Awaken Your True Self in Asheville, North Carolina

5.006 reviews
Location icon
Asheville, NC, USA
Users icon
Up to 30 in group
Date
April 13 - 19, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Biltmore Estate
  • North Carolina Arboretum
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Clingmans Dome
  • Road to Nowhere
  • Mingo Falls

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

     

$2399 - $3099

25 CME/CEUs Available

"Don't you dare settle for fine." This quote from the Ted Lasso series defines the essence of our new Bounce Travels retreat. Join us for an experience designed to reawaken your mind, body, and soul, helping you create the life you've always wanted. Set against the stunning outdoors of Asheville, NC, and the Great Smoky Mountains, this retreat will deepen your connection to yourself and the world around you, fostering courage and personal growth.

Our daily sessions, inspired by the teachings of Ted Lasso, Brené Brown, and the Center for Courage & Renewal, will be interactive and insightful, focusing on wholehearted living and personal development. Mornings will begin with educational workshops, followed by ample time to explore and connect with nature in new and meaningful ways. In the first half of the week, we'll explore the beautiful gardens and landscapes of the Biltmore Estate and the North Carolina Arboretum, providing a serene environment for reflection and rejuvenation.

In the latter half of the week, we will venture into the Great Smoky Mountains to hike parts of the Appalachian Trail, visit breathtaking waterfalls, and experience Clingmans Dome—a viewpoint where you can see multiple states and up to 100 miles on a clear day. Surrounded by a supportive group of fellow retreat participants, you will leave with new awareness, tools, and courage to tackle the challenges that have always stood in the way of creating your best life. This retreat promises to be a transformative journey, offering both the tranquility of Asheville’s scenic beauty and the invigorating energy of the Great Smoky Mountains.
TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00am – 7:30am: Breakfast at the hotel

7:30am – 11:30am: Daily inspirational sessions drawn from the work of Brené Brown, Parker Palmer and other thought leaders in burnout prevention and resilience

11:30am – 3:00pm: Hiking, sightseeing and exploring beautiful NC locations

3:00pm – 5:00pm: More breathtaking adventures, personal reflection or relaxation time

5:30 pm – 7:30pm: Group Dinner

8:00pm – 9:30pm: Social hour, hot tub, fire pit, pool

We use diverse techniques to help cultivate joy, meaning, and purpose, including lectures, journaling, daily group reflections, and quiet personal reflection. We also use our experiences and the paths we hike as daily metaphors to develop gratitude, hope, awe, and joy.

 




DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1 (April 13)
As you arrive in Asheville the day before our retreat starts, you can take in local arts and culture, explore the outdoors, indulge in a unique dining scene, or just sit by the pool and relax. Plan to arrive at anytime this day. The retreat will begin at 7:30 am the next morning.
Tonight we are staying at the Element, Asheville.
Day 2
Morning educational sessions are a deep dive into gratitude, relationships and mindset. This afternoon we will explore the timeless allure of the Biltmore estate. Discover America’s Largest Home, surrounded by 8,000 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens and grounds, offering a wealth of outdoor activities. Delight in exceptional wine and cuisine, and wander along our extensive network of nature trails. Biltmore’s lush gardens, including Frederick Law Olmsted’s masterpieces like the Walled Garden and Italian Garden, showcase nature at its most breathtaking. Come and experience a destination where each day invites you to create unforgettable memories amidst stunning landscapes and historic grandeur.
Tonight we are staying at the Element, Asheville. Breakfast included.
Day 3
Morning educational sessions will be on creating space in our busy life – how to get clear on our values and set boundaries and allow for a new story of meaning and purpose to arise. The North Carolina Arboretum is our destination this afternoon. The expansive 434-acre public garden features meticulously curated gardens and a renowned bonsai collection - one of the most exceptional in the United States. A leisurely stroll through these gardens offers a serene opportunity to reconnect with nature. The Arboretum is surrounded by lush forested coves and tranquil creeks in the biodiverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, creating a truly picturesque natural setting. Established in 1986 as part of the University of North Carolina System, the Arboretum’s roots trace back to the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary behind Biltmore Estate, who initially conceived of a research arboretum as part of his enduring legacy and design.
Tonight we are staying at the Element, Asheville. Breakfast included




Day 4
Morning educational sessions will focus on perfectionism, grief and forgiveness. We will then travel to Cherokee, NC and after checking into our hotel, we will take a short hike to see the stunning Mingo Falls. Then we will have a chance to visit the Great Smokey Mountains Visitor Center to learn more about this incredible area and maybe pick up a souvenir. We will end the afternoon with a beautiful 5 mile Riverwalk hike into town and meet for dinner. Tonight we are staying at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Breakfast included.
Day 5
Morning educational sessions will use clearness committees to focus on how to create the life you desire. After an impactful morning, we will have the amazing opportunity to hike Clingmans Dome and the Appalachian Trail. Standing at an elevation of 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome reigns as the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains and ranks third among peaks east of the Mississippi River. A brisk half-mile ascent leads to the 54-foot observation tower, offering panoramic 360-degree vistas of the surrounding park. The sight of sunrises and sunsets from this vantage point is truly spectacular. Notably, the Appalachian Trail traverses Clingmans Dome, marking its pinnacle along the 2,144-mile journey through the Appalachian Mountains.
Tonight we are staying at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Breakfast included.
Day 6
Morning educational sessions will focus on transitions and refining your vision for a more meaningful, purposeful, and joyful life. This afternoon, we'll head to the Deep Creek area, located west of Cherokee, known for its streams and waterfalls. We'll choose from a variety of loop trails through lush forests to reach invigorating cascades. Next, we will hike the Road to Nowhere.   In the 1930s and 1940s, Swain County ceded much of its land to the Federal Government for the creation of Fontana Lake and the national park. This submerged many small communities, displacing residents. The federal government pledged a replacement road to provide access to family cemeteries left behind. However, construction encountered environmental challenges, leading to its premature cessation after reaching a tunnel about six miles into the park, thus earning its nickname "The Road to Nowhere."  This afternoon we will have a free afternoon in Bryson City to shop and sightsee.

Tonight we are staying at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Breakfast included.
Day 7
We will be back to the Asheville airport by noon.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation from our Asheville Hotel to Cherokee and back to the airport in Asheville
Transportation to all activities during the retreat
3 night lodging in Asheville
3 nights lodging in Cherokee
Daily breakfast, 1 dinner
Snacks and water for the daily drive
Entrance to the Biltmore, Arboretum and daily park and trail entrance fees
Expert facilitation of wellbeing and resilience topics
25+ CME/CEUs for healthcare professionals

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED 

Round-trip airfare
Transportation from the airport to the hotel in Asheville
Lunches & dinners
Additional excursions or tours you choose
Travel insurance – Click here to get a quote

CANCELLATION DETAILS

Cancellations prior to Feb 12, 2025 are subject to a $500 cancellation fee
Non-refundable on or after Feb 12, 2025
A minimum of 10 participants are necessary or the retreat will be cancelled. This decision will be made at least 90 days before international retreats and 60 days before domestic retreat start dates.
If Bounce Travels cancels the trip due to any reason, you have your choice of a refund (minus credit card fees) OR use your entire balance towards another Bounce Travels trip through the following calendar year

PLEASE NOTE

This itinerary may change slightly due to accommodation availability, rain, festivals and spontaneous side trips. This is not an endurance race, nor a competition. Please be respectful of all the different paces and walks of life that come together on this group trip.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS 

This experience is powered by CMEfy – discover unlimited opportunities to capture reflections at the point of inspiration, point of care to unlock continuing education credits via ReflectCE– an accredited activity portal designed for busy Dentists, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Physician Associates, Physicians and other members of the healthcare team.    

Reflections based on retreat content can be eligible for up to 25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Learn more about CME/CEU credits for healthcare specialties here.

Schedule

7:00am – 7:30am: Breakfast at the hotel

7:30am – 11:00am: Daily reflective practice, mindful movement and educational sessions

11:30am – 3:00pm: Hiking Sonoma’s many wonderful trails and visiting wineries

3:00pm – 5:00pm: More breathtaking adventures, personal reflection or relaxation time

5:30 pm – 7:30pm: Group Dinner

8:00pm – 9:30pm: Process circle, shared reflections, social time.

Our time spent cultivating joy, meaning, and purpose is through the use of educational sessions, quiet reflection, journaling, daily group reflections, and hiking journeys. We use our experiences and the paths we hike as daily metaphors to develop joy, meaning, and purpose in our lives.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Bounce Travels, Asheville, NC, USA

Directions

The first three nights will be spent at the Element Asheville Downtown, the second 3 nights will be at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

Accommodation

Single and Shared Rooms available

Private Single Occupancy

Accommodation

Shared Double Occupancy (you will have a roommate)

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Breakfast is included, all other meals will be at local restaurants

What's Included

  • Transportation from our Asheville Hotel to Cherokee and back to the airport in Asheville
  • Transportation to all activities during the retreat
  • 3 night lodging in Asheville
  • 3 nights lodging in Cherokee
  • Daily breakfast, 1 dinner
  • Snacks and water for the daily drive
  • Entrance to the Biltmore, Arboretum and daily park and trail entrance fees
  • Expert facilitation of wellbeing and resilience topics
  • 25+ CME/CEUs for healthcare professionals

What's Not Included

  • Round-trip airfare
  • Transportation from the airport to the hotel in Asheville
  • Lunches & dinners
  • Additional excursions or tours you choose
  • Travel insurance – Click here to get a quote

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Transformative experience
I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t having 30 new amazing people in my life that I will think about for the rest of my life with amazing fondness and gratefulness! I was open to whatever happened and really enjoyed my experience. I absolutely had the time of my life ❤️🫶

5.0
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Great experience
I have been to few retreats with Bounce Travel, and each of them were so helpful for self discovery, heart to heart connection with others.. They also provided applicable tools and resources for continuing growth.
These retreats are like a fresh water when we burnout of work or life!
Meral

5.0
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Amazing Facilitator
Amazing facilitator that was the perfect combination of kind, knowledgeable, and vulnerable. One of the most down to earth facilitators I have ever met.

5.0
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Beautiful trip, amazing reflection and time of growth
I went on a trip to Mexico and found it transforming. I'm going on another to Spain this year. These are trips to do real work and figure out how to lead a life in deeper alignment with the one you want to live. And then, hike, adventure, and be out in nature to relax and explore. Highly recommend!

5.0
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Bounce Travels is fantastic!
I have been on 3 retreats with Bounce Travels and have found them so helpful in so many ways! I love the safe environment that they create where it is easy to be vulnerable and open. I have had profound shifts in several huge life issues after working through them during my time on retreat. The facilitators are so caring, helpful and open to being vulnerable themselves and that environment really creates a wonderful community where people are ready to do the work. I get so much from the content that they present and the activities and hiking are so helpful with diving deeper into issues in smaller groups. The time to process all of this amazing information is invaluable and I can't wait to go on my next retreat!