Prone to Wander Retreats

06/24/2026

For many years I have dreamed of offering a retreat combining creativity, community and faith. And last fall, as I toured a monastery in Puglia, I knew that I'd found the perfect home to base this new offering.

May I introduce you to Cor Unum, "one heart". Taken from a line from one of St. Augustine's sermons that inspired the retreat's name:
Anima una et cor unum in Deum : "one mind and one heart intent upon God."
When I first read those words, they seemed to capture exactly what I hoped this retreat might become: a gathering of women united not only by a love of creativity and beauty, but also by a shared desire to encourage one another and grow closer to God.

Retreat days will unfold through the art of making, shared meals, Christian devotionals, time by the sea, and a keynote from special guest Danielle Kartes, whose heartfelt faith and honesty create an atmosphere of ease and connection.

During our time together, guests will be invited to step away from the everyday and be renewed, encountering God through the beauty of the land, the art of making, the richness of the table, and the sacred history of the place we will call home for the week.

Retreat details can be found on our website:
https://pronetowanderretreats.com/puglia-cor-unum

GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT 09:00 (AM) PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (VANCOUVER/LA)

06/24/2026

Spring 2027 we are offering two brand new retreat offerings in Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy.

The first is:
𝗣𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗔: 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝟴-𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 ⁣

I invite you to join me and my special guest, Melissa Parks (), for a week long adventure in Southern Italy designed for those whose hearts beat faster at the thought of hunting for the perfect antique treasure.⁣
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GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS SATURDAY JUNE 27 AT 09:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.⁣

Find the retreat details, including pricing and inclusions on our website:

Prone to Wander Retreats is a place for creatives who are yearning to escape and enjoy a retreat full of beauty and inspiration; for the Mom who’s tired and ready to have her needs catered to; for the newly retired woman who is looking to rediscover herself; for the lonely soul who wishes she coul...

08/18/2025

𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧!⁣
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What a morning! When registration opened on Saturday, August 16, both of my Spring 2026 retreats sold out 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴.⁣
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I am so grateful for the incredible women who signed up, and I do not take it lightly that so many of you are drawn to these retreats. It is a profound honor to see this dream of creating spaces where creativity and connection meet resonate so deeply. To know that the vision I carry in my heart finds a home in yours is something I will never take for granted. 💛⁣
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If you have been hoping to join me, the best next step is to 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗼-𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁. ⁣
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The bonus:⁣
🌸 If a spot opens, I will reach out to you first before sharing publicly.⁣
🌸 Those on the waitlist also receive priority access to early registration for the next retreat.⁣
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If a week of beauty, art, and belonging is on your heart, send me a note. I would love to add you to the list. 🕊️⁣
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08/15/2025

Tuscany, Italy is calling… and this is your invitation. 🇮🇹⁣
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Join me, May 16-23, 2026 in the golden hills of Tuscany, at a retreat designed especially for women with creative hearts. 🍷🎨⁣
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On this 7-night journey, we’ll:⁣
🖌 Learn the centuries-old art of paper marbling with Maria Gianinni⁣
🎨 Paint under the Tuscan sky with artist Mary Gregory⁣
🛍 Treasure hunt for vintage finds at the Lucca antique market⁣
🍝 Cook alongside a local chef in a villa so extraordinary it was featured in Cabana magazine⁣
🍷 Sip wine at a Tuscan castle and vineyard⁣
💬 Share candlelit dinners and conversations that inspire⁣
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You’ll return home with new friends, renewed creativity, and a heart full of beauty.⁣
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📅 May 16–23, 2026⁣
📍 Tuscany, Italy⁣
👩‍🎨 For women who long to create, connect, and savor life’s details.⁣
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✨ General Registration opens Saturday, August 16th at 09:00 AM Pacific standard Time. Limited spaces. ⁣

Get all the retreat info here: https://pronetowanderretreats.com/la-dolce-vita-may-2026
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNOeXzFSwl7/?igsh=dmYyZnkzamR1M2Vr

08/15/2025

Puglia, Italy is calling… and this is your invitation. 🇮🇹🌿⁣
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This May 2026, join me for Prone to Wander: Puglia a 7-night women’s creative retreat in one of Italy’s most enchanting regions. ⁣
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Imagine staying in a 16th-century Masseria surrounded by olive groves… wandering Ostuni’s antique market… creating jewelry with a local artisan… tasting Puglian cheeses right where they’re made… and lingering over rooftop lunches in Grottaglie’s ceramic capital.⁣
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This isn’t a rushed group tour, it’s a gentle exploration of southern Italy. A time to slow down, connect with local culture, and fill your heart (and camera roll) with beauty. Perfect for creative women who dream of an authentic Italian experience.⁣
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📅 May 5–12, 2026⁣
📍 Puglia, Italy⁣
🎨 Workshops + Culinary Experiences + Local Markets⁣
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💌 Spots are limited — registration opens Saturday, August 16 09:00 a.m. Pacific standard time ⁣

Get all the info here: https://pronetowanderretreats.com/puglia-2026
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNOQfsGpeob/?igsh=MTkzbGRpb2pwYm5kaA==

09/13/2024

Yesterday I sent out a newsletter with a big announcement regarding my business. I’m pretty excited to share that Prone to Wander Retreats is now a licensed travel agency!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_vgfArvS0a/?igsh=MWVsaHluMGZiNW5rNA==

04/26/2024

🎶“She needs wide open spaces..."🎶

Travel is:
inspiring
grounding
educational

It is a way for us to expand our world view. Learn about cultures, foods, arts, architecture, religions, and customs that are different from our own.

It is a reality check, reminding us how fortunate we are - and humbling as we witness the generosity of those who have little wealth yet give from the heart.

Travel is a gift that we give ourselves and a gift we give to the world; because when we are more travelled, we are more tolerant, more accepting, and more understanding of the differences and similarities that bind us together.

I believe, with all my heart, that travel is transformative, thus my prayer for you is that you take advantage of every opportunity you have to explore this wonderful world of ours, you will never regret it.

(This photo was taken at our Marrakech: A city Exploration 2022 event. This pink home - my favourite color - was just a few moments walk from our hotel in the foothills of the Atlas mountains.)

04/24/2024

INTRODUCING:
MARRAKECH: A CITY EXPLORATION Sept 29 - Oct 9, 2024

Have you ever wanted to explore North Africa but felt intimidated to venture out on your own? Than join me, and a group of fellow creative, travel loving women this Fall for a ten day exploration of Marrakech and its surroundings.

Marrakech is spices, pottery, lanterns, tiles, carpets, and oils.

It is fresh salads, souks (markets) where you can find anything and everything, memorable spas and perfumes.

Marrakech is a city that will amaze, delight and stretch your travel acumen as you get to know its stunning heritage buildings and palaces, kind locals, traditional recipes and the artisans who call it home.

Together with our local hosts and guides, we will spend a week in the heart of the old city, followed by three days spent in the countryside giving guests the opportunity to see two different sides of this unique, memorable part of the world!

Want to get all the details? Marrakech: A City Exploration info page is now LIVE! https://pronetowanderretreats.com/marrakech-24

General Registration will open on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 09:00 AM Pacific Standard Time.

02/26/2024

Are you sitting on your gift?⁣
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I was challenged by this question this week. During my reflection, I was reminded that sometimes dreaming of what we’ll do with our gift in the future takes the place of present action and honouring the callings we have. I have been guilty of this, more times than I can count.⁣
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Oftentimes that inactivity is because we feel inadequate or unworthy of stepping into our gifts, other times it’s because we’re scared of the reaction others will have if we are unabashedly open about them.⁣
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In my reading, I was reminded that our gifts are a blessing, with varied callings spread out amongst us so that together we are stronger. And when we hide our gifting, we deprive our community of the small part we are meant to play in making a healthy whole.⁣
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What an awesome thought, eh?⁣
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So, don’t sit on your gift, friend. Let it shine!⁣
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02/14/2024

Food is a gateway to knowing a culture better.⁣
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It’s why I never recommend that my clients eat at a McDonalds or grab a coffee at Starbucks when we’re in Italy. They’d be robbing themselves of the opportunity to try new dishes, see familiar ingredients reimagined, and get a glimpse into Italian traditions and cultural norms.⁣
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Take this amazing lunch as an example. It was served at the table of my friend and Tuscan retreat head chef, food anthropologist Orsa , who is absolutely passionate about the traditions and customs of the food she makes and serves.⁣
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This lunch was simple, yes. But it was also my introduction to a traditional bread from Puglia, Capresine. Typically made with a whole wheat grain, these little pieces of toasted bread were a way to extend the life of a perishable food before refrigeration. The pieces are moistened with water before being garnished in order to soften the top of the piece while still allowing them to keep their satisfying crunch.⁣
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After moistening them, Orsa garnished each piece with tomatoes, red onion, basil, and fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese followed by a dash of salt and splash of liquid gold, aka: olive oil from her olives.⁣
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And this is how a simple lunch turns into a little glimpse of a culinary tradition from the south of Italy and a meal that I now replicate at home!⁣
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