Why Slowing Down is the Real Luxury in Travel

When you picture luxury travel, what comes to mind? Champagne on ice? Designer luggage? Five-star hotels?

The truth is, the greatest luxury most of us crave isn't something we can buy (although I'll never turn down a glass of champagne!). The greatest luxury is time. Time to pause, time to connect, time to simply be.

The Rise of Slow Travel

Fast paced travel (packing in six cities in seven days, racing through museum lines, collecting snapshots instead of memories) can leave us more exhausted than we we left home. Slow travel turns that idea on its head. It's about savoring each moment: wandering the quiet streets of a Provençal village, lingering over a crisp glass of rosé at sunset, letting conversations with strangers unfold into friendships.

Why Slowing Down Feels Luxurious

In our daily lives, slowing down is rate. Phones buzz, calendars fill, and "rest" often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. That's why, when we allow ourselves to slow down on vacation it feels decadent. The true luxury isn't another checklist item, it's the freedom to set that checklist aside.

Women-Only Retreats: Connection Over Checklists

At Maison d'Amies, we believe that travel should feel like a deep exhale. Our women-only retreats in France are designed around this philosophy. You'll stay in beautiful villas, share market-fresh meals with our private chef, and explore at a pace that invites conversation, laughter, and discovery. Instead of rushing, you'll rest. Instead of striving, you'll savor.

How We Take Our Own Advice

At Maison d’Amies, slowing down isn’t just advice, it’s the foundation of every retreat we create. Here’s how we bring slow travel to life for our guests:

• Unhurried Itineraries: Fewer stops, more savoring

• Market-to-Table Dining: Multi-course meals that stretch into laughter-filled evenings

• Built-In Rest: Space for journaling, wandering, or doing absolutely nothing

• Meaningful Connections: Small groups of women, big conversations

• Rooted in Place: Time to linger with artisans, winemakers, and local hosts

Slowing down isn’t an afterthought, it’s our entire philosophy in practice.

How to Embrace Slow-Travel, Even On Your Own

Even if you're not able to join one of our upcoming retreats, you can still bring slow travel into your next trip. Here's how:

• Prioritize Presence: Schedule fewer activities and allow space for serendipity

• Connect Locally: Take time to chat with shopkeepers, market vendors, and café owners

• Linger Over Meals: Make dining an experience, not a pit stop

• Seek Beauty in the Ordinary: A morning walk or a quiet bookshop can be more memorable than a big attraction

The Real Luxury is Waiting For You

Luxury is freedom, ease, and time to savor what matters most. For women craving space to breathe, connect, and experience France in a meaningful way, Maison d'Amies makes it effortless.

Our 2026 Retreats are now open, explore dates here!