Savor locally sourced gourmet food, explore colonial Nicaragua, and map out the next chapter of your life, all while immersed in barefoot luxury on the Emerald Coast.
You’ve built a life, raised families, led careers, and cared for others. Now it’s your turn.
The My Next Chapter Retreat is an intimate, limited VIP invitation for active women over 55: eight days of oceanfront luxury designed to restore you, delight you, and help you get clear on what you want next.
Wake to home-baked sourdough delivered daily with the ocean breeze.
Explore the colonial side streets of Granada and take a boat cruise through 365 ancient islets of Lake Nicaragua.
Sail at sunset alongside sea turtles in the Pacific, and gather each evening for wine, gourmet dining, and good company.
At the heart of it all are our “What Is My Next Chapter?” journal sessions, where you’ll leave inspired, grounded, and ready to step into the next chapter of the life you want.
My Next Chapter Women’s Retreat
8 Days, 7 Nights I Starting at $4650
May 22 – 29, 2027 – Limited VIP Spaces
The Emerald Coast
Your home for the week is a private oceanfront villa with an infinity pool steps from the sand.
During your Retreat, we’ll take you for a sunset sail on a catamaran.
Take in the Emerald Coastline from an ocean perspective and keep your eye out for sea turtles, dolphins, and other ocean life.
Expect sunset happy hours, beachfront yoga, stargazing, and plenty of time to simply relax.
Gourmet Foodie Experiences
Home-baked sourdough delivered daily, ceviche from the morning’s catch, and farm-fresh mangoes and avocados.
Indulge in a champagne brunch and spa day, and enjoy gourmet dinners at rustic luxury venues and beachfront open-air fine dining.
Granada & Lake Nicaragua
Explore the colonial city of Granada, its cathedrals, art cafés, and markets.
After, take a tranquil cruise through the 365 ancient islets of Lake Nicaragua beneath Mombacho Volcano, watching for birds and playful monkeys.
“What Is My Next Chapter?” Journal Sessions
In a calm, supportive space, you’ll reflect on what you truly want next.
Perhaps that’s starting a business, writing a book, starting a new relationship, or rediscovering yourself.
This retreat is your catalyst.
You’ll go home grounded, centered, and with a real spark for the life ahead.
YOUR ITINERARY
Here is what each day will look like:
DAY 1
Saturday – Arrival
Arrival at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua. Meet the other travelers in the group, board a private shuttle, and travel to the charming beachfront villa in Hacienda Iguana.
Orientation – Here we will review local information about Nicaraguan culture, your surroundings, and health and safety information, as well as review what you can expect to experience throughout the week.
Welcome Dinner – Enjoy your first sunset happy hour in your oceanfront villa and a locally catered welcome dinner. A variety of gourmet dishes of fish, meat, chicken, salads, and vegetarian/vegan options are available throughout the week. And of course, a local wine selection.
DAY 2
Sunday – Settle In
Morning – Wake up to fresh home-made sourdough delivered by bicycle from a local bread maker. Hot Nicaraguan coffee, fresh seasonal fruits, and thick, creamy locally made yogurt you can enjoy at your leisure. The first hours of the morning are for pool and chill time. Take a walk along the beach and breathe in the warm, ocean air.
Afternoon – Opening “What Is My Next Chapter?” journal session. This is sacred time for you to connect with what matters more in your life, and how you can create more of what you want in your next chapter.
Merge from the afternoon into the evening with a sunset happy hour by the pool, enjoy local cheeses and a glass of wine before preparing for dinner.
Evening – Sip & Dip painting with authentic Italian cuisine. Have some fun, get creative, and enjoy some wine in Casa Ananas second floor terrace. The Italian-owned local restaurant serves up homemade pasta, authentic dishes sourced from Nona’s recipes in Moderna, Italy. The vibrant and cozy open air atmosphere creates a sense of connection, fun and creativity over incredible Italian cuisine.
DAY 3
Monday – Explore Coastal Views
Morning – After your morning breakfast, grab your mat and head out to the front lawn to stretch into your day! Your private yoga sessions are designed for all levels and all ages, so take this time to listen to your body, take in the morning air, and breathe.
Afternoon – Pool and chill time. Explore the local nature walks, cozy in a hammock with your journal, and take time for you.
Evening – Get dressed up and head out for sunset at our favorite spot to dine on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua: Finca Wayuu is located on a hill above playa Guasacate and is an enchanting place that guests fall in love with it each time they visit. They are only available for private gourmet dinners, so you will have this dining experience all to yourself.
DAY 4
Tuesday – Granada Day Trip
Day Trip – Dress comfortably! Today we head out to the charming and colorful Colonial Granada. Drive to the top of Mombacho Volcano for a light hike with epic volcano views, explore art cafés, dine on scrumptious hearty lunch, followed by a tranquil boat cruise through 365 ancient isletas on Lake Nicaragua. You’ll see plenty of wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, monkeys, and sunset views from the base of the volcano.
Evening – We’ll return from our day to refresh and dine on locally catered sushi presented beautifully in your beachfront villa.
DAY 5
Wednesday – Champagne Brunch & Spa Day
Morning – Rise when you wish, as you’ll be a little tired from all the sightseeing and exploring in Granada. Today is a day for pampering. Brunch will be catered in your villa, and champagne mimosas provided poolside. Take your pick of pampering stations that include pedicures, manicures, reflexology and massage. This day is to relax, delve back into your journal, and take time to rejuvenate.
Afternoon – Wind your day down with wine and cheese for sunset happy hour. Enjoy from the pool, or perch your chair along the lawn to watch the sun go down on a beautiful day.
Dinner – After your relaxing day, shift into comfortable casual attire for yet another, epic sunset dinner. We’ll drive a few beaches north to share a sunset and a wood-fired pizza at La Boquita, an open-air restaurant overlooking Playa Rosada. Besides pizzas, the internationally inspired menu includes paellas, sushi, and charcuterie. Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy a view of crashing ocean waves and pink sunsets.
DAY 6
Thursday
Morning – By now you’re waking up looking forward to the breakfast bar of local fruits in season and homemade sourdough and fresh coffee. Today is the day you pack your swimsuit, cover-up and beach towell and prepare for a day on the water.
Afternoon – Take a cruise to the nearby fishing village of San Juan Del Sur and join a sunset catamaran cruise along the Emerald Coast. The catamaran will take you on a leisurely cruise north, where you can view the coast from the ocean, watch for sea turtles, dolphins, and whales, and enjoy a few libations.
Dinner – Dinner will be a gourmet Nicaraguan specialty catered in your beachfront villa to enjoy once you’re home from a lovely day out on the boat.
DAY 7
Friday
Morning – Pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit by the beach and enjoy the morning. Take a walk, or open your journal. Today is our last full day, so enjoy every moment.
Afternoon – Closing journal session. This session will wrap up thoughts and decisions you’ve been weighing and planning over the week. Use it to map out the steps you will take to create the next chapter of your life.
Evening – Close out your day with a final wine and cheese sunset happy hour, then get ready for a farewell feast at Pili’s, dining on gourmet mediterrranean dishes, including carpaccio, steak or fresh fish, and home made chocolate-y desserts. Cheers to the good times you’ve had, and the good times you’ve created for yourself that are to come!
DAY 8
Saturday – Departure
Breakfast – A final breakfast together. (You can order your own sourdough loaf to take back with you if you think you will miss it too much).
Departures – Airport transfers provided. ¡Buen viaje!
INCLUSIONS
ACCOMMODATION
Each guest will stay in laid-back luxury in a private oceanfront villa with a beachfront pool and tropical gardens. Rooms are shared, and each room offers two beds, a private bath, a safe, and ocean access.
TRANSPORTATION
All in-country travel is included, including airport transfers from Managua and transportation for all excursions. International flights are not included.
MEALS
Enjoy homemade, tasty, and locally sourced daily breakfasts, lunches, and all group dinners, either catered or dining out, plus sunset happy hours and the champagne brunch.
EXPERIENCES & EXCURSIONS
Includes the Granada Day Trip and Isletas cruise, sunset catamaran cruise, champagne brunch and spa day, private beachfront yoga, Sip & Dip painting class, and all journal sessions.
Book. Click the “Book Now” button below to submit your details.
Make a Payment. After submitting your details, you will be taken to the “Make A Payment” page so that you can secure your placement with a deposit and a signed participant agreement.
- A deposit of $650 is due to secure placement. Non-refundable after two weeks.
- Installment of $1500 due November 30th, 2026.
- Installment of $1500 due January 22nd, 2027.
- Remaining balance of $1000 is due March 22nd, 2027
Deposit after two weeks is non-refundable. All other payments are non-refundable.
Payment plans are available. Just reach out to me, and I can structure a payment plan that works for you!
Flights. The airport to fly into is Augusto C. Sandino International Airport. We will pick you up at the airport upon arrival. Please get in touch with me, and I’ll help you arrange the best possible travel logistics
Prepare. We will connect with you soon to provide more information regarding in-country travel logistics, your itinerary, and any answer questions you may have that help you prepare.
Meet Your Retreat Hosts
Christy Nichols
Curator of Transformational Retreats | Author | Speaker | Purposeful Travel Advocate | Writer | CEO at Venture Within
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Christy’s professional education expertise has afforded her the opportunity to work all over the world. Since achieving a Masters Degree and Teaching Credentials in Sussex, England, she has delivered educational and leadership initiatives internationally to individuals in the UK, Europe, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Africa, Canada, the USA, and Australia. After successfully creating and developing EDventure International, an organization combining leadership development, education, and conservation projects overseas, she launched Venture Within. Her passion is creating transformational experiences for personal and professional growth through overseas immersion, executive life coaching, and adventurous experiences abroad. She enables and inspires others to live a full and meaningful life.
- Expert in leadership development amongst professionals
- 20 years an Educator, CEO of Venture Within, and EDventure International
- ICF Accredited Certified Professional Coach
- Curated strategic leadership workshops catered for traveling professionals, with a focus on personal development and growth.
- Utilizes cultural immersive experiences as transformative opportunities.
- Specializes in transformative experiences that enhance leadership abilities on personal and professional levels.
Mel Stevens
Owner of Sticks & Stones Kitchens and Mel Stevens Designs | Wine Ambassador | Traveller | Writer | Photographer
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Mel Stevens is currently in the Interior Design business and an amateur photographer. Her passions have led her to her new chapter in the travel, food, wine, and health industry. She has been traveling the world since her early 20s and has picked up unimaginable experiences that can not be experienced in just one country; has an innate feeling of wanting to share what she has absorbed over the years.
The history, culture, and beauty of the architecture are what inspire her quest to continue to explore and share more countries, museums, and vineyards around the globe. She is an enthusiastic and light-hearted Retreat host and aims to assist and share with other women to join her on the travel train while taking that leap with ease. (Especially those who have wanted to travel outside their own country, but have not yet had the opportunity.)
Join Mel as she follows her instinct to find tucked-away treasures in local side-streets, and follows her nose to discover fine-wines, and enjoy lots of laughs, exploration, and fun on each trip!
My Next Chapter is for active women over 55 who are ready to invest in themselves, slow down, and dream about what comes next.
- ready to prioritize yourself
- curious about your next chapter
- craving rest, beauty, and connection
- a lover of good food and new cultures
- open to reflection and fresh inspiration
Then we’ve got you covered. My Next Chapter is the luxurious, soul-filling getaway you’ve been waiting for.
Still have questions? Get in touch and we’ll give you a call to be sure this retreat is the perfect fit for your plans.
