Join us
In Hood River, Oregon
on July 28-August 2, 2018
The Hood River Couples Retreat is built to be the ultimate vacation for couples looking to have fun, try new things and build a stronger relationship in paradise. After all, it’s well established that trying new things and creating new experiences is one of the best ways to keep the spark alive, and help your relationship flourish.
Each day will be full of fun adventures with plenty of time to relax as well. Retreat activities include daily relationship exercises, waterfall hikes couples massage, romantic meals, sunset walks and more!
Of course, we will be right there with you, strengthening our relationship through the same great activities. The Hood River Couples Retreat is the perfect way to connect with your partner, meet other couples working to make their relationship amazing and enjoy a vacation in paradise.
Just like in most aspects of life, we get stuck in old habits in our relationships. When that happens, things start to get a bit boring.
Research suggests there’s one key way to maintain the spark: Try new things together.
Couples who try new things on a regular basis have happier and stronger relationships.
This also means just having fun together. Research from The University of Denver shows that couples who make time for fun activities tend to stay together longer.
We all know this, but here’s a reminder: Relationships take work. You have to make a detliberate effort to keep the rainbows and butterflies flowing after the honeymoon phase ends.
Creating novel and exploratory dates boost passion, excitement and energy in your relationship, similar to how it was when you and your partner first met. Doing these activities stimulates Dopamine which gives you a feeling of feeling high, Norepinephrine which puts intense focus on our partner and Testosterone which incites lust.
Hi! We are
Chase and Sarah,
and we’re the owners of I Do Podcast. We are also newlyweds who face the everyday struggles of maintaining a happy, healthy relationship while raising our daughter, Stella.
We started I Do Podcast three years ago because we knew a happy, long lasting relationship would take work. For us, the podcast was a hobby — a way to learn more about each other and our relationship. Now, three years and over 140 therapist interviews later, I Do Podcast has become our passion. It has given us so many relationship tools and exercises, and has allowed us to share them with you. Each interview we do is now not only for us, but for you.
So as we embark on this new journey in Costa Rica, we invite you to come along. We know a week in paradise, exciting activities and relationship strengthening classes will make your relationship better than ever!
We’ll arrange your arrival from the Portland airport to the Hampton Inn & Suite Hood River Hotel. Get settled in and join us for some of the best pizza you’ve ever had! Think aware-winning creations like cherries, house-made chorizo sausage and goat cheese (Country Girl Cherry) or Hood River Organic cremini mushrooms with goat cheese, shredded mozzarella, lemon zest, truffle oil, & herb mix (The Cremini)….Our mouths are already watering! Solstice Wood Fire Cafe is a short 5 minute walk from the hotel along the beautiful Columbia river.
Fuel up on a yummy breakfast, and get ready to for some waterfalls! There are over 20 waterfalls in the Hood River area, and we know the best ones! We’ll have lunch while we are out exploring and then return to the hotel for a little R&R.
Join us in the afternoon for our first relationship strengthening group session. If group sessions sound scary, don’t worry. At heart, Chase and I are both a bit of introverts, so sharing our feelings with strangers isn’t our favorite either – so that’s why we’ll keep it light and you’ll be doing the relationship exercises separate from the group. The group sessions will last no more than 60-90 minutes and most of the session will consist of us teaching a therapist guided lesson that you and your partner can do in your spare time.
We’ll wrap up our first full day at one of our favorite places in Hood River: The George White House. The Gorge White House is truly one of a kind with a perfect combination of paradise: amazing orchards that produce famous pear wine and hard ciders, fields of flowers to make your own bouquets, melt-in-your-mouth fresh fruit that you can pick yourself, double mountain views, a beer and cider tasting room to enjoy with a snack hot off the grill and local micro-brewed beers on tap. Yes please!
Enjoy an early breakfast and we’ll start our day with a Relationship Strengthening Group Session.
After the 60-90 minute session, we’ll head to the river. You can choose from either a flat water paddle board tour with Chase or rafting on the White Salmon River. We’ll bring you back to the hotel and the rest of the afternoon is yours. Explore downtown Hood River or the quaint surrounding towns. In the materials you’ll be given upon arrival, you’ll find tons of recommendations for places to eat and visit.
Enjoy breakfast and join us for another relationship strengthening group session in the morning. This session will prepare us for our intimacy workshop in the afternoon.
The workshop will be held at the Good Medicine Lounge with expert Hannah Freeman, and will last approximately 90 minutes. This session will encourage you to shed the heavy burden of resentment, shame, past problems and guilt and offer techniques for clear, loving communication, respectful resolution and the experiencing of sacred sexuality.
After the workshop we’ll head back to the hotel where you can grab dinner with your partner or just relax. The evening will end with some great live music and tasty wine at The Ruins. The Ruins is a 5 minute walk into town from the hotel.
Grab some coffee from the hotel, and we’ll hit the road and make our way to Cascade Locks for a 2 hour scenic cruise. Cruise along the Columbia River through the Historic Scenic Area aboard an authentic Sternwheeler. Enjoy a bountiful buffet featuring locally sourced breakfast, lunch and dessert items prepared fresh on board, champagne, ever changing views and a narration of the sights.
We’ll end our last night with breathtaking views of the Columbia Gorge River, at Three Rivers Grill. We’ll enjoy cocktails as a group, but couples will have their own individual tables for a romantic date night.
Enjoy breakfast and we’ll say our goodbyes. Until next time…☺
No relationship can thrive without some intentional work on it. The Hood River Couples Retreat features fun and informative daily relationship exercises led by Chase and Sarah. These exercises come straight from the most qualified and popular guests of I Do Podcast. Get ready to follow the path to better communication, greater trust, deeper intimacy and an all-around better relationship!
If group sessions sound scary, don’t worry. At heart, Chase and I are both a bit of introverts, so sharing our feelings with strangers isn’t our favorite either – so that’s why we’ll keep it light and you’ll be doing the relationship exercises separate from the group. The group sessions will last no more than 60-90 minutes and most of the session will consist of us teaching a therapist guided lesson that you and your partner can do in your spare time.
Our group sessions will be focused on:
Relationship Detox:
Learn which bad habits couples typically have in their relationship that can lead to disaster and learn how to replace these bad habits with strategies for greater happiness, better communication and greater empathy for your partner.
Communication:
How to disagree respectfully, how to solve solvable issues in your relationship easily and how you can cope if you can’t find com promise.
Intimacy & Sexuality:
Strategies for turning up the heat and reigniting excitement, lust and passion.
Mindful Loving:
Learn how to celebrate your micro-culture and relationship vision and ways to build and strengthen it.
Hood River beckons travelers with the scent of orchard blooms and the promise of adventure on the rushing waters of the Columbia River. The surrounding area is ripe with orchards growing cherries, apples, peaches and other sweets. You’ll find no end of delights — towering old-growth forests, gushing waterfalls and spawning salmon. The valleys and hillsides are dotted with family farms and orchards, where chefs harvest fresh ingredients for their seasonally changing menus. Visitors come from around the world to take advantage of the Gorge’s steady wind conditions, ideal for windsurfing, kite sailing, and other extreme water sports. Whether you crave adventure or a taste of local bounty, come with a hefty appetite.
Located at the base of Mount Hood in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, you’ll find the Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River hotel. This modern hotel, in the natural beauty of the banks of the Columbia River, offers amenities for a comfortable stay. The hotel is in walking distance to the downtown and waterfront park. You’ll find tons of restaurants, bars and stores for your convenience.
Each couple will have their own King RiverView Room. Upgrades are available for an additional charge.
All Rooms include:
- Free hot breakfast
- Free WiFi access in every room
- Access to the Salt Water Pool
- Access to the Fitness Room
- Laundry/Valet Service
- Free On-Site Parking
Hood River is a quick 90 minute drive from the Portland airport. Most major airlines fly into PDX. All you have to do is book your flight to Portland and we’ll help arrange your transportation to Hood River. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenic drive.
If you prefer to rent a car at the airport and drive to Portland, just let us know and we’ll send you the directions.
Exclusive
Bonus:
We’ll give you all the relationship exercises,
workbooks and cheat sheets to complement
the Relationship Strengthening Group
Sessions at the retreat.
What Others Have Asked
Before Saying “Heck Yes!” To The Hood River Couples Retreat
How do I sign up?
Ya! Click here to sign up and pay in full and get a $300 discount. You can also make 3 payments of $1,500 here. All payments must be made prior to the retreat.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
If you cancel on or before July 1, 2018, you will receive a 100% refund. After July 1st, all payments will be non-refundable. We recommend purchasing travel insurance from Squaremouth.com for coverage for any last minute cancellations.
What’s NOT included?
Airfare, transportation to/from the Portland airport and a few lunches and dinners. The Hampton Inn is walking distance to almost anything you’ll need/want, so you won’t need to rent a car. However, there is an Enterprise in town if you choose to do so.
What is included?
Accommodations, local transportation to all group activities, all activities, all breakfasts at the hotel, 1 lunch, 3 dinners and all Relationship Strengthening Group Sessions and material.
Is airfare included?
No, transportation to and from Portland is not included.
How far is Hood River from the Portland airport?
Hood River is about 90 minutes from the Portland Airport. After you book your flights, let us know what time you arrive, and we can help arrange a shuttle to take you to your hotel in Hood River. You can also rent a car from the Portland airport.
We designed this retreat with knowledge from the world’s leading therapist, psychologist and relationship experts who we’ve interviewed on our show. If you want to improve your relationship, reignite the spark, create more intimacy and passion and have a great time in a beautiful setting, the Costa Rica Couples Retreat is for you!
This retreat is not for you if you are having serious relationship problems that include:
Multiple Payments
$4,500
PER COUPLE
3 Payments of $1,500
Multiple Payments
Single Payment
$4,200
PER COUPLE
Save $300
NEED HELP SIGNING UP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions or concerns about the course, please contact us.
Multiple Payments
$4,500
PER COUPLE
3 Payments of $1,500
pay upfront
Single Payment
$4,200
PER COUPLE
Save $300
NEED HELP SIGNING UP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions or concerns about the course, please contact us.
Research has found that one reason couples struggle when it comes to maintaining the spark is men and women have different takes on fun and bonding.
So, that’s why we are doing plenty of both in Hood River!