication for length of the retreat
- Backpack or easy-to-carry bag
- Spending money for snacks or other items
- Flashlight
- Phone charger
- *Any extra items the organizer from your retreat requests
What Not to Pack for Women’s Retreats (aka Don’t Worry About Your Hair & Makeup)
If you have long hair, like me, just remember that curling irons, blow dryers, and straighteners take up a lot of room and add weight to your suitcase. If you can leave those tools at home, do it. If you need to bring some hair and makeup products, consider getting smaller, travel-sized tools. Take along some bobby pins and hair bands and put your hair up in ponytails, braids, or buns, and go a little more au naturel. Let your natural glow shine through, with a little extra sunscreen, and you will look sensational!
Food and Drink Considerations
If you have food allergies or follow a particular eating program (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, Keto), be sure to let the retreat organizer know. In many cases, you won’t be the only one! You can always pack some of your specific food choices to bring along with you to ensure you’ll have some favorite items throughout. This is especially important if any local food shopping options will be limited.
International Women’s Retreats Tips
If you plan to travel outside the United States for women’s retreats, here are a few additional suggestions for you (and your wallet):
- Check with your mobile phone carrier about rates to the US from that country. If your plan doesn’t include international calling, it might be a lot cheaper to pick up a temporary, local phone when you get to your destination.
- If you have a medical condition, you may want to check with your health insurance provider to see if your policy will cover you in your chosen destination. If it doesn’t, getting a travel policy is fairly inexpensive and will cover any unforeseen medical expenses. It will also help put your mind at ease.
Just in Case…
Although the women’s retreats will undoubtedly be a fantastic experience, it’s a good idea to leave some information about the trip with a friend or family member, so you won’t be the subject of a missing persons report or part of the next Lifetime movie script. Give your friend or relative your travel dates, flight numbers or train schedule, and the contact information of the retreat organizer. Be sure they have the phone number of the phone you will be using, too. If you get sick or lost, or if there is an emergency at home, someone can track you down. Just in case!
There’s something special about being part of a group of women who are all looking to grow, share, support and have fun together. I hope these tips will help you the next time you set out to meet with your “girl tribe.” And I hope I am there to be a part of it with you!