Days two to four are the walking days. You set off from the farmhouse each morning and follow a section of the Camino de Santiago, with the Gers landscape around you — vines, sunflowers, woods and meadows. Because the farmhouse is your base for the whole stay, you walk with a day pack rather than a full rucksack, and your room is waiting when you get back.

Alongside the walking, the retreat teaches two practices: walking meditation and writing meditation. The walking meditation is used on the trail, to help you settle into the pace of the day rather than treating it as distance to be covered. The writing meditation gives you a way to put down what comes up during the walks. Both are taught as practical tools you can keep using once you are home.

The setting is a 200-year-old Landaise farmhouse north of Nogaro. The Gers is Armagnac country — the vineyards around you produce Armagnac and Côtes de Gascogne wines — and it is also the homeland of Dumas's D'Artagnan. It is a slow, rural corner of southwest France, and the retreat is built around that rhythm rather than around filling the day.

Logistics are deliberately kept light. You arrive for dinner on day one, walk on days two to four, and depart after breakfast on day five. Meals are included and use locally sourced ingredients, with dietary needs catered for if you tell the leader in advance. Everything on the ground is arranged for you.

Getting there is straightforward. Fly into Toulouse, take the train to Auch — the Camino passes through the town and its cathedral has a hand-carved choir worth a stop — then a bus to Nogaro. Car rental, taxi and rideshare are also options if you would rather arrange your own transport. Full directions are shared once your booking is confirmed.

What's included

- 5-day guided walking retreat on the Camino de Santiago - Accommodation at a 200-year-old Landaise farmhouse for the duration - All meals, made with healthy, locally sourced food - Guided walks on the Camino on days two, three and four - Introduction to walking meditation - Introduction to writing meditation - Full ground logistics arranged for you

What's not included

- Flights to Toulouse - Train and bus travel to Nogaro - Car rental, taxi or rideshare transfers - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional upgrades arranged on request