It’s time to exhale.

What happens on The Exhale…

A rustic wooden porch with chairs and a vine-covered wall, overlooking a grassy area and a white building with black accents.

Disconnect

Slow it all the way down. Unplug. Ask yourself what you need and be quiet enough to hear the answer. Set down the things you’ve been carrying, and take some space to BREATHE.

Group of women walking down a colorful street with pastel buildings and a blue sky.

Immerse

Allow yourself to be fully present. Wander the streets. Taste the food. Feel the music. Connect with the people and hear their stories. INHALE the joy, the movement and the community.

Lavender field at sunset with purple flowers, trees in the background, and the sun shining through the branches.

Replenish

Rediscover the best parts of yourself. The ones you thought you might have lost. Let laughter back in. Welcome what fuels you. Fill all the way up. And when you feel ready, EXHALE.

Street view of colorful old buildings in Havana, Cuba, with vintage orange car and scooters passing by.

The Exhale: Four Days In Havana

A street scene with a man in a red hat carrying a large wooden double bass on a city street lined with colorful buildings. Several pedestrians and a yellow taxi are visible in the background.

February 14-17, 2026

Going to Havana is like stepping back in time. It’s beautiful, crumbling, and complicated, and this trip is an eye-opener. You won’t come back the same. Inhale. Exhale.

Havana, Cuba

Bike with a basket of pink flowers parked next to a small outdoor café with empty tables, in front of colorful buildings on a rainy day.

The Exhale: Ireland Edition

Colorful houses across a body of water with boats docked along the shore and a bright blue sky with clouds overhead.

April 25-May 1, 2026

This small group retreat invites up to 12 women to say yes to themselves. You’ll experience the vibrant spirit of Ireland through local foods, arts, community and music. Inhale. Exhale.

Galway City.  Connemara.  Wicklow.

A stone aqueduct spanning across a river with clear water, rocky banks, and green trees, under a blue sky with some clouds.

The Exhale: Provence Edition

Sunset over a vast lavender field with rows of purple flowers, trees in the background, and a lens flare.

September 14-20, 2026

This intimate adventure invites up to 12 women to experience the simple pleasures of moving slowly in a beautiful place. You’ll have the freedom to listen to yourself, discern what you need, and honor it.

Inhale. Exhale.

Arles.  Provence.  The Camargue.

Picnic setup on grass with wine bottle, two glasses of white wine, bread, croissants, and a woven basket.

The Exhale: Hygge Summer Edition

A white hammock with a blanket draped over it, tied between two trees on a grassy yard, during sunset with trees in the background.

COMING SOON!

Slow all the way down at our Hygge Retreat, where doing nothing is the ultimate goal. Immerse yourself in this cozy Danish vibe as you unwind in a serene setting. Inhale. Exhale.

Galena, IL

Traveler Reviews

  • "Cuba was amazing. Exceeded all expectations, the people, the food, the atmosphere. Trip of a life time!"

    On Cuba

  • "The views!! it was so peacful and calming, the rooms we're spacious and serene."

    On Finca Villaverde

  • "10/10 Would Recommend!!!"

    On traveling with Amy

  • -On Finca Villaverde "The decor, the hosts, the staff, it was outstanding. We each had our uniquely designed room and the overall aesthetic of the house was like walking into a designer mansion. The staff went above and beyond, we we're never in need of anything."

    On Elvira Mi Amor

  • "Did I feel safe? 100%. I had massive anxiety about going to Cuba, but the Cuban people are so helpful and kind. We were a group of women and I never once felt worried or uneasy."

    On safety in Cuba

  • "Cuba is absolutely stunning. The architecture, the places we stayed in, we couldn't have asked for better people, better views, better amenities!"

    On Cuba

  • "Very well organized. As always, Amy researches everything and never disappoints. Accommodations were gorgeous and fantastic."

    On traveling with Amy

  • "I love traveling with Amy. Everything is easy and taken care of and I just show up."

    On traveling with Amy

  • "Such a beautiful building with the most picture perfect rooms. Couldn’t have stayed in a better place anywhere. The rooftop area alone was worth it. And the food was delicious."

    On Elvira Mi Amor

Meet Amy

Amy Johnston is a mom, a 40-something, a social worker, and a survivor of burnout. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their two kids. She believes that travel can cure almost anything.

Over the past 20 years she has traveled extensively, but the trips she’s taken with the women in her life have been by far the most nourishing and the most transformative. Parenting, caregiving, building a career and sustaining a marriage is gorgeous, messy, sometimes exhausting work. Amy has found travel with brilliant, funny, wholehearted women to be the secret to resetting and reclaiming herself.

Amy is delighted to share her love of (organized) adventure with women who are ready to step out of the “busy” and allow space for connection, gratitude and joy. Let’s go.

A woman taking a selfie outdoors on a city sidewalk, with storefronts, a sign advertising massage, trees, and people in the background.

Contact Us

Do you need some space to exhale? Tell us about yourself and we will be in touch shortly.

We can’t wait to hear from you!