I am willing to share the best kept secret for travel adventure seekers.  Las Galeras, located at the north eastern tip of the Samana Peninsula on the north east cost of the Dominican Republic is one of those rare places that has managed (so far) to stay off the mass tourism radar.

Are you :

A discerning women seeking a life enhancing travel experience,

Enjoy being in nature and want to know about the people, plants and animals who inhabit the landscape,

Willing to move beyond the familiar and learn about yourself while exploring another culture,

Aware that a lot of tour operators just follow the same programme you could have arranged yourself at a much lessor price?

Do you:

Feel confident as an independent traveler,

Want to leave the hassle of organising and researching to someone who has an in depth knowledge of the area,

Look forward to sharing time with like minded people and savoring quiet time for self reflection?

I have been an independant budget traveller for, oh my Goddess, it's twenty years now! I have been to Asia, Australia, South, Central and North America, East and West Europe and Turkey.

I always thought the Caribbean would be out of my price range as an independant budget traveller - until I found Las Galeras in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic is well known as an all inclusive resort destination. The type of place that gives me a rash just to think about it.

But Las Galeras is a nice mix between the familiar and the yet to be experienced - if you know where to look.

I have been going to Las Galeras since 2003 and I have designed this trip so it will become the standard by which you will compare all your travel adventures.

During the week you will:

• walk in nature, with intention, to hidden beaches,
• listen to your body in the ocean float tank,
• soak in a natural salt water rock pool,
• cook Dominican food with local women,
• learn the use of local plants from a wise woman,
• craft nifty things like jewelry and lamp shades from shells, palm trees, gourds and other found items in nature,
• dance with locals to the music of merengue and bachata,
• bliss out with warm sand therapy,
• explore caves,
• meditate to the sound of Boca del Diablo (mouth of the devil)
• enjoy a fabulous sunset picnic on the beach,
• guided by experts, take a boat trip to Los Haitisis Park and kayak through mangroves to caves with scared Taino art.

Optional activities include:

• horseback riding
• mountain biking,
• diving
• health treatments like massage and acupuncture

Spontaneous individual or group activities may include:

• yoga on the beach,
• water sports like snorkeling and windsurfing,
• free style cliff climbing and cliff jumping,
• writing, painting and photography
• bird and butterfly watching,
• you are invited to bring and share your knowledge, talent and skill.

This trip is suitable for any active woman in good health. You should be able to walk 2-4 miles in the hot sun at an incline and have good balance and mobility. You can opt out of some activities or you can do everything on offer plus the optional activities for an exhilarating adventure.

Go beyond a gorgeous setting in nature to a place of peace and awareness. We nurture our bodies through soft adventures and we nurture our minds by reconnecting with nature, ourselves and each other.

This trip is organised in a ecologically sensitive manner, reflected in our choice of accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. An ethos of care with respect to ourselves, our natural world, diverse cultures, and each other will be fostered.

Detailed information will be provided upon your expression of interest in joining us.

I can also provide customised trips for groups of six and more people.

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Wise Woman Weekend, Ireland