Release · Savour · Belong
A 4-night, 5-day, all-inclusive retreat for up to 12 women, hosted in Rovies, Greece, this autumn.
I run a small boutique hotel on the Pacific coast, and over the years I've watched women arrive tired and leave lighter — looser in the shoulders, quieter in the mind, more themselves than when they landed. Somewhere between the sourdough and the long dinners, the same question kept surfacing: what do I actually want from the years ahead?
Vera Vida grew from that question. Small, intimate retreats, held in beautiful places around the world, for women who want to explore that question together — while we're still at our best.
Creative direction by Ralu, architect, interior designer, and friend of twenty years.
Gentle exploration of the surrounding landscape, no pressure, no rush.
Hands-on cooking lessons with local chefs. Sourdough baking from scratch.
Local wines paired thoughtfully. Learning the stories behind them.
Intuitive painting. No experience necessary. Pure creative play.
Optional stretching, yoga, or walking. Whatever feels right.
Because sometimes the body needs to laugh, not just rest. No steps to learn — just music, movement, and each other.
Evening conversations exploring the lives of women who moved us.
Coffee, tea, and fresh bread on the terrace. A guided morning walk through the surrounding landscape. A hands-on session: sourdough baking, watercolour, or a local cooking class with a village chef — rotating through the week.
Long lunch, family-style, at the long table. Free time to rest or wander the grounds. An afternoon activity each day — wine tasting, a local excursion, or playful exercises designed to spark neuroplasticity: new ways of thinking, creating, and seeing.
Gathering by the fireplace as the light fades. Dinner together — themed each night: a women-in-history dinner, a storytelling circle, a local specialties table, a wine and stars evening, a dance night under the sky, a guests'-choice night. Late conversation for those who want it, or an early night for those who don't.
This is our intention for each day — with room to shift with the weather, or the group itself.
You've built a life you're proud of, and you're ready to go deeper.
You travel well, but rarely slowly.
You want real connection, not small talk.
You're ready, not waiting for the right moment.
Vera Vida Retreats hosts small, all-inclusive retreats for women, founded by Hana Josephson. Each retreat brings together a single intimate circle of women in one beautiful place for several days of connection, food, and rest.
Women who've built a life they're proud of and are ready to go deeper — whether traveling solo or wanting real connection rather than small talk. You don't need to know anyone else attending beforehand.
Our inaugural retreat runs 4 nights, 5 days, this autumn 2026, at To Rodi Boutique Hotel in Rovies, Evia, Greece. The entire hotel is booked exclusively for our group.
Each circle is limited to up to 12 women, plus the two hosts. We keep it intentionally small so every woman is genuinely seen, not lost in a crowd.
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all activities (cooking, wine tasting, watercolour, sourdough baking, nature walks), and the women-in-history evening dinners. Flights and personal expenses are not included.
Shared rooms are paired with another guest in the circle. Private rooms are yours alone, for a supplement. Private rooms are limited, so they're offered on a first-come basis.