Vi at Aventura, a senior living community in South Florida, is providing residents with immersive cultural travel experiences without leaving its grounds through its Vista Voyages Immersion Weeks program. The initiative allows residents to engage deeply with the language, history, cuisine, and traditions of different countries, led by staff members connected to the featured nations.
One participant, 86-year-old Marge Rosenblatt, has “visited” Spain, Jamaica, and Haiti through the program and appreciates the opportunity to explore countries she has never visited in person. She described the experience as connecting with the culture and people in a way that feels personal and family-oriented. Each immersion week culminates in activities such as cooking, art projects, music, and outings designed to foster social interaction and deepen cultural understanding.
Vista Voyages is part of a broader wellness lifestyle initiative called Vista 360 Well-Being, launched earlier this year by Vi, which operates 10 continuing care retirement communities across the United States. The program emphasizes three pillars: empower, elevate, and enliven. In addition to on-site immersive experiences, Vi offers opportunities for residents to participate in organized group travel through Vista Explore, developed in partnership with Orbridge travel specialists. Upcoming trips in 2026 include a Canadian Rockies rail journey and a riverboat cruise exploring the flavors of Provence.
Maia Mediavilla, director of lifestyles at Vi at Aventura, highlighted that residents appreciate the continuity and depth of programming, which blends education, culture, social engagement, and hands-on activities over a week rather than isolated events. This approach encourages ongoing conversation and relationship building among participants.
Steven Fowler, Vi’s vice president of operations, explained that the company’s model prioritizes tailoring experiences to smaller groups of residents with shared interests, rather than offering large-scale programming designed to appeal broadly. He emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary team at each community to create relevant and meaningful opportunities. Of the roughly 600 residents surveyed, 93% expressed high satisfaction with the programming and interest in future participation.
At Vi at Lakeside Village, located 50 miles north of Aventura, Executive Sales Director Shantelle Sinclair Smith noted that the company’s expanded definition of wellness includes physical fitness, mental stimulation, and social connection. She pointed to the Brain Vitality Studio, a facility combining cognitive training with physical exercise, and resident-led social groups that enable participation in hobbies, learning, and volunteer work. Sinclair Smith said such engagement extends beyond the community’s walls, fostering a sense of purpose and involvement in the greater Palm Beach area.
Looking ahead, Vi at Aventura residents will next explore Japan during their Immersion Week, engaging in activities like painting traditional fans, making onigiri, attending a kimono fashion show, and visiting museums. Mediavilla described this program as embodying the multidimensional nature of Vi’s approach to well-being, integrating intellectual, creative, social, and exploratory elements to enrich residents’ lives.