Mindful travel photography retreat
May 24 - 29, 2026 · 5 Nights · Nice & the French Riviera
There is a way of traveling that asks for nothing more than your attention.
This retreat is an invitation into that way of being.
For five unhurried days on the French Riviera, photography becomes more than a tool for making images that you want to share online.
It becomes a practice of presence. A way to soften the mind, slow the breath, and meet and connect with each place, and yourself, with more clarity and depth.
We will be based in Nice, with gentle and slow explorations to nearby towns and villages along the coast and into the hills.
Our daily intention will be to notice what often goes unseen when we rush.
Here you don’t have to worry about capturing the perfect photo. It is all about capturing the moment and how you feel in it, it is about truly experiencing the place you are in, all through that lens.
The Experience
The heart of this retreat
Photography, when practiced mindfully, is a form of meditation in motion.
When you lift the camera with awareness, you begin to see differently. You notice light before it disappears. You sense color, texture, shadow, and rhythm. You feel the temperature of the air, the cadence of your steps, the quiet emotional response a place stirs within you.
This retreat is designed to help you use photography as:
A grounding practice during travel
A way to quiet mental noise
A tool for deep presence and emotional clarity
An anchor for memory that includes not just what you saw, but how you felt
Photography An excellent way of anchoring travel memories not only to look at later, but to recall the moment in every detail including how we felt and how present we were.
What You’ll Take Home
You will leave with more than images.
You’ll take home:
A renewed relationship with photography as a grounding practice
Tools to stay present while traveling—anywhere in the world
A quieter, clearer inner landscape
Memories anchored not only in visuals, but in felt experience
A deeper connection to place, moment, and self
The photographs will remind you. But the presence will stay with you.
Our home base: Nice, fRANCE
Nice will be our anchor for five nights. A city where the sea meets soft pastel streets, early morning light glides across stone, and daily life unfolds at a human pace.
From here, we’ll take mindful day trips to nearby towns in the French Riviera, each offering its own rhythm and photographic language:
Hilltop villages that invite stillness and wide perspectives
Coastal towns where color, reflection, and movement play together
Quiet streets and overlooked details that reward slow seeing
We will move gently, allowing enough time to observe, feel, photograph, and simply be.
This retreat in for you if…
You love photography but feel disconnected or rushed when you travel
You want to experience places more deeply, not just document them
You crave calm, clarity, and a reset from mental overload
You’re curious about mindfulness but want a grounded, creative entry point
You want travel memories that live vividly inside you, not just on your hard drive
All levels of photographic experience are welcome.
What matters most is your willingness to slow down and notice.
Meet your host
-
Bassi Hamid
Bassi is a brand & lifestyle photographer and the founder of Sukun Retreats. She started her journey with photography in 2005. Her experience includes wedding & family photography, and now she’s focused on brand and lifestyle photography.
Throughout her 19 years of travel, she was able to capture the essence pf her travels through mindful photography.
Bassi is also passionate traveler who enjoys leading groups, organizing retreats and introducing people to more meaningful ways of traveling and exploring the world within and our world at large.
What to expect
Each day blends structure with spaciousness.
You can expect:
Guided mindful photography sessions focused on presence, not performance
Gentle prompts to help you tune into your senses and inner state
Time for solo wandering and quiet exploration
Group moments of reflection and shared insight
Space to rest, journal, or sit with the images and experiences of the day
There is no pressure to keep up, produce, or prove anything. This retreat meets you exactly where you are.
5 nights accommodation in a boutique 4 star hotel
Daily breakfast
Daily guided mindful photography sessions and mentorship
All day trips
What’s Included:
International flights
Airport/train station transfers
Visa fees
Pocket money
Travel insurance
Any meals that are not mentioned above
What’s NOT Included:
Investment & booking:
Only single rooms are available: Dhs7800
Spaces limited to 8 women.
To secure your spot, a payment of 50% of the amount has to be made at the time of booking. Remaining amount is to be settled by April 25, 2026.
FAQ’s
Do I need to be a photographer to join? → Absolutely not! This experience is for anyone who enjoys photography no matter what level they’re in.
Do I need to have a camera to join? → It is preferred that you bring a camera with you, any kind of camera of any model (just has to be digital). If not, then your mobile will suffice.
Can I come alone? → Most of our guests do — and leave with new lifelong friendships.
Why isn't the flight included in the package?
The flight is not included for 2 reasons:
1. People may join our trip from different countries and hence the flight prices
will differ.
2. Different people might have different preferences for airlines, flight type and seat classes. Some might also want to use their own air miles.
So we usually like to leave it to each individual to book their preferred flight. We are always happy to recommend a flight if you have no preferences or restrictions in this regard.
What’s the cancellation policy? → To secure your spot, a payment of 50% of the amount has to be made. Remaining amount is to be settled by April 25, 2026. Any cancellations made after April 25, no refunds will be made.
What do I need to apply for the visa?
Please check your local visa application center for the exact requirements.
How much do I need to pack?
Please make sure you pack light for a better experience. Get comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking.