There's a certain softness to the light in southwestern France, a gentle glow that seems to touch everything. It spills across the vineyards in the early morning, filters through ancient stone walls warmed by centuries of sun, and lingers on shared tables as the day comes to a peaceful close. This is the rhythm we'll ease into for a week: a pace that is slow, intentional, and beautifully alive. Our journey begins deep in the countryside, where a small group of women will gather at a private Chateau near the important medieval town of St. Emilion, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mornings here will open with the comforting scent of strong coffee and fresh bread. Our coaching sessions will unfold naturally, sometimes beneath ancient trees, other times around a quiet table, as we begin the meaningful work of reconnecting with ourselves, with one another, and with the kind of profound wisdom that often gets lost in the rush of everyday life. The days themselves are shaped not by rigid checklists, but by experiences designed to awaken something deeper within. Imagine a private tasting at a woman-led winery, where passion and tradition meet. Picture an afternoon lost traipsing through cobblestone streets, or a gentle river cruise gliding past dramatic limestone cliffs and ancient castles. There will be delicious meals prepared just for us, laughter shared easily over local oysters and exquisite wines, and conversations that stretch into the evening with effortless grace. Later in the week, the energy shifts as we transition to Bordeaux city, a place that feels both grand and surprisingly grounded. Here, we'll walk, taste, and reflect, gathering for a final evening that feels less like a goodbye and more like a return to a truer self. This is a journey for women who are ready for more, more genuine connection, more present moments, and more expansive room to breathe. It is for those who intuitively sense that the most meaningful journeys are, ultimately, the ones that gently guide us back to ourselves.
Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip. Press the "<" and ">" buttons below to scroll through each day.
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Château Chaumeton, a beautifully restored 15th-century castle near the Dordogne River and just 15km from Saint-Émilion, offers the perfect setting for our life coaching retreat. Set within a working vineyard, this historic château blends centuries-old charm with modern comfort. With its original towers, spacious country kitchen, and stylish yet cozy interiors, it's a peaceful, inspiring space to relax, reflect, and reconnect.
Le Boutique Hôtel & Spa is a chic 5-star stay in the heart of Bordeaux, set in an elegant 18th-century townhouse. With stylish rooms, a serene courtyard, and a full spa, it’s the perfect blend of luxury and charm—just steps from the city’s best sights.
Doni is the owner and founder of Girls' Guide to the World, and she only picks a few trips to do each year. She has traveled to 80 countries and counting. Her favorite part about guiding tours is meeting the amazing women who join her.
We’re excited to welcome Jen Frey as the life coach on an upcoming Girls’ Guide to the World trip. A Master Certified Life and Leadership Coach and host of the Think on Purpose podcast, Jen has over 2,500 hours of experience helping women overcome perfectionism, self-doubt, and burnout to lead with clarity and confidence.
With two decades in nonprofit leadership and her current role as Executive Director of one of Chicago’s largest YMCAs, Jen understands the challenges of high-achieving lives. A self-described recovering perfectionist, she blends mindset and somatic practices to help women create lives that feel authentic, joyful, and purposeful. Ready to quiet your inner critic? Jen’s your guide.
Your own ensuite room with King Bed
FROM$11,155
Everyone gets their own fabulous room!
FROM$10,255
Share a room with a friend or family member Note: bathroom is on a lower floor
FROM$8,755
FROM$9,655
An amazing cultural and wine experience
You are in for a real treat with this trip! We'll be immersing ourselves in the renowned beauty of Bordeaux and its stunning surrounding region. Far more than just a city sharing its name with famous French wine, Bordeaux boasts 350 historical buildings and monuments, dozens of fascinating museums and art galleries, and, of course, some of the most famous and best wineries in the world. And that's not even mentioning the food – you'll discover some of the finest cuisine in all of France right here. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through history, culture, and culinary delights!
English and French speaking host and facilitator included
Everything stated in the itinerary above including all meals (except where otherwise noted)
Accommodations at unique, 4-star or better hotels
Museum and other entry fees
Dinner at a Michel Star restaurant
Two wine tastings
Two picnics
Cooking class
GG2W welcome gift
Culinary & wine experiences
Cultural & historic activities
Six transformational coaching sessions
Private river cruises
Roundtrip airfare to France
Meals and drinks not stated in the above itinerary
Trip and Medical Insurance (required)
All personal souvenir expenses
Transport to and from Bordeaux
Fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.
The trip officially starts on the evening of September 12th, but if you are traveling across an ocean to get to France, consider arriving a day early so you have time to relax and get acclimated to the local time zone. If you do decide to arrive early, please let us know and we will book your room for you and make sure that you stay in the same room as you will be in when the trip starts.
We will have a zoom call about 6 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.
The climate is quite comfortable in September. Temperatures range from a high of 79°F to a low of 55°F, with mostly sunny days and only a slight chance of rain.
Presently, if you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a visa to visit France for tourism stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended travel dates.
We require that everyone traveling with Girls' Guide be able to comfortably walk 3–5 miles per day unassisted, and without difficulty, can navigate stairs, uneven streets or paths, and occasional steep terrain. Most of our trips require this level of physical mobility and fitness, especially when visiting historic towns and landmarks where vehicle access is limited and walking often offers the best experience. Additionally, some of the 4 and 5-star boutique or historic hotels we stay in do not have elevators and may require climbing stairs to get to your room or access other facilities in the hotel.