About Us - My Homestead Retreat

Meaningful and Memorable - By Owner & Founder Of My Homestead Retreat.

My Homestead Retreat was created from a lifetime spent guiding travelers toward deeper, more meaningful experiences. After decades of leading journeys across continents — from wilderness expeditions to refined cultural travel — the vision emerged to design something more intentional: a retreat where connection, comfort, and thoughtful discovery come first.

The philosophy is simple: extraordinary places deserve to be experienced with depth and authenticity. Each journey blends cultural immersion, local cuisine, and storytelling, allowing days to unfold naturally while still feeling carefully curated. The goal is not just to visit a destination, but to truly experience it — connecting guests to place, history, and to one another.

Istria became the natural home for this vision. Discovered during a honeymoon and revisited through years of travel, it revealed itself as a rare corner of Europe rich in culture and beauty, yet free from overwhelming crowds — a place that felt too special not to share.

Get to know your guide - Rory

"Istria holds a special place in my heart"

For over twenty years, I’ve explored the world not only as a traveler, but as a professional guide, leading guests across Africa, Australia, North America, and Europe. My experiences blend storytelling, cultural insight, and genuine connection, shaped by my early training as a teacher — structuring days with intention while keeping them engaging and adaptable.

My guiding career has taken me from instructing expedition hiking and sea kayaking programs with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) to leading overlanding journeys through East and Southern Africa and working as a luxury driver-guide in Australia’s remote Kimberley region. Whether sharing European history with large groups or creating intimate travel moments, my focus has always been on making experiences feel welcoming and meaningful.

Istria is where I came on my honeymoon. After years of global travel, I thought I had seen everything — but I was genuinely surprised to discover a place rich in culture, food, landscape, and history, yet still untouched by overwhelming tourism. It felt like a secret worth sharing.

From polar plunges in Lake Louise to journeys along Alaska’s Inside Passage, my goal remains the same: to create travel experiences where guests feel comfortable, inspired, and deeply connected to the places they explore — and to one another.