Jutta von Dirke and Pegi Miller met in Maine while playing mahjong and quickly discovered a shared love of travel — specifically, travel that goes beyond the typical tourist experience and offers something deeper and more authentic.

As their friendship grew, conversations often turned to women and travel. They noticed that many women in their age group have never taken a true “girls’ trip” or traveled on their own. While the idea of independent travel can be appealing, it can also feel intimidating. Even in 2025, navigating countries with traditionally male-dominated cultures may feel uncomfortable — or unsafe — when traveling solo.

Recognizing this, Jutta and Pegi imagined a different way to explore the world: thoughtfully designed retreats that blend cultural immersion with the ease and security of traveling together. Their vision was to create experiences where women could discover new places, savor local food, and engage deeply with culture—while forming meaningful connections, learning new skills, and feeling supported every step of the way.

From this shared vision, Sorelle a Tavola Retreats was born —Italian for “sisters around the table.”