our mission
Consciously Curated Travel Experiences
Our mission at Grace in Nature Unlimited, LLC is to offer consciously curated experiences through travel with leaders who have a particular passion for a place, it’s culture, people, landscape and local cuisine.
All of our retreat leaders are highly qualified and carefully chosen based on their extensive knowledge of the places we are visiting, making these experiences more than just a “tour,” “vacation” or “trip.” They are all genuinely compassionate, kind, responsible, and fun loving people that you will truly enjoy spending time with. We carefully craft our retreats so they do not feel “touristy.” You will dive in deep and spend time with the locals, see places off the beaten path, and learn interesting facts from the folks who actually live there.
You will have opportunities to encounter and explore the unknown, to meet new friends, try new foods, test out a new language, see various species of wildlife, understand and embrace other cultures, and also be of service. Each of our Grace in Nature Retreats will include some sort of Seva (volunteer) project as a way of giving back to the area/people we visit, as well as lightening our footprint. These projects will usually just take up a part of one of our days, and are always considered to be one of the highlights of our experience.
We are committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of all of our participants, and our intention is for you to have a wonderful experience! Read some of our testimonials here.
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When you travel, a new silence goes with you and if you listen, you will hear what your heart would love to say.
John O’Donahue
ceo & founder
Karen Score
Karen discovered her Dharma — the joy and satisfaction of being of service to others — many years ago, back in her high school days. In college, she studied Sociology, receiving her BA from SUNY New Paltz in 1982. As a mom of two boys, she later took up many volunteer interests, including volunteer coordinating and managing the Arts in Education Program in her local school district. Through this work she was able to provide the children in grades K-6 with opportunities to meet visiting authors, musicians, poets, and more. In order to provide these experiences, Karen organized fundraising and applied for grants because she believed in the importance of creating more experiences and broadening the horizons for all children.
Karen then continued her service to the children and the broader community by serving as a Member of the Board of Education for a tenure of 15 years. Karen has also been a Hospice Volunteer providing caring support for grieving families as they face the loss of their loved ones.
Along the way, she developed a love for the practice of Yoga and became a 500 Hour Registered Yoga Instructor (2002) so she could offer her services to those who desired healthier lifestyles, stronger bodies, and quieter minds. Karen owned one of the largest and most successful yoga studios in NYS (Yoga Mandali of Saratoga, LLC) for about 12 years, where she fostered a supportive Bhakti Yoga community filled with compassion, kindness, and love. Karen’s philosophy is that Yoga is so much more than just the practice of asana (postures); it’s about the breath, and the time and space to allow the thoughts (the mind) to become quiet. It’s fresh air, nature, being with like-minded people, enjoying good food, sharing laughter and taking adventures…something everyone can do and experience!
In Spring 2018, Karen placed her beloved studio in the competent hands of one of her instructors so that she could be of service in a new way — through the offering of travel opportunities that share her love of various cultural connections and diversity.
Karen’s own journeys over the years are varied and vast, including many travels to European countries, Mexico, Costa Rica, and more. Although her true love is India, where she has gone every year since 2010, and where she sponsors the growth and education of two young girls. In her travels and in her life, Karen believes in the power of giving and receiving love, as well as creating a space for sangha (community).
Frequently asked questions
Why do we use “Retreat” to describe our trips?
We understand that, typically, when one hears of a trip being referred to as a “retreat” what comes to mind is a specific activity or focus…usually something like yoga, meditation, health & wellness, women’s or men’s groups, hiking, religious gatherings, etc. In our case though, we are using the word “retreat” for a few reasons, the first of which is the lack of a better word (and we’ve certainly tried to come up with one!)
One of the dictionary’s definitions of “retreat” is to withdraw, depart, escape - to take respite or an intermission from your everyday life or a place where you can go to get away from it all. We believe that Retreats are all of these things...a time to get away, escape from the noise for awhile, expand your horizons, break out of your box, explore, seek adventure, find respite, take a walk, enjoy a nap, learn new things, make new friends, and the opportunity to discover a deeper understanding of the world and rediscover your true self.
Have you ever wanted to just step back and get away from it all? Wouldn’t it be nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle? A retreat can be a private or safe place, a change from previous beliefs or behavior, the chance to change your decisions, plans or attitude and recreate or reinvent yourself. You will return to your everyday life and responsibilities with a sense of renewal, peace, gratitude, and accomplishment.
Some of our Retreats may have a more definitive theme or focus (like yoga, for example) but if they don’t say so in the title or description, be assured it’s “just a retreat!”
Can kids come?
Typically all of our excursions are designed for adults (ages 18+) unless otherwise specified. Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.
How can I become a retreat leader?
One of the benefits of working with Grace In Nature is that we not only help organize and market your retreat, but we handle payments and registration, insurance and liability, reservations, and more. We have the expertise to ensure all the little details are covered so that our retreat leaders can focus on what they do best! We are open to working with individuals who share a mindful, compassionate approach to travel and culture, and who have a passionate desire to share from a place of service. If you are interested in collaborating, please drop us a line so we can learn more about each other!
What is your cancellation policy?
You can read all the details of our Refund & Cancellation Policy here. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email us or use the Contact form to send a message!
Why the name “Grace in Nature?”
In Karen’s bio you may have noticed that her studio, Yoga Mandali, is based on the tradition of Bhakti Yoga. The Bhakti tradition, based on the yoga of love and devotion, teaches us that our full potential lies at the core of our being and that when we integrate that into our worldview we realize our strengths, weaknesses, and our connections to others, promoting diversity and tolerance. As we travel and experience new cultures and meet new people, we are learning to see where our differences lie and to value these differences as a source of inspiration, growth, and development; not intolerance and prejudice. We begin to understand that we have more in common than we realize and we develop a healthy curiosity, understanding, and respect between people of all cultures, colors, communities, religions.
Mother Nature nourishes and sustains us with air, water, food and beauty, and Grace is personified in the feminine aspect of Mother Nature as forgiveness, compassion, nourishment and wisdom. “Grace is all powerful yet reveals herself in the sweetest and gentlest of forms,” as Radhanath Swami states so eloquently. Caring for Mother Earth, protecting and respecting her resources as well as understanding, respecting and caring about all of her inhabitants is what gives us reason to travel, explore and learn.
How do we choose the leaders for our retreats?
We handpick our retreat leaders, guides, and teachers based on their expertise, knowledge, personality, and deep passion for a particular place, along with a deep desire to share their love and respect of the area, its people, landscape, wildlife, cultural beliefs, and food with others. You can rest assured that you will be with someone who embodies the qualities of maturity, intelligence, common sense, integrity, and compassion, as well as someone who is fun and who can sincerely share the “local lore.”
What types of retreats do you offer?
Our retreats range in location, duration, and purpose. Some are leisurely getaways, exploring the lore of a particular place; while others are dedicated yoga retreats or pilgrimages. In addition to weekly, international adventures, we also work with experienced leaders to offer localized day retreats and excursions, such as hikes, mindfulness retreats, etc. To view some of our previous retreats, click here!
Why should I go on a Grace in Nature retreat?
We know there are so many travel opportunities available and many businesses offering group trips, but you can rest assured that when you attend a Grace in Nature retreat, you will feel safe, comfortable, and well taken care of. Our trips are perfect for those who haven’t had much travel experience, or those have but like knowing that every little detail is taken care of from beginning to end! We give you the opportunity to experience a place beyond what you might typically do, with free time to explore and find your own adventures.