Retreat Planner Guide
Ah, a retreat to the country sounds so romantic, that is until you realize a few important details that will undoubtedly consume all your time once you get there.
When I first had the concept of running intimate retreats in our idealistic “rustic” country place, I rolled up my sleeves, prepared to do it all. And I did - all of it!
Of course, this is normal when you have not tried out any local service providers yet, when you don’t know how the flow will go in a space, and when you are redefining what a retreat even is for people.
There is an idea out there that retreats are one thing. Perhaps a group getting together and doing lots of yoga. And, yes, that is one type of retreat, but I have a different definition of a retreat that is much much more inclusive. It took purchasing a country home in 2016 for me to discover what retreats really are. I instantly knew, with no logical explanation at the time, that our new vacation spot was a retreat center. I just hadn’t experienced what that meant to put it into words.
What is a retreat?
A retreat is results oriented in that it has a leader who cares about the journey their guest is taking.
A retreat leader cares that the guests of the retreat feel the way they desire to feel (often very rested and vibrant).
A retreat leader guides the guests while still inviting them to enjoy all the pleasures of life.
A masterful retreat leader does not even need to be present to achieve all this!
I see retreats as the way we should all be living when we take time away from our over-full and busy lives.
I see retreats as replacing vacations in essence. A vacation is something we might do to escape from the everyday, whereas a retreat elevates our every day.
A retreat is an intentional time away from your usual routine to step into alignment where you have been living out of alignment.
When you aim to construct a retreat for your team, your family or yourself you can first ask the question: where are we/me/us out of alignment? Where are we drifting apart?
How did we turn vacations into retreats in the Quebec hills? The lands we live on in Quebec are indescribably magical. These are the lands of the Anishinabe people of the Anishinabewaki nation only a few centuries ago. I grew up on these lands where fresh water bubbles up from the ground or pours from a spring. These lands where each season speaks a different language that marks your year so poignantly. These lands where the trees are seasonal or evergreen showing us the beauty of being different.
Where to stay?
The greatest mistake you could make when planning where to stay in the Quebec countryside is to over-value being in a village.
Being able to get outside easily to the quiet of the woods is what will create the deeper retreat experience. In a village you will be bombarded by restaurants and shopping which will distract you from the natural richness of the forest.
Check that you are not right on a busy highway too. If you don’t want to be bothered by constant sounds of motors, then you may not want to be on a large lake either.
We love our Chalet Renne location for the ease of getting to (about 2 minutes off the highway) while not being right on the highway. We also love that it is on a quiet lake where you will never hear the sound of motors and can swim or do stand up paddle board yoga with no care in the world that you might have someone run into you.
Check that the place you are staying has enough bedrooms and bathrooms with showers. Many retreat venues offer shared room options to optimize the cost but do not have enough shower spaces. We made sure Chalet Renne was equipped with 3 full bathrooms to accommodate a group of 8. I recommend 1 bathroom for every 3 people.
What to bring with you?
I have designed the ultimate eco-responsible, sustainable wardrobe for retreat life in the Quebec countryside. Capsule wardrobes are all the rage (as they should be) and my version of a capsule wardrobe for a Quebec retreat is a collection of your old comfiest clothes. Stained? torn? stretched out? all the better! Country life is meant to be grunge and hipster. Sustainable is the new luxury. In your capsule put a large warm sweatshirt (even for the summer), t-shirts that can double as pyjamas, slippers, you know, the ones that loving family member got you as a present, and stretchy pants.
Footwear and outerwear is the place to be attentive. Play this by the season. In the spring and fall rubber boots rule. In the summer, hiking boots and rugged sandals are the best. And in the winter warm, hot, comfortable winter boots. Ugly-warm attire is happy. Beautiful-cold is miserable.
How to get around?
The most difficult part of retreats to the Quebec country can be transportation. You will need a car. If many people are coming from different locations and car-pooling is not an option then you need to make sure your retreat venue has enough parking. If you plan outings for your retreat you should ideally plan to have a large enough car or van or even consider renting a bus or taxis.
We do offer our guests the option to get taxis from Montreal and help them find the most reputable drivers.
Once you are at a retreat, your retreat can be so immersive that you do not venture off the property much. Look for retreat venues that have lots of outdoor space either on the property or attached to the property.
About food in the country.
The memorable moments of your retreat will center around the dinner table. If you team up with a food professional you will not stress. I highly recommend you do not attempt to cook for your guests and host a retreat at the same time. These are two distinct jobs that each need special attention and care.
A great retreat takes its guests on a sensory journey with food. In Quebec, local foods like cheeses, berries in the summer, squashes in the fall, and greenhouse grown finds in the winter will make great additions to your food plan.
There are many local and chain grocery stores to choose from. There are also many restaurants sprinkled in all the corners of the country. Quebecers love their food and are proud to serve up tasty delights.
At Ralia Retreats we believe in providing a signature food experience with each of our retreats. If you had a signature food experience what would it be?
My Golden Ticket Advice
Take advantage of what Quebec does naturally and experience and try out all the seasons, especially the summer, fall, and winter. In fact, combine the heat and cold experiences in one by retreating at a place with a thermal spa set up. There is nothing like sweating out all your stress in a steamy eucalyptus infused sauna before running with the wind in your hair to an icy cold lake and diving in. Now imagine you are floating in the lake under a canopy of golden stars… this is what I experienced for the first time at Chalet Renne. There is literally nothing like that feeling of majestic, velvety aliveness!
This is what is so unique and special about Ralia Retreats.
You could go on vacation or you could…
Go on a journey of exploration and discovery.
We love the excitement of creating this for you in a beautiful natural setting…
With our vetted wellness services like massages, yoga, healthy food, excursions in nature, and cultural immersions, you will experience deep connections on all levels… It will be a time away, something better than you ever expected.
To live a fulfilling life starts with the intention to do so.
Take this exciting step and come retreat with us or give the unforgettable gift of a retreat.
