A Nurse Practitioner’s Top 5 Reasons To Travel with Walker Wellness Retreats

 

  Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon Fall 2021

While I am an official card-carrying member of the Walker Wellness Retreats Fan Club (if there were such a thing), the opinions shared here are my own and not sponsored. As a nurse practitioner working in the ICU through the pandemic, Zion National Park was a dream trip of mine. I hadn’t planned a trip as I wasn’t sure who to go with and not all of my family is into hiking. I watched the show “9 Perfect Strangers” on HBO Max (about a TOTALLY MESSED UP retreat) and thought “maybe I can find something like that, only not messed up. I googled “Wellness Retreats Zion” and Walker Wellness popped up. Their reviews were great and the retreat seemed like the right mix of hiking and relaxation. Little did I know that during my November Zion retreat, I would enjoy myself so much that I would book a trip with the Walkers to Peru, with a culture and food experience as well as a 4 day trek on the Inca Trail which finished at the Inca trail. I am typing this on my flight home from Peru.

So why Walker Wellness Retreats? 1. Every Detail is Planned for You: On both the Zion and Peru trips, there was not a single thing to worry about. From pickup at the airport to restaurant selection to Covid testing required to re-enter the US, everything was planned. As someone who often feels responsible for planning and ensuring things run smoothly (at work and on vacation), the idea of a vacation I don’t have to plan is glorious. Someone tells you where to be and when, and you get to truly enjoy your vacation. 2. Walker Wellness Retreats are perfect for solo travelers and small groups alike: The Zion retreat was my first real solo vacation. This was a stretch outside of my comfort zone, but traveling with the Walkers meant I wasn’t alone. I also met great people and hiking partners on the trip. Peru was much the same, though I already knew Amy and Brian Walker when I arrived.

3. Traveling with Amy and Brian is like traveling with friends: Once you have gotten to know Amy and Brian on a retreat, the next retreat truly feels like a vacation with dear friends. The smaller group sizes lend themselves to getting to know the people on your retreat and getting quality time with the Walkers (who are awesome). Even if you travel alone, you are leaving the trip with new friends. 4. The Food: In Zion, the retreat included amazing meals for breakfast and dinner, with an incredibly fresh spread for make-your own wraps/sandwiches/snacks to take on your hikes. There were several people with dietary restrictions on my retreat, and there were Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, and Vegan options at every meal. In Peru, each restaurant was pre-selected and meals sometimes ordered family style so we could try a variety of foods. On the Inca Trail, the food provided by Alpaca Expeditions was incredible (especially considering it was all carried by porters and cooked at the campsites). Lunch and dinner were always multiple courses, shared as a group during the hike.

Making it to the top of “Dead Woman’s Pass” with a dear new friend

5. Thoughtfully curated experiences: Amy and Brian Walker do extensive research when planning a trip. They look for the best tour guides, restaurants, cultural experiences, and in the case of Peru trekking company for Manchu Picchu visit. As the Walkers are on the international trips with their guests, they get real-time feedback on each experience. They also adjust plans as needed to enhance the experience for the group. Their thoughtful approach and attention to detail make the trips exemplary.

Walker Wellness Retreats helped me find an outlet in the most challenging year of my nursing career. I also found amazing friends and travel partners….and my journey with Walker isn’t over.