Edge of World offers life-altering retreats created “outside the box”
By Dawna L. Robertson
Mexico has always been a magical destination for me. And fortunately, I’ve been able to travel throughout the country, traipsing from tropical beach resorts into lush jungle interiors – and pretty much everywhere between.
These journeys have each made an impact, whether it was from the thrill of zip lining through a canopy of trees in the Sierra Madres or discovering ancient ruins from fascinating civilizations.
So when a friend told me about Edge of World’s guided tour to Mexico, I was curious why this adventure would shed a deeper light into a country I felt I already knew so intimately. What I would learn is that it makes all the difference between experiencing a destination and celebrating a life-altering experience.
I had always been sold on solo travel. But I learned that in pursuing this travel path, I’d actually missed what I now consider cutting edge exploration – not only of a destination, but of myself as well.
Traveling With A Broader View
Edge of World offers what it describes as “guided sacred site and power place adventure tours” geared for groups or individuals. The company creates itineraries it feels will deliver that “Edge of World” experience to enliven and invigorate a person’s true nature.
The company is run by Tracy Brooks, an avid adventure lover who was bitten hard by the wanderlust bug at a young age. “My passion for traveling began as a young girl while traveling with my family on summer road trips throughout the United States,” explained Brooks.
Those journeys continued well into adulthood, culminating with backpacking extensively throughout Europe, mountain biking in Central America, exploring South America, Alaska (on foot) and touching parts of Mexico.
Along the way, Brooks realized there is much more to travel than simply checking off another “bucket list” item. ”The difference for Brooks goes far beyond hitting the road to far off lands. It’s in taking home incomparable experiences that make an indelible mark on how she views this vast work we live in. And it’s that life-altering experience she seeks to share with others in crafting Edge of World itineraries.
Led by knowledgeable facilitators, each trip is completely customized to a particular sacred site. “To experience one’s self while out of their element is truly an enriching experience,” said Brooks. “Accessing parts of our selves that our ordinary lives prevent us from attaining, the travel experience heightens our ability to penetrate dormant parts of the self and liberate those that have been hindered or blocked by society’s pressures and norms.”
Cutting Edge Itineraries
Edge of World follows a simple formula when planning its retreats. The company researches sacred sites in a particular region, then matches the sites with a facilitator who has a particular niche that ties into the history and the essence of that site and region. And since some travelers may not be as into the spirituality as others, each itinerary accounts for this by making trips richly educational and highly stimulating. Activities are always optional.
“To stand at the Temple of Delphi in Greece and feel the antiquity of its presence, as if you were alive thousands of years ago, a gentle breeze assures you the oracle is still alive today as it was long ago,” Brooks explained. “It reminds you of the values and the reason for living were the same then as they are now. It connects you to the thread that unites us all.”
Retreating to Mexico
Next on Brook’s agenda is a Goddess Retreat into the Sacred Sites of Mexico. Slated from February 7 – 16, 2009, the experience will be facilitated by Karen Tate (www.karentate.com), author, speaker, sacred tour director and radio show host. “Karen’s innate wisdom about the sacred sites of Mexico makes her a perfect facilitator for this journey,” Brooks added.
With a focus on Mexico City and Cancun, tour highlights will include visits to Cuiculco, Anthropology Museum, Basililca of Guadalupe, Teotihuacan, Sanctuary of Xochiquetzal, Tlaxcala, Chalcatzingo, Merida, Chichen Itza, Xcaret Eco Park and Cancun. 
The retreat also primarily includes all four and five-star accommodations, breakfast daily at the hotels, additional meals as indicated on the itinerary, private airport arrival and departure transfers, travel by deluxe transport throughout, day tours and a professional English speaking private local tour leader throughout.
A detailed itinerary is available at http://edgeofworldretreats.com/mexico.html. The tour price is $2,670 per person based on double occupancy. A single supplement is offered for $626. Additional costs not covered in the tour package price include international air, incidentals, insurance, airport taxes, tips or gratuities, certain meals, and optional tours or optional admissions.
For 2009, Edge of World has also scheduled retreats to the United Kingdom (April), Peru (June) and Bemini (September). Edge of World also offers tours to France, Italy, Greece, Australia, Egypt, India, Asia, Hawaii and Africa. In addition to individual and group journeys, the company hosts retreats focusing on wellness, corporate, leadership development, strategic planning and team building.
Registration for the Sacred Sites of Mexico retreat closes November 22, 2008. www.edgeofworldretreats.com ; 619-887-6720
A freelance travel writer based between Honolulu and San Diego, Dawna specializes in destinations and adventures in the Hawaiian Islands and Mexico. Her stories have appeared in publications that include The New York Times, San Francisco Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, Smart Meetings, Hemispheres, Outside and Travel Agent Magazine.
She is a frequent contributor to TravelAge West, a bi-weekly magazine targeting retail travel agents and wholesalers in the Western United States. During a 25-year stint of residing exclusively in Hawaii, she also served as Director of Communications for a Honolulu-based hotel and resort condominium management company overseeing 12 properties on four islands. An avid marathon runner, Dawna is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
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