Girl Trips | Canadian Women's Retreats & Travel Experiences

Join the First Ever Girl Trips Retreat: September 19-22, 2025

September 19–22, 2025 | 3 Nights. 20 Women. 1 Incredible Adventure.

Booking closes June 17th—spots are going fast!

It’s happening. The first official Girl Trip is setting sail—and by sail, I mean we’re hopping aboard luxury houseboats with Le Boat Canada for three nights and four days of connection, conversation, and just the right amount of chaos on the Rideau Canal.

If you’ve ever said, “I need a weekend away with women who just get it,”—this trip is for you.

Book Before June 17th, 2025

The Details

When: Friday, September 19 to Monday, September 22, 2025

Where: Rideau Canal, departing from Le Boat Basecamp

1 Jasper Ave, Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 4B5

How many spots? Only 20 (yes, twenty!)

Boats: 3 luxury Le Boat vessels

Sleeping arrangements: Two women per private cabin, each with its own bathroom.

V-berths are roomy—perfect for besties who don’t mind spooning.

Prefer your own bed? There are “non-spooning” cabins too.

Solo? You’ll be paired up with a like-minded roommate. Want a cabin to yourself? No problem (just note you’ll pay the full cabin rate).

This Trip Is For You If:

You’re a woman 45+ who’s ready to stop putting herself last
You’ve been craving deep conversations, belly laughs, and fresh air
You want a trip where *everything* is handled—you just show up
You miss female friendship (yes, even the silly sleepover energy)

Sound like your vibe? You’re exactly who I planned this for.

Pricing & Payment

Total Cost: $1,200 CAD (taxes included)

This includes your luxury Le Boat accommodations, all meals, yoga, activities, wine, fuel, boat insurance—literally everything except your travel to Smiths Falls, personal insurance, and shopping.

Pay in full: $1,200 CAD

Or split your payment:

$575 deposit due by June 17, 2025
$625 balance due by August 30, 2025

Total Cost: $1,200 CAD (taxes included)

This includes your luxury Le Boat accommodations, all meals, yoga, activities, wine, fuel, boat insurance—literally everything except your travel to Smiths Falls, personal insurance, and shopping.

How to Pay:

To ensure compliance with Ontario’s travel regulations, all payments for travel services, which is our Le Boat houseboats, are processed through our TICO-registered travel agent partner.

Deposit Payment:

Pay your $575 deposit by credit card directly to our TICO-certified travel agent.

You’ll receive a secure payment link via email upon registration.

Balance Payment:

The remaining $625, which covers food, alcohol, yoga, entertainment etc. is due by August 30, 2025.

Payment instructions will be provided closer to the due date.

Registration:

To reserve your spot, please complete the registration form below. Once submitted, you’ll receive an email with the secure payment link for your deposit.

Travel services for this retreat are booked and processed by:
UpAway Travel — TICO Registration #50021282
PO Box 3082, St. Marys, Ontario, N4X 1A7, Canada
416-367-8264 EXT 3771

A $575 deposit holds your spot. Space is limited, so don’t wait too long—once it’s full, it’s full.

What’s Included

Three nights aboard a fully-equipped Le Boat canal cruiser

All meals:

Continental breakfasts

Delicious lunches and BBQ dinners onboard

Tuscan-style dinner under the stars

Winery dinner in Westport (yes, wine is included)

Two signature cocktails/mocktails daily + two glasses of wine with dinner

Daily morning yoga on shore

Boat driving lessons (learn to dock like a boss)

Fuel, docking fees, boat insurance, and taxes

Tips for included restaurant meals

Surprises (because I don’t give it all away)

What’s Not Included

Travel to and from Smiths Falls

Extra alcohol beyond what’s included

Shopping (and you will want to shop in Westport)

The Itinerary

Day 1 – Colonel By Island

Boating lessons and safety review

Welcome BBQ

Ice-breaker games ( I promise no cringe)

Music and mingling under the stars

Day 2 – Westport

Breakfast on the water, depart for Westport

Shopping and exploring

Group dinner at Scheuermann Vineyard & Winery (Optional wine purchases for your stash at home)

Evening under the stars on the docks in Westport

Day 3 – Bevridge Locks

Breakfast and depart for Bevridge Locks (you’ll love the lockmaster Ian)

Stop for lunch on the Water

Arrive at Bevridge for shenanigans

Tuscan dinner on shore (or onboard if it rains)

Chill, chat, or dance—this night’s for bonding

Day 4 – Return to Smiths Falls

Hugs, tears, promises to do it again

What You’ll Walk Away With

A sore stomach from laughing

A new friend (or three)

A stronger bond with the people you came with

A head full of memories—and maybe a few inside jokes that’ll last for years

Some fun parting gifts to remember it all

Plans to book your next Girl Trips getaway before you’ve even unpacked your bag

Who This Is For

Women 45+, Gen X spirit with millennial energy. If you’re easygoing, up for a laugh, and not afraid to share space with great women—you’re in. If you get twitchy in groups, don’t love a little chaos, or hate the idea of communal wine… maybe pass on this one.

Cancellation Policy

I get it—life happens. But because I’m working with real partners (like Le Boat) and reserving limited spots, I do have a cancellation policy in place:

90+ days before departure: Refund minus a $75 admin fee
30–89 days before departure: 50% refund
0–29 days before departure: No refunds, sorry!
Need to transfer your spot? You can transfer your booking to another guest for a $75 admin fee, up to September 1st, 2025 before departure. I’ll do my absolute best to help you find someone if I can. I want you to feel supported, not stuck.

👉 Travel insurance is strongly recommended. It protects you in case the unexpected happens—and helps keep things fair for everyone involved.

Enough already — you had me at hello

Got questions? I’ve got answers. Email now for a speedy response.

It’s the FOMO, MOFO: Why Skipping a Girls’ Trip Hurts More Than You Think

Girl Talk

The other day, one of my girlfriends dropped a gem in our group chat: “Ugh, I have such big mofo.” She meant FOMO, obviously, but her brain, as it often does, had other plans. We lost it. This is classic her; quirky, a little chaotic, the queen of wrong words and rogue emojis. And we love her for it. These are the things that glue us together. The things you miss when you miss the trip.

girl trips FOMO — We never want this MOFO to change.

Which brings me to the very real, very sneaky emotion that catches us all off guard: FOMO. Not the kind you get scrolling through strangers’ curated lives on Instagram. I mean the real one. The ache you feel when it’s your people laughing without you. That’s the one that stings.

The Real Meaning of FOMO

When I say I get FOMO, I’m not weeping over someone’s Euro summer. I can scroll past influencers in Santorini without blinking. Ok, maybe a small blink, I’m human. But when my girlfriends are together, and I’m not there? That’s when I feel it. That’s when the ache sets in.

It’s not about missing a destination. It’s about missing them. It’s knowing there’s a new inside joke I won’t understand, or a story I’ll only hear secondhand. Like our Great Proboscis Monkey Day, a tale so legendary it can’t be shared online, but if you ever come on a Girl Trip, I’ll fill you in. Over wine. With gestures.

This is a story that can only be told in person.

The Beauty of Saying Yes

Life will always give you reasons to say no: work, family, logistics, guilt. But the payoff for saying yes? It’s unmatched. These trips aren’t luxuries. They’re little lifelines. You come back buoyed by laughter, connection, and stories you’ll cling to like a lifejacket; keeping you afloat until the next trip pulls you back in.

📌 Don’t Just Take My Word for It

A 2016 study from the University of Oxford found that spending time with close friends increases endorphins, lowers stress, and improves pain tolerance. Other research shows that strong social bonds—especially among women—boost emotional health and resilience.

Read the study – and then go pack your bag. It’s basically self-care in disguise.

Choose Your FOMO Wisely

Wisdom at our age is recognizing that not all FOMO is created equal. Save that very real emotion for the people who make your life brighter. The ones who laugh with you, not at you. The ones who wouldn’t change your quirks for anything. The ones who keep your seat warm, but only for so long, because next time, you’re coming.

So here’s your permission slip. Book the trip. Block the calendar. Budget for it. Show up. Because the memories? Worth every penny. The inside jokes? Worth every kilometre.

And the FOMO? You don’t know her. Because you were there.

🚨 Don’t Want FOMO?

Book the trip. Block the calendar. Bring your mofo with you.

Claim your spot before it’s someone else’s inside joke

About That Loneliness Epidemic: How Women 45+ Can Reconnect IRL

Girl Talk

Have you heard about the loneliness epidemic? It’s almost impossible to avoid with headlines, articles and wellness newsletters all calling attention to it. It’s real, it’s growing, and it’s affecting women our age more than we like to admit.

Loneliness over 45 is tricky to navigate

But here’s the truth: only you can do something about it. The first step? Stepping out from behind the screen and into real life.

I know, I know—putting yourself out there with new people in a new setting can feel… terrifying. Vulnerable. Awkward.

But it can also be empowering. Exhilarating, even.

C’mon ladies, we’re all over 45 here. I know you remember life before the internet. Back when you had to call someone on their landline to make plans, show up, and (gasp) meet people in person. That muscle memory? It’s still in there.

So if the pandemic of loneliness is getting to you (and you’re craving something more than DMs and group chats) here are a few ways to kick it old school and start making real connections again.

👭 1. Say Yes to the Invite (Even When You Want to Bail)

We all have that moment where we RSVP “yes” and then dread it the whole day. We become experts at event avoidance. Trust me, I’m a world class extrovert and even I want to retreat into my shell occasionally. I get it, and I get you. So listen to me when I say, you need to stop and go anyway. Some of the best conversations happen when we push through the discomfort.

📝 2. Make the First Move

Want to go for a walk? Invite someone. Think a neighbour seems cool? Say hi. Want to start a book club or dinner night? Do it. You’re not the only one thinking this way, trust me. Do this proverbial “trust fall” and someone will catch you.

📵 3. Put the Phone Away

Yes, I see the irony of writing this online. But when you’re out, really be out. At the coffee shop, yoga class, grocery store…look up. Make eye contact. Smile at someone. A tiny moment of connection might be just what you (or they) needed. Unless you’re making silly TikToks, then girl, count me in.

@candacesaid
Worth noting…I’m definitely not the weirdest, but I’m certainly in the running for the most grateful. Thank god for friends. #womenover50 #besties #weird #accessories
♬ Wild Thing (Re-Recorded) – Tone-Loc

🧭 4. Go Somewhere Alone (and Open Yourself Up to Connection)

That gallery opening? Go. That wine tasting event? Go. That Girl Trips retreat you’re eyeing? You already know. Some of the strongest friendships start when we show up solo.

Girl Trips is a great way to make new friends, or reconnect with old ones

💬 5. Be Honest About What You’re Craving

Tell someone you’re feeling disconnected. That you miss deep chats. That you’d love to meet new people. That you want to laugh. Vulnerability attracts authenticity, and chances are, they’ve been waiting for someone to say it first.

Loneliness might be an epidemic, but connection is the antidote. You don’t need a million friends—you need a handful of women who see you, hear you, and laugh until your cheeks hurt.

And if you’re ready to find that in a low-pressure, women-supporting-women kind of space? You already know where I’m going with this.

👉 Check out the upcoming Girl Trips retreat—we’ve got room for you.

What to Pack for the Retreat on the Rideau (Hint: Not Much)

Packing Lists, Retreats

Packing for a trip can be weirdly stressful. What if you forget something? What if you overpack? What if you underpack and spend the whole weekend freezing in your one thin cardigan? And then there’s the “What is everyone else wearing?” panic. Let’s shut that down right now with this Retreat on the Rideau packing list.

What to pack for the Retreat on the Rideau with Girl Trips and Le Boat

I want you to feel as relaxed coming into this retreat as I hope you’ll feel leaving it. So here’s the 411 on everything you need and what you don’t need to stress over.

Let me make this easy for you. If you’re coming on the Retreat on the Rideau, you’re not just getting a Le Boat experience, you’re getting a hosted escape where the details are handled. I’ve got your meals, drinks, bug spray, first aid, and all the tiny things we usually forget when left to our own devices.

All you need to bring is your clothes, your essentials, and your “I’m here to relax and connect” energy. You can do that, right?

Retreat on the Rideau Packing List

👚 Clothes & Personal Essentials

Comfy clothes for lounging and cruising
Something light for yoga (or just for moving around in)
A sweater or jacket for evenings on the deck
Swimsuit (we might just find a spot to dip)
Casual dinner outfit (no need for fancy—think cute and comfy)
PJs, underwear, socks
Non-slip shoes for ondeck, and shoes you can walk comfortably in onshore
Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
Hat to protect you from the sun

Note: It’s September in Canada, which means we could get summer sun or full-on fall vibes (sometimes both in the same day). Pack in layers—you might be lounging in your swimsuit at noon and bundled in cozy clothes by 6pm with a blanket and a glass of wine.

🛍 Toiletries

Toothbrush + toothpaste
Hairbrush + ties
Your go-to face care and hair care products
Sunscreen
Medications or supplements you use daily
Curling irons and hair dryers are welcome—unless you’re going for a “messy hair, don’t care” vibe, in which case, we fully support that too.

🙌 Optional Extras

A book you’ve been meaning to read ( I mean, you can try)
A journal
Noise cancelling headphones if you want a moment to yourself
A shopping bag

💡 Pro Tips

Pack in a soft-sided bag. There’s limited space on board and duffels or weekender bags are easiest to stow.
Don’t overthink your wardrobe. No one is judging. This retreat is about connection and fun, not fashion shows.
A reusable water bottle to keep hydrated.
If you get seasick, pack motion sickness medications, ginger remedies, and/or acupressure wristbands.

🙅‍♀️ **You do not need to bring:**

Extra snacks or drinks (unless you have a favourite, or plan to have more than 4 alcoholic beverages a day, we’ll have a stocked boat)

Bug spray (I got you)

First aid items (covered)

Cleaning supplies (cleaning? No ma’am)

Still Have Questions?

Not sure what to bring? Wondering about cabin layouts? Want to double-check if your fuzzy slippers are retreat-approved?

Send me an email—I’m happy to help make this trip stress-free from the moment you book.

Email Me