Torres del Paine National Park, located in the southern reaches of Chile, is home to breathtaking scenery and some of the most famous hikes in the world.  There is a lot of information on the W Trek and camping in “refugios,” with tents and shared bathrooms, but if you’re like me and too old for such endeavours, keep reading for tips on a hassle-free visit to this stunning national park.…

Selling out a retreat requires a mix of strategic planning and targeted marketing. The retreat planning process can be overwhelming for retreat leaders but there are a few key things to focus on which will increase the appeal of your retreat. In Movement Travel’s experience, both from working with retreat leaders and planning our own Signature Retreats, we have noted consistent trends in guest preferences and the factors which make…

Expedition Cruises to polar regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic allow travelers to explore some of the most remote and untouched regions on the planet.  Here is what I learned on my recent 12-Day journey to Antarctica with polar region specialists, Quark Expeditions.  (Click here to watch a short video of our trip's highlights).   How Expedition Cruises Differ from Traditional Cruises Expedition Cruises are on much smaller, purpose-built…

“What travel insurance do I need”? is a common question from travellers as COVID 19 may increase the likelihood that travel is cancelled or changed. Many travellers may be covered by employee or credit card policies but it is important to carefully review what is included. These policies often exclude the comprehensive travel insurance coverage needed to be fully protected against unforeseen events.   Prior to purchasing insurance, check the…

Corporate & Executive Retreats - The Key to Success Engage your team through meaningful shared experiences and use corporate retreats as a key tool to promote employee engagement while solidifying your corporate culture.   Since the start of the pandemic and the ensuing Great Resignation, workers are leaving the workforce en masse.  As many employees continue to work remotely for some or all of the time, and with burnout levels higher…

Retreat Leaders' Insurance Needs If you are planning a retreat, you must ensure that both you and your guests are protected from unforeseen events occurring before or during a retreat. If you fail to adequately protect yourself in order to save money, you may find yourself in an expensive litigation scenario with either a retreat guest or supplier. There are many factors outside of your control when hosting a retreat…

Host a Retreat - Work with Movement Travel, a TICO-Registered Travel Agent Hosting your own retreat can be both rewarding and stressful.  In addition, navigating the Travel Industry Council of Ontario’s (TICO) strict guidelines for Special Interest Travel can be confusing.  TICO Special Interest Travel can include, but is not limited to: Yoga Retreats Fitness Retreats Golf Retreats Wellness Retreats Photography or Art Retreats Walking, Hiking or Biking Holidays If…

Move & Meditate for Mental Health Fundraiser During the pandemic, mental health challenges have affected millions, so our Movement Travel community, in partnership with Asana At Home, came together on February 21, 2021 to improve our collective well-being in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association.  With close to 40 movers and meditators from all over North America, we raised $2,870 for this very special cause.   The event began with:…

 Wellness Trends in 2020 The health and wellness industry gained momentum at a rapid pace over the past decade and we don't expect the growth to slow down over the coming decade.  Below are our top 5 predictions for the biggest wellness trends in 2020. 5. Fitness Wearables  With Apple's continued focus on improving the Apple Watch and Google's acquisition of Fitbit we can expect to see huge advances in…

  TICO Regulations for Wellness Retreats The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (“TICO”) regulations can be difficult to navigate if you are considering hosting your own wellness retreat.  A number of wellness professionals in Ontario, who have been hosting retreats, have recently been fined, or in extreme cases, shut down, by TICO for not complying with regulations surrounding “Special Interest Travel”.  Each province in Canada has their own regulations for…