Late 2020, at the height of a global pandemic, Y Travel was born. At a period when travel was off the cards indefinitely, our founder Yvonne used this time to bring her vision to life - creating a new style of travel company, dedicated to curating bespoke journeys driven by passion and meaning.

Five years on, Y Travel continues to craft journeys that move, transform and connect. To celebrate this milestone, our team travelled to Bali for three days of reflection, reconnection and rejuvenation, staying at beautiful COMO Uma Ubud. Set in the lush surrounds of Ubud (with a day spent at sister property COMO Shambhala Estate), the retreat proved the perfect sanctuary for looking back at how far we've come and, more importantly, excitedly looking ahead to what's next. Guiding our three days together, was the theme of ‘Elevation’, challenging us to elevate every aspect of the Y Travel experience.

Living Our Y Factors

What made this retreat so special wasn't just the destination – it was Yvonne's meticulously planned three-day itinerary, designed to immerse the team in each of our Y Factors – the core of Y Travel's ethos.

Adventure began at dawn, as we walked misty rice paddies, listening to rivers and birdsong below.

Artistry revealed itself everywhere we looked; Ubud is the artistic heart of Bali, home to generations of wood carvers, painters, silversmiths and batik printers. Our first evening celebrated the centuries-old tradition of Balinese storytelling through the artistry of music and dance.

Culture and Community came alive through a traditional water blessing ceremony at COMO Shambhala Estate, where a local priest guided us through prayers, holy water and Tridatu wristbands representing creation, preservation and transformation.

Generosity surrounded us, from the warmth of the locals to Y Travel founders Yvonne and Allan sharing this experience with the team, to COMO's staff graciously introducing us to Balinese culture and traditions. Whilst our planned team activity of visiting a local community artist project was rained out, we were still able to support the local community by donating bags of supplies, reflecting back the grace and generosity that exists in daily life here in Bali.

Nature & Sustainability isn't just a buzzword in Ubud. Away from the town's bustling streets, we were immersed in nature at every turn. Our walking guides carried sticks and bags to collect rubbish as we made our way through the local fields. Surrounded by natural beauty, breathing in clean air whilst listening to birds and flowing rivers below, we were reminded why protecting these places matters.

Taste came alive through COMO's Shambhala menu, which is integrated into each COMO property throughout the world and features fresh, local, seasonal and sustainably sourced cuisine that proves healthy food can also be utterly delicious. Hands-on cooking classes preparing Pepes Ikan and Mie Goreng became moments of joy, learning and connection.

The Unexpected arrived on our final evening, as we each donned brightly coloured sarongs and dined at Begawan Biji, an open-air farm-to-table restaurant set amid rice fields. As the evening skies turned pink and gold, our team was guided through the farm by Begawan's Operations Manager, Joshua, before sitting down to a sumptuous dinner – an unforgettable celebration of taste and creativity.

Wellbeing infused every COMO experience, from Shambhala massages to a guided sound healing meditation, and Qi Gong practices we can now incorporate into our daily lives.

Reflections & Looking Forward

This retreat reminded us that purposeful travel is never purely about the places we visit – it is about the intention, curiosity and connection we bring. COMO Uma Ubud and COMO Shambhala Estate were more than hotels; they were spaces for contemplation, creation, and ‘elevation’ - and catalysts for both personal and professional transformation.

As we step into the year ahead, we carry a strengthened devotion to our purpose: to craft journeys that are exquisite, transformative and deeply personal. Journeys that honour culture, foster curiosity, awaken the senses and leave a lasting imprint. Journeys that invite our clients to expand, rediscover and celebrate their most meaningful chapters.

Here's to five years of purpose, inspired by place, and elevated by the transformative power of travel.