Connection. Sisterhood. Shared Adventure.
8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS
OCTOBER 15-22, 2026 · MAX 14 WOMEN
8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS
OCTOBER 15-22, 2026
MAX 14 WOMEN
There's a specific magic that happens when a small group of women gathers around a big table in Italy. This is more than a tour; it’s an invitation to live like a local in the country’s culinary heart. It is a week of unhurried mornings, golden-hour walks, and the kind of connection that only happens when the logistics are handled and the pace is slow.
We spend five nights in Bologna, using it as our home base to explore the legendary markets of Padova and the countryside of Modena. We then head south to Siena, arriving just in time for the iconic Wednesday market set against a stunning fortress backdrop. Whether we are hand-rolling pasta or sipping an Aperol Spritz in its birthplace, we do it with intentionality. No "checklist" travel—just great food, better company, and the space to breathe it all in.
Activity Level: Leisurely and intentional. We walk to discover, not to rush.
Not ready to leave? Add our optional 4-night Rome extension October 22-26 and trade the quiet hills for the magic of the Eternal City.
How it works
Why you'll love this trip
I’ve been on those big group tours-the ones where you’re just a face in a crowd, rushing off a bus to snap a photo before being whisked away to the next "must-see" site. And you return home needing a vacation from your vacation.
This is a completely different experience. From the moment we meet in Bologna to our final espresso in Rome, I am there to guide, support, and handle the details so you don't have to.
A Seat at the Local Table: We skip the tourist menus. From hand-rolling pasta in a private Bologna cooking class to tasting the "black gold" of Modena, we eat where the locals eat. We linger over dinner, we share stories, and we never rush the dessert.
The Soul of the Market: We don't just shop; we treasure hunt. I’ll lead you to the hidden vintage gems of Bologna, the iconic markets of Padova, and the leather and linens at Siena’s Fortezza Medicea.
The Art of the Aperitivo: We don’t just order a drink; we celebrate the hour. We’ll head to Padova, the birthplace of the Spritz, to master the ritual of the Italian afternoon.
Freedom in the "Dolce Far Niente": While I’ve curated a beautiful activity for every day, this is your retreat. We embrace the "sweetness of doing nothing." If you’d rather spend a morning reading a book in a sun-drenched piazza, we celebrate that. Everything is an invitation, never an obligation.
Trip Overview
Bologna is Italy’s food capital, yet it remains blissfully off the main tourist path. We spend five nights here as "temporary locals," shopping at the weekly markets, rolling pasta as amateur chefs in a cooking class, wandering golden-hued porticoes and enjoying meals at unhurried trattorias. From our base, we venture to Padova for spectacular Saturday markets and the original Aperol Spritz, and to Modena for an intimate balsamic tasting and estate lunch at a family-owned acetaiaafter spedning the morning exploring the charming town center.
The journey continues in Siena, a medieval hilltop dream where we shop the iconic Wednesday market like locals. We'll travel intentionally, and never rush the moment.
For those not ready to head home, our Rome extension offers four nights for you to fall in love with one of my favourite cities in the world.
Activity Level: Leisurely and intentional. We walk to discover, not to rush.
"I love to travel to wonderful and exciting places and these retreats allow me to travel alone to amazing places and meet amazing "like-minded" people from all over the world...so you are alone, but not!! I have known Richelle for almost 30 years and being around her at her retreats makes me feel safe and like I am wrapped in a warm blanket....If you ever have a chance to join Richelle on one these retreats, you too will see what I see in her and in the countries that I am blessed to be able to go to! The retreats are extremely organized right down to even the minor details. Nothing is missed and you won't be disappointed. All you have to do is get there and the rest is taken care of for you with lots of time to explore on your own if you wish. No pressure at all!! I know Richelle will welcome you with an open heart and arms. You won't regret a minute of it! "
Debbie A
ITALY, MEXICO AND TURKEY GROUP TRIPS
"I’ve been on group yoga retreats multiple times to various destinations over the past 20 years with Richelle. Very well organized, with awesome accommodations, customized yoga and superb meals. I think what I enjoy the most is all of the above combined with feeling safe! Richelle provides attention to detail and fosters relationships for a true cultural experience. 5 stars from me!"
Janet N
MEXICO AND JAPAN GROUP TRIPS
Where you'll stay
We choose our hotels the same way we choose restaurants - walkability, character, and the feeling that you actually belong there rather than passing through. Every property on this trip is boutique, independently owned, and within easy walking distance of the markets, piazzas, and neighbourhoods that make each city worth coming to. No chain hotels. No lobbies that could be anywhere. Nothing that makes you forget which city you're in.
Specific hotel names, photos, and room details will be confirmed and added here once bookings are finalised. All properties are selected for quality, location, and character and will be shared with registered guests well in advance of departure.
ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
Daily intinerary
These trips are built around the belief that the best travel happens when you feel held but not herded. Every activity is an invitation, not an obligation. Join the group for a market morning or spend it solo at a café with a cornetto and no agenda.
To help you fill your free time with the good stuff, every traveller gets a curated Google Maps list for each city: Richelle's personal recommendations for where to eat, drink, shop, and wander.
"A chance encounter with Richelle led me to participate in a wonderful yoga retreat in the magical town of San Miguel de Allende. In addition to daily yoga sessions, we got to learn about the history, culture, food and drink of this charming little town in the heart of Mexico. While I didn't know anyone going into the retreat, I ended up meeting some amazing women and forging what I hope will be lifelong friendships."
Pooja
MEXICO RETREAT
"Loved traveling with Richelle! She is the girl that walks the walk. She does the research, takes notes and then takes you to experience what she did! Brilliant! We had fun and adventures when she lead us. Would absolutely do a trip with her again."
Terry B
JAPAN GROUP TRIP
Price & What's Included
$600 non-refundable deposit to hold spot. Balance due 45 days before departure (September 1, 2026)
Monthly payment plan available between deposit and balance due date
Shared Room
(Double Occupancy)
Perfect for friends or solo travelers
happy to be paired with a new friend
$3200 USD PP
Private Room
(Single Occupancy)
For the traveler who wants their own
sanctuary at the end of the day
$3800 USD
Rome extension
Extend the magic and let's wander
the eternal city together
+$1,950 USD shared
+$2,550 USD single
What's Included
What's not Included
Meet your host
Hey, I'm Richelle of @richelletakesyou
I've been to Italy six times and I still think about the first trip, the first time I tried gelato in Venice, the first market I discovered, and the first lunch I had in Bologna.
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you stop rushing and start noticing. After a decade of living abroad and years of hosting retreats, I’ve learned that the true luxury of travel is feeling completely at ease in a new place.
My guests often tell me that traveling with me feels like being "wrapped in a warm blanket." That is the highest compliment I can receive. I host these curated group trips because I love sharing the soul of a place from the local markets I frequent to the family-run restaurants that don’t make the "must-try" lists.
A bit about me: I’m currently navigating my own next chapter. Former yoga studio owner in Tulum (Mexico), currently figuring out my permanent move from Canada to Europe with my rescue dog and cat in tow.
You book the flight. I'll take it from there.
Questions? We have answers...
Your seat at the table is waiting
This isn’t just a trip; it’s the "exhale" you’ve been looking for. If you’re ready to trade the rush for the ritual, to find treasures in the markets, and to see Italy through a slower, more intentional lens, I would love to have you with us.
Your space on this group trip is confirmed with your deposit. Accepted payments: PayPal, CC, wise, bank transfers. Flexible payment plans also available.
PLEASE NOTE:
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