The most gorgeous, warm-hearted, charming, delightful, inspiring and mesmerizing location and retreat you could imagine. Thanks, Suska and Nico, and others. You’re amazing! I’m already booking my next trip! — SAANA R.
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Join us for Wine x Wonderlust, the retreat in the French countryside you didn’t know you needed.
That’s right. This isn’t your typical “find yourself” retreat. It’s the retreat you didn’t know you needed — where balance means yoga in the morning and wine in the afternoon, and self-development is less about “fixing yourself” and more about making time to actually enjoy life. You’ll slow down, try new things, embrace local culture, and connect with an awesome group of like-minded women. Think of it as a permission slip to step out of your routine, be present, and rediscover that wellness is just as much about enjoying the moment as it is about finding your zen.
This all-inclusive 6 day/5 night retreat promises the ultimate reset —a way to savor both the journey and yourself — all set within the charming confines of The Happy Hamlet.
Retreat Highlights
Each day unfolds at a timeless pace, with yoga, inspiring workshops, curated wine tastings, and lively apéro gatherings.
Guests can explore wellness, movement, art, food & drink, self-care—or opt into personal time. Each session is designed to enrich your retreat experience.
Activities include:
- Make-your-own charcuterie board
- Hamlet wine-tasting sessions
- Visit to two local (Malbec) vineyards
- Hamlet hike
- (Optional) morning yoga sessions with Shelly
- Awe walks to nourish your mind and elevate your inner world
- Sauna + swimming
- Mindset check and speed coaching
- Paint & sip (wine Q&A with Maria)
- Evening yin yoga
- Wine x Bloom Where You Are Planted workshop: Join sommelier Maria and life coach Shelly for an unforgettable afternoon that blends the simple pleasure of sipping fine wine with the art of just being you.
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More than an exquisite wine tasting, this is an opportunity to unwrite the rules you tell yourself. Through a series of thought-provoking exercises, you will get out of your head and into new possibilities.
Come connect with others who share a passion for both vino and self-care. Engage in meaningful conversations, forge friendships, and collectively embrace the concept of blooming where you are planted.
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Relax & Go With the Flow
In between the workshops, wine tastings, and tasty meals you can steal a moment for yourself and your book, curl up in a hammock tucked away under the trees. If you wish to get more active physically, the surroundings are perfect for walks or jogging, and we need to add, that “the Hamlet Hike” around the property with Nicolas has been very popular – just don’t wear your high heels! You may dip into the natural pool (no chlorite nor other chemicals!) or no matter rain or shine, we’ll heat up the sauna for you to relax and enjoy the views.
All the program is based on a “go with the flow” mentality, this is your vacation, after all! You may participate in our little visits in the region – but it’s completely fine if you wish to stay “home” in the Hamlet.
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We’ll take you for an afternoon trip to visit our friends’ vineyard in “The” Malbec region of France, and we’ll go for a nice walk to enjoy lunch in a charming local restaurant. On departure day we’ll visit the nearby medieval village and pick up the freshest from its farmers’ market for a champagne brunch before the “au revoirs”. That is, “until we meet again” – because we think you might want to return…
Ps. Have a look at the lovely reviews of our previous retreat guests.
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Your Hosts Maria & Shelly
Meet Maria, founder of Wine Maria and former head sommelier with over seven years of experience in a luxury hotel. As a visionary wine professional, she inspires wine lovers to explore new horizons by crafting unique wine-tasting adventures that weave together aromas, flavors, and personal stories. Beyond her signature tastings, she curates wine and food pairings, wine and paint sessions, and champagne yoga—all guided by the philosophy that “wine is meant to be enjoyed.”
Meet Shelly, a certified life and travel coach with a passion for helping people succeed. Over the past five years, she’s inspired countless mid-lifers (hello, all you 26+ year-olds!) to dream more, achieve more, and become more. Her Bloom Where You Are Planted workshop is a space where like-minded individuals gather, check in with themselves, and plant the seeds to make shift happen. Most recently, Shelly has added author to her portfolio with Get Your Calm OM, a playbook for the zen curious.
To learn more visit Maria’s website and Instagram or Shelly’s website and Instagram.
Your Home for the Stay
You will stay in the Guest House of The Happy Hamlet, which centuries ago was home for several families and now has been turned into a place for feeling good. The charming rooms (double, twin or triple) have each an ensuite bathroom with a window. The house has been renovated by preserving as much of the old as possible, yet keeping the comfort in mind. Many recycled treasures have been given new life allowing them to tell you their stories from the past.
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The huge barn will be your lounge, salon and kitchen whenever you wish, and the vast property offers woods and prairies, fields and valleys for you to explore. With the practice, meals, discussions, other activities and visits you will surely have plenty to do, to explore and to experience. But you will certainly have your free time, too. Nothing beats the hammock under the trees for good relaxation!
At night, once in bed, you’ll be guaranteed a good night’s sleep because the only background noise will be the owl informing that everything is.. just fine.
See gallery for more photos of The Happy Hamlet property, the Guest House & rooms, the barn, the outdoors and more. Lovely feedback and reviews from our previous guests can be found on our testimonials page, on our Facebook, and also on Google Business and TripAdvisor .
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Healthy Local Food
Meals are crafted with organic, farm-to-table ingredients, featuring fresh garden produce with offerings from local farmers.
Your stay includes morning coffee or tea with fruit, brunch, dinner, snacks, and all drinks. You’re truly meant to feel “at home” — help yourself to anything from the garden or kitchen for a healthy snack, or savor a glass of wine by the pool whenever the moment feels right.
We use our own organic produce in the season combined with the offering from the local farmers. When we say local, we really mean it, most of the ingredients come from under half on hour’s drive!
Price & Details
All-inclusive retreat cost: 1850 EUR (incl. VAT)
Important note: This stay will be a “holiday” for your wallet, too – you won’t spend a penny while with us and there will be no surprise credit card bills to welcome you back home 🙂
Included in the price:
- 5-nights shared accommodation in the Guest House (twin/double or triple room, ensuite bathroom)
- All meals (breakfast or brunch, lunch, and apéro + dinner with wine in the evening)
- Run of the Hamlet grounds with rolling meadows, natural pool, sauna, bicycles, and sports equipment
- All activities listed under Retreat Highlights
- Vineyard excursions
- Stroll to lunch at a local restaurant
- Wine x Bloom Where You’re Planted workshop
- Hamlet wine tastings
- Visit to the local farmers market & medieval village
- Personal copy of Get Your Calm OM
- One bundled airport transfer from and to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
- Good wine, great company, and a recharged body, mind & soul
Please note that airfares and insurance are not included in the price. A valid travel insurance is required.
Don’t dawdle, limited spots available (max 10 guests) – Your space is waiting!!
FAQ
I’m worried about sharing a room. We get it. Sharing a room with a stranger sounds scary. But they won’t feel like a stranger for long. Because chances are, that stranger is a lot like YOU.
- She loves wine
- She’s craving a reset
- She’s ready to say YES to this experience
We’re in the middle of countryside France. Will I be bored? Trust us, you will lean into “timeless” travel. The Hamlet is a playground for the soul with rolling meadows, endless trails for hiking or running, and charming gardens to wander. Take a refreshing dip in the natural pool, stretch out on the sun-drenched terrace, or sink into a hammock with a good book.
I’m not a wine expert. Can I still join the retreat? Absolutely! You don’t have to be an aspiring sommelier. Maria guides you on a journey of discovery—of wine, yourself, and your tastes. Rather than a traditional tasting and lecture about wine regions and varietals, this retreat encourages you to explore and deepen your appreciation of each pour.
Inquiries & Reservations
Inquiries on the retreat highlights: maria@winemaria.com and shelly.nyqvist@gmail.com
Details on the retreat & to reserve your spot: suska@thehappyhamlet.com
Local organiser: SARL HAPPY HAMLET, 1043 Rte de la Laucarie, 82190 Fauroux, France. Please see The Happy Hamlet conditions for more details.
For directions, closest airports and train stations please see our Contact page.
Join the retreat Event on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to get the latest news – and don’t forget to check out a little video introduction to the Hamlet on our YouTube!
