Retreats

Hotel Caruso
Ravello, Italy

Situated a 1,000 feet above the sea, perched on a craggy cliffside, Ravello commands the ultimate panorama over the Amalfi Coast, a magical location that the French poet, Andre Gide, evocatively described as “nearer to the sky than to the shore”. The five star Caruso Hotel was built as an 11th century palazzo and has been patiently restored to its former glory. Frescoes, fine ceramics and marbled interiors have all been restored with loving care by the Orient Express Hotels.

This five star facility is known for the special treatment provided by its extraordinary staff. Only junior suites with spectacular ocean views will await the La Dolce Vita Retreat guests. You will be pampered from the time you arrive at the Naples airport where a private luxury sedan will whisk you the short drive to Ravello. A welcome cocktail reception will introduce you to Janice Briggs and the very talented faculty she brings to the retreat.

The days will be filled with substantive discussions with the faculty on a series of mind, body and spirit topics. But there will be lots of time for leisure, relaxation and spa treatments. Fun and informative excursions are planned. This will be a very special week for you to focus solely on yourself and enjoy the camaraderie of a handful of other interesting women. The retreat will have no more than 20 guests.

Fun activities are scheduled including a watercolor lessons by an Irish painter, Leo Kennedy, who has made the Amalfi Coast his home; a local cheese, wine and limoncello tasting; hiking the Walk of the Gods and a pizza cooking class. On the final evening will be a Medieval Gala with musical entertainment by the head pianist, first tenor and first soprano of the San Carlo Opera House in Naples.

For women who enjoy traveling with their husbands, but also want to partake in the benefits of the La Dolce Vita Retreats program, we are able with the assistance of our travel agency partner, to arrange for daytime activities for the gentlemen, such as golf, sailing, fishing, museum/architectural tours, wine tasting, horseback riding, etc, all custom tailored to his interests.

The total all inclusive cost from arrival at the Naples Airport is $13,750, single occupancy (with the exception of beverages except where noted as part of the program of events, such as wine tasting).  Pricing is based on $1.30/Euro. Prices subject to change without notice.

1st Payment: $2,750, due upon signing
2nd Payment: $5,500 due on or before January 14, 2009
Final Payment: $5,500 due on or before March 4, 2009

Girlfriend Getaway Double Occupancy rate, per person, is $10,500

1st Payment: $2,100.00 due upon signing; 2nd payment of $4,200.00 due on or before January 14, 2009; 3rd payment of $4,200.00 is due on or before March 4, 2009.

Each of the six annual retreats features a variety of mind-body activities that allow you to re-connect with your essential self. Our guest faculty you will lead discussions on techniques to nurture your mind, body and spirit and we will practice those modalities daily.

• Welcome cocktail reception – Sunday evening, followed by dinner
• Daily fitness classes - mat pilates, kickboxing, strength/weight training, yoga, hiking, power walking
• Half day Amalfi coast cruise between Amalfi and Positano on private boat
• Wine Tasting
• Visits to Amalfi and/or Positano
• Daily Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles workshops
• One day excursion to Capri aboard private yacht 
• Visits to Vietri Sul Mare, Maiori and Cetara, including lunch at Acquapazza and transportation
• Watercolor painting classes by landscape artist, Leo Kennedy
• Pizza cooking class/demonstation
• Botanical walking tour with master gardener
• Privately guided historic, botanical, cultural tours with Angela Imperato, including lunch at Villa Cimbrone
• Gala Medieval dinner on the final evening of the retreat
• All meals included
• Transfer to and from Naples airport by luxury sedan

The camaraderie of women is amazingly healing. Limited to no more than 20 guests, you will share your stories, forge new friendships, and re-discover your essential self. Your experience will be life altering.

Your days will be spent laughing, playing and exploring creative notions. You will tap into your inner childlike spirit.

Create your own reality. Be awed by your life. Discover your own dance!

• Vietri Del Mare to discover the secrets of pottery craftsmen
• Full day excursion to Capri by private yacht
• Half day excursion to Amalfi and Positano
• Private, guided walking tours of Ravello, including Villa Rufulo, with lunch at Villa Cimbrone
• Private guided tour of Pompeii

To prepare for the adventure, a list of Suggested Readings such as short stories and poems is listed for your reference.

Click on the links below to purchase it on Amazon.com.

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life - Byron Katie

Honoring the Self: Self-Esteem and Personal Tranformation - Nathaniel Branden

A Woman's Self-Esteem: Struggles and Triumphs in the Search for Identity - Nathaniel Branden

Happiness Is a Serious Problem - Dennis Prager

The Dance of Connection: How to Talk to Someone When You're Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate - Harriet Lerner

The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition : A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth - Scott Beck

The Secret - Rhonda Byrne (book and DVD)

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment - Eckhart Tolle

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia - Elizabeth Gilbert

The Power of Intention - Dr. Wayne Dyer

Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting: The Astonishing Power of Feelings - Lynn Grabhorn

Trusting Yourself: How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Live More Happily with Less Effort - M.J.Ryan

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book - Don Miguel Ruiz

The Voice of Knowledge: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace - Don Miguel Ruiz

Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic - Martha Beck

The Hidden Messages in Water - Masaru Emotu

Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live - Martha Beck

You Can Heal Your Life (Gift Edition) - Louise Hay

Leo Kennedy. Click here to see Leo's biography.

Tankut Kofturcu. Click here to see Tank's biography.

Angela Imperato. Click here to see Angela's biography.

All payments are final. We recommend that you purchase trip insurance.

Should you require assistance with airline reservations or pre- or post travel plans, we can proudly recommend the services of a number of agents.  Please inquire for an agent in your area.

Special offer:  BRING ALONG A NON-PARTICIPATING PARTNER (husband, daughter, mother, friend) to share your room or junior suite, including half-board  (breakfast & dinner), and share your Mercedes transfer to and from the airport, for an additional $1500 added to the single occupancy rates.