I feel deeply honored that, in the vastness of the world, you’ve found your way here. Awakened Travel Tours was created with the hope of offering something purposeful — retreats crafted from the heart, with joy as their North Star.

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Each retreat is an invitation to step out of the noise and into simplicity. To move your body with intention, to breathe more deeply, to rest without guilt, and to reconnect with the quiet wisdom that’s always been yours.

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At the center of everything I create are three guiding values:

• Safety — Your wellbeing comes first. From thoughtful travel logistics and safe transport to the care taken in every detail on retreat, I want you to feel secure, supported, and able to fully relax.

• Transparency — I value openness and clarity. You’ll always know what to expect — from schedules and accommodations to costs and offerings — so you can arrive with confidence.

• Integrity — These retreats come from lived practice and sincere devotion. I hold myself accountable to teach, guide, and share in ways that are respectful, authentic, and aligned.

 

I am endlessly inspired by beauty — the smell of freshly cut grass, the lining of sunflowers along Colorado highways in the summer, or the warm smiles of strangers when they meet my baby. These small, vivid experiences remind me of the joy and wonder that surround us. As the poet John O’Donohue reminds us, “Beauty isn’t all about nice loveliness. Beauty is about more rounded, substantial becoming.” I hope these retreats awaken that kind of beauty within and around you — a beauty that deepens your sense of belonging to this world.

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BIRTH STORY of AWAKENED TRAVEL TOURS

 

In 2015, my mom passed away after a quick period of illness. I was her full-time caregiver, and when she died, I stayed in Austin to close out her life — her home, her belongings, all the pieces that held her story. It was one of the most heartbreaking and sacred transitions I’ve ever walked through.

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When I returned to Boulder, Colorado to be with my boyfriend {Now Husband and baby Daddy}, I began teaching yoga again at a small, sweet gym. The students there showed up with such open-hearted presence that I felt something inside me come alive again. Their curiosity and love for practice inspired me to lead a retreat — something I had always dreamed of doing but never felt ready for.

 

I’d always wanted to go to Costa Rica. And almost magically, I realized I had the exact amount from my mom’s estate to put down a deposit on a beautiful retreat center.

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There was so much love, joy, play, healing, and genuine connection that I knew — instantly — this was the work I was meant to do.

Travel + yoga + community cracked my heart open in a way nothing else had. Since then, I’ve been devoted to creating experiences where people can reconnect with themselves, nature, and each other — in the most beautiful places in the world.

 

That is how Awakened Travel Tours was born.

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Outside of guiding retreats, my curiosities are wide and varied. I love researching epic destinations — places that stir awe and remind us of the vastness of life. I find joy in capturing the world from above through drone photography, seeing familiar landscapes from new perspectives. And I am drawn to any modality — whether yoga, breathwork, or contemplative practices — that helps us remember our shared humanity and reconnect to the essence of being alive.

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Retreats are Returns — to yourself, to the earth, and to the wonder that so easily slips away in daily life. My wish is that these spaces feel like a gentle landing, a place where you can soften, expand, and remember what matters most.

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In memory of Julieann Villa, a spirited adventurer and beloved participant in our retreats, we created a scholarship to celebrate her legacy. Julieann’s passion for exploring the world and embracing life fully continues to inspire us. This scholarship exists to help others embark on retreats who share her curiosity, courage, and love for discovery.

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The art featured on this website is a collection from many talented artisans who have attended our retreats and wished to share their work with our community. Each piece reflects a unique story, perspective, and love for creative expression. If you are an artisan who has attended a retreat, you’re invited to apply to be featured here, or you can explore the works available for purchase and support these incredible artists.

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Thank you for your presence here, and for your interest. Let’s SEE THE WORLD together.