What Happens on a Women’s Retreat?
Written by Jacqui Toumbas, food and travel creator and founder of Savour the Slow, hosting women’s retreats in Italy and Greece.
An Honest Look at Small Group Travel
If you’ve ever wondered what happens on a women’s retreat, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most searched questions by women considering their first retreat, especially those travelling solo and looking at retreats in Europe.
There’s often a quiet hesitation behind the question. Will it feel awkward? Too intense? Too “woo woo”? Will I fit in?
This post is here to answer that honestly. No hype. No transformation promises. Just a clear look at what actually happens on a women’s retreat and what doesn’t.
What People Assume Happens on a Women’s Retreat
Before we talk about the reality, it’s worth naming the assumptions, because most women have them.
Many imagine that a women’s retreat involves:
Forced vulnerability or oversharing
Constant group activities with no space to yourself
A strong wellness or spiritual focus
Feeling pressured to “open up” or perform
These concerns are completely valid. And for some retreats, they might even be true.
But they’re not the foundation of the kind of retreats I create.
What Actually Happens Day to Day on a Women’s Retreat
On a small group women’s retreat, days are intentionally simple and spacious.
Instead of being rushed from activity to activity, you’ll usually experience:
Slow mornings with coffee and breakfast
Shared meals that turn into long conversations
Time spent walking, exploring, cooking, or sitting together
Space to read, rest, or wander on your own
There is structure, but it’s light. You’re guided, not scheduled down to the minute. The focus is on food, culture, place, and presence, rather than productivity or performance.
On a typical women’s retreat, you can expect:
A small, intimate group
One beautiful base rather than constant moving
Experiences rooted in local culture
Gentle rhythms that allow connection to unfold naturally
Connection Without the Pressure
One of the biggest surprises for many women is how easy connection feels. There are no icebreakers. No expectation to share your life story. No requirement to be “on.” Connection happens through doing things side by side, cooking, eating, walking, noticing. Travelling solo doesn’t mean being alone. And being in a group doesn’t mean losing yourself. Many women arrive nervous. Almost all leave saying the same thing: it felt far more natural than they expected.
What You’re Not Expected to Do on a Women’s Retreat
This part matters just as much as what does happen.
On these retreats, you are not expected to:
Be vulnerable on demand
Share personal stories before you’re ready
Have a breakthrough
Change who you are
You’re allowed to show up exactly as you are. Quiet days are welcome. Laughter is welcome. So is rest. There’s no pressure to transform, only space to settle.
Who a Women’s Retreat Is Really For
In my experience, women who join these retreats are often:
Travelling solo for the first time (or returning to it)
In a season of transition or reset
Curious about slow travel rather than sightseeing
Craving connection, but on their own terms
Many come alone. Some are nervous. Most are surprised by how comfortable it feels. You don’t need to be outgoing. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be open to a different pace.
Why Small Group Women’s Retreats Feel Different
Group size changes everything.
Small group retreats allow for:
Real conversations, not surface-level chatter
A sense of safety and ease
Space to be seen without being overwhelmed
It’s one of the reasons small group women’s retreats feel calmer and more grounding, especially when travelling through Europe. You’re held by the group, but never swallowed by it.
A Different Way to Travel Solo
If solo travel has been calling you, but the idea of doing everything alone feels daunting, a women’s retreat can be the in-between you’ve been looking for. You have independence and support. Freedom and connection. Structure and space. It’s not a tour. It’s not a performance. It’s a slower, more human way of experiencing a place.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women’s Retreats
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Yes. Many women join a retreat as their first step into solo travel because it offers support, safety, and built-in connection.
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No. These retreats focus on food, culture, slow travel, and shared experiences not forced vulnerability or spiritual practices.
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Not at all. There’s no pressure to perform or overshare. Many quieter women find small group retreats surprisingly comfortable.
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Savour the Slow hosts small group women’s retreats in Italy and Greece, with a focus on Mediterranean slow travel and connection with locals.
If this post has eased some of your questions or reflected something you’ve been quietly considering, you’re not imagining it.
Savour the Slow offers small group women’s retreats in Italy and Greece, designed for solo travellers who want depth, connection, and a slower rhythm of travel.
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