DIVINE WRITING JOURNEY
RETREAT TO FRANCE
IN A PRIVATE VILLA

Hosted by Kathleen McGowan & Astara Jane Ashley
May 23-30, 2022

Kathleen’s Writer’s Workshop
Kathleen’s gathering will combine the spirit of an encouraging writer’s workshop with the contemplativeness of a retreat. You will be encouraged to spend time developing your manuscript rather than critiquing others’ work, and there will be opportunities for one-on-one consultations with Kathleen. Workshop schedules will be provided to participants closer to the date of the journey.

SPACE IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO ENSURE PERSONAL ATTENTION

Your Mentors for the Program are:

Kathleen McGowan
Television personality and international bestselling author of The Magdalene Line series, including The Expected One and The Book of Love, which appear in 45 languages worldwide, as well as the non-fiction Source of Miracles, which was on Oprah’s Holiday Book List. Kathleen brings a depth of knowledge and passion for writing and publishing, and started her career as one of the most successful self-published authors in history. She is currently in the early stages of founding her own publishing company to promote new voices.

Astara Jane Ashley
Astara is CEO and Publisher of Flower of Life Press, Transpersonal Psychotherapist and an Art Therapist. Astara’s books are the catalysts and tools for enlightening the expansive tribe of “Evolutionaries.” Astara holds a sacred container for women to claim their power and their voice. She is a devoted priestess of the anointing mysteries.

Itinerary

Day 1- Monday, May 23: Arrival in Toulouse. Continue Alet-les-Bains (D)
Please be at the Toulouse Airport by 11 AM ** for our pick up and board our coach for our journey to the magical medieval village of Alet-les-Bains, known to the ancients as “The Chosen Place.” Afternoon to settle in to your beautiful home for the next week, the grand and gracious Les Marguerites. Perhaps go for a relaxing swim in the pool, which is filled with the healing waters for which Alet les Bains has been known for centuries? Meet at 6 pm for “aperos” – appetizers and drinks – where Kathleen and Astara will give an introduction talk about the forthcoming week of experiential writing and coaching. This will be followed by a welcome dinner with wine.

 ** Please note that some prefer, and it is highly recommended, to fly in a day early to ensure there are no issues with late flights. If you prefer to do this, we can help with reservations at the Radisson Blu. Kathleen will be available at the hotel to assist those who arrive early and get them to the airport the next day.

Day 2- Tuesday, May 24: In Alet les Bains (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will meet for our first group session with Kathleen and Astara, which will last until lunchtime. After lunch, we will take a walk through the magical, medieval village of Alet-les-Bains for inspiration and to receive our first writing assignment. We will return to Les Marguerites for free writing time this afternoon. Kathleen and Astara will also begin the one-on-one coaching sessions during this period. Dinner and group storytelling tonight at Les Marguerites.
 

Day 3- Wednesday, May 25: In Alet les Bains (B/L/D)
Special guest Catherine de Courcy, an Irish author of both fiction and non-fiction and an expert in research, speaks on her writing and publishing journey, with a focus on her powerful novel about the Cathars, Montsegur. Kathleen will join her in the second half to discuss historical fiction and spiritual/magical writing in both fiction and non-fiction. Break for lunch with afternoon writing time and individual coaching sessions. Aperos at the Maison Nostradamus, the house where Nostradamus lived in his teenage years, with a private tour of the house. Dinner at Les Marguerites

Day 4- Thursday, May 26: In Alet les Bains, Excursion to To Montségur, (B/L/D)
Today we are officially Pilgrims as we travel to the other side of the mountains to the legendary village of the Cathars Last Stand, with Catherine de Courcy and Kathleen McGowan taking you through the many ways they turned inspiration from this place into writing. We will have a ceremony under the sacred laurel trees to commemorate the 240 “good women and good men” who perished here in 1244, burned en masse for the heresy of believing in love and equality. What do we learn from them and how does it impact us going forward? Although we will not hike the mountain today, those who wish to walk the steep incline to the monument commemorating the Cathars are welcome to do so. Others may stay at the foot of the mountain to journal or wander. Lunch in a fantastic local restaurant with a female chef before returning to Les Marguerites. Free time in the early evening for writing, relaxing, or swimming. Dinner at Les Marguerites.

Day 5- Friday, May 27: In Alet les Bains (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we immerse ourselves into a full day at our Writer’s Workshop with Kathleen and Astara. After a break for lunch, we continue the workshop. Dinner and overnight this evening at our hotel.

Day 6: Saturday, May 28: In Alet les Bains. Excursion to Rennes-le-Château (B/L/D)
After breakfast we depart for the “Village of Mystery” – Rennes le Chateau. Although the full time population of this village averages about 20 people, hundreds of thousands of words have been written about it. Kathleen considers this her second home in France and will introduce you to some of its mysteries, with the help of her local friends. Today’s focus will be the mystery of Rennes-le-Château. This small village, the domain of the mysterious priest of Rennes le Chateau, Berenger Sauniere and his beloved partner, Marie Denarnaud, is at the origin of so many mysteries and has been the inspiration for so many books, including The Expected One, that it takes a full day to digest it all! We then explore the tiny village to understand the perspective of the treasure hunters. What were they looking for? What is the configuration of the underground tunnels and crypts? We will visit the famously encoded church dedicated to Mary Magdalene and the Villa Bethania Museum. But that is just one aspect of this multi-faceted place. We will have a private harp concert and sparkling reception before lunch in the beautiful Garden of Marie restaurant. After our lunch, we see the village in a different perspective: this was a “doorway to heaven,” a magical place, a portal to a new world – and to personal and universal transformation. Late return for our dinner and overnight.

Day 7- Sunday, May 29: In Alet les Bains – Full day Workshop (B/L/D)
Entire day of workshops and break-out sessions. Program will be given to participants closer to the departure date after all the questionnaires have been considered for personalized instruction.

Day 8- Monday, May 30: Tour Ends (B)
Our tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to Toulouse Airport or continuing onto Kathleen’s Sacred Mary Magdalene Tour. For those flying home from Heathrow, be sure to book your flight AFTER 1 pm.

Our Writer’s Retreat Includes:

• Accommodations for 7-nights at the elegant villa Les Marguerites
• Hotel taxes
• Breakfast everyday
• 5 Lunches at Les Marguerites
• 2 Special lunches at fabulous local restaurants while on tours
• 7 dinners
• Wine at dinners
• Transportation by coach
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• PLUS: Workshops and Seminars with Kathleen and Astara

Our Accommodations

Les Marguerites is a truly elegant villa on the sunny side of the wide avenue of Nicolas Pavillon, just outside the old city walls of the medieval village of Alet les Bains. She has had the honour of welcoming guests for over 100 years, and is devotedly restored and tastefully decorated with care and attention, offering eight stunning rooms decorated to the highest of standards, with lovingly sourced furniture that gives you the feeling of both ease and grace, the interiors are bright and crisp, with warm wooden floors, pastel coloured walls and six spacious and fully equipped modern bathrooms. Comfortable sitting rooms where you can sink into the magic of this region. The serene kitchen is at your disposal for a tea and talk; and a chance to share the day’s adventures. The traditional gardens with ancient trees tenderly shade you whilst whispering stories of old, and the source water filled swimming pool is there for you to drop into; the true tonic for your soul.

Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour.

** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.

*Special No Interest + No Payments for 6 Months Plan Now Available!
RMC Travel now offers the “PayPal Credit” Plan (Click here for details)

PRICING

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES (LAND ONLY)

Per Person Double Occupancy with En-Suite bathroom: $4,299 by check, $4,529 credit card – Sold Out
Per Person Double Occupancy with shared En-Suite bathroom: $3,999 by check, $4,209 credit card – Sold Out

Per Person Single Occupancy with En-Suite bathroom: $4,299 by check, $4,599 credit card – Sold Out
Per Person Single Occupancy with shared En-Suite bathroom: $4,599 by check, $4,839 credit card – Sold Out

** NOTE: Limited room availability for En-Suite bathrooms and accommodations will be allotted on a “First Reservation/First Confirmed” basis.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

COUPLES & FAMILY SPECIAL DISCOUNT
Price Per Couple – Please note that this refers to two people sharing ONE bed in en-suite accommodations
Per Couple or FAMILY Double Occupancy: $8,298 by check, $8,739 credit card

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR THOSE ALSO TAKING MAY 30-JUNE 12 “MYSTERIES OF THE MAGDALENE” TOUR
$200 ($210 credit card) per person for those also taking the Mysteries of the Magdalene tour.

FIRST NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT (Due as soon as possible in order to ensure a place on the tour)
Per Person: $1,500 by check or money order, $1,579 by credit card

FINAL PAYMENT
BALANCE of payment due on or before April 20, 2022 as per your invoice

There is a limited number of rooms and configurations available. If you are willing to share a room, please let us know and we will do our best to match you up with a roommate with advanced introductions.

After you register online you will automatically be re-directed for payment by mail-in check or securely online via PayPal.

If you have already registered online and require access to the PayPal payment page, click here.

Travel Insurance

Body Mind Spirit Journeys highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider for U.S. residents, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.
For non-U.S. travelers, please see World Nomads.

Air Reservations

BMSJ is pleased to announce that it has opened an expanded Air Reservation Desk headed by Jeannifer Brady. Jen can be reached at 1-800-545-1300 or travelbyjeannifer@gmail.com.
Jen will be happy to answer your questions and assist you in making your airline reservations to join your BMSJ Spiritual Journey.

*No Payments + No Interest if paid in full in 6 months. Click here for details.

Photo credits:

Alet-les-Bains by Chris06, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
Nostradamus house by Serbus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Montsegur by[[:en:User:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]] at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kirche Rennes-le-Chateau by Hawobo at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
Rennes-le-Château-Sainte-Marie-Madeleine-Interieur-Autel: Zartosht, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons