What’s Included in a Holistic Escapes Retreat (And What Isn’t)
One of the first questions women ask when they're looking at a retreat is: but what exactly am I paying for? It's a fair question, and honestly, one I love answering — because the answer is a lot.
At Holistic Escapes, I've tried to design every retreat so that once you arrive, you don't need to think about logistics, meals, or what's next. You just show up and be present. That said, there are a few things that aren't included, and I'd rather be upfront about those too so there are no surprises.
Here's a full breakdown, by retreat.
What's included across all Holistic Escapes retreats
Regardless of which retreat you join, a few things are always part of the experience:
Daily movement sessions led by me, personally. Every retreat includes daily mat pilates and yoga — I lead every single session myself. I don't send a substitute teacher. This isn't a retreat where you're handed off to a local instructor while I handle admin. You'll move with me every day.
Hand-picked accommodation. Every property we stay at has been personally chosen — usually a boutique wellness resort, eco-lodge, or private villa that fits the spirit of the destination. No generic hotel chains.
A small group of women. All retreats are capped at 12 guests. This isn't a wellness festival with 80 people — it's a small group where you'll genuinely get to know everyone.
All ground transfers. Getting between locations, airports to resorts, resorts to experiences — all included. You won't be organising your own taxis or working out local transport.
Sri Lanka — Soul Escape (2026) & Pilates in the Wild (2027)
Sri Lanka is our most immersive retreat, moving through five locations across 7–8 nights. Here's what's included:
Accommodation at five handpicked properties — in 2027 these are Jetwing Lagoon, Aliya Resort & Spa, Kandy Myst by Cinnamon, 98 Acres Resort & Spa, and The Galle Merchant (inside Galle Fort). Daily mat pilates sessions (all levels — genuinely, not just in theory) plus evening restorative yoga, yin, breathwork or sound healing. All breakfasts and dinners throughout. Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the full journey. All entrance fees and guided tours — Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, the Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Nine Arches Bridge, Minneriya elephant safari, and a walk through Galle Fort. A first-class ticket on the iconic Kandy to Ella highland train. A signature spa or Ayurvedic experience (you choose at booking from a shortlist of options).
Not included for Sri Lanka: International flights to Colombo, travel insurance (this is mandatory — please factor it in when you're budgeting), lunches, alcohol, personal expenses, and visa fees (Sri Lanka ETA is around USD $20).
Maldives — Ocean Reset
The Maldives retreat runs from our private island resort at Kandooma in the South Malé Atoll. It can be booked as a standalone week or added on after Sri Lanka — just a 1.5-hour flight between the two, and we sometimes travel together as a group.
Included: 7 nights at Kandooma Resort, daily pilates and yoga sessions, half board (breakfast and dinner daily), all water activities (snorkelling, paddleboarding, beach access), and speedboat transfers from Malé airport to the island. The Maldives retreat can also be done as 3, 5 or 7 nights if you can't take the full week.
Not included for Maldives: International and domestic flights, travel insurance (mandatory), lunches, alcohol, and personal expenses.
Bali & Sumba — Wanderlust Wellness
This is our most adventurous retreat — 13 days moving through Bali (Uluwatu and Ubud) and then across to Sumba, one of Indonesia's most remote and beautiful islands. You can join for Bali only, Sumba only, or the full experience.
Included across the full experience: luxury accommodation at all three locations, daily pilates and yoga sessions throughout, all breakfasts in Bali plus all meals in Sumba (breakfast, lunch and dinner — Sumba is remote and the resort handles everything beautifully), all ground transfers, and a collection of signature experiences: a sacred waterfall ceremony, sound healing at the Pyramids of Chi, a yin class at Alchemy in Ubud, and a cliffside recovery session in Uluwatu.
Not included for Bali & Sumba: International flights to Bali, travel insurance (mandatory), personal expenses, and any lunches during the Bali portion.
What's never included across any Holistic Escapes retreat
To keep things simple: international flights are never included. I've found it's always better for guests to book their own flights — you can choose your own dates, seat preferences, and airline, and it means the retreat price stays comparable across different departure cities.
Travel insurance is mandatory on every retreat. I won't repeat myself too much here, but please factor this into your budget when you're planning. A good comprehensive policy for two weeks in Asia is typically $150–$300 AUD depending on your age and cover level.
Is a payment plan available?
Yes. A deposit secures your space, and the balance is due before departure — payment plans can be arranged on request. Just reach out and we'll work something out that suits you.
If you have a specific question about what's included that I haven't covered here, the easiest thing is to just message me directly. You'll always be talking to me — not a booking agent or a virtual assistant. I'd rather answer your question properly than have you hesitate over something small.
You can see our current retreats and upcoming dates at holisticescapes.com.au.