Let's Stay in Touch
RETREATS
TRAVEL WITH HEART
Eat with curiosity.
Connect with people.
Our trips are about much more than ticking places off a list.We create small-group experiences centred around incredible food, beautiful places, local culture and genuine connection. There are special experiences woven into each itinerary, but we also believe a holiday needs room to breathe.You can expect wonderful meals, local discoveries, laughter, a little adventure and time to simply enjoy where you are.These are not big bus tours or rushed itineraries where you see a city through the window and move on. We want you to experience a destination, not just visit it.
Our trips are designed for mature travellers who love food, travel, culture and experiencing somewhere a little more deeply.You don’t need to be an experienced traveller, a foodie or a committed plant-based eater. You just need to be open to trying new things, meeting new people and enjoying the experience.Most importantly, come as you are.
Absolutely not.
Many of our guests travel with us on their own, and we love welcoming solo travellers.One of the loveliest parts of travelling in a small group is how quickly people connect. You can arrive knowing no one and very often leave with a whole new group of friends.There’s always company when you want it, but there’s also space to enjoy some time to yourself.
Our experiences are created with mature travellers in mind, and most of our guests are 40-plus.That said, we don’t set a strict age limit. We always welcome travellers who feel aligned with the way we travel – curious, open-minded, interested in great food and culture, and happy to enjoy a relaxed small-group experience.For us, your outlook and sense of adventure matter much more than your age.
We deliberately keep our groups small.It means we can stay in beautiful boutique properties, eat in smaller restaurants, enjoy more personal experiences and get to know one another properly.The exact group size may vary depending on the destination, so you’ll find the details on each individual trip page.
Plant-based food is at the heart of the Wholesome Bellies story, and the majority of the food we enjoy on our trips is plant-rich and thoughtfully chosen.We also believe food is an important part of understanding the culture of a place. Where it is sustainable, appropriate to the destination and suits the local culture, some dairy and fish may occasionally be offered as part of an experience or meal.
You do not need to be vegan or vegetarian to travel with us. We have guests who eat completely plant-based and others who simply love great food and are excited to experience a different way of eating while they travel.Our focus has always been on delicious food, local connection and eating in a way that feels thoughtful rather than restrictive.
Yes!
You will definitely not spend a Wholesome Bellies holiday living on lettuce leaves.Food is one of the highlights of our experiences. Depending on the trip, you might find yourself eating in beautiful local restaurants, exploring markets, joining food tours, visiting producers, sharing long lunches or discovering dishes you would probably never find travelling on your own.
Come hungry.
We do our best to accommodate dietary requirements wherever possible and work closely with the venues and restaurants we visit.Because we travel to different destinations and sometimes eat in small local restaurants, not every dietary requirement can be guaranteed in every location.Please tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements before booking so we can talk through what is possible for your particular trip
Not at all.
You don’t need to eat plant-based at home to enjoy travelling with us.Some people join us because they already love plant-based food. Others come because they love travel and are curious to experience just how varied, exciting and delicious plant-rich food can be.There’s no judgement and no labels required.
There is an itinerary, but we don’t believe every minute of your holiday needs to be scheduled.We carefully plan the experiences that we think make a destination special, while still allowing time to wander, shop, have a coffee, sit somewhere beautiful or simply do nothing for a while.Some days will be fuller than others, but the overall feeling is relaxed rather than rushed.
Yes.
Free time is an important part of our trips.
We love sharing experiences as a group, but we also know how lovely it is to explore on your own, go shopping, have an afternoon rest or discover somewhere that catches your eye.
Wherever possible, we build breathing space into the itinerary.
Our trips are not hiking holidays, but travelling does naturally involve walking.You may be exploring cities, markets, villages, gardens or local attractions, sometimes over cobblestones, steps or uneven surfaces.The level of activity differs from trip to trip, so we recommend reading the individual itinerary carefully. If you’re unsure whether a particular experience will suit you, please ask us before booking.
This is your holiday.
While we would love you to experience everything we have planned, we understand that sometimes you might want to skip an activity, have a sleep-in or enjoy a little time alone.Where an activity can reasonably be skipped, you are welcome to do so. Just keep in mind that some pre-booked experiences may be non-refundable.
We aim for 4-star-plus accommodation and choose properties that add something to the experience rather than simply giving us somewhere to sleep.Depending on the destination, this might mean a boutique city hotel, a beautiful resort, a character-filled property or somewhere surrounded by nature.We look for comfort, location, atmosphere, quality and somewhere we genuinely think you’ll enjoy coming home to at the end of the day.
Where single rooms are available, yes. Single accommodation attracts a higher price because the room cost isn’t being shared between two people. Each trip page will show the available single and twin-share options.
If you’re happy to share with another guest, please let us know.Where possible, we may be able to match you with another solo traveller who is also looking to twin-share. This will depend on availability and whether there is a suitable match.
Unless specifically stated on the trip page, international flights are generally not included.This gives you the flexibility to choose your preferred airline, use frequent flyer points, travel in your preferred class or extend your holiday before or after the Wholesome Bellies experience.We’ll provide you with the information you need to plan your arrival and departure.
Absolutely – and many of our guests do.If you are travelling a long way, adding a few days before or after the tour can be a wonderful way to extend your holiday.You are responsible for arranging any additional accommodation, transfers and activities outside the official trip dates unless we have specifically offered an extension.
Transport varies depending on where we are travelling.We may use private vehicles, trains, boats, local transport or simply walk when that is the best way to experience a destination.All transport that forms part of the official itinerary will be clearly outlined in your trip information.
Before your trip, you’ll receive detailed information about where to go, when we’re meeting and anything you need to know about arriving at the destination.You won’t be left wondering where everyone is!We’ll make the beginning of your trip as straightforward as possible.
Places on our trips and retreats are limited because we intentionally keep our groups small.Your place is secured once the required booking deposit has been received and your booking has been confirmed by Wholesome Bellies.The individual trip page will explain the deposit and payment schedule for that particular experience.
Our larger travel experiences generally have a payment schedule rather than requiring the entire amount upfront.The payment dates and amounts will be provided when you book.If you ever have a question about an upcoming payment, just get in touch with us.
Because our trips involve pre-booking accommodation, guides, restaurants, transport and other experiences, cancellation conditions apply.The amount that can be refunded will depend on when you cancel and which costs Wholesome Bellies has already committed to on your behalf.Please read the cancellation terms for your particular trip carefully before booking.
Yes. Travel insurance is a requirement for travelling with Wholesome Bellies.You must arrange appropriate travel insurance for your trip and ensure the policy suits your personal circumstances and destination. Your cover should include, where relevant, cancellation, medical expenses, luggage, travel disruption and the activities included in your trip.Travel insurance must be in place for your trip. We ask that you arrange your policy as soon as your booking is confirmed so you have appropriate cover from the outset.
That is completely normal.A lot of people feel slightly nervous before joining a group where they don’t know anyone.Then the trip begins.There’s a meal, someone tells a story, someone else makes everyone laugh, and suddenly the group starts to feel very different.We work hard to create experiences where people feel welcomed and included without forcing anyone to be constantly social.
No.There are plenty of shared experiences because that’s part of the fun of travelling with a small group, but it doesn’t mean we have to move around as one unit every minute of every day.We want the group to feel connected without the trip ever feeling restrictive.
So do we.
Being part of a group doesn’t mean giving up your independence.There will be opportunities on most trips to have some downtime, wander on your own, have a quiet afternoon or simply close your hotel room door and recharge.
Our retreats are a chance to step away from everyday life for a few days and settle into a different rhythm. There is beautiful food, time to connect, activities and experiences to enjoy together, but also space to slow down.You won’t be rushing from one scheduled activity to another. Think good food, beautiful surroundings, interesting conversations, laughter, a little indulgence and enough breathing room to actually feel like you’ve had a break.
Definitely not. Many people come to our retreats alone.It can actually be one of the nicest ways to experience them. You have the freedom of travelling by yourself but the comfort of arriving somewhere where there is already a group waiting to welcome you.
No. Wholesome Bellies has never been about restriction. Our retreats celebrate food rather than fear it.Plant-rich eating, slowing down, connection and feeling good are all part of what we love, but you will not find calorie counting, dieting or pressure to follow a particular lifestyle.
No. We plan activities because we think they will add to your experience, but this is still your time away.If you feel like having a quiet afternoon, reading by the pool or skipping something occasionally, that is completely okay.
We’ll send you detailed information before your retreat so you know exactly what to pack. Usually it’s less complicated than people think – comfortable clothes, something suitable for any planned activities, a few things you feel lovely going to dinner in and whatever helps you relax.And perhaps leave a little room in your bag. There always seems to be something worth bringing home.
There are always little things that are specific to each trip, retreat and traveller. If there’s something you’re wondering about that we haven’t answered here, please reach out.We want you to feel excited and comfortable about joining us long before you pack your suitcase. We’d love to have you along.
RETREATS
TRAVEL WITH HEART
Eat with curiosity.
Connect with people.