18th - 21st of September 2025, Croatia
Treehouse Learning Getaway for Trainers and Facilitators
Join a 4-day learning retreat in peaceful immersed in the forest to recharge your batteries & reinvent your routine as a trainer & facilitator
Step out of the daily action and into a space created just for you – a trainer or a facilitator excited about deep conversations, fresh perspectives, and meaningful growth.
This retreat isn’t your usual learning experience.
It’s a space to connect, reflect and learn.
What is this Learning Getaway for Trainers & Facilitators all about?
It is a deep yet light and recharging experience. You will dive into a space to reflect, explore, and be inspired – both individually and in meaningful conversations with other trainers.
You can imagine this week as a co-created space that balances structured content and open conversation, where as a trainer you can:
– Reinvent your routines & habits in training & facilitation
– Experiment with new tools and ideas for workshops
– Connect, exchange and learn from and with other experienced trainers & facilitators
– Explore creative, practical ways to level up as a trainer
– Share challenges and get fresh perspectives
– Take space to reflect on where you are as a trainer/facilitator and where you want to go
– Enjoy a well-deserved break with amazing people who speak the same “language” of facilitation
– Leave with a sense of renewal and energy for your next chapter
Learning Getaway is not a training skills course – even though you will get chance to train your skills too.
It’s a space for growth, community, creative exploration, and meaningful exchange – all wrapped in a beautiful retreat-style setting, with a small circle of curious minds.
You can expect daily rhythms that blend structured workshops, spontaneous discussions, reflection & recharge time, fun exchanges, and optional playful or calming activities like soundbath and storytelling night.
From arrival and grounding to rediscovery, energy renewal, and envisioning change—the daily themes are crafted to guide your growth, both professionally and personally.
Expect deep dives and light moments, quiet reflection and meaningful exchange, cozy settings and new perspectives – all in one weekend that will stay with you long after it’s over.
Who is it for and who is coming?
This retreat is designed for a small group of 8 trainers and facilitators – people who hold space for others and are looking for a space to connect, share, and learn.
We’re aiming for a diverse group in terms of background, topics, and industries – what connects us is our love for creating great learning experiences. (Get in touch via signup form if you are curious to first hear who applied so far).
Why this retreat?
Over the years, on different courses and events, I keep hearing a familiar message from experienced trainers:
“I need more spaces like this – where I can be real, connect, reflect, and grow.”
“I love getting excited about training again – and remembering why I started.”
“I really enjoy all the inspiration and ideas – but could also use some time to process all of it before going back to everyday life.“
“I love these conversations with a community that gets what I do.”
This retreat is Trainers Toolbox response to that call.
Set in a peaceful, nature-close venue in Croatia, it’s designed to help you pause the fast flow of work, reconnect with your purpose, and rediscover your energy and creativity as a trainer.
Program - What to expect?
The format of “Learning Getaway” – where we merge retreat with learning events – blends structure with spaciousness, intention with play, and depth with lightness.
The 3 main pillars of this retreat are:
1. Reinventing your routine as a trainer
3. Recharging your batteries
3. Co-creation, exchange & community
While the retreat will be co-created and organically shaped by the group, here’s a look at some of the key sessions already in place:
- Workshop 1 (4h): Reinvention of Your Routine as a Trainer/Facilitator
A deep-dive session combining tools to explore your habits and new perspective and approaches, combined with life design tools and career reflection to help you step back, reframe your direction, and reconnect with your trainer identity and purpose. - Workshop 2 (4h): Managing Your Own Energy & Energy of the Group
Explore how you renew and best manage your energy – both in life and in your work. Together we’ll map out rhythms, rituals, and practical ways to design impactful and sustainable learning experiences. - Three Participants’ Workshops (Optional: one can be delivered by you!)
In the afternoons, we will include three different 40-minute long peer-led sessions, where participants share tools, techniques, or ideas they love using – sparking new perspectives and learning from each other. The workshops will be three in total, with two of them being on Day 2 & one on Day 3 (there is flexibility however, and it will finally depend on the interests of the group). - Articles & Book discussions and exchanges
The whole event will be one big exchange of ideas, tools, book recommendations. Fill up your box of ideas for many months ahead. - Open Space Technology Session
A co-created, participant-led session where the group sets the agenda. Using the Open Space Technology method, we’ll surface what’s alive in the room—be it niche training dilemmas, creative sparks, deep questions, or big life themes.
This is your space to propose topics, host conversations, and join what calls to you. We’ll use it to explore what we want to create, deepen, or take away from the retreat experience.
Recharge & unwind
Just as much as this retreat is about growth and learning, it’s also about recharging your energy – in a deep, intentional, and joyful way. It is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rediscover your own rhythm, energy, and direction – both as a person and as a trainer.
Throughout the days, you’ll find space to pause, breathe, and fully land in the peaceful rhythm of the forest. Whether you’re craving meaningful conversations around the fireplace or quiet solo moments with your journal, there’s space for it all.
In between sessions, you’ll have the option to immerse yourself in:
- Sound bath to help you fully arrive and unwind
- Nature breaks in untouched surroundings, ideal for journaling, wandering, or just being
- Chill & social time to connect over coffee, and engage in activities like book sharing or storytelling by the bonfire
- Moments to be present with yourself in beautifully designed treehouses or tucked-away forest corners
This retreat invites you to soften the edges of your usual pace, and to find new energy through reflection, connection, and slow joy.
What are your days going to look like?
Each day has its own rhythm and theme – but always leaves room for you to be you, whether that means diving deep into conversations, learning from a workshops, or taking some time to recharge by yourself.
Here’s an outline of the flow:
Theme: Land & arrive
- Arrive around 3pm (it means starting from Zagreb around 13 or 13:30)
- Slow start: relax, receive your gift bag, take a moment to soak in the environment
- Light welcome session with informal intros and snacks
- Dinner together (possibly with a little exchange ritual: gifts, tools, or stories)
- Optional evening sound bath to fully arrive and exhale
Theme: Energy, rituals, rhythms
- Breakfast & coffee
- Morning workshop by host: The practical secrets to more effective energy management – for you and your groups
- Afternoon: participant-led workshops (3 short sessions + discussions)
- Book or article discussion
- Get to know & ideas & tools exchange
- Dinner together
- Optional evening massage or sound bath
Theme: Kick out of routine, reframe, rediscover
- Optional nature journaling or intention setting
- Breakfast & mindful moment
- Morning workshop: Reinvent your routine as a trainer/facilitator
- Afternoon: Participants workshops
- Open space technology
- Dinner out at Degenija & storytelling night around a bonfire or fireplace
Theme: Change, future, symbols
- Breakfast
- Closing circle
- Optional informal hangout (or packing)
- Departures from 11am
- Optional activity: extend your trip with a visit to Plitvice Lakes
Curious who’s already joining? Feel free to reach out through the signup form, contact page, or send a message on LinkedIn – happy to share a bit more! As of now, 5 out of 7 spots are already booked, so if you’re considering it, get in touch now!
Why this location?
The TreeElements estate is located 1.5h drive from Zagreb. The location is complete with open views, fireplaces, warm interiors, and the nearby natural beauty of river Korana.
This peaceful, cozy, and inspiring environment is not only designed for rest and recharge, but also stimulates creativity, invites openness and sharing experiences, and encourages trying new things.
As we dive into reinventing your routine as a trainer or facilitator together, we will mirror our new and fresh surroundings.
Accommodation - Our immersive oasis
The retreat will take place in a charming wooden eco-style venue nested in nature – a true hideaway for rest, reflection, and cozy shared living.
There are 7 spots in total (exluding Mirna, the lead facilitator).
Here is detailed outline of about the sleeping setup so you can choose what suits you best.
Please keep in mind that each Treehouse is shared by 2 people and there are two single rooms in the main house.
Choice of the exact type of bed and accommodation is based on time of signup – earlier signups get to choose their preferred options.
Here are some more details:
(2 persons in each / 6 people in total):
- A high-quality bed (160x200cm) in each tree house
- A very comfortable sofa bed (160x200cm) in each tree house
- Keep in mind: while two spaces are visually separated (one is on the gallery and the other one in the main room – check pictures), they do not have full separation (no doors inbetween) and they share one bathroom per treehouse (so 1 bathroom per 2 people)
(2 single rooms in total):
- A large double bed (180x200cm) in each room
- En-suite bathroom in each room
The whole space is rustic and warm, with a blend of eco aesthetics and comfort.
There are fireplaces, reading corners, and plenty of common space to hang out or take a moment for yourself.
About the location – the treehouses immersed in forest (1.5h from Zagreb) where our retreat will take place – nature, stillness & trees all around
Our getaway takes place in a peaceful forest setting in central Croatia, in Donji Nikšić, which is not far from the stunning Plitvice Lakes and magical little towns like Rastoke.
You’ll find:
- Silence, stillness, and starlit skies, and space to breathe
- Beautiful wood architecture that blends into nature
- Cozy common areas, indoor and outdoor lounges, and a real sense of retreat from daily noise
The location is a bit off-grid in the best possible way – making it perfect for our deep dive into reflection, creativity, and connection.
What’s included in the price of the retreat?
Here’s what’s part of your Learning Getaway experience:
- 3 nights of accommodation in beautiful minimalistic tiny tree houses immersed in the forest
- All meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday breakfast are included and designed to be both delicious and nourishing, with attention to your preferences and dietary needs
(vegetarian-friendly, mostly local and seasonal – please contact us in advance with any dietary restrictions) - Tea, coffee, fresh fruit, and snacks throughout the retreat
- Dinner out in a beautiful local restaurant
- All workshops and activities (including a gift bag with some fun surprises)
- Optional sessions: sound bath, storytelling night
- Materials for sharing tools, storytelling, and cozy creative moments
Key details
Dates
Location
Donji Nikšić, near Zagreb, Croatia.
Beautiful minimalistic tree houses immersed in the forest, not far from the river Korana and the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, located 1.5h drive from Zagreb.
Fee / investment
Regular Price: 1650 € for regular signup.
Please, note that currently there are 2 (out of 7) spots left available.
The price is the same for all types of accomodation. However, the ones that signup first will get to choose their accomodation accoridng to their preference.
Feel free to contact us to explore if this experience is right for you.
If you need help with planning the travel to Zagreb, or any questions related to logistics, don’t be shy to reach out via contact form or signup form.
Ready to join us?
Let this experience become a powerful spark in your personal and professional journey.
Don’t miss the chance to join:
About your trainer - Mirna Šmidt
Mirna Šmidt combines 17 years of experience in delivering training with a strong foundation in psychology and adult learning.
With an MSc in Engineering & Computing and an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology, she combines scientific insight with practical experience to create memorable, goal-driven learning experiences.
After graduating from a one-year long Train the Trainer program, she has refined her expertise across diverse fields, including positive psychology, coaching, NLP, and brain-based learning.
Mirna has delivered programs in over 30 countries for NGOs, startups, and corporations like Cisco, L’Oreal, and Molson Coors, engaging participants from more than 50 nations and leading workshops at global conferences such as HR Week, Hive Global Leaders Summit, and Women in Data Science. You can see an example of one of her many speeches in her TEDx talk.
As the founder of Trainers Toolbox and Happiness Academy, she focuses on empowering other trainers in facilitation skills, designing & delivering impactful learning experiences & positive psychology – the science of wellbeing.
Discover more about Mirna on LinkedIn – and do connect!
Curious about Mirna’s approach as a trainer and facilitator? Watch her in action below!
Testimonials
While 2025 marks the first year when we are introducing the Trainers Treehouse Retreat from Trainers Toolbox, here’s what participants have to say about our getaways by Happiness Academy (also organized by Mirna), as well as some of our other training programs for experienced trainers by Trainers Toolbox:
Frequently asked questions
The Trainers Treehouse Retreat is designed for trainers and facilitators looking for meaningful exchanges with other trainers and facilitators, kicking out of their routine and recharging their batteries. Contact us if you’re unsure of your fit!
Transport is not included in the base price, but we’re here to help you get there smoothly.
Your options:
- Self-transport – come by your own car or organize your own arrival
- Carpool with other participants – we’ll coordinate a ride-share chat ahead of time
- Taxi – if you prefer a private ride, taxis from Zagreb are available but expensive (~€150 one way)
We’ll make sure you have all the info and options to coordinate with ease, even if you’re flying in from abroad.
The fee includes:
- 4 live days in Croatia, near Zagreb
- Customized schedule, with workshops and many activities, as well as free time to relax and recharge
- Meals for all the days, & tea, coffee, fruit and snacks
Once you invest in the retreat, refunds are not available. So, please make sure you are available before you sing up.
Yes, flexible payment options are available. Contact us to discuss installment options or other payment arrangements.
Absolutely! We’re here to help with travel logistics, accommodation recommendations, and any other questions you might have.
Get in touch via signup form or contact form and I will be happy to share more about who signed up so far!
Still have questions? You can get in touch via the signup or contact form and let us know how we can help!
No Comments Found