Have you enjoyed traveling in a group with Black women? Is there a destination that you find to be especially beautiful, restful and restorative? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
We love to see your melanin shining in sunny snapshots on social media, Sis. But with your next vacation getaway, perhaps you are ready to spend some restorative and reflective time off in the company of like-minded sisters and immersed in a scenic environment to enhance both your inner and outer glow.
If this sounds like a plan, here are five Black women-centered escapes to consider (check out our 2019 roundup for more retreat options) – all focused on self-care and sisterhood via shared activities like yoga, meditation, hiking, healthy and tasty meals, and parties with a purpose. Booking early is recommended because these retreats tend to sell out quickly.
Rest: A Retreat for Black Women in Pompano Beach, FL
(June 27-July 1, kristenguillory.com)
This five-day retreat is hosted by siblings Dr. Kristen Guillory, an international speaker and mental health professional who has been hosting retreats for a decade, and Danielle Anderson, a registered yoga teacher and birth and bereavement doula.
Guillory says many Black women have made exhaustion their norm and don’t prioritize rest. The goal of this second annual retreat is for sisters to “begin the journey of walking in freedom.”
“Black women are brilliant and tired,” she says. “[We are] tired of being super women, tired of code switching, tired of not being believed when we say we are in pain, and tired of being told we have to work three times as hard.”
The retreat begins and ends with intention settings, and features other self-care activities like breathwork, coaching sessions, massage and reiki sessions and a game night.
The cost is $1,997 per person, which includes meals and snacks. Airfare and lodging are not included. A block of rooms is reserved at the Home 2 Suites by Hilton Pompano Beach Pier.
Embodied Black Girl Retreat in Vieques, Puerto Rico
(July 14-18, embodiedblackgirl.com)
Founder Thérèse Cator’s third annual Embodied Black Girl Retreat is open to women of color from all age groups and walks of life. The theme of this year’s retreat is rebirth.
“Our community of women is extremely supportive of one another. And the friendships created extend beyond the days we’re on retreat,” says a spokesperson for Embodied Black Girl.
Cator’s work blends her training and experience in coaching, somatics, storytelling, transgenerational trauma healing, energy work, community building and activism.
“This retreat will provide a space of deep nourishment, delicious chef-prepared Ayurvedic cuisine, and a lush retreat center where we can remember our essence, embody our pleasure, and transform through sisterhood.”
The cost starts at $3,300 per person, depending on room type and availability. This does not include airfare or taxi transfers to and from Puerto Rico. Join the mailing list and receive a free boundaries practice (https://embodiedblackgirl.com/free-practice/).
Vibrant Women of Color: A Creative Wellness Retreat for Artists and Entrepreneurs at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA
(July 21-26, Kripalu.org)
Nestled in the Berkshires, a rural region of mountains of western Massachusetts, Kripalu is a renowned retreat center for yoga, rest and relaxation. This retreat is tailored for creative women of color, and is led by poet and Brooklyn Wellness Club yoga studio founder Paris Alexandra. The guest presenter is Melba Nicholson Sullivan, a licensed clinical community psychologist, executive coach and performing artist. During the five-day program, attendees will participate in workshops and yoga programs designed to deepen the mind-body connection, and to assist with personal goal setting. Daily yoga classes, three nutritious and delicious meals per day, and access to the lush Kripalu grounds are included.
The cost starts at $1,044 per person, which includes tuition, daily meals and dormitory accommodations (the price increases based on upgraded accommodations). Tuition scholarships are available, as a part of Kripalu’s commitment to promote equity and accessibility.
Empower Her Nature Retreat in the Catskill Mountains, NY
(August 15 -18, blackwomensyogaco.com)
Founded by Mel Douglas in 2018, the Black Women’s Yoga Collective (BWYC) is an online community with over 20,000 members worldwide that is dedicated to increasing wellness accessibility for people of color. On this camp-reminiscent retreat in the Catskills, Douglas says guests can expect “an intentionally crafted space where they pour into themselves, and connect with other Black women who are also working toward healing.”
She adds, “We've had the honor of having many women over 40 or who were super new to practicing yoga join us on our retreats and feel comfortable practicing with us. All of our yoga classes have options for accessibility and adjustments to meet each person's individual needs.”
Other fun bonding activities include a guided group hike, swimming, kayaking, campfire karaoke, making s’mores and a talent show.
The cost starts at $1,550 per person for shared accommodations and increases based on room type and availability. Meals, snacks, activities and goodie bags are included, but transportation must be booked separately. Sign up for the newsletter to get the scoop on upcoming retreats.
OMNoire, The Soft Life Retreat in Madeira, Portugal
(September 22-27, omnoire.com)
We love the sound of the soft life, and this retreat seems like a great fit for the woman who wants her respite with a side of luxury. Hosted by wellness coach Allaya Cooks-Campbell, this bucket list experience includes posh activities like a sailing cruise, a city tour, wine tasting and a picturesque picnic.
When founder Christina Rice started OMNoire in 2017, she was the sole retreat leader and the company has since partnered with 24 knowledgeable retreat leaders who host 15 to 20 retreats per year. Rice says the trip to Portugal’s beautiful island of Madeira (known as “the island of eternal springtime”) is a calendar favorite.
“There is a large black expat community in Portugal which is why it feels more welcoming than other European countries, and also likely why seeing people of color doesn’t seem foreign to both locals or visitors of different ethnicities,” she says.
The cost starts at $4,200 per person, depending on room type and availability. Accommodations at the elegant Reid’s Palace hotel, plus meals and roundtrip airport transfers are included. Airfare must be booked separately. If you can’t make this retreat, planned 2025 retreats will take place in Thailand (The Menopause Retreat), Bali and Mexico. Plus, there's a wait list for retreats in Tanzania and Napa Valley.
Have you enjoyed traveling in a group with Black women? Is there a destination that you find to be especially beautiful, restful and restorative? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
