Join us in Croatia and Montenegro for a beautiful week on the Adriatic sea with stunning landscapes, amazing food, wine and culture, spa experiences, and gorgeous blue waters.
Enjoy a curated trip with a small group of 8-12 -- no planning required. Step into abundance, knowing every meal, activity, and experience has been carefully planned so you can let go and enjoy the energy of a small -- but not too small -- travel group.
Group pricing includes all accommodations, transportation over the course of the week, all cuisine with the exception of a couple of select meals, and all activities, tours, and excursions. All activities are optional, and each day includes a balance of beauty, movement, and peace.
See below for more information on our week together.
The 2026 retreat is complete. Register here to be notified next time!
Our home for the week is a beautiful hotel in Lapad Peninsula just outside of the old town Dubrovnik. Hotel More is a beautiful seafront hotel, located on the water's edge. Overlooking the beautiful Lapad Bay, you can hear the murmur of the sea, allowing the view of the blue horizon and cliffs to evoke peace and tranquility. The Cave Bar, the hotel's hidden gem, offers a unique place to enjoy a cocktail, either within the cave itself or on the seafront, where you can take in the stunning views. The location is also superb - enjoy the lovely bathing spots and eateries within the surrounding area, without forgetting to venture a little further to Croatia's star attraction, Dubrovnik Old Town.
Scenery-wise, Hotel More couldn’t be more dramatic. It clings to a cliff edge that affords its pool, restaurant and bars panoramic views over Lapad Bay. It’s the classic Croatian setting that takes a starring role at Hotel More. This place weighs anchor on the peaceful Lapad Peninsula, where perfumed pine forests and ragged cliffs vie for attention.
There will be time to relax in the pool which looks out over the sea, and our yoga space is nestled perfectly in the hillside for nature-filled scenery while we start our day with breath and movement.
We kick off the week in Dubrovnik’s old town as we enjoy lunch and a walking tour with free time to explore further, shop, or grab a drink at one of the city’s “secret” bars on the rocks, just outside the seawalls. We'll close the afternoon with a beautiful wine tasting in Old Town.
The next day we will enjoy a private boat to a gorgeous beach club to lounge for the afternoon and swim in the clear waters before we boat to another stop at an island for a three course meal and nature hike before enjoying dinner on your own.
The following day we will ferry across the Adriatic to the lush, untamed beauty of Mljet National Park. This experience includes the opportunity for a light hike through pine forests and along quiet coastal paths, circling the island’s emerald lakes. An electric boat carries us to a small islet at the heart of the park, where a 12th-century monastery invites quiet reflection or an opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine with friends. This is a day to move your body, breathe deeply, and return grounded.
On our final day a spa day is included, where we can swim, lounge at the spa facilities, and enjoy a spa treatment. We'll close our experience with a farewell cocktail on the terrace of the beautiful Hotel Excelsior, overlooking Old Town, followed by fine dining and wine.
Over the course of the week, guests will enjoy the hotel, pool, and accompanying grounds, as well as the city of Dubrovnik and surrounding area.
Each morning will begin with an optional offering of gentle yoga and meditation practice as a way of reflecting on and integrating our travel experience. In addition to these offerings, several afternoon/evenings will offer the opportunity for an introduction to other types of meditation and energy work, including yoga nidra and Reiki.
Over the course of the week, we will incorporate the theme of restoration into the week: noticing opportunities for awe and small joys, taking quiet moments for reflection, trusting any inner wisdom that surfaces and bringing home the joy that will surface as we spend our time together!
Classes are from the Hatha and Tantra lineage, and are crafted with beginners in mind. Classes will be offered outdoors overlooking the beautiful Adriatic sea, and we have a dedicated indoor yoga space if needed as well.
Healthful and delicious food is part of the retreat experience. Meals are included, with the exception of a couple of selected meals where the length of the day or activity planned creates a great opportunity to venture on your own!
Enjoy cuisine which combines creativity and flavors with special attention to creating balanced meals. Wholesome ingredients, freshness of the foods, traditional cooking methods and local ingredients are present in every meal you will enjoy. Meals will be enjoyed at the hotel or in carefully chosen restaurants around the area. We'll feast on traditional flavors of Croatia mixed with Mediterranean styles, and don't forget delicious desserts.
Throughout the week we'll have a chance to sample regional wines, cheeses and various other specialties. We will enjoy daily breakfast, various visits to gourmet restaurants, a cocktail aperitivo at a beautiful bar overlooking the city, plus a wonderful opportunity for a local wine tasting.
Once the full group attending is confirmed, we'll reach out to discern dietary restrictions and preferences. Each meal will offer a vegetarian option, in keeping with the yogic tradition of a light footprint, in addition to a meat-based option.
The magic of this experience is the approach to our travel together. Each day is carefully planned to support you in relaxing into the experience, knowing every detail been arranged on your behalf, with just the right balance of activity, beauty, and restoration in mind. And, should you find that another idea, excursion, or rest calling to you, you are invited to listen closely to that voice and follow your instincts. This is your experience, and I’ll be here to support you in any way I can.
Awe experiences have an impact on the soul level. When our senses are overwhelmed by wonder, we are pulled from ourselves into the realization of something much larger and more expansive. This opens up imagination, creativity, spaciousness. As William James said, when we experience wonder we allow "the sand and grit of the selfhood incline to disappear, and tenderness to rule."
Hi friends! My name is Kris Lehman - a certified meditation and yoga nidra instructor, Reiki Master, fellow traveler, and lifelong seeker of beauty, connection, laughter, and awe.
After visiting 23 countries and many retreats, I have found that I love creating travel experiences that enliven the senses and restore the Spirit. Travel is transformational for the soul. For me, it has been essential for the spaciousness to envision the right question, next step, or even the clarity I need for the next iteration of my life journey. Travel can be an external delight and a container for inner wisdom and that is my invitation to you.
We are partnering with Eat, Pray, Move for this global adventure, and they will be available for support along the journey. Erin Lewis has been creating small group, retreat-style, elevated trips for more than 15 years. Throughout the week we will also have a local guide to ensure our travels go smoothly.
One room remaining! Click here to register.
Pricing and Registration Details - All inclusive costs for rooms, cuisine, activities, excursions, and transportation throughout the week (airfare not included):
Single Room with balcony, ensuite bathrooms and amenities - $5,345
Shared room with balcony, ensuite bathrooms and amenities - $4,395 per person
Additional Information on Shared Rooms:
Guests may identify a roommate preference or be paired by our group facilitator.
For couples, one large bed will be requested so please identify if this is your request as the default is two separate beds.
If you are traveling solo, you may be feeling called to an individual room, and you also may feel called to make a connection and meet new friends. Whatever you feel led toward, that is the right choice!
A deposit of $1,500 is due upon registration. 50% of the cost is due 120 days before the start date, and final payments are due 60 days prior to the start date.
Preparation Communications I have sent along the way
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kris Lehman (319) 321-3868
Local guest organizer: (Nika) +385 91 586 4077
Hotel: Hotel More, Kardinala Stepinca 33, 20 000 Dubrovnik, Croatia +385 20 494 200
COMMUNICATION
During the trip, I am hopeful we can use WhatsApp as our primary communication method and we'll make a group with everyone who has access. That makes it easier to communicate any changes in plans with the group, or for you to communicate with the group if you are running behind or have changed your plans. If you don't have WhatsApp already:
Download WhatsApp from the App Store or Google Play.
Set it up using the phone number you normally use.
Make sure you can send and receive messages.
Add Kris to your contacts using my number provided below.
Send me a message with your name and "Croatia!" so I know you're ready to be added to the group.
Once everyone has joined WhatsApp, I'll create our Croatia group and add you.
You'll receive a notification when you've been added. You don't need to do anything else.
Please turn on WhatsApp notifications so you don't miss updates while we're traveling.
ARRIVALS / DEPARTURES
The hotel is an easy ride by taxi/Uber from the Dubrovnik airport. If you'd like information for a transfer scroll to the bottom.
Although you can arrive whenever you need, please note that check in on September 5th is at 2pm (although sometimes rooms are available earlier--otherwise, you can relax in the lounges, sit by the water, or visit one of the restaurants) and we officially begin the retreat around 5:00 for our orientation reception.
On the final day, September 10th, our only schedule is breakfast before departure, so you can depart anytime. Check out is by 11am, and if you have a later departure, we can hold your bags and you can relax at the hotel before you leave.
OUR FIRST DAY AND ITINERARY
On our first evening our welcome cocktail will begin at 5:00pm at the hotel, and we will head to dinner afterward.
You'll find a detailed itinerary for each day in your room when you check in (if you are coming a day early it will be delivered to your room on September 5th.
TRIP EXTENSIONS
If you are interested in extending their trip either before or after the retreat in the area, we'd recommend Nika, our local organizer, for any assistance with this: nika.drobnic@gmail.com.
ITINERARY
Regarding our itinerary for the week, the exact hour-to-hour schedule will be provided on arrival, but to give you a general idea of our week (and to cover most of the FAQs that we receive), we've included the attached itinerary. Additionally:
Morning yoga/meditation begins around 7:30am most days (so don't worry, you don't have to be up before the sun...unless you want to of course!)
Dinners are around 6:30pm.
Please refer to the from the first email itinerary for the specific list of day trips included on your trip.
Our yoga and meditation theme for the week: Awe & Wonder as a Compass
We'll gather for four morning sessions — gentle yoga, meditation, and a yoga nidra experience (a deeply restful, lying-down meditation practice).
Throughout the week, we'll use travel itself as a teacher of sorts -- inviting moments of sacred pause and a sense of wonder. Awe has a way of expanding our capacity for spaciousness and inner wisdom, and Croatia offers many invitations for awe.
PASSPORTS/VISAS *IMPORTANT*
Please be sure to check your country's government travel page to know your requirements regarding passports, visas and any possible vaccine information for your destination. Many countries require entering passengers to have a passport valid for 3-8 months after the entrance date. Please note that this is solely each guest's responsibility. We want everyone to have an easy, chaos free experience getting to their retreat!
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Please note that we are following our regular cancellation policy which was explained and agreed on during sign up, with NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS given for the hold deposit. For this reason we highly recommend travel insurance for all of our guests to cover anything unexpected. We can provide any invoice / documentation for any insurance companies, and usually the payment receipt which you received from our processor will be sufficient.
Be sure to review the terms/conditions on our site in the meantime, and since many of our guests plan far in advance, it's inevitable that every now and then life will throw you a curveball. Especially for those who like to secure flights and other travel plans early, we like to suggest that you cover yourself.
There are many travel insurance options out there for you, and if you need assistance, we can suggest travel agent Ashley Les (ashley.les@protravelinc.com) who can assist with both insurance and also with planning any trip extensions.
PACKING TIPS
The hotel will provide a hair dryer, shampoo and conditioner.
Clothes -- Bring a swimsuit, yoga clothes (if you plan to participate) and some comfortable walking shoes. As for the rest of your clothes - it really depends on your preferences! We will be doing some shopping and wine tasting, swimming and the spa, some light hiking, yoga, and we'll go for a fine dining meal one evening. For the most part you want to be comfortable, but you might want to pack something a little dressy for two for dinners if you want to!
Universal power plug (European Type C/F) — required for all outlets in Croatia. Most computers and phones only need the adapter plug (standard European) so you may not need a voltage adapter but check your devices to be sure.
Check your chargers before you pack — most phones, laptops, and cameras are dual-voltage (look for "100–240V" on the brick) and only need an adapter. Hair dryers and flat irons often are not — leave them home or bring a dual-voltage travel version.
Yoga and Meditation Props -- The hotel will have yoga mats, but not other props. It's gentle yoga so I wouldn't worry about props, but we'll also be doing meditation and sitting for 15-20 minutes. You are welcome to use a hotel pillow, but if you prefer something specific feel free to pack it!
Money - Croatia uses the Euro. Most places will take cards but I would wait to get cash from an ATM (not at the airport) for a better exchange rate.
Journal/pen - to capture any thoughts or ideas you want to take home with you!
LANGUAGE
If you want to learn a few words in Croatian it will go a long way!
Bok "bock" (Hi [informal]), Dobro jutro "do-bro-u-troh" (Good day), Dobro vecer "do-bro-veh-cher" (Good evening), Hvala "vah-lah" (Thank you), Kako ste? "kah-ko-see" (How are you?), Dobro hvala "do-broh-vah-lah" (I'm fine thanks), Da "dah" (Yes), Ne "neyh"
OTHER INFORMATION
Weather - It's hard to predict for sure, but hopefully it will be 75 - 80 during the day and low seventies in the evenings but it's been a much warmer summer than normal. You can find more info here.
Money - You can wait to get Euro from an ATM when you arrive. Be sure to notify CC and banks. Many small market purchases will be in cash, but larger shops/purchases will take credit cards. Most of our expenses are covered, but you'll have a couple of lunches, one dinner, and souvenirs to take home!
Photos/Social Media - If you are planning to post your trip, I would love for you to help share photos with me and each other! If you tag @thecommonthread on Facebook, or @thecommonthreadconnections on Instagram, we can share photos as we go. Let's connect there if we haven't already!
ADDITIONAL AIRPORT TRANSFER OPTIONS
Uber is definitely an option and generally easy to use in Dubrovnik. The drive from Dubrovnik Airport to Hotel More is around 45 minutes (mostly because of traffic this time of year.
PRICING
An Uber will typically be somewhere around €45 - 60, depending on demand at the time.
A pre-arranged private transfer is usually in a similar range — approximately €50 - 60 for a regular car, with a larger vehicle/van costing a little more sometimes.
If you would prefer to pay a little extra for a pre-arranged transfer, there is an advantage to knowing the driver will be waiting at arrivals and you don't have to find a car when you land.
Nika recommens Touch Croatia. They have professional English-speaking drivers and very comfortable vehicles. Of course, there are many other options. It can also be worth arranging a larger vehicle for more than 2 travelers with larger suitcases or more than one suitcase each. Standard cares can be tight once you add luggage with a group so mention the luggage if you arrange a transfer.
Hotel More can also arrange airport transfers directly, so that’s another easy option. https://www.hotel-more.hr/en/more-offer/limousine-service-8/