The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Image via Dar Katrine

When someone says retreat, the image that usually comes to mind is a group of people sitting in a circle, probably on the beach. That’s a close image, but it also lacks many of the things retreats could offer. Here is your guide to various retreats that not only help you relax but also leave a lasting impact to take back into your everyday life.

I Matter

Mai Amer is a life coach who established the I Matter retreat. As the name suggests, the retreats focus on women’s inner journey and self-discovery. The retreats are for women of all ages, but their signature is the senior retreat. These aim to help senior women rediscover themselves after years of defining themselves by their household responsibilities, and overcome the imbalance caused after these responsibilities decrease.

They have two upcoming retreats. Pause and Restart retreat from 13 to 15 November in Ain El Sokhna and Breaking Free retreat from 2 to 7 December in Morocco. Visit their Instagram to book your spot.

Auana

This retreat doesn’t have seven different activities on each day’s agenda; Auana is all about slow travel. After discovering the joys of slow travel, Arwa Azmy decided to spread that joy. It involves doing only one or two activities that span several hours each, allowing you to connect with the place on a deeper level and be more conscious about your travels. This enables you to know the local community on a much deeper level, and it’s a way to show genuine respect for non-urban communities. Follow their Instagram to stay updated on their next adventure.

Per Auset

Translated from the ancient Egyptian language, Per Auset means “House of Isis,” which is a fitting name for the community NGO offering stays on an island in the Nile, right next to the ancient temple of Auset (Isis). As a guest, you can help with their land regeneration project, which aims to revive local and ancient heritage.

They offer study groups, art, daily meditation, and eco-conscious activities. You can stay as a guest or a volunteer. In exchange for food and accommodation, you can assist with tasks such as cooking, gardening, animal care, construction, painting, and design, as well as other duties according to your talents and their needs. Visit their website for your next stay.

Rustic Art Gallery

Imagine being on the beach, creating art with a bunch of other girls. That is precisely what Rustic Art Gallery offers in their girls-only art retreats. Each one has a different artistic theme, but the one common thing is that you will return with a new crafting skill in your arsenal. These retreats are typically held in Ain El Sokhna and last approximately two days.

What highlights their retreats is that it doesn’t focus on only one aspect of art. If you go on an art retreat with them, you will dabble in painting, music, and dance! All the fine arts in one place. Keep up with their Instagram to book your next artistic retreat.

Dar Katrine

This one is all about relaxing in the arms of nature, in the heart of Mount St. Catherine. This retreat doesn’t have activities; it’s just you in the silence and stillness of the beautiful Sinai mountains. The scenic transition from the city to the mountains is refreshing, allowing you to contemplate a simpler, slower, and more spiritual life in nature. Dar Katrine gives you “the bliss of solitude” to have an actual connecting experience with yourself and the earth around you. Head to their website for an unforgettable stay.