Duende Retreats Reviews 

I just completed my second retreat with Duende. The first was She Let Herself Go (Tuscany- Oct. 2022) and most recently Get Your Greece on Gals Getaway. Both were truly unforgettable experiences and I can't wait to attend another. I'm already thinking and dreaming of it. Regina expertly curates itineraries that focus on local, authentic experiences and prioritize excellence in dining, accommodations, and especially FUN! I know that when I travel with Duende, Regina has thought of every contingency, made every arrangement and reservation and I just get to show up and take it all in, in the company of fantastic fellow travelers. I feel so spoiled. Get Your Greece on was a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, fun, history, and magic, with the beautiful backdrop of ancient and modern Athens and the sparkling Aegean Sea. Take me back!

This was my first trip with Regina and Duende Retreats and won’t be my last. This was just the type of trip I needed. Every aspect of the trip was so well planned with the best accommodations, restaurants, tours, transportation, and experiences! Even with a hiccup or two the entire trip was magical. From the pre-retreat in Athens to our time at the villas, to the wonderful tours and experiences, I loved everything about it. Regina told us at the beginning that she wanted us to not have to think about anything this week just to relax and enjoy and that’s exactly what I did. She is an exceptional trip curator and I can’t wait to join another of these fabulous experiences!

A beautiful week with beautiful people in the beautiful city of Rome with beautiful jazzy music from the lovely Stella Cole. A dream that ended to quickly. And did I mention it was beautiful?

Five days in Tuscany was amazing!!!! We were in for a sourdough bread retreat and were treated to so many wonderful memories! Loved every single day. Definitely will go again! Highly recommend. Regina is very personable and detailed. My daughter and I had the time of our lives. ❤️❤️ just go you will never regret it.

It's been 7 months since we met up with Regina and the group in Italy to be taken from Florence to a beautiful villa in Lucca via private coach; the setting was magnificent!
Regina (who is American and fluent in Italian!) organized a trip to Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare on the coast (Cinque Terre).

Another day via private coach we found ourselves in Chianti at a fabulous winery.... Later on that day she had arranged for a meal (more like a taste extravaganza!) at Dario's. The best!

Another day she had our group learn to set up a Charcuterie board and make pasta from scratch at one of the large and well appointed kitchen at the Villa. There were also unique cocktails to accompany the whole experience.

Each day we woke up to a luscious breakfast spread in the vast kitchen at the main villa; all prepared by a private chef!

Evenings were organized around cocktails and appetizers followed by private chef's dinner creations!

Perfect organization and impecable taste comes to mind when reliving our time with Regina and the whole group in Italy this past April 2023. We cannot wait for the next ones.....

Regina and co. are invested in the experience of their clients, and boy, do they deliver! Don't waste your time on lines or your money at tourism mills that just want to getyou in and out as fast as they can. Rest, relax, recharge and have the best fun of your life with Duende!

Tuscany wine and Jazz ….well what can I say …this retreat superseded all my expectations. It was simply magical! The retreat was organized to perfection - giving everyone a chance to ‘taste’ Tuscany! Regina and Hannah are saints! Met a group of amazing (special) people! Can’t wait to book my next!!!

What a wonderful week I’ve had with the group on the Jazz and Wine trip to Tuscany. The Itinerary and company has taken me to places that I could not imagine. From the misty mornings at the villa to the jaw dropping views of Sienna. The variety of places that we have visited to the many vineyards that we have visited.
The professionalism and attention to detail that Regina, Emma and all involved have provided shines through on all levels.
Would I book again?…..most definitely.
Would I recommend them to others?….. without a doubt.
Do I have anything else to say?…I’ve fallen in love with Tuscany and thank you for showing it to me in such a special Jazzy way.

So nice to stay in a quiet beautiful location- Agnes and Bernard very gracious hosts everything here that you could possibly need.Very comfortable room and facilities excellent.Wildlife very active and easy to see. What a shame there aren’t more places like this on the Sunshine Coast-We had a 2 night stay but unfortunately had to move on.June and Derek

Where to begin!? Duende designs retreats that foster equal parts exploration and relaxation. I found their attention to detail, communication and desire to give the soul a break, a welcome reprieve from the grind of daily life and to-dos. It was truly a gift.

Traveling with food allergies has been a lifetime challenge of mine, but Regina and her team ensured I was well fed and didn't miss out on any special cultural experiences due to my dietary restrictions.

I hope to plan a retreat with friends in the future. I am entirely confident that I will be in the best possible hands.

A once in a lifetime experience seamlessly put together from beginning to end by the amazing Regina!
This was my first experience on a retreat and it won’t be my last! I have a large family and know first hand how stressful and draining the process of planning and executing a vacation can be.
Regina and Duende Retreats took care of every detail. No decisions about what to do and when. Questioning whether we would get our money’s worth. If the accommodations would be comfortable. If the people taking care of us on excursions would be trustworthy. All of it was taken care of for us allowing for a truly relaxing and immersive escape.
Regina’s research, knowledge (and ALL the behind the scenes work none of us have any idea about) created a once in a lifetime experience. The entire trip was seamless and grand. And the Villa’s were just beyond anything I had anticipated.
Thank you so much Regina for everything you did to create a true getaway for a tired mom.

Amalfi coast was always on my bucket list, and Regina made my dreams come true. She radiates joy and empowerment into all who follow her on these beautiful trips. No matter age, travel experience, or needs, everyone is celebrated. I am so thankful that this is just the beginning of our travels together ♥️

This is the most fun I have ever had with my clothes on!!! Regina put together an amazing trip for us. My 💗 is so happy. I am looking forward to the next adventure with her.

It’s hard to put into words the magic Regina weaves into her retreats! I’ve been on two so far (She Let Herself Go’…Tuscany and Amalfi) and each has been unique, delightful, well-curated with every detail carefully planned. Imagine bringing two dozen ladies from different backgrounds together as strangers and sending them home as friends. All made possible by days filled with food, fun, laughter and love! Enough said…❤️❤️❤️

Duende Retreats provides a luxurious and well-organized experience, from start to finish. I just returned from Magical Marrakech - we stayed in a private riad that was fully staffed and Regina provided unique experiences that allowed us to truly engage in the local culture. My favorite day was when she arranged for a personal shopper (for celebrities) to show us around the Medina. I’m not much into shopping and was surprised by how much I loved it. We learned how custom and spirituality is woven into the Medina’s local and global footprint, the practicalities of how everyday products are developed and moved from the desert to a living room in the US, and the art of respectful negotiation. It was interesting in ALL THE WAYS.

Duende Retreats also created space for a natural sense of community and friendship to blossom amongst the guests. We did not know each other on day one, but by day five we were life-long friends.

I loved this experience and would not hesitate to plan another trip with this group.

Regina curates the best trips - Marrakesh had everything. Organised and interesting trips through the souks, knew the best places to eat (and shop!) and arranged experiences to really remember. The desert dinner won’t be forgotten. Plenty of downtime too.

Wow, what an amazing trip Regina put together for us! I felt like I was at adult summer camp in the best way possible! The villa itself is simply charming and the views are so beautiful they look fake!

The itineraries each day were all planned out so no thinking was required (my kind of vacation). Each destination was more beautiful than the one before. The hidden gems this type of private retreat provided would be near impossible to replicate on your own.

The private chef was out of this world and made enough food for an army every single day! All of the staff that Regina has on her team went above and beyond the entire week.

If you are on the fence about booking a trip, don’t cheat yourself from this wonderful gift. Do it for yourself….book the trip! ❤️

Regina is truly the best of the best - her attention to details is stunning. She plans the perfect mix of days and takes all of the stress off of those attending. Absolutely recommend any of her trips for an incredible travel experience!

Loved the Tuscany retreat! Regina and her team were amazing, fun and couldn’t be more accommodating. It was a lifetime experience and adventure that exceeded expectations. Loved all the planned activities, delicious meals prepared by Francesco at the Villa, and meeting new friends. I’m so happy I Let Myself Go!

Couldn't have asked for a better experience for my first time traveling abroad! Regina took such good care of us and made us feel right at home. She made sure we were always in the best of hands every step of our adventures. Truly a wonderful experience.