The Clarity & Connection Retreat


A Long Weekend Escape
Valencia and Almarda, Spain
September 24 - 27, 2026
Sign up now
Reflect, pause and connect.
DATeSeptember 24 - 27, 2026
location  Valencia and Almarda, Spain

Itinerary

  • Day One Highlights: Valencia
    Thursday, September 24th -- gather mid-morning
    • Warm welcome and introductions
    • Paella cooking class
    • Locals' guide to the best authentic Spanish shopping, including a tour of the local food market
    • Group dinner at a favourite Spanish restaurant
    • Sights and sounds of bustling and beautiful Valencia
  • Day Two Highlights: Valencia & Almarda
    Friday, September 25th
    • Professionally guided tour of Valencia
    • Group transport to Almarda
    • Exploration of self, including vision and values
    • Assortment of yoga, mindfulness and meditation
    • Siesta and swim in the ocean
    • Cocktail hour, group dinner at local favourite restaurant
  • Day Three Highlights: Almarda
    Saturday, September 26th
    • Light breakfast
    • Assortment of yoga, mindfulness and meditation
    • Morning in historic Sagunto, including a tour of Sagunto Castle, local cuisine and shopping
    • Exploration of self, including purpose and passion
    • Siesta and a swim in the ocean
    • Cocktail hour
    • Group dinner at a local favourite restaurant
    ‍
  • Day Four Highlights: Almarda & Valencia
    Sunday, September 27th
    • Light breakfast
    • Morning of yoga, mindfulness and meditation
    • Exploration of self, including reflections and insights
    • Group farewell
    • Return to Valencia, midday

    *** Please note that accommodation is NOT included. We can make some great recommendations on where to stay in both Valencia and Almarda!
    *** The flow of the agenda might change.
    *** Alcohol is limited.
Sign up now
We look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful and tranquil eastern coast of Spain for the Clarity & Connection Retreat. With the backdrop of history, architecture, world-class cuisine and the Mediterranean Sea, you will experience a long weekend of inspiration, rejuvenation and self discovery.
 

The detail...

Clarity and Connection Retreat: A Unique and Memorable Journey

‍We look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful and historic corner of eastern Spain for the Clarity & Connection Retreat. With the backdrop of vibrant Valencia, and also the seaside village of Almarda, you will experience a wide-range of activities and experiences. Our aim is to craft a unique and memorable three days of self-discovery that creates space to learn and grow.

A few key details:

*Accommodation is NOT included. We will share with you a range of excellent accommodation options in both Valencia and Almarda.

*While alcoholic beverages are included, they are limited. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase their own.

*This retreat will be hosted in English.

*It can be extremely warm in Spain. We will follow the lead of the locals by beginning our days early, plan for a siesta in the afternoon, and dine later in the evening once the sun has set. This is especially true for our summer retreats.

*Should we need to postpone this retreat due to events that are out of our control (i.e. extreme weather), guests will be able to move their registration to a future date. We aim to be flexible and accommodating.
  • A facilitated journey of self exploration, including clarifying one's vision, values, passion and purpose.
  • An array of wellbeing practices including yoga, mindfulness an meditation.
  • A guided tour of historic and beautiful Valencia and Sagunto.
  • Hiking in and around the orange groves in the seaside town of Almarda. (Optional)
  • A paella cooking class.
  • Meals, including an abundance of local nutritious cuisine. Please note that while alcoholic beverages are included, they are limited. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase their own.
  • Our signature gift bag, unique to each retreat.
Sign up now

What to bring!

One of the most exciting parts of planning a trip is giving thought to what to bring with you. This is a particularly exciting trip to pack for as we will be doing a wide variety of things, including hiking, dining, walking and touring. And of course, there is yoga, meditation, mindfulness and taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea!
While this list is not exhaustive, it will give you an idea of what to pack:

* A journal or notebook and pen.
* Smart attire for lunches and dinners in beautiful restaurants.
* Appropriate attire for warm days spent walking and exploring.
* A light jacket and / or a pashmina.
* A sun hat.
* Light workout wear, including clothes appropriate for yoga.
* Bathing suits.
* Comfortable walking shoes and / or running shoes. Light hiking boots are a bonus but not essential.
* Sandals / flip flops.
* A yoga strap or long cotton scarf for our yoga practice.
* This is a non-exhaustive list. Please do not hesitate to reach out for more detail.
Sign up now
A Friendship Spanning Decades...

Retreat hosts Maria and Alexandra have been great friends since they first met while studying for their undergraduate degrees at the University of Calgary in the 1990s.

Coincidentally, both Maria and Alexandra were born in the UK and emigrated with their families to Calgary, Canada when they were respectively six-years-old (a crazy coincidence!). These foundations made for a solid friendship that has endured over the course of decades and numerous continents!

Today, Maria and Alexandra find themselves both drawn to the leadership and wellbeing space and have teamed-up to offer exceptional and unique destination retreats, primarily in eastern Spain, where Maria currently calls home -- and where Alex and her family love to visit!

Your hosts.

Alexandra Wright, CEC, PCC


Alexandra comes to the leadership and wellbeing space with a decades-long global corporate career as a strategist and communicator for some of the world's largest companies, and equally, an array of boutique organizations.

Over the years Alexandra began to diversify her career by training as an executive and leadership coach, a resiliency and somatic coach, and a yoga instructor. This foundation, alongside studying for a Masters of Arts in Leadership, has laid the foundation for building memorable and unique retreats and trainings.

In 2019, Alexandra cofounded LeadWell®, a boutique leadership development business that works with organizations to build and define leadership strategy, trainings, coaching and retreats.

Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Public Relations and a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), a Certified Yoga Instructor (RYT), a Certified Resiliency Coach and a Certified Tetramap® Facilitator. Alexandra is expected to finish her Masters of Arts in Leadership in 2026.

Alexandra and her family, along with their Yellow Lab, Teddy, currently call Vancouver home. She is an avid traveler, and also loves to hike, ski and play tennis. Alexandra is also a news junkie and a lover of architecture and design.

Maria Robertson, PhD

Maria Robertson is a Princeton-educated professor, author, global citizen and mother, who brings a unique and intriguing perspective to the world of retreats. Maria was born in England to a Valencian mother and an English father.

Raised in Calgary, Canada, Maria has traveled extensively and enjoys discovering new places and people. Maria has dedicated her professional life to teaching Spanish literature at various universities in Canada and the US. She has taught at the University of Western Ontario, Princeton University, George Washington University, the University of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago. She has published a book and several papers, but her main focus during her tenure as a professor was teaching. She has taught a diverse range of courses from Golden Age Theatre to honours courses.

Today, Maria brings her passion for teaching, leading and facilitation to the world of retreats, aimed at helping people grow and shine. Maria holds two bachelor degrees from the University of Calgary in English Literature and Spanish Literature; a masters from the University of Western Ontario in Spanish Golden Age Literature; a masters in Spanish Golden Age Literature (with a speciality in Góngora) from Princeton University; and a Phd from Princeton University with a speciality in Golden Age Literature. She published her thesis as a book: The Architecture of the Margins.

After losing her husband in 2018, Maria changed course, and in 2020 made the bold decision to leave her job at Loyola University Chicago, sell everything and move to Valencia, Spain, her home-away-from-home.

Today Maria dedicates her time to wellness and mental health. Presently, Maria lives between Valencia and Almardá, Spain with her son Lucas and their dog Peanut, an energetic Chocolate Labrador.

Maria is currently working on her second book when she is not taking long walks in the orange groves close to her house in Almardá or along the river Turia in Valencia, with her favourite walking companions.

Clarity and Connection Await

September 24-27, 2026 | Valencia and Almarda, Spain
Euro 1,500
Sign up now
Spots are limited.
Terms & Conditions

FAQs

What is included?

The retreat includes all activities, meals and our signature gift basket. 

Alcohol is limited, however guests are welcome to purchase their own.

What is not incuded?

Guests are responsible for their travel to and from the retreat and also accommodations.

Beyond the optional alcoholic beverage offered during cocktail hours and evening meals, guests are responsible for purchasing their own alcohol.

How much does it cost?

The cost to attend the By The Sea Retreats Clarity & Connection Retreat is Euro 1500.

What is the cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy aims to be flexible and accommodating.

Should we need to postpone this retreat due to events that are out of our control (i.e. extreme weather), guests will be able to move their registration to a future date.

What should I pack?

One of the most exciting parts of trip is giving thought to what to
bring with you. This is a particularly exciting trip to pack for as we will be doing a wide variety of things, including hiking, dining, walking and touring. And of course, there is yoga, meditation, mindfulness and taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea!

While this list is not exhaustive, it will give you an idea of what to pack:
‍
*Smart attire for lunches and dinners in beautiful restaurants.
*Appropriate attire for warm days spent walking and exploring.
*A light jacket and / or pashmina.
*Light workout wear, including clothes appropriate for yoga.
*Bathing suits.
*Comfortable walking shoes and / or running shoes. Light hiking boots are a bonus but not essential.
*Sandals / flip flops
* This is a non-exhaustive list. Please do not hesitate to reach out for more detail.

How do I sign up?

Simply click here to sign up and complete your payment.

Tell me more about the signature By The Sea Retreats gift basket!

We look forward to welcoming our guests with our signature By The Sea Retreats gift basket. While the contents are a surprise, we can tell you that everything you are gifted is safe to take with you as carry-on on a flight.

How can I get in touch if I have questions?

Feel free to contact us by email at bythesearetreats@gmail.com for any inquiries before signing up.

Book Your Spot
Email: bythesearetreats@gmail.com
Follow Us
© LEADWELL™ BY THEORY 2024   |   Terms & Conditions   |   Privacy Policy