Can you imagine what might happen when you let yourself act boldly and dream wildly?

Wandering in Spain Retreat

A Spring Awakening & Celebration

May 20th-25th, 2025

A retreat for women rooted in exploration, nature, self-expression, & beauty.

Are you longing for an adventure that’s just for YOU?

Are you ready to slow down and offer yourself loving care?

Are you ready to step out of your daily routine and see things from a new perspective?

Are you ready to peel back layers and meet your most authentic self?

Are you ready to celebrate & live your most beautiful life yet?

Are you ready to return home to yourself?

What is Wandering in Spain?

In this intimate gathering for 5 nights and 6 days, we will step out of daily life and into spacious retreat time. Together, we’ll wander in the beauty of this magical place to listen deeply and explore the unexplored.

A Spring Awakening. We will tap into the abundant, fertile energies of Spring. What a juicy and rich time to celebrate beauty and life and experience the blooming season; where everything is alive and there is so much dynamic growth and change.

We will attune to ourselves and the energies of nature. Facilitated activities and individual exploration will spark curiosity, cultivate inner wisdom, and facilitate embodiment.

Group gatherings will offer opportunities for deepening our connections through sharing, witnessing, and celebrating each other.

The energy of this retreat is not about striving or overworking. This retreat will be a time to celebrate what is and intentionally plant seeds for the seasons to come that reflect your deepest and truest desires for yourself and your life.

This time is an invitation to turn your energy towards yourself and get curious in the space of the unknown with support of the natural world. This is where the juicy goodness happens.

With intention and attention, you will be guided and supported as you move through your own personal experience.

You will leave leave the retreat with:

  • Connection to your authentic self and personal power.

  • Clarity, focus, and new perspectives.

  • Renewed energy and increased personal awareness.

  • Readiness to re-engage with life.

  • Tools for personal growth and compassionate self-reflection.

  • Practices to support being human in a modern world.

  • Strengthened relationship with nature.

  • Supportive community.

You will return home feeling cared for, celebrated, more alive, and more connected to yourself and your life.

Are you ready to bloom?

Wandering in Spain Retreat Details

Our group will have exclusive use of Mariola Secreta during our retreat time. So aside from our fabulous hosts Andrea and Ben, we will have the spacious house and grounds to ourselves. Our group will be a maximum of 10 people.

Aside from our half day excursion to the local medieval village, Bocairent, we will be spending our days on property. You are welcome to wander and enjoy the wide open spaces for rest and restoration. Each day will include:

  • 3 delicious meals and snacks, meals prepared with love, and served in the main house. Most of the ingredients are sourced locally and many are grown on property.

  • group sessions facilitated by Ali that include experiential nature-based mindfulness activities.

  • nightly group gathering facilitated by Ali for personal sharing, witnessing and celebration.

  • unstructured time for you to relax, swim in the pool, sweat in the sauna, rest, nap, connect with each other, and practice mindfulness activities.

This experience is for YOU to come back to yourself in a circle of powerful women.

  • All meals and snacks are prepared using as many fresh and local ingredients as possible, many of which are grown on the property. During your stay, you’ll be cared for with lovingly prepared meals and snacks. You will not have to answer the question “What am I having for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?” We’ve got you covered!

    Tea, coffee, water and snacks will be available during the day for you to enjoy as you want.

    All meals will be served in the beautiful dining room. This is a great time for conversation, belly laughs and getting to know each other. There may be some times you would prefer to eat on your own or at a different time; we can save a meal for you.

  • The rooms in the main house are all beautifully decorated with your comfort in mind. Each bedroom has comfortable mattresses and soft, delicious linens. All the rooms have an en suite bathroom, with a rain shower, decadent bath and body products, hair dryer, towels and robes. Rooms are wi-fi enabled and have USB charging stations.

    You have the option to choose your own room or a shared room. All individual rooms are located up at least one flight of stairs.

  • Special retreat activities include a half day excursion to Bocairent.

    Bocairent is the the local village just 15 minutes away, which offers a taste of the real Spain. As a group, we’ll be transported to Bocairent in a van. We will wander the historic streets and explore this medieval village, engaging our senses for a truly memorable, cultural experience.

  • Each Wandering in Spain attendee will have the opportunity to meet with Ali after returning home for a 1 hour video session to support integration and celebration of your retreat experience.

Our Retreat Home

We’ll be staying at Mariola Secreta, a contemporary rustic estate in the Sierra de Mariola natural park. Our home for the retreat has been lovingly designed and renovated by the owners, Andrea and Ben Dillistone. Their attention to detail is seen and felt throughout the stunning property.

The home features a saltwater pool, outdoor sauna, cozy indoor spaces for relaxing and is surrounded by the forest and trails for exploration and wandering. There are beautiful spaces for watching the sunrise and sunset, gathering or simply sitting in quiet.

Additional photos of our retreat home and wandering places

  • Paloma Suite: shared bedroom with en suite bathroom

  • Sun drenched sunroom with beautiful views of the property

  • Beverage and snack station to keep you nourished

  • Main kitchen and living room- even more stunning in person!

  • Outdoor sauna

    Wood fire sauna with sunset views

  • Stunning salt water pool

  • Sunrise at the pool

  • One of the resident chickens

  • Sunset magic

  • Local natural beauty

  • Reflection spaces

  • Exploring the ruins

  • Wide open spaces on the trails

  • Wandering the trails

  • Bocairent

  • Wandering in Bocairent

  • Stunning views in Bocairent

  • Streets of Bocairent

Meet Your Wandering in Spain Creator and Guide

Ali Schaffer

Hi, I’m Ali. A deeply curious wandering soul with a passion for exploration, often with a camera in my hand. With a heart for beauty, a love of words, and reverence for the mystery of the unseen, I come alive in wild places. For years I have been learning to slow down, make my own rules, and fall in love with my own wild nature.

A gifted healer with over 20 years’ experience, I skillfully facilitate transformative experiences that help people feel equipped and empowered to navigate the seasons of their life. I help people (re)connect with and (re)discover their authentic self and feel more human through exploration, play, and intentional engagement with nature and the natural world.

With presence, humor, and compassion, I invite people to get curious about themselves, feel deeply seen, and know they matter. A dynamic national speaker, I enjoy talking about the complexities of being human in a modern world.

“Wandering in Spain was born after I returned home from a retreat at Mariola Secreta. During my time at Mariola Secreta, I was changed by the beauty, the silence, and the stillness of this place. Instead of the weight of the world, I felt the weight of my soul.

And I want that FOR YOU.

I want you to feel the weight of your own soul, to hear the beat of your own heart, and the feel the fire of your being. To feel alive and reclaim YOUR OWN WILD NATURE.

This retreat brings together years of experience, passion, and practice to offer a truly unique experience.

Wandering in Spain is an invitation for women who know it is time to return to nature and themselves. For women who are ready to tap into magic, beauty, & the electricity of life.”

My first sunset at Mariola Secreta

Our Retreat Group

Due to the intimate nature of this retreat experience, the group is important. To support a loving, committed group of women in our circle, I am asking everyone interested to complete a brief application. This application is a way for me to get to know more about you and your intentions for your retreat experience. This helps me consider whether your intentions are aligned with what this retreat offers. I will be thoughtfully reviewing all applications.

Once I receive your completed application, I will review it and reach out to you if I have additional questions. I will let you know within 1 week of receiving your completed application if you have been accepted to attend Wandering in Spain.

I’m so excited to welcome this incredible group of women who are ready to say “Yes.” to this one of a kind experience.

When women gather, magic happens.

Wandering in Spain Itinerary*

*The retreat itinerary will be adapted to support energies, themes and intentions of the group.

  • Tuesday, May 20th

    Arrival day! Getting settled and oriented to your beautiful retreat home. Informal gatherings as everyone arrives.

    Welcome dinner to celebrate your arrival and beginning of Wandering in Spain

  • Wednesday, May 21st

    Breakfast

    First group gathering: Opening the retreat, orienting to place, intention sharing, introduction of nature-based mindfulness activities and practice opportunities

    Lunch

    Special group experience to work with individual retreat intentions and emerging energies

    Gentle outdoor movement session to support the body post-travel

    Remainder of the afternoon is open for play, rest, connection and practicing nature-based mindfulness activities

    Evening group gathering for personal sharing, celebrating and witnessing

    Dinner

    After dinner, you are welcome to socialize with the group or may choose quiet time

  • Thursday, May 22nd

    Breakfast

    Morning group gathering: Deepening into retreat energies, teaching nature-based mindfulness activities and practice opportunities

    Lunch

    Afternoon is open for play, rest, connection and practicing nature-based mindfulness activities

    Evening group gathering for personal sharing, celebrating and witnessing

    Dinner

    Movie Night: We will be watching the documentary, My Dream Derelict Home in the Sun, featuring our retreat home and the incredible renovation

  • Friday, May 23rd

    Breakfast

    Morning group gathering: Exploring themes through nature-based mindfulness activities and practice opportunities

    Lunch

    Afternoon is open for play, rest, connection and practicing nature-based mindfulness activities

    Evening group gathering for personal sharing, celebrating and witnessing

    Dinner

    After dinner, you are welcome to socialize with the group or may choose quiet time

  • Saturday, Mary 24th

    Breakfast

    Excursion and wandering in the local medieval village, Bocairent

    Lunch

    Afternoon is open for play, rest, connection and practicing nature-based mindfulness activities

    Final evening group gathering, sharing, witnessing and celebration to move towards retreat closing and planning for transition home

    Final dinner and more celebration!

  • Sunday, Mary 25th

    Breakfast

    Closing activities and send-offs

Some additional activities you may enjoy during your retreat:

  • Sunrise and sunset gatherings

  • Lounging in the pool

  • Outdoor sauna

  • Napping in one of the many cozy spots in the common areas and on the property.

You’ll receive thoughtfully selected gifts and goodies throughout your retreat.

I’ll be keeping a few special surprises that will be revealed at the retreat.

“Wandering rekindles the fire in the soul and reignites the spark of purpose.”

— The Will of the Wanderer

Nature-based Mindfulness Activities

These daily sessions which include Wandering, Journaling, The Art of Noticing, and Meditation are informed by Earth-based wisdom, Shamanic principles, science, and personal experience. These activities are a key component of the retreat experience and a catalyst for your personal exploration. No previous experience is required for any of these activities; simply a willingness to try them.

Each day, I’ll be teaching a variety of these concepts and guiding the group in experiential activities. You will have additional time every day to practice and play with these activities to facilitate personal reflection, promote creative expressive, and allow your inner wisdom to emerge.

  • Wandering

    Gentle walking exploration to engage your senses, cultivate embodiment, and spark your curiosity. Structured and unstructured exercises to build relationship with the elements and yourself.

  • Journaling

    Writing prompts and invitations for personal processing and reflection through writing. We’ll use writing activities to help you explore aspects of you, your life, and your personal experience.

  • The Art of Noticing

    I’ll teach you the Art of Noticing. We will pair this way of seeing with mindful photography to notice and document beauty, experiment with creative expression, and play with perspective and personal narratives.

  • Meditation

    We will combine the power of meditation with the energies of nature. This dynamic combination allows us to access our deep inner worlds and play with possibility and potential.

Transformation in Nature.

In nature we awaken. In nature we discover. In nature we remember.

Because we are nature.

go where you can

stretch out and reach

wide and high

and bloom wild and untamed

and be unapologetic in your essence

and reckless in your fire

and golden in your skin

and so. easy. in your breathing...

just. go.

go where you breathe free.

-butterflies rising

What’s Included and What’s Not Included?

  • What's included:

    • Individual or shared room at Mariola Secreta

    • Daily group experiential nature sessions and mindfulness practices facilitated by Ali

    • Nightly group gathering facilitated by Ali for personal sharing, witnessing and celebration

    • Airport transfers on designated days; May 20th and May 25th from the Alicante airport (ALC)

    • 3 delicious meals per day prepared with love and local ingredients, many grown on property, plus snacks and coffee, tea, water

    • Gentle movement session

    • Access to outdoor pool and sauna

    • A half day excursion to Wander in the local medieval village, Bocairent; transportation included

    • Lots of time & space to rest, play and hang out

    • Gifts and goodies to support your retreat experience

    • One hour individual video call with Ali for post-retreat sharing, processing, and celebrating

  • What's not included:

    • International flights

    • Transportation to/from retreat center outside of designated dates (May 20th and May 25th) and times (e.g.-a morning and afternoon transportation time) or designated airport (Alicante). I can provide you with recommendations to arrange your own transportation if needed.

    • Travel insurance

    • Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) and soft drinks; these are available for you to purchase at reasonably priced honesty bar on property

Your Retreat Investment:

Private King Room: Price is $3250

Shared Twin Room: Price is $2750

*Rates are per person (not per room) and in US dollars.

*Price does not include airfare.

Payment Options:

Once you hear from me that you have been accepted to join the retreat, I will share all payment instructions. You will choose your room type (individual room or shared) and your payment plan:

  1. One Payment: Send full payment right away and you’re in!

  2. Two Payments: Send a $1000 deposit now to confirm your spot and then you'll pay remaining balance in one payment due March 20th, 2025.

    *If you would like to propose an alternative payment plan, email me so we can discuss this.

Due to the nature of this program, ALL payments are non-refundable.

This is for you if:

  • you are a busy woman ready to slow down for a moment.

  • you keep finding yourself at the bottom of your list.

  • you are ready and willing to explore the unknown.

  • you come alive in nature.

  • you are longing for connection and community.

  • you are navigating some big things and need to fill yourself up to help you keep moving forward.

  • you are at a crossroad in your life want want some space and time out of your life to get clear on your next step(s).

  • you have lost your spark and want to find your inner fire.

  • you want to experience the benefits of nature and are curious to learn more about yourself in relationship with the natural world.

  • you want to have a transformative experience.

  • you are burned out and looking for an intentional reset.

  • you are ready to commit to yourself.

  • you want to spend time in a beautiful place, being taken care of and nourishing yourself.

  • you are ready to experience a life changing soul journey in Spain.

This is not for you if:

  • you are only looking for a sightseeing travel experience.

  • you are not open to meeting new people and having new experiences.

  • you do not want to be a part of a group experience which includes group activities and personal sharing. (*You do have choice about what activities you engage in and what you share with the group.)

  • you are not open to engaging with nature and the natural world.

  • you don’t want to travel to Spain.

You’ve Read all the Information and…

  • You are ready to say “Yes.”

    • here’s the brief application to complete. Once I receive your completed application, I will review it and reach out to you if I have additional questions. I will let you know within 1 week of receiving your completed application if you have been accepted to attend Wandering in Spain. If you are accepted, I will send you detailed information of next steps and you’ll get to choose your room preference (individual or shared) and your payment plan.

  • You have more questions.

    • email me your questions or to schedule a video call I am here to answer your questions and provide you as much information as I can to support you in deciding whether this is right for YOU.

  • You are clear that this isn’t the right experience for you at this time.

    • Great, no problem, I know this retreat is not for everyone. Maybe you’ll join me for a future retreat? Sign up for my newsletter to learn about my future retreats.

  • Have someone in mind who would LOVE to say “Yes.” to this experience…please share this website with them. Thank you!

On Working With Ali

“Ali not only holds space, she recognizes that the space -- the earth, the land, the natural rhythms of the universe -- is always holding us. Her practices gently remind me that my connection to nature is always an opening to connect more deeply with myself. These loving invitations feel like a breath of fresh air in today's chaotic world. I am grateful for the gifts she shares."

-Katie Parker, LMT & SourcePoint Therapy Practioner

“Ali moves through the world with a light in her that enters any space she occupies. Her kindness, humor, and respect for others emanates from her. Her clients benefit from her spirit as well as her wisdom.”

-Cynthia P. Lucas, Psychologist, PhD

Because sometimes, the only thing to do is say “Yes.”

Yes to stepping out of life and into the spacious unknown.

Yes to getting on a plane and traveling to a new place.

Yes to adventure and possibility.

Yes to new experiences & seeing with fresh eyes.

Yes to wandering in wide open spaces.

Yes to community and connection.

Yes to the long conversation.

Yes to the “extra” cup of coffee.

Yes to restorative time in nature.

Yes to play, laughter and rest.

Yes to being cared for with love and kindness.

Yes to leaving room for magic and the unexpected.

Yes to simply being.

YES to YOU.

“Not all those who wander are lost.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

 Wandering in Spain FAQs

  • May 20th-25th, 2025

    The retreat location is Mariola Secreta, located in the Valencia region, in the heart of the Sierra Mariola natural park.

    Tha address is :

    El Cipreret

    Poligono 8 Parcela 78

    46880 Bocairent

    Valencia, Spain

  • The choice and reason(s) for saying “Yes.” to a retreat are deeply personal and individual. A retreat experience invites you to step out of daily life and offers you potential and possibility found in the change of scenery, disruption of routines and open space and time. These changes and created space, help us drop into experiences and relationship with ourself in a different way. We can see things from new perspectives to receive new information and we can activate and engage new parts of ourselves that have been lost or buried in daily life . By tapping into the magic of “retreat time” we can create true change and lasting transformation in a relatively short period of time.

    I have personally experienced the undeniable magic of retreats (iykyk). As I reflect back on my retreats, I am still in awe of my experiences and the way they continue to unfold over time. I revisit my retreat memories often and honestly, I never could have predicted the experience of each retreat; truly beyond my wildest imagination.

    I’ve met some of the coolest people on retreats and they have been an important part of the experience, too. In their own way, each persons’ presence added to my growth, learning and overall retreat experience. Through our shared experience, we created special bonds and I am still connected with many of these incredible humans today.

  • That’s a great question. At this time, I don’t know who will be saying “Yes.” and what kind of women they will be. What I can tell you is that I think the women of this group will be different ages, stages of life and all have a curious, seeker spirit.

    I envision this group will be women who are open to having a new experience and ready to say “Yes.” to themselves, even if they have never done anything like this before. I think this will be some womens’ first retreat experience.

    I think this group is going to be really special and I believe each woman who says “Yes.” to Wandering in Spain has something important to offer this group.

  • It’s totally normal and okay to be nervous about not knowing anyone in the group. I will facilitate activities and conversations to help you feel welcome, more comfortable and able to get to know each other.

  • No. And while you do not need to have nature experience, it is important that you are open to spending time with nature as this is a large element of how we will do our work and where we will spend our time. We will be spending most of our time in nature on the property, which is safe and easy to explore. Mariola Secreta is located in the beautiful Sierra de Mariola natural park and our area is not dangerous.

    If you have more specific questions or reservations, I will be happy to address them.

  • At Mariola Secreta, there will be walking on varied surfaces, including some paved walkways and uneven ground. Depending on the location of your room, there may be stair climbing. In the excursion to town, there are hills and stairs in addition to flat surface walking.

    If you have mobility considerations, let me know so we can talk about whether this trip is right for you.

  • Yes. There will be lots of time each day for you to simply hang out and choose how you spend your time. This is NOT a packed full schedule of do, do do. This is a schedule with space and time to prioritize ease and promote rest.

  • Let me know so I can talk with Andrea and Ben to see if we can meet your needs. I know they are able to cook dairy-free and gluten-free. I’m happy to talk with you to discuss your needs and will let you know if we cannot meet your needs.

  • Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) and soft drinks are available and not included in the price of the retreat. They are available for you to purchase at the reasonably priced honesty bar on property.

    Coffee, tea and water are available 24 hours/day and included in the price of the retreat.

    Anyone who chooses to drink alcohol is encouraged to drink mindfully in support of their retreat experience.

  • Of course. You can email me and we can chat by email or schedule a video call.

  • Maybe. If you are traveling with someone you know and would like to room with them, or not, just let me know. If you have specific requests due to your personal needs/style (e.g.-light sleeper, snores a lot), let me know and I’ll do my best to match you with a great fit for a roommate. *If you are super concerned about sharing a room, I invite you to consider choosing the individual room option.

  • Review the What’s Included/What’s not Included section above. Everything is included in the retreat price except airfare, certain airport transportation, alcohol, soft drinks and travel insurance.

  • Due to the nature of this retreat and the time and effort spent planning the experience, all money paid is non-refundable. Being a retreat participant requires a certain level of commitment and personal investment that includes your financial investment.

    In the event of an emergency, I will do my best to see what we can work out but cannot make any guarantees of an outcome.

    All attendees are highly encouraged to purchase travel insurance and review the fine print of coverage/non-coverage.

  • The designated airport is Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), located about 1 hour from Mariola Secreta. Transportation to/from Mariola Secreta is covered from the Alicante airport on arrival day (May 20th) and departure day (May 25th). If you choose to fly into a different airport, or are traveling before or after the retreat, I can provide you information to schedule your own transportation to/from Mariola Secreta.

  • Of course! You’re welcome to add on personal travel before or after the retreat. It’s a beautiful country and there is so much to see and experience. If you choose to travel, please ensure you will arrive to Mariola Secreta on May 20th and plan to depart on May 25th.

    Depending on your travel plans, you may be responsible for your personal transportation to Mariola Secreta.

    Other group members may be traveling and I can connect you if you’d like to consider traveling together.

  • I’m here to answer your questions and provide you with as much information as you need to decide whether this experience is right for you. Email me your questions and/or let’s set up time for a video chat.

  • Yes. All of these photos, except for the picture of Ali with the yellow flowers, are taken at Mariola Secreta or in Bocairent. If you say “Yes.” this is actually where YOU will be on retreat! It’s even more beautiful in real life.

It’s time for you to say “Yes.” to YOUR awe-inducing, memory-making, life-changing retreat.