Design the Life You Love in Guatemala

7:00- 7:30: Breakfast at the Hotel

7:30 – 11:30: Daily inspirational sessions drawn from the work of Brené Brown, Parker Palmer and other thought leaders in burnout prevention and resilience

11:30 – 12:30: Lunch

12:30 – 5:00: Daily Hiking, Sightseeing and Service Learning Trips

5:00 – 6:00: Free time to practice your own personal resilience by journaling, meditating, swimming, reading, getting a massage or exploring the beautiful surroundings

6:00 – 8:00: Group Dinner

8:00 – 9:00: Social Hour

DAY 1: TRAVEL TO GUATEMALA CITY (MARCH 8TH)

You can arrive in Guatemala City anytime today. We will have a hotel room in Guatemala City reserved for you with a free shuttle from the airport.

DAY 2: ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

We will meet for breakfast at 7am and leave via comfortable van at 8am for our main hotel for the week, The Porta Hotel Antigua. Once we arrive, Our first educational sessions will focus around creating space to do the heartfelt work of identifying stories that undermine your ability to create the life you desire. In the afternoon, you get an insider’s view of the former capital of all of Central America. Antigua, founded in 1543, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and built on a grid pattern inspired by the Italian Renaissance. You will see Spanish inspired architecture, cobblestone streets, preserved monasteries, convents, and cathedrals from the 16th-18th centuries. Every Sunday during lent, Guatemala holds elaborate grand processions. The Spanish tradition of Semana Santa (Holy Week) arrived with the Spaniards to Guatemala in the 1500’s, and 500 years later, the tradition is still alive and well. Guatemalans sign up a year in advance to carry one of these lavish floats by hand – some so massive that 80 grown men must carry them through the streets. Throughout the day you will notice intricately designed carpets made of flowers and sawdust in front of peoples businesses and residences. Antigua, Guatemala hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who yearn to be a part of the religious and cultural festivities – a mix of Spanish tradition and indigenous cultural beliefs. We will end today off with a dinner at AQUA overlooking the skyline of Antigua.

DAY 3: COMMUNITY BUILDING : COMMON HOPE

Morning educational sessions will focus on perfectionism, grief and forgiveness. All humans are programmed for proving we are enough. We will disassemble these auto-pilot beliefs and behaviors so you can be integral to your thoughts, word and actions. In the journey of grief and forgiveness we will assemble a roadmap to freedom through the release and letting go of being right. Today you will be equipped to let go so that you can create the space for the results you desire. In the afternoon, we will experience first hand how non-profits are helping to provide opportunities and resources to rural Guatemalans to support them in their growth and development. We will visit Common Hope, one of the non-profits working in Antigua. The families who walk through Common Hope’s doors often live in one-room houses made of cornstalks and scrap metal, with little or no access to education, medical care, clean water, or jobs with livable wages. The mission of Common Hope is based on the belief that education is the key to unwinding the cycle of poverty. They provide the necessary resources for thousands of impoverished children to attend school each year. We will have the opportunity to view the work that this organization does in a variety of classrooms in the school. There will be the opportunity to participate in social work visits and meet with families of children who have been sponsored by members of our community to hear their stories of success.

DAY 4: MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING: VOLCANO HIKE

Morning educational sessions will be on creating space in our busy life with a focus on boundaries, perfectionism, grief and forgiveness. We will learn how to release those old stories of frustration, resentment, expectation and disappointment to create space for a new way of life. Then in the afternoon, if hiking an active volcano is on your bucket list, look no further. This afternoon we hike Volcano Pacaya – one of the most impressive active volcanic landscapes you will find anywhere in Central America. Throughout the hike, you will notice a continuous plume of smoke drifting from its peak and volcanic rumbles under your feet. If hiking up a volcano seems a bit too strenuous, consider renting a horse to ride to the summit. On this journey, you have the opportunity to roast marshmallows on the hot lava and from the summit you see a spectacular panorama of three volcanoes surrounding Antigua and Guatemala City. If you want a unique souvenir stop by the “Lava Store” located at the end of the hike where you can purchase jewelry and crafts made from molten lava rocks.

DAY 5: EARTHLODGE EXPERIENCE

Morning educational sessions will use Parker Palmer inspired Clearness Committees to focus on how to create the life you desire. We will be using open honest questions to help you hear yourself into deeper understanding of the answers you seek, the outcomes you desire, and to become crystal clear on the path forward. We will have lunch and spend the afternoon at an eco-friendly lodge, restaurant, avocado farm and yoga destination in the mountains above Antigua, Guatemala. The volcano views, delicious home cooked meals will make this afternoon extra special! We will also have the opportunity to do some hiking and take part in a cacao ceremony. The afternoon will be free time to reflect and relax by the pool, visit museums or shop the local craft markets.

DAY 6: REST AND REJUVENATION

Morning educational sessions will help you build your roadmap for transformation and meaning. You will be grounded in knowing where and how to live by the promise of bounty. You WILL walk away with a roadmap for transformation to be used throughout your lifetime of never-ending growth and expansion. The afternoon will be free time to reflect and relax by the pool, visit museums or shop the local craft markets.

Tonight, our last evening together, we have an exciting group cooking class planned for you. You’ll delve into the rich tapestry of Guatemalan culture as you discover intriguing tidbits about the country and its diverse culinary heritage. Under the guidance of our local culinary instructors, you’ll whip up authentic Guatemalan dishes while forging connections and exchanging stories. It’s not just about cooking; it’s a journey into Guatemalan culture itself. Each recipe reflects the fusion of Mayan traditions and Spanish colonial influences, providing insight into the country’s history and gastronomy. With detailed demonstrations and explanations, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the ingredients and cooking techniques, equipping you with the skills to recreate these delicious dishes in your own kitchen.

DAY 7: GUATEMALA CITY

Morning educational sessions will continue to hone the vision and your roadmap for your new life with more joy, meaning, and purpose. You will leave feeling supported, fulfilled, nurtured, and satisfied. We return to Guatemala City in the afternoon. Your hotel will be located in Cayala, where you can experience an upscale relaxed shopping experience or meal in one of its many restaurants. This community, which looks like a European city, houses a cinema, baseball park, tennis courts, many international and Guatemalan retailers and even a surf park. A canopy tour on site boasts fantastic views of the city and allows you to glide through the air among the treetops.

DAY 8: LEAVE GUATEMALA (MARCH 15TH)

You can plan to fly out anytime today.

OPTIONAL 2 DAY ADD ON

COST $400 FOR SHARED ROOM, $600 FOR SINGLE

This is a two day add on to travel to Lake Atitlan.  As the retreat ends on day 7 and the group returns to Guatemala City to prepare to go home, the group that chooses to add on the trip to Lake Atitlan will leave our hotel in Antigua for the two hour trip to Lake Atitlan for this two day add on adventure. Lake Atitlan, was once described by Lonely Planet as “the closest thing to Eden on Earth”. Lake Atitlan is a magical place, with volcanic peaks towering over a crater lake. You have the opportunity to experience many of the towns surrounding the lake, all of which have a different vibe. You will have free time to hike a mountain viewpoint, take a yoga class, kayak, cliff jump, participate in a cacao ceremony and enjoy delicious bars and restaurants. Whatever you do here, it’s the place to go to reconnect with yourself and nature.

Day 9: We will plan to return to Guatemala City in the evening. Your hotel will be located in Cayala, where you can experience an upscale relaxed shopping experience or meal in one of its many restaurants. This community, which looks like a European city, houses a cinema, baseball park, tennis courts, many international and Guatemalan retailers and even a surf park. A canopy tour on site boasts fantastic views of the city and allows you to glide through the air among the treetops.

Day 10: Leave Guatemala: You can plan to fly out anytime today.

Double Occupancy = $2,199.00
Single Occupancy = $ 2,899.00
Reserve your spot with a $500 deposit