La Dolce Vita
Essential Happiness - and Dancing with Life's Magic Retreat
Portovenere, Italy
September 3-13, 2019
This Retreat is now full.

We love Portovenere's unique sacred flavor and I look forward to welcoming you there. It is such a special place. Part medieval village, part beach town - with gelato at every corner.

Picture
La Grotta de Byron
WHERE IN THE WORLD?
Portovenere is the honorary - and we think, much sweeter - member of the Cinque Terre. If you enjoy less tourists and an almost sacred vibe, you may fall in love with Portovenere. It sure has captured my heart.

A bus or boat ride away from its more famous cousins, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, Portovenere has so much to offer: cozy white beaches, gorgeous hikes, churches, small shops and restaurants nestled in a tiny medieval town, the achingly beautiful grotto that inspired Byron's poetry. And I am pretty sure I can still feel the energy from the ancient temple of Venus, which gave its name to the port town.

When we are not in class, we have lots of options, for inspiration, pleasure, rest or exploration.
 THE COURSE
During our time together, I will share with you my “Essential Happiness Program" with a special emphasis on the Dancing with Life's Magic,  and what it means to us.

The course is designed to challenge you as well as support you. Throughout the week, you will be guided towards discovering (or re-discovering) a new level of intimacy with your authentic self. You will  learn  simple and powerful tools to help you create a life that lines up with your "true you,"  tools which you will  be able to share with other people in your life, as well.

Increased levels of Flow, Joy, Connection, and Calm Power are the by products of this intensive course.

Mostly, You will be reminded of the magic of life, and how to dance with it.

OUR HOME
Villa Smeralda is a very comfortable family home overlooking the blue Mediterranean sea.

About ten minutes from the beach and from town, it is easy access and allows us to come and go with ease - as long as you don't mind climbing stairs!

Several of the bedrooms look out onto the sea and the overall feel of the home is very easy going, with several outdoor spaces, including a beautiful terrace with a view of the water.

Roberta, whose family owns the home, will prepare most of our lunches  for us – as well as our welcome and goodbye dinners.
TUITION
MAIN FLOOR:
SUITE AMORE
Lovely  suite, with two twin beds, its own bathroom and doors leading out to the terrace with a beautiful view of the sea.
$2,700 per person
(one bed left)

FIRST FLOOR:
BELLISSIMA
Serene, peaceful room with two twin beds and a view of the Mediterannean sea from the balcony.
$2,450 per person
(booked)

AMICI
Very sweet and comfortable room with a bed for two people, a balcony and a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.
$4,900 per couple or for two friends sharing a bed.
(booked)

FAR NIENTE
Comfy bed in a cozy room for three, with a balcony and a view of the sea.
$2,250 per person
(booked)

LA BELLA VITA
Large bed, this room is designed for one person who would like privacy,  but can be shared also.
It has no view of the sea.
$3,500 for one person
or $1,800 per person double occupancy

The four upstairs bedroom share two bathrooms.
Your tuition includes:
- My full Essential Happiness Program, as well as the Dancing with Life's Magic.
- Ten nights in Villa Esmeralda
- Breakfasts and  home prepared lunches on class days, as well as  two dinners.

Mostly, it includes TRANSFORMATION.

Your tuition does not include:
- Transportation to and from the Retreat
- Meals away from home
- Alcohol
- Any tour
- 3% PayPal fee if you choose to pay via PayPal

- Receive a 10% discount when you complete your registration and payment by April 1st.
- Retreat alumni receive a 10% discount.
(both discounts cannot be combined)

Following your Retreat, and to maximize its benefits, I also offer a Post Retreat Coaching Package

Because the space is limited, we recommend you reserve your spot early, with your 50% deposit.
The balance is due 60 days before we leave. Please note that your deposit and your tuition are non refundable, although they may be transferable.

***We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance which covers emergency medical treatment,
evacuation, and trip cancellation.***
As always, we have made sure to create a balance of class time and “play, rest or explore” time.
There will be plenty of opportunities for you to explore with our group or go out on your own, if you’d like.

In order to maximize your bliss, as well as the assimilation of the work, you are invited to participate in
some movement sessions, including a yoga class.

My promise to you is that you will leave with a full heart, AND deeply altered.


“I would not have believed I could change my life in one short week. I did. It works. If you are unsure about attending, do it. You will not regret it, and you too will be amazed and grateful.”
The Essential Happiness Retreat is infused with both practical tools and magic. The combination is exceptionally unique and offers a life changing experience. Going back home with a full heart and a basket loaded with tools feels wonderful.

I truly love and am happy with myself. I didn’t know how much this Retreat could help me, but I knew something good was bound to happen. My primary reason for signing up was to fulfill a lifelong dream of returning to France. Anything I got out the Retreat would be the frosting on the cake. It was more than the best frosting, it was the whole cake and bakery shop.


A week in France, isolated from the maddening crowd, gave me a much needed opportunity for personal growth. Surrounded by beauty and like minded individuals, I was given a gift and now possess a fabulous array of tools to foray into everyday life! I am refreshed, realigned, and ready for anything life throws my way!


Sweet, beautiful, magic, full of laughter, ease, learning. A few tears, and deep, rich thought. Easy days and deep days at the villa. Sweet and exciting days out in the world. Trust and discovery, exploration and kindness. Newness, and beauty around every corner.
This was nothing short of life-changing. There are moments when you can say “this was me before, and this is me after,” and this Retreat is one of these times. I am leaving energized and of course - happy! Thank you, thank you.

If you are looking for the perfect balance of work and play, this Retreat is for you.Not only do you get to learn amazing, life-altering tools, you get a chance to practice them among the other participants who quickly feel like family. My toolbox and my heart are full.

Everything about this trip was thought provoking. Even on the fun day field trips, we talked about tools, and about how they directly applied. Thank you!

The Retreat is a time to be given powerful tools to lead a more authentic life. Learning and laughter, combined with comradery and friendship - in another culture - lay the ground work for magical change in your life.

An inspiring week. See the beauty of Southern France, relax at a lovely villa, and also gain new insights to make your life more full of purpose and joy. Maybe the best feedback as to how worthwhile I consider it to be, is that this my third Essential Happiness Retreat!
“ANYONE reading this. IT IS A LIFE CHANGER. Go. If you can, go.
Laura Lavigne sees life in a way that will pull you out of old patterns and WAKE YOU UP. Go.”