Kate Emmerson Retreats - Europe
ITALY, PORTUGAL AND SPAIN
Adventurous, long-distance walking and culture pilgrimages along ancient paths
These long-distance Camino retreats are for the experienced hiker who wants a bit more than miles on their walking boots – you’ll be encouraged to look within and deepen your inner connection, as well as embracing cultural sights and enjoying local food. Choose the Via Francigena Retreat in Tuscany and walk from Lucca to Siena or indulge your inner seafarer on the Camino Portugués Retreat, starting in Porto in Portugal and ending in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Both will test your feet and your heart – in the most positive, life-affirming way.
Retreats to book
8-night set-date group retreats. Up to 12 guests.
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Queen of Retreats says:
‘These retreats are about more than just putting one foot in front of the other. Kate Emmerson is a highly experienced life coach and there will be subtle prompts to get you reflecting, contemplating and celebrating as you inch your way towards your end point, arriving a different person to the one who set off a week earlier. Your other host - artist and sculptor Corlene Furstenburg - will bring to life the glorious art and symbols you come across en route. Every detail is catered for – there are no heavy rucksacks to struggle with on these hikes’
Via Francigena Retreat, Tuscany, Italy
This 169km Camino adventure starts in Lucca, known for its Renaissance walls and cobblestone streets. Each day you’ll hike between 18 and 27km, passing through Altopascio, San Miniato, the spa town of Gambassi Terme and Monteriggioni. See the house where composer Puccini was born and hike alongside Chianti vineyards.
You can siesta en route at lunchtime, and in the evenings look round churches, museums and art galleries. Visit a thermal spa and enjoy a walking food and art tour of Siena. Stay in comfortable hotels, in single or twin rooms, and have buffet breakfasts, lunches or a picnic in the villages and a traditional Tuscan dinner. Truffles, gelato, chianti, limoncello and handmade pasta all feature.
May 2025
Camino Portugués Retreat, Porto, Portugal
Start in Porto and end at Santiago de Compostela in Spain after a 158km hike along the stretch of the Camino, known as The Fisherman’s Route. Each day you’ll walk between 13 and 30km, passing by sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages and coastal nature parks. Explore the meaning of symbols, churches, murals and sculptures, and use some quiet time for walking meditation.
Siesta on the beach after lunch, and at the end of the day, explore your village and visit churches, museums and art galleries. Stay in single and twin rooms in hotels – your luggage will be transferred each day. You’ll dine on homemade, traditional dishes, with pilgrim-style breakfasts, taverna or picnic lunches, and coffee and pastéis de nata (custard tarts) to perk you up. For dinner think caldo verde (soup), bacalhau com natas (cod dish) and caldeirada (fish stew).
september 2025
Kate Emmerson Retreats
Exuding energy, love and possibility, life coach, mentor and declutter expert Kate Emmerson offers thoughtfully crafted life coaching and healing retreats on the sacred isle of Iona off the Scottish coast. She also runs walking and culture pilgrimages along two Caminos in Italy, Portugal and Spain, and virtual retreats to help you take stock of your life and move in the right direction.