JOie de vivre

the art of living life to your fullest

‘Mas edem’ farmhouse and vineyard, provence, france

May 12-18, 2024

WHY I CREATED THIS RETREAT

I’m no longer willing to leave the pursuit of my fullest life to chance, to society’s whim or other people’s rules. From this vantage point of mid-life, I know it is time to grab ahold of the reins and dream for myself what the next decades will look like and feel like. What MY definitions of meaning and purpose and JOY are.

I want to squeeze every last drop out of this exquisite life.

I am craving full-bodied experience. To have all my senses come alive, to be as vibrant as the warm Provencal sun; the olive soaked breezes on my skin, the juice of wine-worthy grapes dripping off my chin, the peals of carefree laughter, and the smell of lavender - all playing as the soundtrack to my musing on how I want to live my “best” life.

I’m claiming a Joie de Vivre as my new pursuit.

How about you? Join me …

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

I have been exploring this region of France for 30 years. It continues to be my favourite place to come and reconnect with a sensory way of living; the sounds, sights and smells leave me enchanted.

Dotted with little villages, historic ruins, fresh produce, warm sun and two-hour lunches, it is where I come to remember the deep pleasure of slow living and reconnect to a bubbling sense of joy.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?


the transformational travel experience

YOUR bucket-list EXPERIENCE INCLUDEs:

  • 6 days of in-session workshops (at least 25 hours) for personal rejuvenation (exploratory exercises, partner work, short training components, learning games, challenges.)

  • 3 small-group private coaching sessions with me, to prepare for your journey, and to integrate your learnings after the retreat. There will also be time with me during the retreat as the ah-has fall into place.

  • 6 nights 5* luxury accommodation (all rooms with private ensuite) in the beautifully restored May Edem (‘Mas’ means Farmhouse in French) located in a vineyard and enclosed by an olive grove. This hidden location is the perfect place to be embraced by the French countryside.

  • Curated quintessential French experiences designed to bring the magic of Provence to life: Self-guided hikes down century-old paths. The best Provencal market in the area. French EATING class (we’ll let the chef do the cooking!) Wine tasting (this is the advantage of staying in a vineyard!) Incredible views and medieval ruins of Saignon. Introduction to one of the few women Michelin chefs and her impeccable restaurant. And so many more cultural surprises…

  • All French gourmet meals and plentiful snacks are prepared fresh daily at the farmhouse, just for us, with a tea/coffee station with home-baked treats available all day. We eat together, we laugh together.

  • Onsite gifts and surprises - now if I told you what they were they wouldn’t be a surprise!

  • Connection in community. The application process will ensure that a symbiotic group of seekers is assembled and facilitated, and post-retreat virtual support will keep you living your discoveries together.

  • 3 workbooks to prepare you prior and guide the integration of your new joie de vivre once you return home.

  • Unhurried time to relax, walk through the olive grove, play boules, sip a glass of rose by the pool.


where we will stay

This magnificent farm estate and vineyard is located in the heart of the Luberon between Gordes and Ménerbes and has exceptional views over the surrounding villages and the famous Mont Ventoux. The estate is bordered by a park, a terrace of olive trees, fountains and courtyard, and of course a vineyard. When we’re not off exploring we’ll have fun playing around the large heated pool and on the boules pitch, and dining and lounging both inside and out.

It is made up of several stone buildings, with stunning features such as French ceilings and original Louis XIII-XV period fireplaces and doors. Being only minutes from the nearest village and a quick drive to Provence’s best market makes this an ideal place to change pace.


Tania Carriere

WHO WILL GUIDE you

Tania Carriere

Tania is deeply committed to being courageous and bold while answering life’s most important questions. Heartfelt, gracious and a believer in abundance, Tania’s experience of travel is that it holds the key to unlocking our sense of enchantment, discovery and humanness.

With over 20 years of designing unique, transformational experiences for individuals and organizations, Tania leans on her background in psychology, coaching, change management, leadership and personal transformation, theatre and travel to create fully integrated, life-provoking experiences.

She also blogs at Celebrate What’s Right and Advivum Journeys and is always contemplating the next adventure. More about Tania

highlights of this travel retreat

PROVENCE IS OUR CLASSROOM - epiphanies happen when we step into a fulsome and curated experience designed to engage our physical, creative, emotional, and spiritual selves. On this retreat we will discover through:

GASTRONOMY

Better than a cooking class, how about an EATING class? The true secret to great French cuisine is our ability to delight in the flavour! Reclaim the art of savouring - food, wine and life.

NATURE

The beautiful sunrise vista from our farmhouse, the ripening sun-soaked olives in our garden, or the pine forest trails at our back are gateways to awe that will ask you to shift your focus as you slow down and take it in.

DAILY SOMATIC MOVEMENT

Each morning through gentle guided movement paired with aromatherapy and acupressure, we will open up our sense of vitality.

AWE-INSPIRING VILLAGES AND HISTORY

Explore medieval ruins, hills of red ochre, and the prettiest market town in Provence. Each one of these locations has a lesson to teach about a life well lived.

OUI OUI - ALL THINGS FRENCH

Boules in the garden, a glass of rosé by the pool, a fromage chosen based on the cheesemaker’s suggestion will bring a French frisson to our days. This is the place to come and be inspired.


when SOUVENIRS are EPIPHANIES, its life changing

Advivum Journeys travel retreats balance the authentic experience of our unique locations with the pursuit of a personal quest. The result is an inspired long-lasting life change.

3 months before

Your retreat journey begins before your arrival in Provence. You will receive beautifully designed workbooks to guide your reflection. These include readings, videos, journaling, and exercises to ready you to realize your quest. You will also participate in 2 small-group coaching calls with me and some fellow participants to prepare for your journey.

Retreat Days

Your retreat days will intermingle reflection and discovery activities, small group discussions, travel excursions, exploration, play, and relaxation. Each agenda is tweaked to reflect the group and the conversation that emerges.

returning home

You will also be supported as you return home and implement your newfound learnings. You will participate in 1 small-group coaching call with me and fellow participants to integrate your epiphanies. You will also have a private online group space where you can continue your dialogue with your new community.

The themes we will explore:

  • Unhurried Time Push away the tyranny of “busy” and create “life balance” by slowing down time and committing to value-based priorities instead of to-do lists.

  • Presence and Mindfulness Engage with all of your senses. Mindfulness is a way of living in deep experience and appreciation of each sensory moment. Bring home vitality and vibrancy as you live the colours and smells of Provence.

  • Unstuck and Vibrant Our endless striving keeps us tightly wound with little movement. Increase a sense of vitality by reconnecting to your body, its messages and its well-being.

  • Gratitude Find the courage to live true to your passion, your purpose, and your gifts. Know them. Celebrate them. Share them. Live your best life and know what you’re in it for.

  • A life well-lived At the end of the day, it is all that matters. But do you know what it looks like for you? How will you measure your experience of life?

  • Joie de Vivre Bring back the effervescence, the commitment, the joy and delight, the drive, the energy. Seriously, what ARE you waiting for?

  • Do you know what it will feel like to live your life to its fullest?

NOW IS THE TIME


the people in our group

The retreat is for anyone who wants to reach deeply into the sumptuous, but illusive feeling of living with a different rhythm and rekindle a heightened awareness of life balance, living sensually, and living life to your fullest.


your investment in YOU

why I chose Provence, France

Why did I choose Provence?

I fell in love the first time I went to Provence; I was immediately enchanted by a different way of living, where people still greeted one another on the streets as they headed out for their morning baguettes or their four o’clock coffee. A long meandering walk over cobblestones and down alleyways always holds me transfixed in wonder. I feel amazement at every turn. An impromptu stop to hike to the top of a hill suddenly revealed ruins from the middle ages that compelled me to sit, journal, and dream. A warm welcome from the market farmer has me smiling, understanding a new sense of belonging.

Amidst the explosion of colour - the vibrant lavender, the red of the Rousillion cliffs, the blue shutters against the cream stone, the delicate pink of my glass of rosé, I learned that the French are incomparable romantics because they flirt with life itself. No rushing, no hurrying but rather the commitment to experience, to see, to taste, to enjoy.

This is my happy place. It is where French Tania remembers that life is for enjoyment. It is to be shared. It is meant to be sumptuous. To rush, to live unbalanced, to forget that we are a part of the joy is to forsake a Joie de Vivre we all long for.

“Happiness is walking around with a long baguette sticking out of your bag!”

Tania


PARTICIPANTS have a lot of great things to SAY ABOUT previous RETREATS

Read and hear what others have said about previous Advivum Journeys retreats!

Here’s an independent review done by the Queen of Retreats and some previous workshop participants.

https://www.advivumjourneys.ca/independent-review-robin-sparks

Getting Here:

Goult (google maps) is in the countryside of Provence, east of Avignon, north of Aix-en-Provence and easily accessed.

FLIGHTS: International flights land in Paris [Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY)] and in Marseille (MRS).

TRAINS: The TGV to Avignon from Paris is 3.5 hours. My team will coordinate your transport from the train station to the house. (45 minutes) (SNCF train tickets)

CAR: 60 minutes from Marseille, 45 minutes from Avignon.


work paying? here is a RATIONALE TO GIVE your boss

Fully expressed, authentic, present leaders are a necessary attribute of today’s most innovative and competitive organizations.

Personal leadership is the foundation of a noteworthy leadership culture. As a leader, I am motivated by a sense of personal purpose and I need to feel recharged so that I can better engage those around me. By observing my patterns, beliefs, and choices through experiential learning and coaching, I am able to make lasting transformations that will influence my leadership choices and this organization’s trajectories.

Who we are is how we lead.

Unhurried by time, fall in love again with those things that matter the most.


RETREAT FAQS:

How will you decide on who will be accepted into the retreat?

Your experience with one another in the group is an important ingredient on the retreat. In order to be invited to attend, I will interview each applicant for "fit and relevance" on a first-come, first-served basis. My years as a coach has given me a great ability to hear people's intentions and personalities. Our Zoom call will help me determine whether this retreat will be a good fit for you and whether you complement the personality and the intention of the group. Once you have received a personal invitation from me, a retreat spot will be reserved upon receipt of your deposit.

Will I like the group?

All retreat participants are interviewed prior to their invitation to participate. This means that everyone attending comes with a desire to seek, to learn, and to grow. This is a time to enjoy participating and learning in a collective. So much of the magic comes through the shared experience with others.

How many spaces are available?

I can welcome 14 participants on this retreat. As you are the focus of this retreat I have intentionally kept the group small so that you have the space to create the experiences, relationships, and 'ah-has' that you are seeking. This also allows me to spend time in impromptu coaching conversations and discovery with each of you, and give you full access to the creative process, the location, and the activities planned. 

Is it for men or women?

The makeup of each retreat is different. Those who show up are passionate, wise, intelligent, kindhearted, open-minded, and adventurous people ready to engage in exploration, regardless of gender. This retreat is open to everyone.

What can I expect from a typical day?

There will be lots of workshop time spent together, sometimes in large or small groups, sometimes one-on-one with Tania or the co-facilitators. You'll find yourself walking (easy to moderate), being in workshops, thinking hard, laughing loudly, and trying something creative. On some days, our reflections and dialogues are highly structured to move you along a graceful exploration of the questions at hand. Other days will be fluid and follow the mood and rhythm of the group. Every day will have some movement, journaling, workshop time exploring a theme, lots of food, quiet time, and relaxation. Country walks figure prominently, so if you have mobility challenges, please let me know so that I can accommodate your needs. Please note: this accommodation has stairs and is not accessible without the ability to climb a flight of stairs.

Is there support offered to me once I complete the retreat?

Absolutely! You'll receive support in the form of workbooks and check-ins once you leave the retreat in order to support your learning. Additionally, your group will be connected via a private social media group in order to support your connections and learning. For those who would like more focused one-on-one support, you might be eligible to work with me directly and we will determine the frequency and duration that would be most beneficial.

I want to attend but cannot afford it. What can I do?

First ask yourself why you think you can't afford it. These retreats are a powerful way to re-imagine yourself and reignite your passion and joie de vivre. That is a tall order and requires an investment in yourself. Some people are stuck in the belief that it is "expensive" to invest in themselves, but if you are not ready for this financial declaration of the new you, perhaps you are just not ready. If you are ready but need a little help, I have the potential for one scholarship place per retreat. As you fill in the application, you can include a request to talk about a scholarship in the interview call.

Can I come late or leave early if the dates don't exactly work for me?

The retreat design is intricate and graceful. Each moment has been given great consideration and each element, be it workshop time or downtime, is gently placed into the agenda for a reason. If you come late or leave early you will miss a part of your discovery, connection with the group, and a step in the overall process. I'd hate for you to miss any of this experience. I encourage you to arrive and depart on the designated arrival/departure days at whatever time works best for your travel schedule. I have found that most overseas travellers enjoy bookending the retreat with a weekend in Paris or Aix-en-Provence.

if I get sick or something comes up and I can't attend Can I get a refund?

This is an intimate retreat and the preparation for your involvement is intentional. Due to the exclusive nature of this experience, I need a confirmed list of attendees. That means that I cannot accommodate refunds and I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover any unanticipated changes in your schedule.  If something comes up and you cannot attend, I will offer your spot to those on the waiting list. Should someone be able to take your spot, I am happy to accommodate you by transferring your payment in full to the next workshop.

What if I have food sensitivities?

We understand! My team and I are foodies, and food plays a central role in our retreats. We can accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and gluten and dairy intolerances. Please note that as we are not using commercial kitchens we cannot guarantee that there has been no cross-contamination. If you have other food needs, please inquire and we will let you know how we can accommodate you. Everyone will be satisfied by the fresh, largely local cuisine. Your food preferences and needs will be noted after your application is accepted.

Can I bring my significant other or a child if they are not attending the retreat?

This is a time of discovery and a time to put yourself at the centre of your quest. Only registered participants are welcome in order to maintain the intimacy and the focus of the session.

Is it personal? Should I expect to "share" and to cry?

Yes and no. It is all about you - your discoveries, your breakthroughs, your intentions, and your laughter. It will be exciting, challenging, and invigorating. You will probably find yourself more relaxed and more creative than you've been in a long while. For some participants, this leads to great extroverted discoveries, for others quiet introverted knowings. Sometimes the path to these things is blocked and the removal of the blockage can find a release through tears, exclamations, dance, or laughter. It is hard to predict what the effect will be for each individual. I promise that my intention is to journey with you, in whatever way you choose.

If you have any other questions I’m happy to answer anything that you may be wondering about. Get in touch.