Ask Tara: Your Retreat Questions, Answered

When people hear “yoga retreat,” they sometimes imagine that yoga is the whole point of the trip.

That is not how I see it.

For me, this is first and foremost a cultural retreat, with wellness as one small part of the experience. It is about exploring a place I love or feel connected to, sharing meaningful experiences, eating lots of great food, and leaving enough room in the day to relax. It can be reflective, social, active, or quiet: sometimes all four before dinner.

I’m often asked how Wonder to Wander Travel began, what our days really look like, and whether someone needs to be fit or experienced to join. So, here are my honest answers.

How did you get started?

I got started by traveling on my own and having to do a lot of research.

Early in my life, I traveled alone quite a bit, often while working in the service industry. I had to figure out where I was going, the most cost-efficient way to get there, and what to do once I arrived in a cool spot. I learned how to research destinations carefully, make decisions independently, and find experiences that felt worthwhile rather than simply checking off the most obvious attractions.

There is a lot of freedom in solo travel, but there is also a lot to manage. You are researching the destination, organizing the logistics, and deciding how to spend every day. Those experiences taught me what travelers really need: thoughtful planning, reliable local connections, and enough flexibility to enjoy the unexpected.

A big turning point came when I planned my mom’s 75th birthday trip to the Middle East. She wanted to go to Israel, and I wanted to see Jordan and Petra. Through that experience I met a wonderful guide in Jordan.

At that point, my original idea was actually to take people to see the seven wonders of the world, which makes sense if you know my world history and art history background. That idea still lives in me, and I absolutely plan to do that at some point. But along the way, the vision expanded.

I also realized how much I enjoyed bringing in the wellness side from my 13 years of teaching yoga and fitness. That became a natural complement to the kind of travel I already loved: immersive, thoughtful, and deeply connected to place. So now, what I create is not just about seeing something iconic. It is about experiencing a destination through its people, food, traditions, landscapes, and rhythm, with wellness woven in as one part of the overall retreat.

That evolution is really at the heart of Wonder to Wander Travel. My own travel experiences, both the exciting moments and the amount of research and decision-making behind them, informed the way I plan trips today. I want guests to feel cared for without feeling managed. I want them to experience a destination deeply while still having time to simply be there.

You can read more about my background on the About Tara page.

What does a typical day look like?

The honest answer is that a typical day is different on each vacation.

That is part of what makes these retreats special. We may have a general rhythm to the day, but nothing is overly scheduled. We typically begin with a morning wellness class, followed by generally meals and some time together. From there, we may head out for an excursion, take a cooking class, join a walking tour, or enjoy an experience with local people. That could mean wandering a market with a guide, learning something hands-on from local artisans, spending time in a beautiful landscape, or sitting down with people who help us experience the destination in a more personal way.

In the evening, we do different things. Sometimes that means an evening stretch or a sound bath. Sometimes it is simply a shared meal, good conversation, and space to wind down after the day.

The schedule is intentionally relaxed. You do not have to participate in the wellness classes, and you do not have to join every activity if you do not want to. There is no pressure to participate in everything.

And one of the joys of this is that we are able to make decisions together as a group. If we want to stay longer somewhere, we can. I like leaving room for that because it makes a trip feel more natural.

Travel should have some breathing room. The most memorable moments are not always the ones that appear in the itinerary. Sometimes they happen over a meal, during a conversation after an experience, or in the quiet space between one activity and the next.

Is this type of retreat right for solo travelers?

Absolutely.

These retreats can be a wonderful fit for solo travelers, two friends sharing, or a couple. You do not need to arrive with a large group or a built-in travel companion.

Retreats can be such a good option for solo travelers because they offer a comfortable middle ground. You get the connection of shared meals and meaningful experiences, along with the freedom to still have space for yourself.

That is especially helpful if you are traveling alone for the first time or simply want a trip that does not require you to coordinate every detail yourself.

I have written more about this balance in Traveling Solo? Why a Private Group Tour Might Be Your Perfect Match.

Do I need to be fit or experienced to join?

No.

You do not need to be fit or experienced to join. These retreats are perfect for anyone.

The morning wellness class is an offering, not a requirement. The same is true of the evening sessions. You can participate in what feels right for you, and you can choose to rest when that is what you need.

Whether you are new to this kind of travel or already comfortable exploring, you do not need a specific routine, extensive travel experience, or a particular level of ability.

You simply need to be open to being somewhere new.

Our traditional trips are designed for adults, but we also create special trips for children and teenagers. Those are separate from our traditional retreat offerings, allowing us to shape the activities and pace appropriately for the travelers joining us.

What makes a Wonder to Wander retreat different?

For me, it comes down to how personal and curated the experience is.

We keep our retreats intentionally very small, which changes everything. It allows the experience to feel warm, thoughtful, and connected rather than generic or rushed, and it gives me the ability to personally curate the details in a meaningful way.

What also makes us different is the local connection. I am not interested in moving people quickly from one highlight to the next just to say we saw it. I want travelers to experience a destination through the people who live there, the stories they share, the food we eat together, and the understated moments that give a place its rhythm.