This interview is with Amanda Lima, Founder & CEO at Sereni Journeys.
Amanda Lima, Founder & CEO, Sereni Journeys
As a wellness and travel expert, can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to focus on these areas?
A background in luxury hospitality, with years working for Hilton, offers invaluable perspective in both service excellence and the art of creating memorable travel experiences. Through this work, the importance of truly listening to guests' needs and crafting seamless, high-touch stays became obvious whether for families seeking adventure or individuals in search of rest and renewal. The exposure to resort operations, group travel planning, and partnership development provided a strong foundation for understanding what makes a destination genuinely special and how to deliver personalized value at every step. The shift toward wellness travel was inspired by observing how intentional trips where guests can immerse in relaxation, mindfulness, and beautiful environments lead to deep satisfaction and lasting transformation. Witnessing guests recharge and connect more deeply during their vacations sparked a desire to curate experiences that combine both luxury and well-being. Retreats allow travelers to step beyond the ordinary, engaging in programs that support mental clarity, physical relaxation, and meaningful connections with others. Blending hospitality expertise with a passion for purposeful travel means every retreat is orchestrated to maximize comfort, service, and impact. The vision remains grounded in quality, transparency, and care, ensuring every guest feels supported, seen, and empowered to enjoy a journey that is truly restorative and memorable. This commitment to excellence and transformative travel continues to be the driving inspiration for creating programs and destinations where luxury and wellness intertwine to enrich guests' lives.
How did your journey in the travel and wellness industry begin, and what key experiences shaped your current approach?
My journey in the travel and wellness industry began with a career in luxury hospitality, specifically working for Hilton. This role provided a front-row seat to the intricacies of destination management, the importance of genuine human connection in guest service, and the way curated travel experiences can transform a person's outlook. Learning to advocate for clients' interests, orchestrate seamless group travel inspiration, and deliver exceptional service became foundational stones for a future in wellness-focused travel. Key experiences included witnessing guests achieve deep relaxation and reconnection during their stays, especially when programs offered not only comfort but avenues for personal growth. Exposure to groups seeking more than just vacation, those wanting meaningful connection, restorative amenities, and intentional lifestyle changes highlighted the need for blending luxury with wellbeing. Collaborating with colleagues from resort operations, sales, and guest service enhanced an understanding of the logistics behind memorable travel and the value of tailoring offerings to meet diverse needs. Transitioning to wellness retreats was shaped by a commitment to create environments where guests could release stress, build new habits, and form authentic relationships. These moments of transformation underline the approach today: every program is crafted to balance elegance, comfort and holistic wellbeing. The focus remains on experiences that encourage guests not just to escape, but to return home truly renewed and inspired.
You've mentioned the importance of maintaining work-life balance. Can you share a specific retreat experience that had a profound impact on your well-being and how it influenced your business approach?
One of the most profound retreat experiences involved joining a small group of wellness getaways at a luxury resort designed specifically to foster work-life balance and mental renewal. The days blended gentle yoga, mindfulness workshops, and nature walks with thoughtfully curated time for personal reflection and genuine connections in an environment far removed from routine deadlines and digital distractions. This immersive reset highlighted how spaciousness, movement, and intentional self-care could restore clarity, energy, and perspective that daily work pressures tend to erode. The impact was transformative, not just in the immediate sense of deep relaxation, but in the sustainable shift that followed. Returning to business operations, there was a noticeable increase in emotional resilience, focus, and creative problem-solving. Priorities became clearer and boundaries firmer, leading to healthier client and team relationships and a more mindful approach to decision-making. This experience reinforced the belief that supporting well-being isn't a luxury; it's essential for lasting business success and strong leadership. The lessons carried forward to craft retreats and work environments that offer space for authentic restoration, to value connection over constant productivity, and to model balance as a strategic asset for personal and professional growth.
In your experience, what's one often-overlooked aspect of planning a wellness retreat that can make a significant difference in its success?
One often overlooked aspect of planning a wellness retreat that can make a significant difference is the intentional creation of spaciousness within the schedule. It's common to focus on curating a rich itinerary filled with wellness activities, workshops, and social events, but without enough unstructured time, guests can feel overwhelmed rather than restored. Purposeful gaps provide opportunities for personal reflection, spontaneous connections, and integration of new insights—not just downtime, but an invitation for each guest to tune into what they truly need in that moment. When spaciousness is thoughtfully included, participants are more likely to experience the transformation and deep rest they're seeking, rather than feeling as if they're racing through another set of obligations. It helps guests ground themselves, builds anticipation for signature activities, and nurtures authentic engagement with facilitators, the environment, and each other. This design also allows retreat leaders to adapt and respond organically to the group's mood and energy, ensuring flexibility to meet unexpected needs. Ultimately, balancing structure with spaciousness not only elevates the guest experience but also boosts satisfaction, retention, and positive word-of-mouth, making it a foundational element in the long-term success of any wellness retreat.
You've traveled extensively for both work and personal growth. Can you describe a transformative travel moment that changed your perspective on wellness and self-care?
A pivotal travel experience in Italy that reshaped my understanding of wellness and self-care occurred during a journey through the rolling hills of Tuscany. Immersed in a community setting, surrounded by fellow travelers and local hosts, daily routines blended movement, communal meals, and shared reflection. The group hiked ancient paths in the morning, visited small farms in the afternoon, and gathered each evening over fresh, seasonal dishes, experiencing wellness as an embodied way of living rather than a temporary escape. Witnessing how Italians prioritize connection, savor slow meals, and embrace leisure taught that self-care flourished when relationships and environment support it. The group dynamic revealed the power of collective well-being; encouragement from others inspired deeper self-awareness, openness, and resilience. This experience profoundly influenced my business and retreat philosophy, leading to intentional inclusion of group bonding, time for organic interaction, and celebration of local culture in programming. Ultimately, Italy's communal approach to well-being highlighted that true self-care and transformation are magnified when experienced with others through shared rituals, authentic conversation, and embracing the "dolce far niente," or sweetness of doing nothing, as a vital part of health and happiness.
You've mentioned using breathwork to reset the nervous system. Can you walk us through a specific technique you've found particularly effective during your travels?
One particularly effective breathwork technique for resetting the nervous system, especially during travel, is called "box breathing," also known as square breathing. This method is simple, easy to remember, and can be practiced anywhere from a plane to a busy hotel lobby. It's especially helpful for calming anxiety, reducing stress, and enhancing mental clarity. Here's how box breathing works:
Start by sitting comfortably with your back straight, and close your eyes if possible. Inhale deeply through the nose for a count of four seconds, feeling the chest and belly expand. Hold the breath for four seconds, maintaining gentle awareness of the stillness. Then, exhale slowly and completely through the mouth for four seconds. Finally, hold the empty breath for another four seconds before beginning the next inhalation. Repeat this cycle four to six times, or until a sense of calmness emerges.
Box breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which signals the body to relax and return to balance. It's especially useful when feeling overwhelmed by travel logistics, time zone changes, or uncertainty in unfamiliar environments. By focusing on the equal length of each phase—inhale, hold, exhale, hold—the mind anchors in the present moment and lets go of distracting thoughts. This practice requires no special equipment, and by integrating it into travel routines, it becomes a reliable tool for managing stress and creating a sense of inner ease, no matter where the journey leads.
As someone who's experienced different cultures, how do you adapt your wellness routines when visiting places with vastly different lifestyles or time zones?
Adapting wellness routines while visiting places with vastly different lifestyles or time zones begins with a flexible mindset and a willingness to honor present needs over rigid habits. Before traveling, research local customs and daily rhythms—whether it's siestas in Spain, early morning rituals in Bali, or communal meals in Italy—so wellness practices can align with local traditions rather than compete against them. Upon arrival, routines are adjusted by tuning into the environment and making small, intentional changes: hydrating frequently, spending time outdoors to reset the body clock, and integrating moments of local movement such as walking, stretching, or even joining a community yoga class. Sleep and nourishment are prioritized by respecting local eating times and using breathwork or meditation to ease transitions through jet lag and unfamiliar schedules. Flexibility also means sometimes trading elaborate workouts for restorative practices like mindful breathing, journaling, or simply embracing downtime. In cultures where social connections are integral, wellness can become about sharing meals, stories, and laughter, while in quieter locations, it might emphasize introspection and rest. The most effective approach is to let go of perfection and allow routines to evolve, acknowledging travel as an opportunity for both new growth and gentle restoration. By listening to the environment, respecting local ways, and choosing practices that fit the moment, wellness remains a constant companion even on the most far-flung journeys.
Looking ahead, what emerging trend in wellness travel excites you the most, and how do you see it shaping the future of retreats and self-care getaways?
One of the most exciting trends in wellness travel is the integration of personalized wellness programming powered by digital health tools and biofeedback. Advances in technology now allow travelers to receive individualized experiences such as sleep optimization, stress management techniques, and nutrition guidance based on real-time health data tracked through wearable or on-site assessments. This shifts retreats from a "one-size-fits-all" model toward bespoke programs tailored to each guest's unique wellbeing profile and goals.
As wellness retreats begin to incorporate AI-driven insights and biometric feedback, participants benefit from more targeted practices: guided meditation sessions adjusted for stress levels, personalized movement routines based on energy fluctuations, and menus curated for individual dietary needs. This level of customization not only increases the effectiveness of self-care but also empowers guests to understand and support their own physical and emotional wellbeing beyond the retreat setting.
Looking ahead, personalized wellness will likely foster deeper transformation, helping guests maintain results long after their getaway, and motivating retreat designers to prioritize education, self-awareness, and ongoing support. In the future, retreats may become immersive hubs for learning evidence-based habits with ongoing digital coaching after guests return home, thereby bridging the gap between travel inspiration and sustainable lifestyle changes. The holistic approach has the potential to revolutionize how people view both travel and self-care, making wellness more accessible, meaningful, and lasting.