If you’ve ever wondered how travel inspires intentional living, you’re not alone. For me, stepping away from routine—especially in a place like Europe—brings clarity to how I cook, host, move, and reconnect. After a recent trip to Zürich, Switzerland, Innsbruck, Austria, and several cities across Italy—including Lago di Garda, Lago d’Iseo, and Venice—I returned with a full heart and fresh inspiration for what’s next, both personally and for Fit to Entertain.

This post kicks off a series of travel reflections, trip itineraries, Europe-inspired recipes, and wellness retreat previews. Travel is when I feel most inspired to reimagine how I host and create. It gives me space to reset and reconnect. It also teaches me how to reflect that same rhythm of restoration and joy through the retreats I plan back home.

How Travel Inspires a Slower, More Intentional Life

What struck me most about our time abroad wasn’t just the food (though there’s plenty of that coming). It was the pace. Meals were slower. Conversations were richer. Coffee was sipped, not rushed. Ask for a to-go cup or cappuccino after 11 a.m. and you’ll instantly be marked a tourist.

This trip reminded me how travel inspires intentional living through food, surroundings, movement, and reflection. Every retreat I host is rooted in that idea—not just for a weekend, but as a way of life.

Takeaway : At home, I’ve been recreating that same feeling by designing slower weeknight dinners, not rushing weekend mornings, taking afternoon espresso breaks, and saying yes to walks without headphones or distractions.

How Travel Inspires Flavor Memory and Simple Elegance

In Italy, we had pasta that changed me. It wasn’t just delicious—it was the simplicity. Minimal ingredients. No shortcuts. But somehow, the dishes felt like they’d taken hours. Being abroad reminds me that simplicity can be elegant. It can still be special.

It’s also about the experience. Restaurants weren’t trying to turn tables fast. We spent hours sharing stories with locals, soaking up each meal. That’s the magic of food when it’s paired with heart—and it’s the spirit I want to bring into every evening I host or every retreat meal I plan.

Takeaway : I’ll be doing a series where I recreate some of our favorite dishes from Switzerland, Austria, and Italy—starting with that unforgettable pasta.

How Travel Supports Intentional Wellness Without Rigidity

Travel shifts your routine—and that can be a gift. We still worked out – just did it differently. We cycled for miles to see new places, hiked to mountaintop views, and walked tens of thousands of steps while exploring.

Wellness during travel isn’t a to-do list. It’s a lifestyle. We moved, we ate well, we rested. And it all blended into the full experience of being present in new surroundings.

Takeaway : These simple reminders—combined with fresh air, food, and intentional connection—will shape future Fit to Retreat experiences.

What To Expect In This Category

This Travel & Retreats section will become a home for :

• Stories from our travels : what I learned, what I tasted, what I packed, and what I brought home with me
• Travel-inspired recipes and itineraries to bring the world to your table
• Behind-the-scenes looks at how I plan and host luxury wellness retreats
• Guides and reflections from future destinations (even those closer to home)
• Tips for staying grounded and nourished – no matter where you are

Want In on the Next Retreat?

Whether you’re overdue for “me time,” craving a cozy mountain weekend, or dreaming of a wellness reset rooted in food and intention—this is where I’ll share everything about upcoming retreats.

If you want to be the first to know when spots open, be sure to join the list here.

Final Thoughts

Travel inspires more than just my recipes—it shapes how I live. It reminds me to be present, to move with intention, and to create with meaning. Through this category and the retreats I host, I hope you’ll find inspiration to explore more, eat more mindfully, and live more intentionally—wherever you are.