After 8 years on the road and 73 countries, I can say this with confidence...

Some places are beautiful. Only a few are absolutely life changing. This post is about the second group.

Over the last few years I have gone all in on retreats and personal growth. Since 2021 I have spent over $100,000 of my own money on retreats, coaching, books, and courses.

In that time I have attended and helped facilitate 20+ transformational retreats around the world. Wellness. Personal development. Spirituality. Men’s work. Business mindset. The formula is pretty simple. Find the right place, the right people, and the right container. Real change happens fast!

Below are my top 12 destinations for transformational retreats in 2026. These are places where nature does half the work for you...places I’ve been personally that have inspired the heck out of me, both as a participant and a retreat facilitator. Where it is easier to get still, be honest, and decide what comes next.

🌍 For more inspirational travel content, check out my travel blog Global Viewpoint, which I’ve been running since 2017!

1. Madeira, Portugal

Madeira feels like an island built for slow, deep resets. Cliffs drop into the Atlantic, levada trails wind through lush hills, and the climate stays mild all year. It has the drama of a mountain destination with the softness of an island escape. People call it the Hawaii of Europe, and after a few days here, you get why.

I have been to Madeira twice, including a business mastermind retreat and Nomad Island Fest with The Nomad Escape. I have also rented a car with my wife, driven the entire island, and tackled some of the top hikes, including the Pico to Pico trail. From that mix of retreats and independent travel, Madeira stands out as one of the easiest places in Europe to do deep work and still feel like you are on vacation.

When I think about retreats here, I picture mornings on the mat, afternoons on levada walks, and golden hour on a terrace overlooking the ocean. Life feels spacious. People naturally unplug without you having to force a digital detox.

Group activity at the beach in Madeira — Fun group activity at one of Madeira’s nicest beaches with The Nomad Escape

Why Madeira works for retreats

Year round “eternal spring” climate that supports outdoor practice and hiking
Unique levada trail network that is perfect for walking meditations and mindful movement
A growing scene of wellness hotels, yoga holidays, and dedicated health retreats around Funchal and the coast

Madeira is ideal if you want adventure without exhaustion and luxury without stiffness. It works well for nervous system focused work, creativity retreats, and “new chapter” containers where people need both rest and challenge.

My Pro Tip: For Madeira, look at Yeotown Madeira near Prazeres or wellness focused stays around Funchal and Reid’s Palace for groups who want a mix of comfort, views, and easy island access.

My favorite retreat in Madeira — Me and the rest of the retreat participants at the Level Up Club in Madeira

2. Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Lake Atitlán feels like a portal. A deep blue crater lake ringed by volcanoes, dotted with small Mayan villages and boat only retreat spaces. It has that “how does this place exist” energy that makes inner work feel natural.

I went to Lake Atitlán last year and spent a week staying at several accommodations around the lake. My favorite was Eagle’s Nest, perched high above the water with views that make sunrise practice feel like a full reset. Waking up to volcano silhouettes and ending the day under a blanket of stars makes it very hard to stay on autopilot.

This is a place where people arrive wired and slowly sync to the rhythm of the lake. Sunrise over the volcanoes. Boats instead of cars. Stars that make everyone go quiet. It is hard not to turn inward when the outer world looks like this.

One of my favorite Mirador's in Lake Atitlan

Why Lake Atitlan works for retreats

Insane natural setting: volcanoes, lake, and steep green hills that create a strong energetic container
Established ecosystem of yoga, meditation, and wellness retreat centers around villages like San Marcos La Laguna
Deep Mayan cultural presence that invites more intentional, respectful work rather than quick spiritual tourism

Lake Atitlán is powerful for spiritual, somatic, and integration focused retreats. It is especially good for smaller groups that want to live together, eat together, and move by boat rather than scatter in a city.

My Recommendation: Around Lake Atitlán, check out Villa Sumaya, Casa Paloma, or Casa Floresta near San Marcos, plus Kawoq Forest in the highlands above the lake, if you want ready made spaces built specifically for deep group work.

Me practicing yoga at Eagle's Nest in Atitlan — Me doing yoga at Eagle’s Nest in San Marcos La Laguna

3. Dolomites, Italy

If I could design a retreat location from scratch, it would look a lot like the Dolomites. Jagged limestone peaks. Alpine meadows. Mountain huts that feel straight out of a storybook.

I have been to the Dolomites five times now, usually renting a car so I can chase the best corners of the region. I keep going back to the alpine lakes like Lago di Braies, the high meadows of Seiser Alm, and those tucked away chalets where you wake up to cowbells and mist. After driving it in every direction, it is still one of my top places on earth for deep work and reset.

Here, the scenery does half the heavy lifting for you. Mornings might be spent walking along a lake or taking a cable car into the high country. Evenings are for long dinners, local wine, and real conversation around wooden tables.

Me walking through a meadow in Seiser Alm

Me on a boat in Lago di Braies in the Dolomites

Why the Dolomites works for retreats

The landscape pulls you into the present without effort
Endless options for hikes, cold rivers, and sunrise missions
Small villages keep groups close and focused

Days here are simple. Move your body. Breathe mountain air. Eat local food. Then sit together at long tables and talk about what actually matters.

It is a perfect backdrop for clarity and big life decisions. The scenery is epic, but the nervous system feels calm. That is a rare combo.

My Pro Tip: For the Dolomites, look at Forestis above Brixen or Rainell Dolomites Retreat in Ortisei for mountain focused groups that want big views, strong amenities, and easy access to trails.

4. Sedona, Arizona, USA

Sedona is one of those places that either calls you or it does not. Red rock formations, wide desert skies, and a long history of people coming here to heal and reset.

I have been to Sedona four times over the years, for both personal trips and deep work. Most recently, I co-hosted a business mastermind here with other entrepreneurs called Project Changemaker. Watching people crack open and make big decisions in that landscape confirmed what I already felt. Sedona is built for turning points.

Why Sedona works great for retreats

Strong sense of an "energetic" landscape, if you are open to that
Easy access to hikes, sunrise viewpoints, and stargazing
Plenty of retreat friendly villas and small lodges for groups of 8 to 20

I love Sedona for men’s work, business mindset, and big life pivots. Something about the desert strips away noise and excuses. You can be out on a trail in the morning and in deep conversation over tacos by noon. It is intense, but in the best way.

My Recommendation: Sedona Mago Center and SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats are two solid bases right in the heart of the red rock energy, with built in spaces for circles, ceremonies, and quiet integration time.

5. White Mountains, New Hampshire, USA

This one is close to my heart. I have spent years escaping to log cabins in the White Mountains and I am up here basically every year. My favorite season is fall, when the Kancamagus Highway lights up in red and gold and trails like Franconia Ridge, Artist’s Bluff, and Arethusa Falls feel like a proper leaf peeper’s dream.

I know this area through long weekends, solo resets, and trips with friends. Mornings hiking above the clouds. Afternoons plunging into cold rivers. Evenings in small towns like North Conway, Jackson, and Franconia, grabbing dinner and watching the mountains fade into dusk. It is also where I plan to host my own freedom retreats in New England.

Me taking photos in Crawford Notch in the White Mountains

Why it works for retreats

Wild enough to feel remote, yet still accessible from Boston and the East Coast
Four real seasons, each with a different flavor for retreats, especially peak foliage in October
Perfect terrain for cold plunges, hikes, and campfire circles under big starry skies

There is something grounding about being in the forest with a small group. You hike, plunge in a river, then sit in a circle and tell the truth. No fancy backdrop needed. The pines, the mountains, and the crisp air do a lot of the work for you.

For people on the East Coast who want depth without a long flight, the Whites are ideal. It is simple, rugged, and very real. You come home tired in the good way, with more clarity than you left with.

My Pro Tip: I recommend checking out New Hampshire Retreat Center or Lumen Nature Retreat for nature heavy, flexible group stays that keep your group close to trails, rivers, and those quiet, reset filled cabin nights.

6. Costa Rica (Nosara and Santa Teresa)

Costa Rica is a retreat magnet for a reason. Sunrise surf. Jungle sounds. Fresh fruit and simple food. Life slows down almost as soon as you land.

I have been to Costa Rica twice now. One trip was a full road trip, exploring the coast and jungle on my own schedule. I’ve also been to two retreats at Imiloa, which has become one of my favorite retreat venues in the world. It is not cheap, but the setting, staff, and attention to detail make it a powerful container for deep work.

Me doing yoga at a retreat in the rainforest of Costa Rica

Why Costa Rica works for retreats

Strong wellness infrastructure and retreat centers
Culture of yoga, surfing, and mindful living
Easy to pair adventure with nervous system repair

Nosara and Santa Teresa are two of my favorite hubs. You can shape a day around surf, breathwork, yoga, and honest group sharing, then wind down to the sound of the ocean. It is especially powerful for people who feel fried by city life and want to reconnect with their bodies. You come home sun kissed and softer around the edges.

My Recommendation: For Costa Rica, Blue Spirit in Nosara and Nantipa in Santa Teresa are oceanside hubs for yoga, surf, and wellness, while Imiloa is an incredible, higher end option for curated, all inclusive transformational retreats.

Group photo at the Live Life Activated Retreat at Imiloa

7. Swiss Alps, Switzerland

Switzerland is almost too consistent. Turquoise lakes, clean rivers you can drink from, meadows, and peak after peak. It feels like the world is showing off on loop.

It is also my favorite country on the planet. I have been to Switzerland six times now, and I still get fired up every time I step off the train and see those mountains again. The mix of epic scenery, quiet trails, and cold, clear water is my version of heaven.

I have spent trips here hiking to high alpine huts, jumping into glacier fed lakes, and wandering through storybook villages that look almost fake. It is one of the places that most inspires me to think bigger and actually follow through. If you want a taste of what I mean, follow me on Instagram to see some of my favorite Swiss highlights.

My photo of me in Lauterbrunnen in the fall — Me in Lauterbrunnen, one of the most charming villages in the Swiss Alps!

Why it works for retreats

Deep sense of cleanliness and order that calms the mind
Endless mountain trails, cable cars, and hidden valleys
Lakes and rivers that invite cold immersion and play

This is a dream setting for high performance and business mindset retreats. You spend the morning hiking above a lake, then workshop a new chapter of your life in the afternoon. The environment makes it easier to believe in bigger possibilities. It is hard to think small when you are staring at a glacier.

My Pro Tip: In the Swiss Alps, Chenot Palace Weggis or Six Senses Crans Montana combine deep wellness work with big mountain views and are strong bases for groups that want serious reset time with a luxury edge.

8. Sacred Valley, Peru

The Sacred Valley has a different frequency. Andean peaks. Ancient terraces. Small villages that move at their own pace. You feel the history before anyone explains it.

Most people reach the Sacred Valley by flying into Cusco from Lima, then driving 1–2 hours down into towns like Pisac, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo. It sits between Cusco and Machu Picchu, so it is easy to combine a retreat here with a visit to the ruins or a few extra days in the city. The valley is lower than Cusco in elevation, which makes it a little easier on the body while you acclimate.

Why Sacred Valley works for retreats

Deep sense of history and spiritual tradition in a compact, walkable region
Strong local community of healers, guides, and facilitators used to working with international groups
Ideal for deeper inner work, if handled with respect and cultural sensitivity

This is a place for slow integration, not quick hits. Think gentle walks through fields and markets, fire ceremonies with local guides, and honest circles under a sky full of stars. It is powerful for people who feel stuck in their heads and want to reconnect with something older and wiser than modern life.

My Recommendation: In Peru’s Sacred Valley, Willka T’ika and Samadhi Sacred Valley offer retreat spaces woven into Andean culture and mountain landscapes. I love the easy access to nearby villages and day trips to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and eventually Machu Picchu.

The Andes Mountains in Peru — The Andes mountains in Peru

9. Iceland

Iceland feels like another planet. Waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, black sand beaches. You get the sense that the earth is still in motion wherever you go.

I have been to Iceland 12 times now. It is my favorite international flight from Boston, just about five hours and you step off the plane into a landscape that looks otherworldly. I have attended retreats here and, in the past couple of years, I have helped co-facilitate retreats with Into the Wild Within with my friends Joren de Bruin and Joshua Church. Watching people shift in this environment has made Iceland one of my top choices on the planet for deep work.

Cold immersion hike in Iceland with Into the Wild Within

Why Iceland works for retreats

Elements everywhere: fire, ice, wind, and hot springs
Natural rhythm of big daytime exploration followed by deep rest in the evenings
Huge skies and raw landscapes that make your problems feel smaller

I like Iceland for courage and transition work. People often arrive carrying a lot. The landscape helps them put it down. You might start the day standing under a cold waterfall and end it floating in a hot spring, staring at the sky. That contrast alone can shift something inside you.

My Pro Tip: Eleven Deplar Farm and the Retreat at Blue Lagoon are ideal bases for fire, ice, and nervous system reset, especially for groups that want comfort, strong food, and easy access to Iceland’s wild elements.

Read also: My 2-Week Iceland Road Trip Guide

10. Bali, Indonesia (Ubud and beyond)

Bali is well known as a retreat hub, and in my experience it fully earns that reputation. Rice terraces, jungle, temples, and a creative expat scene that somehow still feels grounded when you know where to go.

I spent nearly a month in Bali and made it a point to visit the most inspiring corners of the island. From quiet rice fields around Ubud to cliffside viewpoints in Uluwatu and hidden cafes in the jungle, it is one of those places where you can shift gears fast. I also did a business mastermind here and a yoga retreat. One day you are working through a mindset block in circle, the next you are watching the sun set over the ocean with a fresh coconut in hand.

Why Bali works for retreats

Huge ecosystem of yoga, meditation, and healing practitioners
Affordable villas and retreat spaces for small to medium groups
Strong culture around ceremony, daily offerings, and a slower, more intentional rhythm

Ubud is especially good for introspective retreats. You can pair movement, writing, and deep talks with spa time and slow walks through the rice fields. Yes, some parts of Bali feel busy and overbuilt. The key is choosing the right venue, setting strong boundaries for your group, and letting the right parts of the island work on you. Done well, Bali can be deeply transformative.

My recommendation: Around Ubud in Bali, COMO Shambhala Estate and Soulshine Bali mix jungle immersion with wellness programming and creative community energy, making them strong bases for retreats that blend inner work with a lively, inspiring atmosphere.

Group photo of mastermind retreat in Canggu, Bali — I loved doing a group mastermind retreat in Canggu, Bali

11. Azores, Portugal

The Azores are one of my favorite “how is this place real” destinations. Volcanic craters, green hills, thermal pools tucked into forests, and tiny roads that wind past cows and ocean cliffs. It feels raw in the best way.

This was one of my first big adventures in Europe. Since my first trip in 2014, I have watched the islands get more accessible, with more flights from the East Coast, including my home airport in Boston, into Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) and Terceira. You are still very much “out there,” but it is no longer a mission to get in and out for a weeklong retreat.

Sunset yoga on São Miguel island in the Azores

Why it works for retreats

Remote island feel without being impossible to reach from Europe or North America
Strong nature energy and wild weather that keeps you present and off autopilot
Great mix of hiking, hot springs, ocean time, and slow village life

This is a beautiful setting for smaller, more intimate retreats. Think 8 to 12 people. You live together in a villa, explore the island by day, soak in hot springs at night, and spend long evenings in honest conversation. The Atlantic air clears your head. The islands themselves invite you to question how you are living back home.

My Pro Tip: In the Azores, SENSI Nature and Spa and Senhora da Rosa Resort on São Miguel work well for small, slow paced groups that want a balance of comfort, nature access, and plenty of space for circles and integration time.

Read next: My Azores Travel Guide in 2026

12. Patagonia, Chile & Argentina

Patagonia feels like the edge of the world. Towering granite spires. Massive glaciers. Lakes in colors that do not look real. It is one of the few places on earth that makes you feel tiny in the best way.

I have been to both the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia. I spent two weeks in Bariloche on a business owner retreat with Unsettled, mixing deep work with hikes and cold lakes. I have also done a weeklong group trip in Chilean Patagonia, visiting places like Torres del Paine, El Chaltén, and El Calafate. Being in those landscapes with a committed group is about as “rite of passage” as travel gets.

Me riding horses near Bariloche, Argentina

Why it works for retreats

Raw, humbling landscapes that reset your sense of scale
Strong container for courage, leadership, and deep personal work
Natural scarcity of distractions. It is just you, the group, and the mountains.

This is not a location for casual drop ins. A Patagonia retreat asks a lot of you. You travel far, you carry a pack, you face the elements. In return you get huge perspective and a deep sense of gratitude. It is ideal for people who are truly ready for a turning point, not just a nice trip.

My Recommendation: On the Chilean side, Tierra Patagonia and EcoCamp Patagonia near Torres del Paine are powerful bases for groups seeking that edge of the world reset, with strong guiding, cozy spaces, and front row seats to some of the wildest views on the planet.

Read my guide: One Week in Chilean Patagonia

Choosing Your Retreat Destination For 2026

After all the miles and all the retreats, this is what I know.

Whether you are standing in the mist at Iguazu, hiking above a turquoise lake in Switzerland, floating in a hot spring in Iceland, or watching the sun rise over volcanoes at Lake Atitlán, the place matters. Mountains crack you open in one way. Jungles in another. Desert, ocean, islands, valleys. Each of these destinations holds a different door into the next version of you.

For me, this is not about collecting countries or ticking off bucket list spots. I have built my life around the kind of travel that actually shifts how you live when you get home. Retreats are just the most concentrated version of that. You step into a strong container, in a powerful landscape, with the right people, and things can change very fast.

Here is how I think about it when I design or choose retreats:

What emotion do I want the landscape to evoke
How easy is it to get there for this specific group
Does the place support stillness, honest conversation, and nervous system repair
Will people actually be able to integrate what happens once they go home

There is no perfect destination. There are only places that match the work you want to do. If you are thinking about joining a retreat, choose the place that makes your body say yes before your mind catches up. That feeling is usually right.

👉 Get retreat host support: If you are hosting a retreat and want help choosing a location, shaping the schedule, or filling the container, I offer 1:1 consulting for retreat hosts. This is the work I love most, so reach out and tell me what you are building.
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