Women's Yoga & Wine Retreat on the Florida Gulf Coast

The retreat runs from Thursday afternoon to Sunday midday. Check-in is 4–6pm on Thursday with a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, followed by gentle beach yoga at 6:30pm (weather permitting) and dinner at 8pm. Friday starts with a come-and-go breakfast at 8am, yoga and meditation at 9am, then free time from 10am to 7pm. A sound bath is scheduled for 7pm, dinner at 8pm. Saturday follows a similar shape: breakfast at 8am, yoga and meditation at 9am, a workshop at 10am, free time from 11:30am to 8pm, dinner at 8pm, and a releasing ceremony afterwards. Sunday closes with a circle and meditation at 9am, a farewell champagne brunch at 10am, and check-out at noon.

What sets this apart from a standard yoga week is the setting: a private waterfront home with its own pool and hot tub, rather than a retreat centre with shared facilities. The yoga is pitched at every level, from first-timers to people working on crow pose, and the stress-reduction workshop is led by a therapist. The food is cooked by a chef on site, and the wine is included.

Shannon Jamail is the host. She is a best-selling author and a therapist who now runs retreats, and she also runs training courses for other retreat leaders. She is a mother of four and a nonna of two, and describes herself as a lover of horses and tequila. Her background is in personal development and leadership.

Destin sits on the Florida Panhandle, on the Gulf of Mexico. The water is calm and shallow close to shore, and the sand is white. The house is within a short bike ride of restaurants and boutique shops, and the area has snorkelling and boating nearby. The nearest airport is VPS (Destin–Fort Walton Beach), about 35 minutes away.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation in a waterfront home (except Local Rate) - All activities: yoga, meditation, workshops, sound bath, releasing ceremony - Breakfast and dinner daily, prepared by a chef - Wine with dinner and at the welcome reception - Coffee and teas in the morning - Private pool and hot tub access - Goodie bag - Option to add a massage (extra cost)

What's not included

- Airfare - Transportation to and from the airport (nearest airport VPS, about 35 minutes away; shuttle, Uber or taxi recommended) - Lunch on Friday and Saturday - Extra excursions and shopping - Travel insurance (required) - Massage (optional add-on)