"where she retreats, her soul awakens"
Creating Etérea:
The Meeting of Hearts and Minds
Our paths converged through a shared vision to create a space for women to connect, reflect, and experience.
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With diverse backgrounds in therapy, lifestyle management, travel, and its transformative benefits, design, and leadership, we have united our passions to bring Etérea Retreats to life.
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Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience for women where they can feel pampered and at ease. We offer opportunities to savor local cuisine, explore, unwind, and have fun—all in an environment designed to help them recharge and reconnect. This experience allows women to foster personal growth and build authentic connections with themselves and others.​
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Laura & Marilyn.
Laura Malandrino
I have always been a restless spirit, driven by an innate curiosity to connect with others and build meaningful friendships. From a young age, I felt a strong desire to explore the world, which led me to live in different countries and embrace the richness of various cultures. This journey has deepened my appreciation for how our unique backgrounds shape us and how much we can learn from one another.
My path has taken me through many experiences—photography, social research, and marketing—all of which enabled me to connect with people in different ways. As a photographer, I found joy in capturing real, honest moments, always seeking beauty in simplicity and authenticity. My work behind the lens reflected my belief that the most genuine moments often arise in the quietest, most spontaneous ways.
Through my background in social research and marketing, I gained a deeper understanding of human behavior—what inspires us and what fosters connection. However, it wasn’t until I became a therapist that I truly found my calling. Helping others navigate their journeys and find peace, joy, and meaning in the present moment became my greatest passion.
Co-Founder/ Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC), Trauma Informed therapist/ EMDR Therapist / Mindfulness Informed Practitioner / ISHTA Yoga (CYT-200) / Over 10 + years as a female entrepreneur and business owner in photography and marketing.
Marilyn Ashley
I remember the first time I heard the word "wanderlust." It resonated deeply as if it had been quietly shaping my path long before I knew its name. Defined as a deep desire to travel and explore, wanderlust perfectly captured my lifelong pull toward new experiences, different cultures, and personal growth that only comes from stepping outside the familiar. It wasn't just about travel but movement, expansion, and discovery.
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And then…something in me recognized ethereal before I even defined it. It captured what I was drawn to—beauty, depth, and the creation of something beyond the tangible. It spoke to my desire to create spaces that are light, transformative, and just beyond the ordinary.
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For over 12 years, my work as a clinical therapist allowed me to walk alongside people on their personal journeys, working one-on-one to help them heal, grow, and evolve. Over time, I felt the pull to create experiences where women could come together, connect, and transform—much like the retreats I've attended, which deeply nourished my growth and shaped the vision for Etérea .
As an entrepreneur with a background in therapy, TV production, event planning, estate management, and interior design, I have managed to weave all these elements together to help create a unique retreat experience.
Co-Founder/12+ years experience as a Clinical Therapist (LMFT), 4+ years as a Clinical Supervisor /Certified Sound and Energy Healing Practitioner/Breathwork Facilitator/Meditation Facilitator/Mindfulness Informed Practitioner/Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT-300)/Trauma Informed Care Therapist/Certified Menopause Coach/Master Level Reiki Practitioner – Usui lineage/15+ years as a female entrepreneur and business owner.
Etérea Retreats invites women to connect, share their stories, and build lasting friendships. Step away from the noise of everyday life to rediscover balance, reflect, and experience transformation. Through meaningful conversations and shared experiences, we naturally heal and remind each other that we are never alone on this journey.