Join Jo, Sam, and Marina in the beautiful Amara Valley for a weekend with your daughter (7+), where you’ll celebrate what it means to be a woman.

The Bloom Retreat is an opportunity to connect deeply with your daughter and be in community with other Mothers. In a fun and age-appropriate way, we delve into cyclical living. Offering empowering and celebratory invitations to honour a girls first period; known as menarche.

Bloom offers an important opportunity to shape this fundamental rite of passage and future womanhood, for a new generation of girls.

In our Magical Menarche Ceremony. Photos from Bloom 24 by the wonderful Liz Evans

This year we’re adding new content for older girls (13+). We'll explore Sacred Sexuality in a gentle and respectful way and what that means for our growing young women.

The whole weekend includes nourishing yoga, gorgeous meditations, sharing circles, conscious conversations, sessions on the wisdom of the body, journalling, movement, dance... culminating in a magical ceremony!

And this year for the first time we’re hosting this unique retreat at the beautiful Amara Valley, an amazing off-grid retreat centre in the heart of Catalunya.

Full Details

When: Friday 13th June, 4pm - Sunday 15th June, 3pm

Where: Amara Valley, Masía Can Coll, Carretera Pujarnol 14, 17834 Porqueres, Girona, Spain

Google Maps: https://bit.ly/amaravalley

With: Experienced Facilitators Samantha Markby de Lugo @mumma_andthemoon, Marina Moraes Gonçalves @marinamoraesg_psicoterapia, Jo OMeally @graceandblazeyoga and her 13-year-old daughter Ruby.

Investment: Various prices depending on room type. Earlybird rates starting at 400€ per adult or 355€ per daughter under 12. See below for full details.

get the Earlybird rates available until friday march 14th

Bloom Retreat 2024 Particpants by Liz Evans

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is for Mothers and Daughters who already have a close and strong relationship and want to enjoy time together creating special memories and deepening their connection.
This is aimed at Mothers with Daughters between 7 - 18 years, however we are open to all ages, so if you feel this would be appropriate for you please get in touch.
It’s for Mothers of girls who want to support their daughters through the transition of becoming a woman. So that they can learn to embrace their menstrual cycle, and the physical and emotional changes that it brings, in a loving and open way.

Beautiful Mother and Daughter moment with Natalie and Amalia by Liz Evans

It’s for Mothers of older girls 13 - 18, who want to support their daughter with their developing sexuality, allowing it the sacredness it truly deserves. Conversations around consent, boundaries, pleasure and really understanding our anatomy. So that they can honour themselves, their bodies, and their decisions around this important life transition.
It is for Mothers and Daughters who may feel they need to be given the support, opportunity and space to reconnect without the distractions of busy lives.
It is for Mothers and Daughters who need a break away, to be nourished by good food, yoga and meditation in nature so that they can connect, relax, and have fun together.

What does your all-inclusive retreat package include?

Daily movement sessions with pranyama and meditation specifically for women and tweens/ teens. Nourishing, gentle, and suitable for all levels. For example, partner yoga for mums and daughters, feminine womb yoga, dancing, and intuitive movement.

Healthy, delicious kitchen providing regular refreshments, dinner on Friday evening, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Loving connection exploration activities and experiences.
Fun team games and intuitive arts and crafts.
Informative and explorative sessions that empower women and girls to trust the intuition, wisdom, and magic of their own bodies.
Celebratory fire ritual and ceremony to celebrate being women!
Gorgeous natural swimming pool with incredible mountain views.
A wood-fired Finnish sauna
Time to rest, relax, and recharge. Time for girls to free-play.
Beautiful views and glorious surroundings.
Peace and tranquility.

Have you ever reflected on the path to womanhood?

CYCLICAL LIVING CONTENT FOR ALL GIRLS:

Our intention behind this retreat is to create a relaxed, loving and safe space for Mothers and Daughters. To allow them to deepen their connection and to open up conversations around the transition into becoming a woman, which can sometimes be challenging. We feel the experience can be enhanced by positive guidance, from other women, girls and most importantly mothers. So that this rite of passage becomes a sacred life transition to be celebrated!

We hope that mothers and daughters alike come away from this weekend with a new found respect for each other, their bodies and the threads that connect us all as women. That by spending time together in a very conscious way that their love is strengthened and bond deepened, which they can then carry forward to support and enhance their lives and relationship.

SACRED SEXUALITY CONTENT FOR GIRLS 13+:

We’re more than excited to announce that BLOOM is evolving and in this edition we’ll have special conversations on Conscious and Sacred Sexuality.

As our girls are growing, we feel we want to share with them, and their mothers, about this magical energy.

Our Sexuality is our Vital energy. It is totally connected with our creativity, expression, and power as a Woman. As women, we need to reclaim our sacred connection with this part of us; it’s part of our mission to guide mothers and support girls and adolescents to learn about this important energy within their bodies.

We've prepared special talks and activities which will include the topics below:

General Sexuality
Body Anatomy
Sacred Sexuality
Consent and Boundaries
Pleasure
Protection - birth control, STD’s
Losing our virginity

Reserve your place via our booking form

YOUR HOSTS

Samantha Markby de Lugo

@mumma_andthemoon

Samantha’s a Barcelona-based ceremonialist, women’s wellness coach, writer and above all a mother. She specialises in menstrual empowerment & cyclical wisdom. She is the founder of By The Light Mooncircle and also hosts seasonal circles, rites of passage ceremonies and retreats.

The thread that travels through all she creates is connection to feminine energy. Her work is an invitation to return to old ways and ancestral gnosis that bring balance, and build bonds of healed sisterhood and a relationship with the natural world around us. The Earth beneath our feet, the Sun, the Moon, the Cosmos - the cyclical nature of them all, that also plays out in our wombs and lives.

Marina Moraes

@marinamoraesg_psicoterapia

Marina is a Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist with a holistic approach. She guides women through Yoni eggs healing and sacred & conscious sexuality. She is an awakened woman, in constant movement and transformation, curious soul and navigator of worlds.

Joanna O'Meally and her daughter Ruby

@graceandblazeyoga

Jo is a Maresme based yoga and movement teacher, women’s circle host and facilitator of soulful events for women, families and couples. Jo brings a playful, loving and intuitive energy to her style of teaching and space holding.

With a background and training with Birthlight for Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga, she supports women and specifically Mothers in connecting to themselves at important transitionary cyclical life moments.

As a mother of three young kids and wife for over 20 years, Jo truly understands how important it is to fully nourish your closest relationships and yourself through connective practices and ritual.

LOCATION

VENUE

Amara Valley is a stunning Wellness and Retreat Centre. Tucked away in the heart of Catalunya, it’s just 1hr 40mins north of Barcelona, and a place of absolute peace and tranquility. It’s 100% off-grid and dedicated to yoga, meditation, arts, music, and community. The mission of Amara Valley is to create a healing sanctuary of profound beauty, that enhances the wellness and development of everyone who visits.

Amara Valley offers:

Yoga Hall & Meditation Room
Delicious Gourmet Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine
Pool with a view
Stunning facilities and grounds
Range of Accommodation Levels
Free WIFI

FACILITIES

The retreat sits on 10Ha of landscaped terraces, organic gardens and verdant oak forest, overlooking Rocacorba and the Vall de Biert. Amara Valley is filled with quiet corners to explore, sit in contemplation, or walk and enjoy lush green nature.

There’s also a stunning natural pool featuring its own waterfall and breathtaking views, and a wood-fired Finnish sauna (available at a small extra cost). Activities will be held outside in the stone circle or within the 120m yoga shala or smaller meditation room.

The main house is a traditional Catalan farmhouse with foundations from the 15th century, integrally renovated in recent decades to feature modern amenities such as underfloor heating.

CATERING

The retreat is fully catered from your arrival on Friday evening until Sunday lunch. Relax as you are served delicious and inspired vegetarian dinners and lunches, nourishing breakfasts, and healthy fruit snacks, all prepared in the The Amara Kitchen.

Amara Kitchen chefs are renowned for the outstanding quality of their meals and their attention to detail. Taking great care with every detail, they deliver meals designed with seasonal, locally produced ingredients, creating dishes bursting with flavour, colour and nutritional goodness. In between meals, complimentary tea, fruit and water are available.

ACCOMODATION

The lodging at Amara Valley is modern and recently renovated, with a beautiful rustic feel. There are different options and levels of accommodation to choose according to your needs.

The property features double en-suite deluxe rooms/ suites, twin rooms, and quad rooms with bunk beds. All rooms include bedding, pillows and heating.

Reserve Your Place via our Booking Form

INVESTMENT

OPTION 1: THE RUSTIC SUITES

There are 2 spacious Rustic Double Suites with en-suite bathrooms. These are completely independent from the main house, with private entrances. They’re perfect for people wanting more personal space.

Earlybird Rate until 14th March:
550€ per person.
Girls 12 and under, 455€per person
1100€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
995€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under

Full Rate after 14th March:
625€ per person.
Girls 12 and under, 530€ per person
1250€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
1155€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under

OPTION 2: THE CABIN SUITE, ENSUITE BATHROOM

There’s also a more intimate Double Cabin Suite, with en-suite bathroom and private entrance. Its cozy furnishing and beautiful minimalist design create a wonderful nest.

Earlybird Rate until 14th March:
500€ per person
Girls 12 and under, 435€per person
1000€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
935€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under
Full Rate after 14th March:
550€ per person
Girls 12 and under, 485€per person
1100€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
1035€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under

OPTION 3: TWIN ROOM, SHARED BATHROOM

There are 4 Twin rooms in the main house, which can host up to 2 people in individual beds. One room is larger and also has a double bed. The 4 rooms share two bathrooms located on the same floor.

Earlybird Rate until 14th March:
450€ per person
For girls 12 and under, 395€per person
€900 per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
€845 per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under

Full Rate after 14th March:
500€ per person
For girls 12 and under, 445€ per person
1000€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
945€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under

OPTION 4: QUAD ROOMS, SHARED BATHROOM

There are 4 Quadrooms in the main house, which can host up to 4 people in bunkbeds. There are shelves for personal items, individual lights for each bed, and the 4 rooms share two bathrooms located on the same floor. If you have a mother-daughter pair who are friends, you can request to be together. Or alternatively, we’ll place you with somebody who we hope will be a suitable match.

Earlybird Rate until 14th March:
400€ per person
For girls 12 and under, 355€ per person
800€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
755€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under
Full Rate after 14th March:
450€ per person
For girls 12 and under, 405€ per person.
900€ per Mother and Daughter pair if over 12
855€ per Mother and Daughter pair if 12 and under

Full Retreat Price includes: Whichever accommodation option you choose, the price includes: All workshops, activities, experiences and resources, accommodation, meals, drinks and snacks.

Not included: Transport & travel costs to and from Amara Valley, use of the Sauna, towels are not provided in the quad or twin rooms but can be hired for 5euros, Personal insurance, personal massages.

PLEASE NOTE: We are very passionate about this work and the impact it can have and as such we want to make this retreat available for everyone. Therefore if this is something you would like to do but it is out of your budget, please do get in touch. We have discounts available for monoparental families and those on a lower income.

HOW TO BOOK:

So you’re interested in coming on our Bloom Retreat? Great!

In order to reserve your place, here’s what you have to do:

1. First, sign up via our booking form, which will state the full prices again, by using the yellow button below.

SIGN UP VIA OUR BOOKING FORM HERE

2. In order to secure your place we ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit.

(NB: The full balance for the retreat will be due on 13th May 2025.)

3. Once the deposit is paid, we’ll then send you a confirmation email with instructions on how and when to make the remaining payment for the full price of the retreat.

4. That’s it! Any questions please feel free to get in touch.

Cancellation Policy

Deposit payments are non-refundable. Balance payments are only refundable in extreme circumstances and if a replacement can be found.

In the unlikely event that the Bloom Retreat would need to be cancelled, full refunds will be given for any monies paid up to the date of cancellation.

If the Bloom Retreat has to change the date of the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances, you have the option to either transfer your booking to the new date or request a refund. No responsibility can be taken by the Bloom Retreat for travel booked or any other costs incurred.

GETTING THERE:

You will find Amara Valley Retreat Centre at Masía Can Coll, Carretera Pujarnol 14, 17834 Porqueres, Girona, Spain

Amara is located:

15 mins from Banyoles
45 mins from Girona International Airport and city
100 mins from Barcelona International airport and city

Parking

There’s free parking for up to 20 Cars

Closest Airports

Girona International Airport (45min)
Barcelona International Airport (100min)

Amara can help you to organise taxis from and to the airport. Fees may vary depending on time of arrival.

By Public Transport

There are very reliable bus services running daily from Barcelona or Girona to Banyoles. You can find the timetables here:

TEISA BUS

Barcelona – Banyoles

Daily Bus service from Barcelona: c/ Pau Clarís, 117

One way trip – 16€

Girona – Banyoles

Daily hourly buses from RENFE train station

One way trip – 2,65€

From Banyoles to Amara

Amara can help to organise rides up to the centre from Banyoles. Each trip currently costs 25€ and can be shared between multiple people.

TESTIMONIALS

We have organised three different Bloom Retreats and this year will be our fourth iteration. The first in 2022 was a weekend retreat at Mas de Mingall. The second in 2023 a day retreat closer to home in Can Casadella, Premia de Mar. Last year we returned to Mas de Mingall for our second weekend retreat. Here is what some of our previous participants had to say about their experience:

"It was the most magical environment to connect to yourself, to talk, learn and discover your devinie feminine. All, from the venue, the food, the phenomenal group of precious women was a truly heart opening experience."

My 11-year-old and I participated at the Mother and Daughter retreat 'Bloom' in March 2023. We had the most beautiful day with a lovely group of mums and daughters of a similar age. The day flowed perfectly. We never felt rushed or bored. The retreat location was stunning and was extra relaxing because it was just us there. I loved every single activity from slow yoga with my daughter to massaging each other and busting some moves which got us laughing. Lunch was so delicious that I keep thinking about it, even now 10 days later! After lunch we talked about our own experiences of menstruation (if we wanted to share) and did some journalling. I was fascinated and very happy to see what my daughter wrote about what a woman is. We have dried the flowers we put in each other's hair as a keepsake and my daughter has stored away the gift I gave her ready for when she gets her first period. It has definitely brought my daughter and I closer and I can see she has relaxed a lot around the subject of menstruation. I feel like Jo and Sam lead us through a beautiful journey that day and I will treasure it for ever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 💕

“IN MY LIFE YOU ARE THE SUN THAT NEVER FADES AND THE MOON THAT NEVER WANES  ”

— Mother and Daughter Proverb

Please feel free to reach out to any of us if you have any further questions via email: Bloomretreat25@gmail.com

Mobiles:

Jo: :+34 674416952

Sam: +34 681389 148

Instagrams:

Jo: @graceandblazeyoga

Sam: @mumma_andthemoon

Marina: @marinamoraesg_psicoterapia

We really look forward to sharing this very special experience with you.
Much love Jo, Sam and Marina xx

BLOOM: Becoming a Woman. A Mother and Daughter Retreat 2025