Getting away from it all used to be the primary goal for vacationers. Now travelers are looking for destinations that have a focus on “wellness.” People want to nurture their desires for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while away from home and enriching one's personal existence can be achieved.

Opportunities to speed up relaxation, get present, and nourish both body and soul, can be found at most retreat centers and spas. Now, some hotels offer a "wellness suite" with options for exercise equipment, spa carts, and 24 hour channels televising yoga, Pilates, and meditation.

At a SpeakingQuest retreat in Molokai, Hawaii, you will be pampered and inspired. This is a transformational journey where you leave behind the familiar, and open yourself to new possibilities.

Surrounded by tropical landscapes and fragrant breezes, you enliven your senses. Supported by compassionate people who truly listen, you experience your authentic self. Strengthened by inner presence, you learn how to easily express yourself in all areas of your life.

Take the journey to your authentic self and return home transformed.

Ann McGrath attended the 2004, 2005, and 2006 retreats. This has become an annual journey for her; she plans to return in 2007.

For me SpeakingQuest is about possibility and personal growth. It is the rare experience of seeing yourself through other eyes and spirits that are completely accepting, non-judgmental, bearing no personal issues, and with everyone on the same platform.

My participation in the process of total acceptance by others created a place of safety where my true and authentic self could be experienced. SpeakingQuest is like a pool of jewels. Each experience, each participation, each person, experienced in the present moment added infinite richness to my personal journey.

I always felt I had great enthusiasm for the beauty in the world. What I found at SpeakingQuest was the beauty to which I always testified in the world, also lives in me. Each succeeding year of my participation, I have found more and more of myself that had been previously hidden away or forgotten. Like polishing a beautiful stone, my own self is feeling the power and limitless possibilities of each moment.

The ancient Hawaiian Huna Wisdom that I drew on departing SpeakingQuest was “Manawa: Now is the moment of power.” I am not sure where my journey will take me, but I now know that my own beauty walks authentically and gratefully on the path with all of the beauty of this world.

“An amazing, all encompassing experience in an absolutely exquisite and safe kind of environment. Katherine and Doreen, you are splendid, loving, funny, and beautiful guides.” Jan Furby, MFT

“I am leaving with such gratitude for such a wonderful opportunity and program. Awesome.” Kathy Flowers, Real Estate Broker

“As a therapist, I have already done many years of my own work. However, at SpeakingQuest, I received much more clarity in an amazingly short amount of time. I look forward to deepening my experience with more SpeakingQuest activities. And, I look forward to bringing this presence and authenticity into my work.” Deborah Dowse Runyeon, MFT

“A powerful and beautiful way for self discovery, in a safe, nurturing environment. It allows deep issues or pains to surface, be faced and tossed to the Hawaiian wind.” Max Teixeira Furmisky, Corporate Development

Wellness travel is travel with the intention of enhancing balance and harmony mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is "mindfulness travel."

We may often have a healing experience while traveling but the effects of it rapidly diminish when we return to our lives. The wellness traveler seeks a lasting shift in their life through their experience.