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00:01Every year, a new wave of dreamers pack up their lives and head for the sun.
00:06It just reminds me of the Wild West. It's just stunning.
00:08It's definitely very much different from a top floor flat in Edinburgh.
00:11And we're joining them as their adventures begin across Europe.
00:16This is what we've been waiting for. It's beautiful. That's the Atlantic Ocean.
00:20This is where the work begins, mister.
00:22Playing the part of chateau owners in France.
00:27We've never done this before. We're making it up as we go along.
00:29To launching fitness retreats in Bulgaria.
00:32Secret cards!
00:34But will their gamble pay off?
00:37Absolutely bonkers, but it's what we came for, yeah?
00:41Or will they fail to hit their target?
00:44Brexit has put the complications into overdrive.
00:48As they carve out, their new lives in the sun.
00:52I just still feel like I'm on holiday a little bit.
00:55It's not sunk in yet, but this is my actual home now.
00:59What a lovely place to live.
01:01Today...
01:02I can't think at the minute, actually.
01:04The pressure ramps up for a couple striving to get their French chateau on the map.
01:09I'm hoping that we get ourselves out there a little bit more.
01:13Some people don't even know the chateau exists.
01:16In Northern Italy...
01:18Every hurdle that I've had to jump has been because these rules are new.
01:24There's a major setback for an actor turned new B&B host.
01:29Not being here to welcome my first guests is really frustrating.
01:34And it's make or break...
01:36No.
01:37I'm going to breathe.
01:38...for a couple launching wellness retreats in Bulgaria.
01:42We've thrown everything into it really, financially, emotionally, mentally.
01:59Set in the foothills of the Balkan mountains, the Gabrovo province in central Bulgaria has a rare kind of magic.
02:06A mix of natural beauty, open space and a pace of life that feels just right.
02:14I've got strawberry, coconut...
02:16What's coconut?
02:17Cocoa.
02:18When Essex-born Nino...
02:20I like the cheesecake.
02:22...and his Bulgarian wife Valentina...
02:25Strawberries with banana.
02:27...were looking for a relaxing and tranquil location to raise their young family...
02:32Look, she's got two ice creams.
02:34Greedy.
02:35Valentina's home country ticked all the boxes.
02:40Having lived in England all my life, I can say that I do prefer the Bulgarian lifestyle.
02:46The quality of life is much, much better here.
02:49There's a lot more natural food.
02:50Yeah.
02:51The weather's great.
02:52You have the four seasons here, pretty much.
02:54It's lovely.
02:55We've got everything here.
02:57In 2022, the couple bought a three-bedroom home in the village of Slovakovo.
03:03A year later, Nino retired from his job as a project manager for the London Underground.
03:12And Valentina, who's a qualified homeopath in the UK, spotted an opportunity to launch meditation and wellness retreats in this beautiful region.
03:22On the retreat with the team, everybody's meditating, I do some sound healing, we do some meditation, some energy work.
03:33We do tarot cards, feeding, all for the well-being, really.
03:38While Valentina has the itinerary planned out, she's not yet been able to host any guests, due to difficulties pinning down a retreat venue.
03:50But having invested huge chunks of their savings into making the move, pressure's mounting to start earning.
04:00Coming here for us, for our family, it was a big upheaval.
04:03We've thrown everything into it, really, financially, emotionally, mentally.
04:08It's just been a lot to sort out.
04:10And things work differently here in Bulgaria, you know.
04:12It's not quite the same as trying to do things in London.
04:16Here is a completely new learning curve.
04:20A very steep one, actually.
04:22It's early March, and after finding a former hunting lodge that's now a hotel to partner with, Valentina and Nino, along with their assistant, Zeprina, have a nervous wait to find out if the property can be booked for a retreat, which starts in nine days' time that they've sold seven tickets to.
04:46How are you today?
04:48Recent maintenance work to the hotel's heating system is still ongoing.
04:53Yes.
04:54Yeah, of course.
04:55So it's been uncertain whether they'd be able to provide a warm welcome to their guests.
05:02I haven't heard from my business partner, because he's got a lot to do, and at the moment I'm thinking, giving him more pressure, I know the situation, and if something changes, he will call me.
05:12But we check the weather, next week it's about 20 degrees. So I'm really positive that we'll go ahead.
05:19However, the following week, despite Valentina manifesting a positive outcome, and the best efforts from the hotel manager, the heating system is still not working.
05:31Determined, though, that their first Bulgarian retreat will go ahead, after a frantic search in the region, Valentina and Nino have found a new hotel in nearby Cenevsi that can accommodate a last-minute booking.
05:48We're not able to be at the lodge because the weather was very cold, a lot of pipe burst, there was a lot of leaks.
05:57Fingers crossed they're going to sort everything for April because we've got another retreat coming in April, but from now on, this place is absolutely amazing.
06:05Energy here feels good. So, yes, I'm actually really, really positive.
06:10It's now a race against time, though, to get set up before Nino arrives back from Sofia Airport with their first retreat guests.
06:23Fortunately, colleagues Sabrina and Laura are on hand to help.
06:28We're going to take staff now to the conference room. It's based between the second and the third floor. Yeah, it's going to be fun.
06:35But as the hotel's conference room is usually booked for business meetings...
06:40So, at the moment, I'm going to cleanse the room, so I'm going to use some frankincense sticks.
06:47Can Valentina get the venue ready in time to make their first-ever retreat a success?
06:581,700 kilometres to the west in Italy's far north, with the Alps on three of its sides, Piedmont is a region that's effortlessly calm and serene.
07:12Its diverse landscape and opportunities to reconnect with nature being a major draw for actor Stephen Billington.
07:21This whole area of Piedmont, which is really beautiful, now I've got my own little private world.
07:27I came on holiday and absolutely fell in love with the region.
07:34Came twice, absolutely confirmed that this was where I wanted to be.
07:38I kind of moved out, stayed with my friends for a while while I looked for a house and here we are.
07:44The rest is history, really.
07:45Choosing to step out of the limelight after 35 years as an actor and also keen to live closer to his Italian partner,
07:54Stephen found his dream rural retreat on the outskirts of the town of Astey.
08:01I was in London before this. I owned a tiny one-bedroom flat and it's really a really tiny one-bedroom flat.
08:09I sold that and bought all this. So, yeah, I think it was a good deal.
08:16Tucked away within two acres of woodland, Stephen bought a centuries-old two-bedroom farmhouse, which he plans to renovate.
08:27It's a little eccentric in here, for me. I mean, I've even got a violet washing machine, for goodness sake.
08:34Eventually, I will get around to painting it in probably kind of lighter, less vibrant colours.
08:41The work is on the back burner until his new B&B business, based in the adjacent property, begins to turn a profit.
08:49My friends are all going home today.
08:51It's very sad.
08:53And while he's earning some good reviews, so far they've only been from friends staying as trial guests.
09:01I would love to come back here and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys staying out in the countryside in Italy.
09:08Such a great time. It was lovely. Exceeded all our expectations.
09:13Stephen, I love you. I'm gonna miss you.
09:17Since buying the property, Stephen's been battling bureaucracy to secure both a residency permit and a licence to open his accommodation to paying guests.
09:31I've thrown everything into this, financially and emotionally.
09:37Once I've spent the budget, which is about to kind of come to an end, I don't have any savings.
09:44Because, you know, an actor's equity pension doesn't go very far.
09:51So, yeah, the business has got to work for me.
09:56It's now the end of May, and after a number of successful trial stays, Stephen's prepping his accommodation for future bookings.
10:05I don't know what these berries are, but they certainly stain the concrete if you squash them.
10:12As he's recently made a major breakthrough that he hopes will soon allow him to start generating an income.
10:19We've made a really big step forward.
10:22We finally got me a CIN code, which means that I can now legally advertise my property as accommodation.
10:33That's super exciting.
10:38Even though his application for an Italian visa is still up in the air, after months of delays, he can now accept bookings for paying guests.
10:46Every hurdle that I've had to jump has been because these rules are new, because Brexit is new, and they're still kind of mitigating for that.
10:59But I'm registered as the owner of the business now, so all is well.
11:04We could have guests in here within a couple of weeks.
11:08The following month, after advertising his accommodation online, just as he'd hoped, there's good news.
11:15I've got four bookings so far, which is really great. I've only had them up for four days, so I suppose on average that's a booking a day.
11:25It feels really positive. It feels like a step towards the life that I imagined for myself out here.
11:32However, as his residency status is still uncertain, the timing couldn't be worse.
11:39Slight tinge of anxiety about whether I'm packing everything that I need. What do I need for the next three months?
11:49Due to restrictions on the number of days he can spend within the EU without a residency permit, he's being forced to return to the UK for 90 days.
11:58I really need this to be the last time that I do this big trip.
12:06You know, not being here to welcome my first guests is just, like, really frustrating.
12:12I want to be here, I want to be here to welcome people, to make sure people have a great stay, and I can't do that.
12:23Coming up... My mind's full of everything that's going on.
12:26There's a lot to juggle for a chateau owner in France.
12:29I never thought that I would end up having to go to the airport amongst getting everything ready.
12:36And Valentina's shaking things up.
12:39As her first retreat guests arrive.
12:43You know, just bringing the people from London, so I was going to say hello.
12:47For some, retirement's about slowing down, but for a bold new generation...
13:03..it can be the start of something entirely new, proving it's never too late to chase a dream.
13:09Just like former air stewardess Sharon.
13:12I'm going to take you into the Madame Pompadour room, which is the piece de resistance.
13:18Who'd always fantasised about living in the French countryside.
13:23Not just anywhere, but in a chateau.
13:25And that dream has finally come true, after taking on Chateau Les Villettes to the north-east of Limoges.
13:34I love everything about the chateau.
13:37The old times of what it used to be like years ago.
13:42I love the grounds that it stands in.
13:44And the weather during the summer is beautiful.
13:48Keen this historic property should be shared, Sharon's opened a chambre d'hote,
13:53offering luxurious stays in its 12 unique bedrooms
13:57and hosting guests in its grand reception rooms.
14:01When our guests come in here, I sometimes do dinner for two
14:05and they find it very romantic and nice.
14:08While husband David initially had retirement in his sights,
14:12after a career in the packaging industry,
14:15he soon got on board with Sharon's grand plan
14:18to leave Lincolnshire behind to start new lives and a new business in France.
14:24I was 72 and I thought it was about time to retire.
14:29After 57 years running a business.
14:33I should have known.
14:37One of the reasons when we first bought this place,
14:40we walked in and it had such a beautiful feeling, didn't it?
14:45Yeah.
14:46We could share with other people, holding events, doing weddings, partying.
14:52The hospitality, I like that. That's me.
14:55But this summer is a make-or-break season for them,
14:59as they try to get the chateau officially on the map as an events venue.
15:03I'm hoping that we get ourselves out there a little bit more,
15:08get people knowing where we are.
15:11Some people don't even know the chateau exists.
15:16It's now the end of May.
15:18I'm just actually going through the bookings now
15:20to see who's staying in what room.
15:23Alongside trying to launch new events,
15:25Sharon's juggling busy days of Schaumbra-Dote check-ins and check-outs.
15:31My mind's full of everything that's going on.
15:34If I haven't written it down, then I forget.
15:37As her latest guests, Peter and Anna, from the Netherlands depart...
15:42All right. Thank you. Good luck.
15:45..her hard work hasn't gone unnoticed.
15:48It was a nice experience to see
15:51and to really feel how it was, basically, in such an old chateau.
15:55Service is good, so we really enjoyed it and appreciated it.
15:58Yes, we're very satisfied.
16:00No sooner have they left, the prep begins for the next guests.
16:05Biscuits, towels, body lotions...
16:09Everything's fine in here.
16:13Work Sharon's currently tackling solo,
16:16while David continues to focus his energy
16:19on recovering from recent treatment for cancer.
16:22But adding more pressure today
16:25is that in an effort to earn more,
16:27she's offered to collect some of the guests
16:29when they land for an extra charge of 20 euros each way.
16:33I never thought that I would end up having to go to the airport
16:37amongst cooking, cleaning, getting everything ready,
16:42and here I am, going to the airport.
16:45I can't believe it, I must be crazy.
16:47I feel like one of them men, you know, them taxi men,
16:50that stand at the airport with a sign.
16:53With five other guests also checking in this afternoon,
16:57Sharon's called on help from new team member Angie
16:59to hold the fort while she's on the airport run.
17:03You smell fantastic once this job has been done.
17:06But she'll need to be back in time for dinner
17:09as all seven guests have made a reservation for an evening meal.
17:14However, an hour later...
17:17Hi, Sharon.
17:19Just wanted to let you know the flight's been delayed.
17:21Sharon's already tight schedule suddenly gets even tighter.
17:25The guests' flight has been delayed by quite a bit.
17:29They'll only be in at 20 to 7.
17:32So Sharon's asked me to set the table,
17:35then I can start dinner prep.
17:37While Angie's shadowed Sharon before,
17:40she's not yet run a meal service solo.
17:43This is me getting started.
17:45But tonight she may have to rise to the occasion.
17:47It's always a learning process, you know.
17:50With this kind of work, every day is different.
17:53It's never quite the same thing.
17:55Unfortunately, I can't remember what she said,
17:58we're cooking tonight.
18:00Which is a bit bad.
18:10Across in central Bulgaria,
18:12retreat host Valentina's also under pressure,
18:14but of a very different kind.
18:18I'm just blessing all the energy that is here,
18:22just to go to the space that belongs,
18:25and to enter this room to give us the energy that we needed.
18:29As husband Nino is now on his way back from the airport
18:33with their first set of guests,
18:35it's a race against time for her and her team to turn their new,
18:41but very last minute venue,
18:43from office chic to a calming haven.
18:46Can we move these chairs over there?
18:49So Valentina's reaching for every tool available.
18:54We're going to use the sound as well.
18:55As she believes that chimes and maracas can disrupt and dissipate stagnant or negative energy.
19:09And as the conference room is gradually transformed...
19:13That's it.
19:15A special, special, that's my circle, because we've got the portal.
19:19And now we'll see how beautiful it's going to look.
19:22She's feeling confident ahead of her first guests arriving soon.
19:29I'm very happy to have the room get together.
19:31We've got enough space, it's going to be a cosy.
19:34There's this place to be light down, there's a place to sit.
19:37So I think, yeah, we're done, so now we're going to go.
19:40Nina should be here in a minute,
19:42so we're going downstairs to have a look.
19:45The five-day retreat, costing €880 per person, is fully catered and includes overnight accommodation.
19:55So en route to reception, Valentina makes a quick stop to check her guests' hotel rooms.
20:02A bit red, but...
20:04Yeah, what we need.
20:06And we've got a nice view.
20:08So, yeah, kind of all good.
20:10Valentina makes it outside just in time.
20:15So, everybody just arrived actually at the same time.
20:18We've got a lady travelling from Varna.
20:20And we've got, you know, just bringing the people from London.
20:24So, let's go and say hello.
20:26Where are you, Marinka?
20:30You lost her right away.
20:33Good luck.
20:34Good luck.
20:35Good luck.
20:36Some of their guests have previously taken part in online courses and holistic tutorials with Valentina.
20:44Let's go.
20:45Good luck.
20:49So, after getting everyone checked in...
20:52To ensure everyone can get acquainted with each other, they gather for welcome refreshments.
21:01So, girls, thank you very much for coming.
21:04I hope you had a very easy flight.
21:07I'm glad that you're all here.
21:09So, we're going to have an hour break now, settle in, have a shower, do whatever you want.
21:13And I'm going to see you at 7 o'clock.
21:14Welcome to our lovely retreat.
21:23An hour later...
21:24In a milestone moment for Valentina and Nino's new business that they once feared they'd never reach,
21:39after more than a year of trying to pin down a venue,
21:43the first group session of the retreat gets underway.
21:46Oh, my little stars, look at them, twinkle, twinkle.
21:54I would like to welcome you in a fantastic, amazing, absolutely brilliant five days.
22:07It's really nice to see, like, people trying to find themselves,
22:11and I would like to thank you for your trust that you're here, and welcome you all.
22:18Having long dreamt of this moment, after a positive start,
22:22will the rest of the retreat be a success?
22:29Coming up, as Stephen returns to the UK...
22:33Come on then.
22:35..his new business is dealt another blow.
22:37I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I wanted things to be absolutely perfect for my guests,
22:41so I didn't risk it.
22:43While in France, time away from the chateau...
22:46Sharon should be back any minute now.
22:48..gives Sharon food for thought.
22:49I'm hoping to get more staff. We'll get there.
22:52In Piedmont, it's now early June.
23:07Due to restrictions on lengths of stay in the EU without a visa,
23:11today is B&B owner Stephen's last day in Italy, before he must return to the UK.
23:18It's always a wrench when I have to go back.
23:22There is, and there will always be so much to do here.
23:26I usually get back and the place is completely overgrown.
23:29It's kind of almost like starting again.
23:30Making it harder to leave is that his first paying guests are arriving next week.
23:38We're going to be quite busy here over the summer while I'm in England.
23:42Four bookings so far.
23:44French couple, I think a German couple, and British couple.
23:49And an Italian couple as well.
23:51It means Stephen's had to recruit a local friend to help run the business over the next three months.
23:58Egle is my co-host.
24:01So while I'm gone, if there's anything that goes wrong or the guests need anything that isn't here, Egle will step in.
24:09She will also clean the units in between each guest.
24:16It's wonderful to have a friend who I trust 100%.
24:25I will leave the situation in Egle's capable hands, but I just want to be here, you know.
24:33In my home, running my business.
24:38But of course that's not possible.
24:40So, back we go to Blighty.
24:48The following week, the moment Stephen's long dreamt of has finally come.
24:54His first ever paying guests check into his new accommodation.
24:57However, as he's over a thousand miles away back in the UK.
25:04Come on then.
25:06Good boy.
25:08That's it. Yeah, let's go through to the back.
25:11He's having to watch on from afar as his new business reaches this important milestone.
25:19Doing it remotely is not what I had in my head at all.
25:24I planned for something quite different, a kind of fuller service.
25:29I want people to feel treated.
25:32I want them to be super comfortable.
25:35I want them to feel the atmosphere of my beautiful, peaceful haven in the woods.
25:41It's really frustrating.
25:45Despite his first booking not running quite how he envisaged,
25:49he has received some positive feedback.
25:51Stephen's house was so beautiful and very well maintained.
25:56It's super peaceful and quiet, which is exactly what I tried to create.
26:02We enjoyed sitting on the balcony with a coffee in the morning and just listening to the birds
26:06and enjoying the breathtaking view all around us.
26:11Five stars.
26:12It's really gratifying.
26:14It means I've done what I set out to do.
26:18With future bookings in the diary for the coming weeks, Stephen had hoped that while he's in the UK for three months
26:26and staying for some of that time with his friend Lynn in Yorkshire...
26:29Am I doing all this cheese, though? Not at all.
26:33I would say so, yeah.
26:35..that guest stays would continue to run smoothly in his absence.
26:40I learned how to do this with an avocado from a sandwich shop in New York when I was over there doing Brits Off Broadway.
26:47But the impact of spells of wet weather in the region means that after his third booking, his new business has hit a devastating hurdle.
26:58When it rains, and it really rains, there's a hill right behind the ground floor unit
27:04and the water flows down the hill and then comes to a stop against the wall and so then I have ingress of moisture into the unit
27:14and I ended up with damp patches.
27:18Combined with a power outage during one of his guest bookings, which now requires an upgrade to the building's electricity supply,
27:26it's forced Stephen to make a difficult decision.
27:29I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I wanted things to be absolutely perfect for my guests, so...
27:35..so I didn't want to risk it.
27:38Because of the issue with power, I've had to take the units off the B&B platform.
27:44That's not going to change until I go back.
27:47It's frustrating not having the units live right now because it means I'm not earning.
27:53But I don't have any choice.
27:55Not being able to capitalise on the lucrative summer season is a major blow.
28:02But as Stephen can't return to Italy until autumn, all efforts to revive his new business will have to wait until then.
28:09Across in France, plans are also running a little off course as Sharon's held up at the airport collecting guests.
28:26So new staff member Angie's been tasked with preparing the dinner service for the first time.
28:33I think it's a creamy chicken dish. I'm not quite sure what the name of it is.
28:38She did mention it to me, but things are quite hectic when it comes to chateaus.
28:44So if you don't write it down, you're not going to remember.
28:48It's all part of the fun.
28:49But not only does Angie not recall the name of what she's cooking, but she's also missing a key ingredient.
28:58There's nothing here.
29:00There's no sign of any chicken in the kitchen, so she hopes Sharon can help.
29:05No, there's nothing. It's only the mushrooms and the carrots that are next to the little sink.
29:11It was in the bowl.
29:13Oh my goodness.
29:14It's in the two plastic bags.
29:16OK, I'll ask Dave if he moved it.
29:19OK, will you get back to me and tell me?
29:21Sure, will do. OK.
29:23OK. Bye.
29:24OK, so we're missing the chicken. Oops.
29:27Sharon said it's in the sink, but it's not in the sink, so I'm going to quickly ask Dave.
29:31With time pressures looming, Dave fortunately comes to the rescue.
29:36Thanks very much. Great stuff. I'm good. Thanks, Dave.
29:42It was at the other sink, not the little sink.
29:47I should have checked, I guess.
29:50But anyway, now we know.
29:51So we're just going to chop them into little medallions.
29:55Sharon is amazing because she knows where everything is and what to do and how to do it.
30:01And she's been training me up to be a right-hand man or right-hand woman.
30:08She's actually so used to doing stuff herself that she finds it difficult to delegate.
30:15Hopefully, she'll get used to seeing that it's better to delegate sometimes.
30:22Which she's doing today, actually, which is wonderful.
30:25An hour later...
30:28Sharon should be back any minute now.
30:31Sharon's been able to return to the chateau.
30:34Hello. Welcome, welcome. Hi.
30:37And after checking in the latest arrivals who've flown in from the UK...
30:41Oh, wow. This is amazing.
30:46OK, that's wonderful.
30:48..she's straight into the kitchen to check on dinner.
30:50I've boiled the Jubilee carrots.
30:53They're not perfectly soft yet, so we can just do them in some butter.
30:57OK.
30:59To finish them off.
31:01And then what else do we need to do?
31:03I can't think at the minute, actually. I'm just...
31:05The table's set.
31:10The table's set, except for the flowers.
31:12Yes, we need to do the asparagus.
31:14OK. What is the dinner called? Because I forgot what the name is.
31:17Chicken Tarragon.
31:19Tarragon chicken. Yes.
31:21While it's been a hectic afternoon highlighting just how crucial it is
31:26to have staff to help her, Sharon's as determined as ever
31:30to give her guests a five-star experience.
31:33The guests that I went to pick up today,
31:36they said they'd been working and everything else
31:39and they feel as though they hadn't seen each other since January.
31:42So I was thinking as I was driving and I said,
31:44do you have children? They said, yes, but we're free this weekend.
31:47I said, I'll tell you what. I said, I'll put you in the bridal suite.
31:50So they've gone in there and it was like, wow, we can't believe it.
31:54The room is absolutely amazing.
31:57Can't believe how big it is. The views are just insane.
32:00And it's a treat, isn't it? It's a real break with a bit of French luxury.
32:04Get to escape the kids for a few days.
32:05So making the most of that. Just a few hours.
32:09But the day has also been a reality check for Sharon
32:13about the extent of the guest services she can offer in the future.
32:17We had a delay at the airport for over an hour and a half
32:20and all I kept thinking is all the things I could be doing.
32:23But it wasn't worth me coming back.
32:24I'm hoping to get more staff. I mean, I have Angie who is new.
32:29She's great, but she still needs to find everything out.
32:33She doesn't know where things are.
32:35Oh, there it is. So it's double the work, really.
32:38But everybody's got to learn, haven't they?
32:40We'll get there.
32:47Coming up...
32:48Take your shoes off. It's better to be grounded.
32:51There are life lessons at Valentina and Nino's first retreat.
32:55We can't just sleep, get up from bed and go to work.
32:58You have to recharge the body.
33:00And training's also underway.
33:02You just add to cart.
33:04Ahead of a big test for Sharon's new staff.
33:07This is coming up the busy season now.
33:09I've been training her as much as I can.
33:11I'm hoping it's going to work out well.
33:19On the edge of the Central Balkan National Park,
33:25it's the first evening for Valentina and Nino's retreat.
33:29We are going to do now the cleansing.
33:31We are going to cleanse each other
33:33because everybody is coming with their own energy.
33:36As an introduction to what lies ahead during the five-day event,
33:41Valentina is gently guiding her guests
33:44through a variety of meditations and relaxation exercises.
33:54Before everyone retires for the night.
34:01The beginning was really good, really nice
34:06and everybody introduced themselves
34:10and it's a very sweet group.
34:11Everybody shared their names and why they're here,
34:15what they want to change and what they want to do.
34:18So, that's it.
34:19Tomorrow, bright and shine, 7 o'clock in the morning.
34:22And we'll see what the new day is going to give us.
34:25It's going to be amazing.
34:28The following morning, not long after sunrise,
34:31whoever wants to take your shoes off,
34:34it's better to be grounded.
34:35Keen for everyone to reconnect, not just with themselves,
34:39but also nature.
34:41Now, I'm going to breathe.
34:44Valentina's taken her first group session of the day outside.
34:48This is we are celebrating now.
34:50Every movement is releasing and this is we celebrate the life.
34:54Hoping via a mixture of movement, breathing exercises and stretching
34:58that it will set everyone up well for a productive day ahead.
35:03We don't realise that we can't just sleep, get up from bed and go to work.
35:09You have to recharge the body.
35:11It's like you're washing it from outside, you have to recharge it inside.
35:13And all the stretch just not only give you a good figure, it makes you feel well.
35:18You've got the stamina, you've got the energy to do everything that you have to.
35:22So, this morning, I enjoy teaching people that it's your body and you have to look after it.
35:29Even though the hotel was a last-minute change of venue,
35:33not only is the outside space working well,
35:36but the on-site catering is taking the pressure off Valentina and Nino.
35:40And the mountain location and extra facilities have been well-received by their guests.
35:49Here, the air is amazing.
35:54And the birds early in the morning at four o'clock.
35:59I love it. It's really nice and sweet. I'm going to try the swimming pool today.
36:05After breakfast, Valentina wastes no time getting the group's next seat
36:10in the session underway.
36:13We are going to do meditation in which to find our strength.
36:18Her goal throughout the retreat is that people leave feeling enlightened and empowered.
36:24Limiting belief is belief that is stopping us to proceed to progress
36:29or to do something wonderful in our life.
36:30But it's also not uncommon for what can become deeply personal guided meditations to bring up strong emotions.
36:40Something Valentina and her assistant, Sabrina, are used to supporting people through.
36:45We all work together. A lot of us start crying.
36:51Don't need explanation sometimes. You just have to feel it.
36:56Having aspired to host retreats like this in Bulgaria,
37:00while it's taken longer to achieve due to venue struggles,
37:04Valentina's glad she never gave up on her dream.
37:07I believe everybody had an amazing time.
37:11It took a lot from this experience and I love what I'm doing.
37:16So I don't remember the stress for the past few months or the business or everything we've been through
37:22because I'm very grateful for all the people that have been here for the place,
37:25for everybody who's been with us because it's been an amazing experience for all of us.
37:33In the long term, Valentina and Nino still hope to open their own retreat premises.
37:41But until then, having found local hotels to partner with
37:46and a successful retreat now under their belts,
37:49they feel confident to plan future events.
37:52Running a business here is definitely viable.
37:55It's a completely different culture.
37:57It's been a bit stop, start, stop, start.
37:59When something doesn't work, you learn.
38:01It's not like we're not failing.
38:03We're just learning how to do it better and better.
38:05I'm happy. I'm happy how the way it turned out.
38:10With a growing business and their two sons settling into life here as well...
38:15Good rule.
38:17He's very good, isn't he?
38:18The family feel at home and are continuing to build their future here.
38:24I'm learning Bulgarian. It's a difficult language, but it's getting better
38:28and I'm standing more than I used to, which is good.
38:32When we were talking to the kids, before he doesn't understand what we're talking,
38:35now it's like, oh, I know what you're talking about.
38:38It's just lovely, you know, with this room pool, so quiet with the animals.
38:46Rocky!
38:48Last night we went out to a party with some friends.
38:53Easy, easy.
38:57The high for me is kind of enjoying Bulgaria more.
39:00It's actually perfect.
39:01Back in France, it's now the end of May, and Chateau owner Sharon is also working hard to carve out her dream business,
39:19having hosted a group of seven from the UK for the last three nights.
39:24What is it?
39:26Usual spots. Usual spots.
39:28This morning is their final breakfast.
39:31Everything all right for you? Amazing.
39:33Nothing I've forgotten.
39:35Breakfast is fantastic.
39:38Very, very nice pastries, croissants, pan de chocolat, pan de raisin, really nice.
39:42Our hostess is absolutely lovely. She is very accommodating.
39:45Actually, when we got here on Friday night, the power cut, so she set the bar up with candles, so we all had drinks by candlelight when she arrived, which is like a beautiful moment, it's a lot of fun.
39:55It was pitch black, so they was walking in the drive with their telephones, you know, with their torches on, and I thought, oh, gosh, this is not a good first time at the Chateau.
40:06In fact, I was, like, beside myself, to be honest, but I was trying to be calm and be very polite to the customers when they arrived and, you know, wow, this is great, we've got candles, but deep down inside I was like, oh, God, this has got to come back on.
40:22The power cut is another example of when, as a holiday host and Chateau owner, Sharon can never quite know what's around the corner.
40:32I charged you for just the two cognacs.
40:35Yeah.
40:36That was all you had, wasn't it?
40:37Yeah, yeah.
40:38And the lunch.
40:39So getting new team member Angie fully trained in every aspect of the business is crucial.
40:45So then that's it, you just add to cart.
40:47OK.
40:48Then you just card.
40:49OK.
40:50This morning's checkout is another learning opportunity.
40:54Just tap.
40:58Which is all of a sudden more important than ever, as Sharon's needed back in the UK for a family matter, and we'll have to leave Angie in charge.
41:09Another checkout, and they're all happy, which I'm pleased about.
41:12But I was also showing my new lady how to work the cash machine, because when I go away, I need her to know how to work out,
41:19how to take cards and things.
41:21So I was showing her that as well.
41:23This is coming up the busy season now.
41:25We're coming from spring to summer.
41:26I've been training her as much as I can amongst doing everything else as well.
41:31So this is going to be a test for her, and I'm hoping it's going to work out well.
41:36The following week, it's Angie's time to shine.
41:42It's been busy because we've had check-ins every night and check-outs every morning.
41:47So you have to turn over the beds, have the clean done, and every night there's been a dinner.
41:52So I've been cooking and breakfast, and you know, so it goes on and on and on.
41:57And today's no exception.
42:00We're cooking for six people tonight.
42:03That's a four-course meal, starters, mains, cheese board, and a dessert.
42:09If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
42:13While David will help out where he can...
42:17What time are they due in? Four o'clock?
42:20Yeah, around four o'clock, yes.
42:21Oh, I'll get the dinner before that.
42:23OK, perfect. Thank you.
42:26Angie will be doing the lion's share of the work, juggling duties in the kitchen...
42:31There we go, so we look nice and professional.
42:34..with also checking the rooms are ready...
42:38I'm going to close that window.
42:40So we need to keep the cool air inside.
42:44..and welcoming the guests.
42:46Today's arrivals are overnighting en route to a classic car meet-up.
42:51You had a good journey.
42:53Yes, fine, thank you.
42:55That's so nice, that car.
42:57Beautiful.
42:58The guests are equally as in awe with what they see when they check into the chateau.
43:04Bonjour.
43:05Bienvenue.
43:06This is the grand salon, there's the bar.
43:09Yes.
43:10This is where we will serve dinner for you this evening.
43:13Perfect.
43:14It's already set up, and then I'll show you to your room.
43:17I'm sure we'll have a very nice stop here.
43:19I think it's the best choice I have done.
43:24Late that evening, after the final push in the kitchen...
43:27I've tasted it already and it tastes very good.
43:30..working to Sharon's meticulous training...
43:33Perfect.
43:34..Angie pulls off a successful dinner service for the six guests.
43:38The preparation of the chicken was really prepared with some good taste.
43:45Very good.
43:46It's very light and tasty, so we appreciate it very much.
43:52It was very good from the beginning to now.
43:55Quite happy with how everything went today.
43:58It's the first time I've done so many guests for dinner at the same time.
44:02Everything went super, super good.
44:04I think Sharon would be very pleased.
44:07And with staff she can rely on, Sharon's in a stronger position
44:10to continue developing the events arm of the business.
44:15Her ultimate dream for the chateau.
44:17WHISTLE BLOWS
44:21Next time...
44:24Sharon hosts a right royal knees up at the chateau.
44:27The party tonight has been great.
44:29It's a typical Sharon party, there's no holds barred.
44:32..in Tuscany...
44:33I think it's too windy, but the guests want to try up here first.
44:37..a couple launch new painting experiences.
44:40The main aim this summer is to grow the business
44:42so things just come organically.
44:44And Stephen's also got expansion in his sights.
44:47Mmm.
44:48Very sweet too.
44:49Really sweet.
44:50As he explores a new idea to boost bookings.
44:54It's a really exciting thing for me
44:55because I kind of want to start building partnerships.
44:58?
45:06?
45:08?
45:09?
45:11?
45:12?
45:13?
45:15?
45:17?
45:19?
45:20?
45:21?
45:23?
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