2025/26 Write & Roam Journeys

What is a Write & Roam Journey? I take small groups (no more than 10 people) to exquisite places around the world. We take our time, stay in hotels/guest houses for several nights, commune with the locals as well as each other. Most mornings we spend about an hour writing together, based on prompts and ques picked up from our travels. We share our work (always optional) and then we make our way out into the world. No writing experience is necessary. The method used in the writing salons is designed to foster creativity and expression and deepen your adventure. I have been leading tours for nearly 20 years. I look forward to traveling with you!

Why Write & Roam?

The journey never ends, and the path changes constantly. Let me take you on a trip that will open your mind and astonish you with what shows up. Writing with a group is an act of healing, kindness, and generosity. Your words need to be written, shared, and heard by others. Write & Roam Retreats allow you to discover your stories (and you have them!) through guided meditation and prompts. You will write, read, listen, and learn what works, and what inspires and moves the reader through incredibly positive and supportive feedback. Our journeys take you to exotic places. Ignite your senses. Make memories that will last a lifetime. Create a community of new friends. See the world in a way you never have before. Let me take you. I’ve been leading trips and retreats since 2007. Truly, the journey never ends so let’s roam together.

What: The Embodied Writing Method Retreat Weekend

When: Friday, August 15-Sunday, August 17, 2025

Where: Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health

Register Here: https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/embodied-writing-method-using-ayurveda-creativity-and-flow

Teaching a workshop at Kriplau has been a dream of mine! I’m so excited to share this unique program I’ve created, designed to bring together two modalities that have taken me to higher levels than I ever thought possible. Ayurveda and writing. I look back on the three books I’ve written and I can see how my Ayurvedic practice shaped every part of the process: inception; planning; writing; editing; promotion. The creative part of my brain was activated through my dinacharya (daily routine), allowing me to work under pressure and be innovative and productive without losing sight of the goal.

Now I’m bringing this to you! Absolutely no experience or knowledge of either writing or Ayurveda is necessary for this weekend. Let me guide you and help unlock your creativity to see where it leads!

Did you know that writing can balance your Ayurvedic doshas? Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, your elemental makeup, express themselves in various ways. The unique qualities of each dosha can be reveled in speech and writing, reading aloud, and how we offer, and accept feedback.

The Embodied Writing Method is enhanced by using remedies like aromatherapy, herbalised massage oils, mindful movement, guided meditation, time in nature and breath work to ignite your imagination, quiet the inner critic, and open the channels to allow the prana to flow.

Meditation, writing to prompts and sharing our work with the group (always optional), allow you to dig deep into the crevices of your mind, where words have been waiting to be expressed. The art of listening is paramount and only positive, supportive feedback is offered. This practice allows for freedom of expression, support and encouragement on your creative journey.

No writing, meditation or Ayurvedic experience is necessary. You will be gently guided into each practice, including deep listening to yourself and others.

Knowing your dosha and imbalances can relieve pressure and mitigate blame (of self and others) by understanding where our impulses and behaviors come from. Vata worry, pitta frustration and Kaphic inertia can be examined, forgiven and eradicated using the tools offered in this workshop. Through seasonal eating practices, dosha-specific meditation, gentle movement, and guided writing, imbalances can be lessened to allow more freedom of expression and acceptance of natural-born inclinations. Once we tap into ourselves on a deeper level, we can feel a freedom of expression to authentically use our voice, and embody techniques for support and encouragement on the creative journey.

The Method creates space for you to be open without feeling judged, and to fully express yourself, to be vulnerable without embarrassment. Through writing, we can learn to express ourselves on the page without judgment, criticism or censorship. Ayurveda and writing become tools for healing and transformation, a deep understanding of ourselves, (and others) perhaps with a sense of humor and self-love.

You will discover:

·       How to turn sensations, images and feelings into words on the page, clearly reflecting your thoughts and intentions.

·       The act of listening as an act of kindness, support and encouragement.

·       Remedies to balance your dosha, allowing prana and creativity to flow with ease.

You will leave the weekend with:

·       Renewed (or new!) sense of belief in your inner wisdom.

·       A robust writing plan for creativity and dosha balancing.

·       Doable seasonal self-care prompts, techniques, and apothecary recommendations.

Use this link to register for the workshop: https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/embodied-writing-method-using-ayurveda-creativity-and-flow

 Iceland September 22 - 29, 2025

Golden Circle, Vik, Westman Islands

The land of fire and ice will ignite your creativity and imagination, and reset your spirit. This tour of the natural world of Iceland is curated with ease in mind. Seven nights in just 2 hotels allows you to unwind, explore, and relax all while visiting iconic sites and hidden treasures in this amazing country.

How can I tell you about the beauty of Iceland? The flowing lava fields, mountainous glaciers reflecting blue, white and gray, spectacular ice caves deep in the earth, the shooting steam exploding from geysers surrounded by pools of bubbling, boiling water, mighty waterfalls that will make you feel like a speck on the planet?! Iceland gives me perspective on who I am and why I’m here. The silence and sounds of nature in this vast, sparsely populated (less than 400,000 people!) country is powerful. The lack of noise allows you to experience nature at a level few do.

On this trip you will hear the geysers bursting forth, the waterfalls slamming the rocks, and bird songs from Ravens, Gyrfalcons and Arctic Terns . Nature breaks through the icy landscape, with double rainbows, expansive rock formations, hearty sheep, stout horses, and hot lagoons.

As we travel slowly, you are invited to go within to explore your inner landscape. We take time to do just that by gathering daily to meditate, write to prompts, and share our work. As your words unfold, a new community is created. I’ve seen such love, support, and care come from these gatherings and trips. Be a part of it. And let it become a part of you.

I love traveling to Iceland because it’s easy. From where I live (Baltimore) there is a direct flight (starting at $300 roundtrip), every day. We leave in the early evening and arrive five hours later, early in the morning in Keflavik. Iceland is pure - the water is crystal clear, you can eat all the food without worry, and you can even sit on the toilets! The buildings, hot tubs, and lagoons are heated with geothermal waters. It may be chilly outside, but it’s refreshing, the cleanest air, the bluest skies, the snow-capped mountains, the northern lights at night.

All you need to do is put down a partially refundable deposit to hold your place. My Icelandic retreats sell out fast. $850 will hold your place. The balance is due on June 30. Payment plans can be arranged.

By the way, we are three retreats for three for seeing the Northern Lights. Many times! Many nights! I expect this will continue!

Want to talk about it? Let’s set up a call. Email me: susan@susanweisbohlen.com. I’d love to tell you more.

Minimum amount of travelers: 6; Maximum 12.

We depart BWI, or your local airport, on Sunday, September 21 and arrive in Keflavik on the morning of Monday, Sept. 22 (for those celebrating Rosh Hashana, what a way to do it! If departing from another city, please be at the Keflavik airport by 5 am Monday, Sept. 22 or you can arrange to meet us in Reykjavik later in the day.

The itinerary may change slightly due to weather. The weather in September is typically in the 40s in the day and the low 30s at night. It usually does not snow in the Fall, but their could be rain and wind. Sunrise is around 7:30 am and sunset around 7:30 pm giving us plenty of day light.

Day 1 Monday, Sept 22: Upon arrival at 5 am, a private bus will take us to our hotel in Reykjavík where we can rest for a few hours before venturing out to see the city. A big treat awaits us at the world-famous Sandholt Bakery. After a bite and a coffee, we can tour the main streets and get a feel for the city before we meet our guide, driver, and my dear friend Heiða Björk Sturludóttir who will take us to the incredible Sky Lagoon Hot Springs. Everything here is rooted in Icelandic tradition. Enjoy a dip in the hot waters, a cold plunge, and the 7 Rituals including a sauna, scrub steam, mist and herbal elixir. Over the wall of the lagoon is the Atlantic Ocean. I chose this for our first day as I want you to wash away whatever you don’t need for this trip, and soak in the minerals, the warmth and beauty that will last a lifetime. You won’t want to leave, but I promise more wonderful adventures await.

Later we will make our way to our lovely boutique hotel, a former schoolhouse, next to a magnificent church. The Skalholt Hotel will be our home for the next 4 nights, in the heart of the Golden Circle. We will have a private room with a fireplace for our writing sessions, and group meals by innovative Chef Bjarki Sol at his restaurant in the hotel, called Hvonn. He uses only locally grown and sourced foods.

Settle in your rooms, enjoy a meal, and get ready for our adventure. You can use the hot tubs at the hotel anytime! Maybe even see the Northern lights while you soak in the warm waters.

Day 2 Tuesday, Sept. 23 After breakfast and our first writing session, we will visit two spectacular natural wonders. At Geysir Hot Springs we will see boiling mud pits, and wild, exploding geysers. The Strokkur geyser lets loose every few minutes. A hush falls over the waiting groups in anticipation of the shooting hot water. Delightful cheers erupt along with the geyser, which spouts water 100 ft into the air.

Then we will visit Gulfoss, an astonishingly huge waterfall, powerful, gorgeous and LOUD! We will walk up the paths and see the prisms of light and rainbows as the water flows. After our time in the natural world, we will go shopping! A big, beautiful store and cafe nearby offer Icelandic sweaters, socks, hats, gloves and more. .

After a rest back at the hotel, we’ll have dinner. You will already be bursting at the seams with thoughts, feelings and images to transfer to the page.

Day 3 Wednesday, Sept. 24 This morning after breakfast we will continue the writing salon and then travel to village of Selfoss, about a half hour from the hotel. Today is SPA DAY! Before we even leave the US, you can reserve time at Hotel Selfoss for authentic Icelandic spa treatments. Experience traditional sauna, steam room and hot tub where every detail is designed to soothe the senses and rejuvenate body and soul, as well as body treatments and scrubs. Not into the spa? Spend the afternoon in the shops and cafes dotting the streets of this quaint town and get a true feel for Icelandic life.

Day 4 Thursday, Sept. 25 Breakfast and writing start off the day. Today’s journey today takes us into the Kerið's Crater. Approximately 6,500 years old, it’s deep in the earth, wide and easily walkable. We’ll go around the rim and venture down to the depths to explore. The caldera is approximately 180 ft deep, 560 ft wide, and 890 ft across. Later we will visit to Fridheimar restaurant, a geothermal tomato greenhouse, and an Icelandic horse farm. How about that for unique? And the food is simply delicious, fresh off the vine, farm-to-table. We’ll visit with the horses and learn more about their way of life.

Northern lights and hot tubs await us in the evening. Did I mention that wine and beer and local liquors are available at the hotel? They are!

Day 5 Friday, Sept. 26 Today we head out early to reach the mystical, black beach town of Vík í Mýrdal, the southern-most seafront village in Iceland where we will learn about the folklore of trolls, elves, ghosts, and fairies, that are very much a part of the Icelandic sagas, and the natural formations. We’ll explore the Reynisfjara Sea Beach walk, visit the black beach and the hexagonal basalt columns in the cliffs, and see the famous Three Trolls standing guard. (The eerie, surreal Netflix series Katla was filmed here.) Our day will include an Ice Cave visit, the extraordinary Lava museum. which is the closest you may ever get to a lava flow, and Skogarfoss waterfall.

In the evening we will take a ferry boat to the famous Westman Island (Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic), an archipelago off Iceland’s south coast, formed by underwater volcanic eruptions, where we’ll spend the final three nights of our journey. Our guide Heida was born here and her family escaped the night of the devasting eruptions in 1973 when over 400 buildings were destroyed, including her house.

Hotel: https://hotelvestmannaeyjar.is/

Day 6 Saturday, Sept. 27

Breakfast together, writing together, sharing our words, and roaming continue. Today we visit the volcano museum, walk the lava fields and take a boat ride to see the cliff birds around the Island.

Day 7 Sunday, Sept. 28 Breakfast and writing followed by time in town to do some last minute shopping. We’ll hike a beautiful Lava Field and visit the Volcano Eldfell, a volcanic cone just over 660 ft high. It was formed in a volcanic eruption which began without warning. Our day will be filled with natural and nature wonders as we explore the Island.

Day 8 Monday, Sept. 29 Early departure on the Ferry and then directly to the famous Blue Lagoon for one more dip in the hot springs, one more sauna, one more view of gorgeous Iceland, and our final hours before flying home.

Pricing: 7 nights and 8 days:

Double room, sharing: $5995 each

Single room, $6495

A partially refundable deposit of $850 will hold your place. Payment by credit card please add 4%. Payment methods: Venmo: susan-weis-bohlen (last for of cell are 2096; Zelle: 4109792096; check to Breathe Books, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136

Full payment is due June 1. Payment plans can be arranged.

Price includes All travel within Iceland, 8 breakfasts, and 4 dinners; entrance fees, Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon experiences, Ferry and boat rides, guide and driver and tips (always optional if you want to offer more), writing salons, 1 private session with Susan for either Ayurveda or writing advice.

Not included: Airfare to Iceland; additional spa services; espresso drinks; alcoholic drinks; laundry services; excursions outside of the itinerary; tips for hotel staff; 7 lunches; 3 dinners (count on $30-$70 a meal without alcohol)

NOTE: A single room for the 5-hour rest after our flight in Reykjavik may not be available. Currently, we have double rooms held that are worked into the price. If you require a single room, at an extra cost, let me know ASAP and I will try and get you a room! Reykjavik is extremely popular and hotel rooms must be booked far in advance.

Review flight options on Play Air. Plan to arrive on the morning of Monday, Sept. 22, and depart the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 29. Flights book up extremely far in advance. I advise you to book your flight ASAP, and buy travel and flight insurance in case you need to cancel or make changes. If you prefer to fly Iceland Air, depending on your time of arrival, you may need to arrange private transport to meet us in Reykjavik.

A packing list will be sent upon sign-up.

Questions? Call me! 410-979-2096. I can’t wait to write and roam with you!

Testimonials:

“I. LOVE. SUSAN'S. WRITING. TRIPS and the Gateless method.  This retreat allowed me to discover my writer.   If you've ever had an inkling to write, then this is where you can discover your voice.  It's encouraging and supportive, inviting your writer to come out and explore. Susan provides a safe environment to express yourself whether it's a list of words, phrases, or sentences.”  MR

“My Write-and-Roam trip to Iceland under Susan's enthusiastic leadership was just what the doctor ordered! Great generative prompts, helpful crafts tips, wonderful writing and feedback, amazing sights, and delicious meals in simple but elegant lodging amongst a group of warm, open, intuitive women (and one man). Our Icelandic guide Heida was terrific too. Highly recommend.” DR

“My favorite parts of the trip were having regular writing practice to look forward to, and the restaurants were enjoyable. The trip was well led and planned and well explained, and what was planned was clear. There was enough flexibility and light-heartedness to make it easy and fun. The writing time really helped to break the ice and to get acquainted with each other.” CM

“What a glorious week! I’ve just returned from Casa Om Potomac after a few days of a writing retreat led by Susan Weis-Bohlen. It was a fun, inspiring, and a safe space to be creative. I made new friends and they are all goddess warriors. We laughed, cried, and danced. Share your story. Open your heart. You will find magic!” Alex H.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with so many creative, special women at the Casa Om workshop. Your facilitation was excellent. Casa om was beautiful, the food was excellent, and just unwinding along the beautiful Potomac river with the birds and the groundhogs and other beautiful nature sounds and beautiful grounds was a real healing for me. The opportunity to share and write about our experiences past, present and future dreams was also a healing for me. I hope to attend future seminars and experiences with you and maybe even a trip to a beautiful place that you and Larry explore with others. I highly recommend your workshops to creative people who want to explore their inner lives, creative writing skills, and express in dialogue their thoughts, experiences and wisdom, as well as, humor and laughter. As an observant Jew I enjoyed the mid week schedule as well.”
Shoshana S.

Write & Roam travels to the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan,

March 8-20, 2026

Via Delhi, India, with optional Golden Triangle Tour (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur)

March 3-8, 2026

This tour is for those who want to witness a world rarely seen. As most people only travel here once in a lifetime, I have arranged an exquisite journey, with time to explore inner and outer worlds, in the most unexpected of places on the planet.

Bhutan is a hidden gem high in the Himalayan Mountains. What secrets does it hold for you?

• Peace and quiet are pervasive, allowing you to think, listen and create from a place of stillness, rather than chaos and distraction.

• Theta brainwaves will activate, creating flow, stress reduction, creativity, and contentment. These benefits will remain accessible long after the retreat is over. The writing tools, crafts, and techniques are based on the Gateless Method.

• Resistance will melt away. The inner critic who shouts all day long will be quieted and diminished. Let’s leave that critic behind on a valley or river.

• Nature will envelop you, filling you with awe, integrating your connectedness to everything.

• Leave worry and weariness behind. Immerse yourself in the present moment. Listen to wild rivers run, visit Buddhist stupas on the side of the road, and hear the sonorous sounds of thousands of prayer flags flapping in the wind, sending blessings across the world.

• Astonishing architecture in bold colors and designs, just like Shangri-la, will stoke your creativity and fill your senses.

• Plenty of places to shed what doesn’t serve you, and pick up some new vibes!

• Links to all the sites we will visit are in blue and bolded in the daily schedule below.

• I’m happy to have a call with you to talk about the trip! Email me at susan@susanweisbohlen.com.

  Read more about Gross National Happiness here: https://susanweisbohlen.substack.com/.../i-wanna-take-you...

  and here's a short video to tell you more: https://youtu.be/Hwd73ePzpc0?si=CHk5LO57mHBAdHd_

Most tours of Bhutan begin in the capital city Thimpu and venture East. But I’m going to take you West toward China, to the hidden paradise of Haa. This serene, peaceful valley was once known as the “hidden-land rice valley” and was closed to tourism until a few years ago. Quaint guest houses have been built with local farm-to-table food, traditional architecture, and endless nature. It’s remote, isolated, and the perfect place to begin our journey. You will have no choice but to leave the world behind, and immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture, acclimate to the altitude, and allow the adventure to begin. But don’t worry, East we will go! Take a look below at the detailed itinerary and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Why Bhutan? My first trip there was in 2006, on a whim, to join a friend who was traveling in Nepal and India. Suffice it to say that there were so few tourists there, that when I returned with a group in 2016, a hotel manager remembered me - and my name! I fell in love with the uniqueness of this place. Wild white rivers rush around huge boulders, Monks scurry along to prayers and study, Nuns meditate, strangers bow and you feel like you have reached the end of the world — in a good way! On my first trip, my friend Sue and I sat in a shack on the edge of a town, the only place with an internet connection, and tried to send emails home. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not. That may be the last time I was so disconnected from the world.

Now the internet, and wifi are pervasive, but that feeling that you are far far away is still there. And you are!

This, my fourth time in Bhutan, is a journey designed to get the most out of the trip but at a relaxed pace. We will spend multiple nights at most places so you won’t be packing and unpacking all the time. Settle in, take walks, easy hikes, visit to monasteries, and festivals. Soak in hot mineral water. See the monkeys in the trees and the spectacular flora and fauna. We’ll fly over spectacular Himalayan mountain ranges. And write. Most days we will have two hours of guided writing, wincluding meditation and prompts. With no distractions, no goals, and no pressure, you will find your voice. And you will hear the voices of others. Learn more here in this 60 Minutes piece on Bhutan from last summer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g_t1lzn-1A

Our trip is 12 days and 11 nights in Bhutan. The optional Indian extension is April 20-25

COST: $6589 for a shared room. The final payment is due by February 1, 2026. Payment plans can be made if needed. Please see below what is included and what is not included inthe price. Add $480 for a single room upgrade.

EARLY BIRD! $5989. Pay in full by January, 2026 and save $600.

Cost for India extention TBA

An $850 partially refundable deposit will hold your place. Credit Card payments include a 4% processing fee. You can pay via Venmo to susan-weis-bohlen (last for of cell are 2096); Zelle: 4109792096; PayPal using Send Friends Money option to susanweisbohlen@gmail.com; or check to Breathe Books, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown, Md 21136.

Single supplement Bhutan: $40 per night ($480)

Price includes a Bhutanese travel Visa; dedicated guide and driver; 11 nights hotels; 3 meals a day; water; entrance and festival fees; all travel within the country including the Bumthang-Paro flight; exceptional writing salons; personal one-on-one session with Susan for an Ayurvedic or writing consultation; extraordinary sights; a once-in-a-lifetime experience; new friends!

Not included: Flights to Bhutan from the US, or your originating country; flight from Delhi to Bhutan and return; tips for guide and driver; alcoholic drinks; espresso drinks; snacks; laundry services; mineral hot baths and spa services.

If traveling from the US we will depart on Friday, April 11 from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. to Delhi, India, arriving on Sunday monring April 12, (approximately 1:30 am arrival) and our flight to Bhutan is on Sunday, April 12 at 4:45 am. I will tell you the recommended flights when you sign up. Flights from Delhi to Bhutan are currently $565. If traveling from Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, please make arrangements to meet us in Bhutan by 7 am on Sunday, April 12, or we will make arrangements to join the group at your expense. Travel insurance is highly recommended. We use https://www.travelinsured.com/agency/.

This is high-altitude trip. Please check with your health care provider for any issues that might arise when travelling over 13,000 feet. There are medications like acetazolamide, which can help you to acclimate.

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: HAA: The flight into Paro begins our journey to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro Valley. Hint: Those seated on the left side of the flight will have a magnificent view of the snow-covered peaks of Mt. Everest. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After resting in a hotel near the airport for a few hours, we will drive to Haa Valley.

Our afternoon journey takes us over the Chelela pass, one of the highest points (3,780 m/12401 f) of drivable road in Bhutan. You will see incredible views of the highest mountains of Bhutan and the scenery is magnificent. Then onto the Forbidden Valley of Haa (which only opened to tourism in 2002), which borders China. Dinner and overnight at the Haa Heritage Hotel. 

Day 2: Haa. We will continue sightseeing with a visit to the Dzong of Haa and the temples of Haap Chhundu (guardian deity of the valley). In the late afternoon, we will settle in for our first writing session at the hotel.

Day 3: Haa. In the morning drive a short distance to hike (45 minutes) to the Juneydrak hermitage from Katsho village. This Cliffside retreat also houses the right footprint of Machig Labdron, a female Tibetan tantric practitioner whose practice of Chod, a spiritual practice, has heavily influenced all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Juneydrak is a magical temple on the edge of a cliff. The hike is steep but not too hard and the reward is worth it. Time spent in this small shrine is very moving. We’ll have a meditation, then descend to a picnic lunch. After being inspired by the sights and sounds, we will write in the afternoon together. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4:  Haa – Drive to Thimphu. After breakfast depart to Thimphu, the capitol city, a 2.5 hour drive. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000 and is made up of just three streets of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. After lunch visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; and also visit National Institute of Traditional Medicine; the Art & Craft School, where children still learn the ancient art of Buddhist painting. Evening ends with a walk through the main streets of Thimphu and also visit the Farmer’s Market, where everyone goes to buy fruits and vegetables, rice, grains, chillis and other fresh foods. The crowded stalls offer many colourful local items such as yak tail dusters, butter tea cups, turquoise from Nepal and Tibet and musical instruments and finally visit Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale.  Dinner and overnight at Capitol Hotel.

 Day 5: Thimphu valley sightseeing – Depart to Punakha. In the morning after breakfast and our writing session, we’ll visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, and the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. We’ll drive to Punakha, through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m), with panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha, visit imporessive Punakha Dzong, (built in the 1600s) remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu and also pay a visit to more intamate temple Chhimi Lhakhang, of the “Divine Madman” built in 1499. Dinner and overnight at hotel, Bhutanic Resort

Day 6: After breakfast and morning writing, we continue our overland travel towards Bumthag, passing Wangdue, (pronouced Angdee) a major town in Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass, an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboos, and finally to Gangtey. Gangtey lies on the flanks of the Black Mountains, with a monastery dating back to the 17th century, and fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hillsides of Phobjikha is described as " the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. In the afternoon we’ll see the Gangtey Goempa monastery, which was built in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley which holds many antique relics and walk a nature trail. Hotel: ABC Lodge Gangtey

Day 7: Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang After as early breakfast, we drive to Bumthang via Trongsa. The drive to Bumthang is approximately 4 to 5 hours. This route is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. If the weather is clear the Himalayan ranges can be seen, particularly the peak of Chomolhari to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to supress a demon! Lunch will be served at lovely Water fall café in Trongsa, next to the roaring river with huge boulders. After lunch visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty, and finally to Bumthang. Evening attend the Yoga Shala class at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel, Rinchenling Lodge 

Day 8: Bumthang valley is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here many great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. Today we will rest, walk around the town for shopping and visit the amazing Six Senses Resort for (optional) spa treatments and visit the Swiss farm where you can buy cheese and local fruit products. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Bumthang – Day excursion to Ura valley After an early breakfast and writing, we’ll drive to Ura valley which is the last valley of Bumthang, which lives on livestock and potatoes faming. Picnic lunch served and after lunch drive back to Bumthang and on the way visit Tang Membar Tso, the Burning Lake and nunnery. Evening ends with a walk through the Chamkhar town. Back at the hotel you can schedule a hot stone mineral bath to relax before we fly back to Paro the nest day. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 10: After breakfast, we will fly to Paro and check into our hotel. In the late afternoon, we will have a writing salon. Dinner and overnight at Metta Resort.

Day 11: This morning we will hike to the truly magnificent Tiger Nest Monastery (4 miles round trip, elevation: 3,120 meters/10,232 feet). No worries if it feels challenging as there is a cafe about one and a half hours up and I’m happy to rest there with you. At the top, you will see the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After the visit, we will head back to town, to rest and pack and have one last session together. You can also take an optional walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at the hotel TBA.

Day 12: On our last morning in Bhutan, we will soak in the beauty as we drive to Paro and fly home via Delhi.

This trip is limited to TEN people to insure the small group experience. To reserve your space you can send me a partially refundable deposit or $850 to Venmo: susan-weis-bohlen (last four of cell are 2096); Zelle: 4109792096; Paypal using the send friends money option to susanweisbohlen@gmail.com; or send a check to Breathe Books, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136. If you would like to use a credit card, a 4% fee will be added.

*India Golden Triangle Tour: March 2-8.
Optional Add-On. Taj Mahal, Delhi, Jaipur, Elephant Rescue, Jewels and Textiles

Sunday, March 2: Arrival in Delhi. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel to rest before we hit the road to the Golden Triangle. Hotel: THE LEELA AMBIENCE CONVENTION

Monday, March 3:  After breakfast, we will step out of the hotel into the bustling streets of old Delhi. The sights, sounds, colors, and, yes, organized chaos, is a feast for the senses. Delhi may have been originally settled in 3500 BCE, but it was in 1648 that Shah Jahanabad, who built the Taj Mahal, decided to shift the Mughal capital from Agra. 378 years later, the streets are teeming with vendors, shops, restaurants, schools, museums and more. We will visit some of the outstanding sites, including the Red Fort, Chandni Chawk, and Raj Ghat. A drive through the majestic Rajpath Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the India Gate are also on the itinerary. We’ll have lunch in a modern Indian cafe and dinner back at the hotel. 

Tuesday, March 4: DELHI-AGRA: After breakfast, we will depart by surface to Agra (205 Kms/4 hours approx.) en-route visiting Wildlife SOS Elephant Sanctuary, an extraordinary organization dedicated to rescuing elephants and dancing bears, we began visiting in 2017. The operation is incredible, and you will learn why elephants and bears need to be saved and how they do it. Wildlife SOS was founded in 2010 in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to rehabilitate severely abused and exploited captive elephants. It is home to over 25 rescued elephants and is a living, breathing conservation education platform to change public perception to support elephant conservation. All elephants were rescued from extreme distress; some were privately owned and had the cruel history of being used for begging, and others spent a lifetime in captivity and confinement as temple elephants or were forced to perform in circuses.  It is my honor to introduce you to the people who make this happen and the gorgeous animals they have rescued. This is why we DON’T ride elephants in India.

On the way to the Taj, we will visit the impressive Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar over the years 1565 – 1573 with its maze of courtyards, mosques, and private chambers. Most of the buildings originally built by Akbar were destroyed and replaced by his grandson Shah Jahan. The only surviving structure from Akbar’s period apart from the solid sand stone ramparts and the gateway is the Jehangir Mahal. It is the biggest private residence in the complex and its architecture indicates strong influences from Hindu overtones.

In the early evening we will settle into our hotel in Agra, with a view of the magnificent Taj Mahal. Hotel GRAND MERCURE

Wednesday, March 5:    AGRA-FATEHPUR SIKRI- JAIPUR. This morning, early, very early, we will arrive at the glorious Taj Mahal for a sunrise tour.  Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this beautiful, symmetrical, Indo-Islamic mausoleum is a structure of pure white marble. Built in memory of his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered a masterpiece and one of the world's most admired buildings, built as a garden tomb on the Yamuna River. I will show you nooks and crannies that we can visit to really feel the power of the place, which is simply overwhelming in its beauty. Fine details and inlaid gemstones will draw you into the delicate features as you admire the Arabic calligraphy and design — all created for the love of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz, who died giving birth to their 14th child. 

Our next stop is one of my favorite places in the area — Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri was founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar, serving this role from 1571 to 1585. It was abandoned in 1610, but not before Akbar attempted to establish a peaceful palace and new belief system called Din i Ilahi, which I am fascinated by. Akbar set out to create a kind of religious utopia here, recognizing the beauty in other religions, promoting tolerance, and even encouraging debate on philosophical and religious issues. This led to the creation of the Ibādat Khāna ("House of Worship") at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575, which invited theologians, poets, scholars, and philosophers from all religious denominations, including Christians, Hindus, Jains, and Zoroastrians. Din i Ilahi means Religion of God. To show his faith, he had a wife from each one and granted each a palace of her own on the grounds of Fatehpur Sikri. We will visit their chambers, the garden and places of worship. It’s a magical “ghost town”, abandoned, its religion nearly forgotten. We will find a hidden corner here for meditation and contemplation.

On our way to Jaipur we’ll see the marvel called the Abhanri Chand Baori (step well), one of the oldest and most popular attractions in Rajasthan. It was built in 9th century AD. One of the largest step-wells in the world, Chand Baori was built to conserve water and provide a respite from the intense heat, and as gathering place for locals and royals. This architectural wonder has 3,500 perfectly symmetrical, narrow steps in exquisite geometry. The stepwell is not easy to find, making it one of India’s hidden wonders. The play of light and shadow on the steps is what makes the structure so captivating.

Next to the temple, a little ways up a hill is the Harshat Mata Temple. A tiny place, this temple is dedicated to love, joy and happiness. We will pay our respects and perhaps receive a blessing there to carry with us on our journey. This 9th- 10th-century temple is dedicated to Harshat Mata, who is considered to be the goddess of joy and happiness for the whole village.

In the evening we will check into our Jaipur hotel and have dinner. ALSISAR HAVELI

Thursday, March 6, Jaiupur: We will dip our toe into the edge of the desert empire of Jaipur today. Pink buildings, vibrant stained glass, mughal temples, men in bright turbans and women in colorful saris, outshone by the magnificent jewlery and textiles you will only find in Jaipur. We’ll visit the Amber Fort, the Jagmandir Victory hall filled with glittering mirrors, and the Kali Temple Jai Mahal. Ample time for one-of-a kind shopping will also be available. Dinner at our hotel 

Friday, March 6: JAIPUR-DELHI After breakfast, it is time to explore the city and do shopping in one of the historic havelis.  After lunch, we will depart by surface to Delhi. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. ASHOK COUNTRY RESORT

 Saturday, March 8, DELHI-PARO DEPART. Today, we say goodbye to India and fly to Paro, Bhutan. On the short flight, we will leave the hustle and bustle behind as we enter the quietude of the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan. You will simply be astonished that these two countries are side by side; the tiny hamlet in the Himalayas awaits us. But a piece of India is here as they work together to keep a peaceful border with China. 

Cost: $1299 per person in a shared room (single supplement $395)

Rate includes

• Accommodation on twin sharing room on bed and breakfast basis for total of 6 nights at the hotels mentioned below or similar.

• Assistance on arrival/departure at airport/hotels.

• All transportation using one air-conditioned vehicle.

• Services of a locally appointed English-speaking guide for sightseeing tours.

• All currently applicable entrance fees to the monuments.

• Cycle rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk/Delhi.

• Jeep ride to Amber Fort/Jaipur.

• Accompanying Royal Indian Voyages Escort in addition to local guides

• All currently applicable Govt taxes.

 Rates do not include:

• Meals other than breakfast.

• Camera fees at the monuments.

• Tips and gratuities.

• Medical & Travel Insurance.

• Expenses of any personal nature such as laundry, beverages, telephone calls etc.

• Any other services not covered above.

About Susan:

After the extraordinary experience of running my bookstore, Breathe Books, for 10 years, I closed the shop in 2014 to concentrate on my Ayurvedic practice. Little did I know that publishers who once asked me to sell their books would now be asking me to write them! I wrote three books on Ayurveda between 2018 and 2023. That incredible adventure led me deeper into creative writing and I began taking classes, workshops, and retreats. I started with a deep dive into a retreat with Suzanne Kingsbury, founder of the Gateless Writing. My interest in this type of writing (memoir, fiction, non-fiction) was not only sparked – it was set on fire!  During and after COVID I took so many online and in-person classes, including with iconic writing teacher and author Natalie Goldberg, best-selling author Laura Munson, and Diablo Writers Workshop, Dani Shapiro, learning craft and structure.

I have spent hundreds of hours learning the art of creative writing and teaching it as well. It’s almost as if I had a mini-MFA and I continue every day to hone the craft and I love teaching others. In April 2022 I led my first writing retreat in West Virginia, which was followed several more in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. In 2023, and 2024 I led groups in Iceland and also in 2024 to Buthan. In August 2025 I will be teaching Writing and Ayurveda at Kripalu in Western MA. (see testimonials below). I have been leading international trips (England, Peru, Bhutan, and India) since 2007.

Additionally, if you are interested in publishing I am happy to talk to you about my path and how you can make it happen. From the query letter to the proposal, finding an agent, going the traditional publisher route, or checking out the incredible new options for hybrid-publishing, I can help you find your way. My books are with Simon & Schuster and Quarto Group, published in the US and foreign language editions. I’ve had great success and I can’t wait to share with you everything I have learned.

Testimonials:

“What a glorious week! I’ve just returned from Casa Om Potomac after a few days of a writing retreat led by Susan Weis-Bohlen. It was a fun, inspiring, and a safe space to be creative. I made new friends and they are all goddess warriors. We laughed, cried, and danced. Share your story. Open your heart. You will find magic!” Alex H.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with so many creative, special women at the Casa Om workshop. Your facilitation was excellent. Casa om was beautiful, the food was excellent, and just unwinding along the beautiful Potomac river with the birds and the groundhogs and other beautiful nature sounds and beautiful grounds was a real healing for me. The opportunity to share and write about our experiences past, present and future dreams was also a healing for me. I hope to attend future seminars and experiences with you and maybe even a trip to a beautiful place that you and Larry explore with others. I highly recommend your workshops to creative people who want to explore their inner lives, creative writing skills, and express in dialogue their thoughts, experiences and wisdom, as well as, humor and laughter. As an observant Jew I enjoyed the mid week schedule as well.”
Shoshana S.

“I. LOVE. SUSAN'S. WRITING. CLASS and the Gateless method.  This class allowed me to discover my writer.   If you've ever had an inkling to write, then this is where you can discover your voice.  It's encouraging and supportive, inviting your writer to come out and explore. Susan provides a safe environment to express yourself whether it's a list of words, phrases, or sentences.”  MR

“My Write-and-Roam trip to Iceland under Susan's enthusiastic leadership was just what the doctor ordered! Great generative prompts, helpful crafts tips, wonderful writing and feedback, amazing sights, and delicious meals in simple but elegant lodging amongst a group of warm, open, intuitive women (and one man). Our Icelandic guide Heida was terrific too. Highly recommend.” DR

“My favorite parts of the trip were having regular writing practice to look forward to, and the restaurants were enjoyable. The trip was well led and planned and well explained, and what was planned was clear. There was enough flexibility and light-heartedness to make it easy and fun. The writing time really helped to break the ice and to get acquainted with each other.” CM