The Art of Restful Travel
When you rest well, you show up kinder — for yourself, and the world.
One of our mottos. So much of our time is spent going, rushing, and hurrying, from the moment we wake to that big, loud sigh we exhale as we finally climb back into bed.
During those fast-paced days, we’ve likely tried to multitask, only to slip up on one of those many competing priorities. We wander around with too many tabs open in our brains, messages missed or half-drafted, barely pausing to eat lunch. We’ve all seen the jokes — forgive me for what I’ve done or said while hangry. I may be particularly guilty of this one.
“Okay, it’s really time for a vacation!!” we excitedly tell ourselves. So we start planning, only to take that same fast-paced energy into our supposed “escape from it all.”
There are plenty of trips where we really do want to see it all. How often am I going to come to this far-away country? Of course I want to make the most of it. And that’s completely fine! Sometimes, that’s exactly what we’re seeking.
But what if we considered another way of traveling? One where we recuperate our energy, choose only one or two things to do, and give ourselves permission to truly rest.
In 2023, we held our very first pilot retreat at Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. A small group of eight women spent a week together, with our time divided between rest, yoga, local walks, delicious meals, and, of course, one day visiting a local community project.
One of the most meaningful reviews we received after this trip was this:
“Most of my life, I’ve needed a vacation AFTER my vacation … This is truly the first one where I’ve felt completely relaxed …”
This is the feeling I wish upon every guest who travels with us.
Take away memories and souvenirs. Hike the mountain or take your picture with the view. But if there were one feeling to walk away with, this might just be one of the more important ones.
In today’s world of luxury travel, rest and wellness aren’t the main purpose, nor are they an afterthought. They are thoughtfully embedded into the experience, becoming part of the journey rather than something we have to work to find.
A place that feels enough like home to let you exhale, but enough like an escape to remind you that you’re away. An itinerary that gives you space to breathe, while offering just enough to keep your curious mind engaged.
We know how important rest is. Plenty of research, trends, and technology remind us of this regularly. It isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s essential for all of us.
Choosing to prioritize rest in our travels might be one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves — not only while we’re away, but for when we return home, too.
Could this be the best souvenir we bring home? The version of ourselves that comes back: a little more rested, a little calmer, and a little gentler as we step back into our own worlds.
Maybe that’s what it means to travel for a kind world.