The Ultimate Wellness and Transformational Retreat Packing Checklist
Before you start packing, check the weather forecast for the time you will be at Esprit Meraki. Meteociel.fr is fairly accurate and the villages to check are “Eauze” or “Nogaro.”
If you are coming to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela:
- Sturdy pair of waterproof and well walked-in walking boots/shoes. New shoes/boots tend to cause blisters. A comfortable pair of sneakers/sandals (summer)
- Thick socks (woollen works best)
- Additional in the winter: thermal underwear, warm hat and socks, gloves, earmuffs, scarf/wrap
- A small, light rucksack/backpack to take with you on your walk
- A reusable water bottle
- A light-weight raincoat/jacket/poncho that you can fold up and pack in your rucksack
- Power snacks: protein/energy bars, nuts, dried fruit
- A first-aid kit that fits in your rucksack
- Packets of tissues, recyclable plastic bags, hand wipes
- Quick-dry towel (micro-fibre.) Linnen and towels are provided for your room, this is just in case you want to soak your feet in a stream on the way
Packing list for all retreat guests
- A sunhat, sunglasses, lip balm, moisturiser, insect repellant and suntan lotion (last 2 in summer only)
- Comfortable clothes to wear during the day and in the evening: think layers. In the south of France, in spring and autumn, and even sometimes in the summer, it can rain during the day and get chilly in the evenings. We’ll eat outside wherever possible, so warm layers will come in very useful, inside and out. In the winter, it can get cold, especially at night, when temperatures can drop below O°C and not reach 10°C during the day. We also get rain in the winter, and sometimes snow.
- Dressing for dinner is not required, but most of my guests wear something smarter in the evening, especially on the night(s) we go out for dinner
- Your favourite tea/tisane (teabags, not loose tea)
- Non-perishable snacks: nuts, dried fruit etc.
- I cater for vegetarians and people with gluten allergies (as long as it was requested at least a week in advance of arrival) but groups are usually mixed, vegetarians and non-vegetarians, so if you have any other food intolerances/allergies, please bring suitable replacements
- Journal or notepad and pen
- Your phone/tablet/laptop/camera
- Earphones and earplugs
- A small flashlight
- Toiletries and regular medications, as well as anything you think you may need ex. anti-histamines(especially if you are allergic to cats/dogs/horses,) painkillers, anti-acids etc.
- Small tube/bottle with handwash clothes soap, in case you need to wash smalls
- Your own beer/wine
- Universal adapter and phone/tablet/laptop recharger
- Books or e-Reader – you will have enough free time to catch up on your reading, especially in the evenings!
- An open mind, a growth mindset, a sense of humour and a sense of adventure
Other essentials: Your passport, visa, plane/train/bus tickets, credit/debit card and cash in local currency, a list with emergency contact numbers, travel insurance details etc.
List is not exhaustive.
What not to pack
- Stilletos, fur coats, evening dresses, expensive jewelry, heavy-duty make-up More at “Don’t forget your Fur Coat!”
- Recreational drugs
- Weapons of any sort or description
- Children under the age of 18
- A sense of entitlement, unrealistic expectations, bad manners, intolerance and impatience
- Brand new walking shoes with thin cotton socks
To keep up with the latest happenings here at Esprit Meraki, last-minute offers and early-bird discounts, you can subscribe to my retreat mailing list by clicking below to receive the 25-page Make Your Next Retreat Your Best Retreat Ever Workbook. And if you’re looking for a body-mind reboot retreat in the south of France, explore the different Meraki Retreats options.
Content of this page is regularly updated. © Margaretha Montagu