For most of my ‘Mom years’, vacations have revolved around my kids’ schedules. From March breaks to summer holidays, we’ve had our fair share of quality trips together, and wouldn’t change a thing.
But that’s not to say, I don’t enjoy our alone travel time too. Along with escaping to The Ranch on many occasion, I’m just as a quick to jump on a plane for fitness-themed vacations when time allows.
Which takes me to Escape to Shape. A travel company I found not too long a go, and was immediately intrigued by. Offering yoga, cuisine and culture with planned trips to far-away destinations, my heart jumped. Almost immediately, I signed up for an adventure to Laos, which was everything I hoped for, and more.
Owned and operated by Erica Gragg and Francesco Anchisi, Escape to Shape combines their love for travel with fitness and wellness, culture and culinary.
“I basically developed a vacation that I would want to go on,” says Gragg. I wanted to marry my desires with my passions and skills.”
And clearly it’s working.
Together they travel about ten months of the year, scouting new locations. Along with getting to know the locals in each of the areas they explore, they research the safety of the location, the ease-ability of offering killer experiences (spin class in the desert any one?) while giving their clients the best cultural experiences.
From South Africa to Turkey, Uruguay to Cambodia, each trip is custom designed to include the off the beaten track experiences, while enjoying luxury accommodations, delicious healthy food, daily yoga, fitness, hiking, exploring markets (shopping!) and more.
On my trip to Laos, I rode elephants. I enjoyed daily yoga, and learned to cook local cuisine like fish in bamboo leaves with black rice. I made new friends, while enjoying the freedom of being on my own.
With Erica as my guide, I felt safe and secure, constantly wowed by her knowledge of every place we visited. And what knowledge she has – not just about travel, but nutrition and meditation, fitness and physiology. Throw in some yoga, surf and scuba – this girl does it all!
When it was over, I felt more connected to ourselves, the beauty of this earth and the joy travel can bring. I felt strong and healthy. No need for a vacay-detox here. Just the opposite.
Sure, there were some challenges such as long travel, jet lag, missing my kids. But none of these took away from my experience. If anything, they made me stronger, ready for whatever life may bring next.
And speaking of next. I can hardly wait for another next Escape to Shape adventure. I’ve got Bhutan and the Himalayas on my vision board, and you can bet I’ll be there soon.