THE RESET RETREAT
Healing, connecting and moving forward after divorce or separation
Puglia, Italy
April 18–25, 2027
Writing • Yoga • Meditation • Coaching & more
Your relationship may be over. Your life isn't.
The Reset Retreat is a restorative week in southern Italy for women navigating life after divorce or separation. It’s a chance for you to step away from everyday responsibilities, make sense of what you’ve been through, gather with others who have had similar experiences, reconnect with yourself and begin imagining what comes next.
Healing isn't only about processing what's been lost. It's also about rediscovering joy, possibility and the parts of yourself that may have been waiting to come back to life.
Reframe your story.
Calm your nervous system.
Come home to yourself.
An intimate retreat limited to just 12 women.
Reach out & we’ll set up a short Zoom call
A WEEK DESIGNED TO HELP YOU FLOURISH AGAIN
Divorce and separation can be among the most destabilizing experiences in a woman’s life. Beyond the loss of a relationship, there can be profound changes in identity, family, friendships, finances, home and the future you once imagined.
And at a time when you most need connection, you can also feel profoundly alone. The Reset Retreat offers the time, space and support to begin moving forward. Our week together is built around four pillars to help you find your footing again.
THE 4 PILLARS
CALM
Settle your nervous system.
Gentle yoga, meditation, a sound bath experience and time to rest will ease stress, quiet the mental noise, improve your sleep and help you cultivate a greater sense of steadiness and presence.
2. CONNECT
Know that you are not alone.
Spend a week with other women who understand something of what you’re going through, sharing meaningful conversation, laughter, friendship and support.
3. REWRITE
Take ownership of your story.
Through guided writing and reflection, consider what you want to carry forward, what you’re ready to leave behind and how you want to shape the next chapter of your life.
4. RECLAIM
Rediscover who you are.
Explore who you are apart from your former relationship and reconnect with the confidence, independence, creativity and possibility that may have become lost along the way.
THE EXPERIENCE
Eight days. Seven nights. Time to reset.
Over the course of a week in the beautiful Puglian countryside, you’ll immerse yourself in writing and reflection, gentle yoga and meditation, a sound bath experience and other restorative practices, all with the guidance of experienced leaders who have navigated divorce and separation themselves and in the company of women who understand what you are going through.
There will also be plenty of laughter, leisurely Italian meals, sunshine, music, pasta making, an afternoon in the nearby city of Lecce, time beside the pool, walks through the gardens and space to simply rest.
The Reset Retreat thoughtfully blends research-backed practices with meaningful shared experiences to give you the support, perspective and space you need to move forward with a greater sense of clarity, confidence and hope.
YOUR RETREAT LEADERS
We’ve been where you are.
Your retreat leaders are writer and memoir coach Anne Bokma and family physician and certified yoga instructor Dr. Meghan Davis. Both of us know firsthand the grief, anger, loneliness, uncertainty and shift in identity that can accompany the end of a long relationship.
Together, they've created the kind of retreat they wish had existed when their own marriages ended: a peaceful place for reflection, restoration, friendship, laughter and hope.
Anne Bokma
Anne is an award-winning author and journalist, memoir coach and experienced retreat leader from Hamilton, Ontario, who has helped hundreds of women write the stories of their lives. Anne separated from her husband in 2019 after 33 years of marriage.
Her memoir, My Year of Living Spiritually: One Woman’s Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life, won two Hamilton Literary Awards. Anne is also the founder of the popular 6-Minute Memoir storytelling series and writes The Other Side of Midlife, a biweekly Hamilton Spectator column and free newsletter.
Dr. Meghan Davis
Meghan has spent more than 25 years as a family physician in Hamilton, Ontario, and is a leader in preventative health, helping people thrive in body and mind. Meghan experienced the end of her marriage in 2014 after 22 years.
A certified yoga teacher, experienced meditator and advocate for mindful movement, Meghan leads gentle-flow and yin classes infused with warmth, wisdom and curiosity and offers insightful reflections with a deep understanding of physical and emotional well-being.
YOUR RETREAT EXPERIENCE
Writing your way forward
Throughout the week, Anne will guide you through a series of short, thoughtful writing prompts designed to help you make sense of what you’ve been through and begin to imagine what comes next.
Writing can help us untangle complicated emotions and see our experiences from a new perspective. You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on what was lost, what was learned and what you want to carry forward as you begin to shape a new chapter of your life. No writing experience is necessary—the focus is on reflection and discovery, not on polished prose.
Coming home to your body
Divorce isn't just something we experience in our thoughts—it can live in the body, too. Stress, uncertainty and emotional upheaval can leave you feeling tense, depleted and disconnected from yourself.
Through gentle daily yoga, meditation and breathwork, Meghan will invite you to slow down, quiet the mental noise and reconnect with your body in a safe and nurturing way.
No previous yoga or meditation experience required.
The power of connection
One of the hardest parts of divorce or separation can be the feeling that you're navigating it alone.
At the Reset Retreat, you'll spend a week with women who understand something of this experience firsthand. There will be opportunities for meaningful conversation and reflection and also for laughter, leisurely meals, walks, music and simply enjoying one another's company.
THE PLACE
A private sanctuary in southern Italy
The Reset Retreat unfolds at beautiful Masseria Torre Luciana, a private farmhouse estate in the sun-drenched Puglian countryside, surrounded by gardens, ancient olive trees and open sky.
Located in Salento, just outside the magnificent baroque city of Lecce, Masseria Torre Luciana has earned a reputation as a peaceful sanctuary for rest, reflection and renewal.
Wander through the gardens, linger beside the panoramic pool, practice yoga in the light-filled shala or enjoy the spa tucked inside a natural cave.
THE FOOD
Fresh, nourishing flavours of southern Italy
Meals celebrate the vibrant flavours of Puglia, with an emphasis on seasonal, locally grown ingredients.
Mornings begin with seasonal fruit, yogurt, eggs, homemade sourdough and cakes. Lunches feature colourful salads, soups, cheeses and legumes, while dinners bring everyone together over dishes such as fresh pasta, risotto, grilled vegetables, local cheeses and homemade desserts.
Vegetarian food is at the heart of the menu, in keeping with the wellness experience, with chicken and seafood offered on some occasions. Local wine is included with dinner.
The week will include an afternoon excursion to the nearby city of Lecce, “the Florence of the south”
WHAT YOUR WEEK WILL LOOK LIKE
Each day offers a balance of guided experiences and time to rest, reflect and enjoy your surroundings.
SUNDAY, APRIL 18
Arrival • Settle in • Welcome dinner
MONDAY, APRIL 19
Yoga & meditation • Writing & reflection • Spa experience • Dinner & conversation
TUESDAY, APRIL 20
Yoga & meditation • Writing & reflection • Handpan music workshop* • Dinner & conversation
* Masseria Torre Luciana is home to Europe’s first handcrafted handpan company. Discover this beautiful steel instrument and its warm, hypnotic tones in a calming workshop designed to quiet the mind and bring you into the present moment.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21
Yoga & meditation • Writing & reflection • Sound bath experience • Dinner & conversation
THURSDAY, APRIL 22
Yoga & meditation • Writing & reflection • Afternoon excursion to Lecce • Dinner & conversation
FRIDAY, APRIL 23
Yoga & meditation • Writing & reflection • Pasta-making workshop • Dinner & conversation
SATURDAY, APRIL 24
Yoga & meditation • Story sharing • Time to rest and reflect • Closing dinner & conversation
SUNDAY, APRIL 25
Breakfast • Farewells • Departure
EVERYTHING THAT'S INCLUDED
7 nights’ accommodation at Masseria Torre Luciana
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
Local wine with dinner
Group transportation to and from Brindisi Airport or Lecce train station during designated arrival and departure times
Access to the pool, gardens, writing nooks and other shared areas
Daily 2.5-hour writing and reflection workshop
Daily one-hour yoga and meditation session
Private one-hour coaching session with your retreat leaders
Sound bath experience
Handpan music workshop
Spa experience with sauna and jacuzzi
Closing ceremony
Yoga mats and workshop materials
Pasta-making workshop
Afternoon excursion to Lecce, known as “the Florence of the South,” a captivating city of ornate churches, lively piazzas and irresistible southern Italian charm. (Transportation provided.)
Plenty of time to walk, relax by the pool, enjoy the gardens and simply be
SUPPORT FOR YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Support from our TICO-registered travel agent, including assistance with flights, insurance & optional pre- and post-retreat travel
Pre-retreat group Zoom to meet one another and discuss travel plans
Private WhatsApp group to keep everyone connected before, during and after the retreat
Take-home resources, including a curated selection of memoirs, poetry and helpful articles related to navigating divorce and separation
An inspiring playlist created by retreat participants
The retreat fee does not include
Airfare • Alcohol outside of included dinner wine • Optional excursions beyond our visit to Lecce • Optional additional spa treatments
WHAT WOMEN SAY ABOUT OUR RETREATS
“It’s like Eat, Pray, Love condensed into one week.”
“This is one of the best investments I’ve ever made in myself. No, strike that: THE best.”
“The retreat was a marvellous, inspiring and transformative experience—all the women were beautiful souls.”
“The sense of community was life-affirming—far beyond what I imagined.”
PRICING
EARLY-BIRD RETREAT FEE: $4,950 CAD
Book by October 15 and save $400
Regular retreat fee: $5,350 CAD
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 CAD is required upon confirmation of participation to reserve your place.
The balance is due February 1, 2027.
Payment plans can be arranged.
Space is limited to just 12 participants.
READY TO RESET?
Come to Italy for a week of reflection, movement, nourishing food, meaningful conversation, laughter and rest.
Go home restored, uplifted and with a clearer sense of your next chapter.
Reach out & we’ll set up a short Zoom call
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
We've taken care of the details—from transfers and beautiful meals to workshops, excursions and restorative experiences. All you need to do is book your flight, pack your bag and come to Italy.
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If you're interested, we'll arrange a short Zoom conversation to answer your questions and let you know which rooms are available. After our call, we'll confirm your participation.
A non-refundable $1,000 CAD deposit is required to reserve your spot, with the balance due February 1, 2027. Payment plans can be arranged.
All retreat payments are made directly to our TICO-registered travel agent.
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All accommodation is shared.
There are four spacious suites of approximately 400 square feet, each with one double bed, one twin bed and a private bathroom. A fifth suite has two twin beds and a private bathroom.
Accommodation is also available in the three-storey Tower, which includes a ground-floor living room and bathroom with shower, two twin beds on the first floor and two twin beds with an ensuite bathroom on the second floor.
We will match you with a suitable roommate. We take this process seriously and thoughtfully consider lifestyle preferences, sleep habits and general travel style to create the best possible pairing.
On past retreats, many women who arrived as strangers and shared rooms left as close friends.
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Months before the retreat, you'll be invited to a group Zoom call where you'll meet your fellow participants. You'll also join a private WhatsApp group, giving you the opportunity to connect before the trip and perhaps make plans to travel together or arrange pre- or post-retreat adventures.
Throughout the retreat, you'll be in the supportive company of your retreat leaders and the other women in our intimate group.
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Not at all.
Anne works with writers of every level, including people who have never considered themselves writers. Most retreat participants arrive with little or no writing experience and are often surprised by what they're able to produce.
At the end of the week, you'll have the option to share some of your writing with the group.
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You never have to share anything you don't want to.
Writing, coaching and group experiences are designed to take place in a supportive, confidential and judgment-free environment. You decide what feels right for you.
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Not at all. Whether you're completely new to yoga and meditation or have years of experience, Meghan's gentle sessions are designed to be appropriate and accessible. The beautiful glass-walled shala is equipped with blankets, blocks and mats.
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Vegetarian meals are at the heart of the menu, with chicken and seafood served on some occasions. Please let us know about dietary requirements when booking so we can discuss what accommodations are available.
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Complimentary group transportation will be provided from Brindisi Airport and Lecce train station during the designated arrival period on the afternoon of Sunday, April 18. Departure transportation will be provided after breakfast on Sunday, April 25.If you're unable to arrive or depart during the designated transfer times, we can provide information to help you arrange private transportation at your own expense.
Situated in Salento, Puglia, Masseria Torre Luciana is approximately 20 minutes from Lecce and 45 minutes from Brindisi International Airport.
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If possible, you may want to arrive in Italy a day or more before the retreat to adjust to the time difference and enjoy a little exploring.
Lecce makes an excellent base before the retreat, and there are many other wonderful destinations throughout Puglia. Our travel agent can help with pre- and post-retreat planning.
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Late April generally brings mild spring weather. Daytime highs average approximately 18°C to 21°C (64°F to 70°F), with nighttime temperatures around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F).
You'll want layers and a light jacket for cooler evenings.
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Yes. All bookings and payments are handled through our TICO-registered travel agent, Julie Gillen of Passport to Passage, providing professional travel support and added protection for your investment.
Julie can also assist with flights, cancellation and travel insurance and optional travel before or after the retreat.
Payments can be made by e-transfer or credit card.
Julie Gillen, Certified Travel Counsellor
Passport to Passage – Powered by The Travel Agent Next Door
55 York Street, Suite 1003
Toronto, ON M5J 1R7
416-367-8264 Ext. 2828
Mobile: 519-860-2554
TICO Registration #5003172 -
Yes. Participants will be required to provide proof of travel/health insurance after booking and to sign a liability waiver. We strongly recommend flexible airline tickets and travel interruption/cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
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Your initial $1,000 deposit is non-refundable because deposits are made in advance to secure the retreat property. If you need to cancel, the balance of your payment is refundable if we're able to fill your place from the waitlist.
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Absolutely.
Our travel agent can help arrange pre- and post-retreat experiences in Rome, throughout Puglia and elsewhere in Italy. These additional experiences can be booked directly through Julie Gillen of Passport to Passage.
