1. Ooh la la, I’ve registered, now what?

• Ensure passport is in order and will be valid through your entire trip.
• Join Paris 2015 Facebook group to meet fellow retreaters.
• Book travel to arrive at Paris hotel by 2pm on Tuesday and depart Saturday after 3pm.
• Finalize balance by 2/15/15.
• Begin gathering writing and art supplies listed in “what do I pack?” below.
• Dabble in art journaling {how-to in your Paris Resource page}.
• Try daily sun salutations.
• Set your intention for this retreat.

2. What’s the scoop?
Join moi for a 5-day/4-night extravaganza to Paris indulging your artistic side. This journey includes five decadent days spent exploring the City of Light through led art and writing workshops, yoga, and flea marketing PLUS free time for tiptoeing through the Tuileries, indulging at a hamam (Turkish bath), window shopping along the Champs Élysées, visiting a Monet at Musée d’Orsay, and sipping café au lait at one of the countless sidewalk cafés.

Each day will include a leisurely breakfast followed by various outings as a small group including yoga in Luxembourg Gardens, afternoon tea time at Ladurée, guided art journaling and writing workshops in picturesque gardens and sidewalk cafés, a perfume-making workshop, an Artist Date day trip to Marie Antionette’s Estate at Versailles, mindfulness meditation in a Gothic-style church, and led flea market gallivanting. There will be a few hours of open space each day for exploring the city on your own (or taking a delicious nap).

This adventure is for Tranquility du Jour readers longing to connect with their creative spark, explore an inspiring city with a like-hearted group, and bask in the beauty this sensory-filled city offers.

3. Where are we staying?
Paris: Observatoire Luxembourg 107, Boulevard Saint Michel, 75005 Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 46 34 10 12 - Fax: +33 (0)1 46 33 73 86

4. How much does it cost?
$2295 (double lodging), $2995 (single lodging)

5. What is included?
Four nights at a beautiful 3-star boutique hotel with free WIFI, breakfast at the hotel, yummy all-level yoga classes (not catered to brand new beginners), led art journaling and writing workshops, mindfulness meditation, an artsy goody bag, perfume-making workshop, an afternoon tea time experience at Ladurée, a boat cruise on the Seine, round trip train transport from Paris to Versailles, entrance to Marie Antionette’s Estate at Versailles, afternoon tea and treats at Salon de Thé Angelina on the Terrace at Versailles, and sensory surprises.

6. What do I pack?

• Passport
• Electrical outlet converter
• Umbrella and rain jacket
• Think layers = clothing for a week of low 60s to low 80s including comfy clothes for yoga classes, relaxing, and hiking
• Comfy shoes for oodles and oodles of walking
• Toiletries
• Medications
• Reusable water bottle and tea thermos
• Sleepwear
• Travel alarm clock (or smartphone)
• Yoga mat and any preferred props
• Art journal (recommend large spiral sketchbook)
• Art supplies: scissors, glue sticks, stamps, stamp pads, tape, Japanese masking tape, markers, acrylic paints, images pulled from magazines

7. How can I best prepare for the retreat experience?
Read through these FAQs thoroughly and take action on the items listed in #1. Tune in to the podcasts on your Paris Resource page. Prepare yourself for five days of basking in the experience of Paris. Disconnect from daily life back home. Be in the present moment. Bring writing and art supplies that will allow you the opportunity to connect to your creative spark.

8. What is a typical day like?
Each day during our adventure varies with a constant inclusion of creativity and mindfulness through Artist Dates, photography, and movement. We’ll enjoy breakfast then head out for our day’s adventure with open space in the afternoon or evening for decompressing, processing, and relaxing in your preferred way.

Sample Retreat Schedule (Subject to change)

• Tuesday: Bonjour, meet in hotel lobby at 3pm, early evening boat cruise on the Seine, casual dinner together at hotel
• Wednesday: Yoga + art in Luxembourg Gardens (weather permitting), mindfulness meditation at a gothic church followed by afternoon tea at Ladurée, open evening
• Thursday: Perfume-making workshop, open afternoon, evening yoga in Luxembourg Gardens
• Friday: Day trip to Marie Antionette’s Estate at Versailles, writing and seated yoga in the gardens, afternoon tea and treats at Salon de Thé Angelina on the Terrace at Versailles, open evening
• Saturday: 9am-noon flea market morning, Au Revoir

9. How do I access the private Paris retreat podcast?
https://ondemand.kimberlywilson.com/paris/

10. Additional Resources

Watch
Midnight in Paris, Paris, Je T’Aime, Amelie, Before Sunset, Funny Face, An American in Paris, Paris starring Juliette Binoche

Listen
Edith Piaf, Carla Bruni, Parisian Café Tunes, MC Solar, Passi, Hotel Costes collection, private Paris Tranquility du Jour podcasts

Read
A Year in Provence, Entre Nous, A Writer’s Paris, Paris in Mind, A Moveable Feast, My Life in France, Markets of Paris, Frenchessence.blogspot.com, Parisian Chic, Paris to the Moon, The Sweet Life: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious and Perplexing City, HipParis.com, Parisperfect.com, My Little Paris

Savor
Sip mariage freres, kusmi tea, champagne. Taste nutella, maille mustard, stinky cheese, lavender, fresh-baked croissants, crepes

Great Links

• a girl, a style's favourite things to do in paris
• my little paris
• DIY walking tours
• 15 must-do's in paris

11. What is your cancellation policy?
No refunds will be issued for your deposit. No refunds for your balance will be issued unless your space can be filled with someone from the waiting list. If your space is not filled from the waiting list, a credit toward future Tranquility du Jour offerings will be issued ONLY if the cancellation is received one month prior to the retreat minus the deposit and a $500 administrative fee. NO credits or refunds will be issued if cancellation is received within one month of the event. If we must cancel due to insufficient enrollment, your deposit and paid balance will be refunded fully.

12. Any retreat guidelines?
We expect that each person will maintain the confidentiality of the group.

• We each share the responsibility for making this group work.
• We try to accept people, just as they are, and we avoid making judgments.
• We try to give everyone an opportunity to share.
• We have the right to speak and the right to remain silent.
• We give supportive attention to the person who is speaking and avoid side conversations.
• We avoid interrupting. If we do break in, we return the conversation to the person who was speaking.
• We arrive on time and prepared.
• We will settle into the retreat experience by basking in being versus do, do, doing.
• We ask for what we need. Question, concern, or struggle? Share with Kimberly or Tim. Compliment? Share with all – including Kimberly or Tim.