The Big Easy Retreat
September 23-28, 2026 | New Orleans, LA
Fall into New Orleans…
Some of my favorite memories are from New Orleans — the city, the people, the music, the FOOD, the dance between “Les bon temps rouler” and the mystical veil of voodoo and magic that pulse through the streets.
Join me here and be immersed into an experience cultivated by me — a part-time denizen, and all-time enthusiast of this magical place.
We’ll eat, play, explore, and enjoy experiences specifically designed and customized for our group — tarot, talks, tours, and more — beyond the tourist traps of the French Quarter and surrounding areas.
The Retreat House
September is a season of harvest, of celebrating abundance, and of preparing for the fallow months to come. When I think about abundance, I automatically think of the friendships and experiences that make my life rich.
That’s why this house spoke to me.
Spacious enough to house several guests, cozy enough to lounge together in small or large groups, and packed with amenities to make our “home” in NOLA a destination worth traveling to all on it’s own, this property will be our hub throughout the retreat to connect, relax, play, and rest up as the adventures unfold.
Our Adventures
Experiences and What to Expect
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Arrive and settle into your room anytime after 5p on Wednesday, September 23rd.
Then, join us for a Welcome Reception with a signature beverages (non-alcoholic and alcoholic), charcuterie, veggies, spreads, dips, and desserts from 7-9p.
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Coffee, tea, sparkling water, juices, fruit, veg, yogurt, granola, and light snacks, (pretzles, popcorn, hummus, crackers and cheese) are included and will be available for consumption at the cottages throughout the retreat.
There will also be some wine and non-alcoholic mocktail options until we run out!
All meals, snacks, and beverages are thoughtfully curated to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences—just let me know what you need when you register, and I'll make sure there's something delicious for you, whether that's gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or alcohol-free options throughout the week.
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On one of our evenings, currently scheduled for Sunday, we will have a local, private chef come in to prepare and dazzle us with a delightful NOLA-themed dinner experience.
All meals, snacks, and beverages are thoughtfully curated to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences—just let me know what you need when you register, and I'll make sure there's something delicious for you, whether that's gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or alcohol-free options throughout the week.
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I’ll be taking you to some of my favorite places — the séance room at Muriel’s, a browsing and curated experience at Dark Matter, a stop into the New Orleans Playing Card Company for some of the most beautiful tarot decks you’ve ever seen in person — and more. We’ll visit my favorite galleries on Royal Street and I can recommend where to get tarot readings and magical supplies (and which storefronts to skip).
We’ll go to Bourbon Street, yes, but also some of the bars and restaurants that the locals and insiders frequent because of their NOLA vibes.
Plus, long before we arrive in NOLA, I’ll be making reservations at some of my favorite restaurants for anyone who is interested in dining with the group. (my reservation services are included, but anything ordered is paid for individually)
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Tarot cards aren’t magic — but they do help us connect to one another, and reflect upon our experience and inner knowing.
During the retreat experience, we will have a tarot activity to explore the cards and what they have to tell us.
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During the retreat, I’ll schedule at least 3 experiences/tours that are included in the price. Upon registration, I’ll be asking participants their thoughts on the which tours are most exciting — so register early! Some examples of tours are the following:
✨ Private Cemetery Tour
✨ Street Art & Murals Walking Tours
✨ New Orleans Architecture, Neighborhood or History Tours
✨ Jazz Museum or Music Experiences
✨ Infamous Women or Saints & Sinners Tours
✨ Ghost, Voodoo, Pirate, Witch, or Vampire Walks
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During your retreat time, you’ll have time to NOTICE NOLA.
Walk over to Jackson Square to soak in the spiritual energy and spirit of New Orleans.
Wander the streets and be amongst the incredible food, drink, and architecture of Marigny, Bywater & French Quarter districts.
Or just relax at the cottages and take a swim & a nap before whatever is happening next.
Hi. I’m Michelle, Your Host
And I LOVE New Orleans. Having lived here part-time a few years ago, I learned some secrets of the French Quarter and Frenchman Street, and I want to show them to you.
In my day to day life, I am a strategist, catalyst, and authenticist. Visionaries hire me to help them navigate liminal points and be a thought partner, coach, and strategist for their lives and businesses. Organizations hire me to create branded content, value-aligned strategies, and to work with their teams to facilitate growth and connection through engaging training, workshops, and speaker-led sessions.
Simply put, I’m here for humans who are evolving their identities and want to be more of who they are, and less of who the world expects them to be. I’ve hosted numerous workshops, retreats, and sessions to help people let go, embrace who they are, and make meaningful progress.
All of my clients - whether they come to me for tarot readings, mindset and life coaching, or for brand storytelling and strategy - seek to see themselves & be themselves. We spend time rediscovering in order to reclaim purpose, gain clarity on vision, learn the tools to access and voice our identities, and cultivate the courage & confidence to show up peacefully and joyfully without masks.
Peek at The Itinerary-In-Progress
Wednesday, September 23Arrive in the Big Easy! Check-in begins at 5pm, followed by a lush welcome reception with drinks, charcuterie, and desserts from 7-9p. Want to see NOLA? I’ll have suggestions for you to explore on your own.
Thursday, September 24After a lazy morning start, we’ll head to the French Quarter to explore art galleries and curiosity shops. Evening brings a tour, talk or immersive artist experience, plus recommendations for dinner (or a group reservation) which is pay-on-our-own.
Friday, September 25Dive into the mystical! Tarot experiences, Muriel's “seance room,” witchy shops, my favorite tarot card shop for exploration, and more in the French Quarter. Dinner is dutch, but group reservation will be made at one of my favorite places.
Saturday, September 26We explore Magazine Street, embark on a private tour, and end at the art market with dinner (dutch) on Frenchmen. Late-night explorers can venture to the French Quarter or Bacchanal in the Bywater.
Sunday, September 27Explore something you haven’t seen, return to your favorite place, write in the quiet of Jackson Square or lounge at the retreat house! Our private chef dinner happens this evening with Louisiana flavors, wine, and celebrating the week together.
Depart by 10am, Monday, September 28
What’s Included
5 nights in a beautiful New Orleans collective with your own private room (click here to choose your room!)
Welcome reception with signature drinks, artisan charcuterie, and desserts (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)
Private chef dinner at the house with drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)
Continental breakfast daily (French pastries, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, and more)
Three curated group experiences: ghost/cemetery tour, art experience or artist talk, and tarot & archetypal exploration session
Pre-retreat gift box delivered to your door
Beverages and snacks throughout the week (mocktails, fizzy water, juices, coffee, )
My guide to the best places in the area and facilitation to make things easy!
What’s On Your Own
Airfare or transportation to/from New Orleans
Ground transportation in New Orleans (rideshares, taxis, trolleys, etc.)
Parking if you drive to the retreat location
Meals outside of what's listed above (lunches, dinners & additional food/drinks)
Personal services or individual experiences
Travel insurance
Experiences and gratuities not included in retreat schedule or anything outside of the scheduled group programming
Extra occupants in your room - all rates are per person/per room. Want to share your room/bed? Contact Michelle for an add-on rate!
More of the NOLA Retreat Compound
These two beautiful homes, and third cottage, are joined together in a lush, tropically-inspired courtyard with full garden and pool. Two kitchens and dining areas, multiple sitting areas and gathering rooms. When it’s time to unwind, connect, or retreat, you can choose from your own private bedroom, or one of these enchanting common areas!
This is For You If:
You’re ready to get away, have fun, and spend a few days exploring the Big Easy like a tourist, but without the traps!
You’re interested in art, food, community, music, and experiences catered to you and what you want.
You’re magic-curious, witchy adjacent, or fully tapped into the stars, signs, and woo-woo times.
You like to be in flow, but sometimes want an itinerary so you don’t miss out on the truly special things.
You appreciate both darkness and light, and are open to experiencing cemetery/ghost tours, oddity and voodoo shops, seance rooms (at Muriel’s — a popular restaurant) and retreating to a “haunted” city.
You value things that are relaxed (but not sloppy), curated (but not IG perfect), meaningful (but not cheesy), contemplative (but not too serious), fun (but not fall-down-drunk-dramatic) and want to spend some time with people who value these same things.
*Probably not for you if you want a typical Bourbon Street experience or want to party like it’s Mardi Gras and everything goes. It’s also probably not for you if you are uncomfortable around spirits — both alcoholic and the spiritual talk of this haunted city. While experiences won’t revolve around these two things, they are present in the offerings. Also, this is definitely not for anyone who isn’t open, curious, accepting of lifestyles different than their own. No racists, misogynists, pedos, or “bros.”
*Those things said, Michelle may skinny dip. Yes, she does that sober or with champagne.*
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Pricing is tiered because of the different styles of accommodations.
King rooms with a private bathroom are $3,599.
King rooms with semi-private bath are $3,199.
Twin rooms with a semi-private bath are $2,999 each.
Every retreat package includes the welcome reception and chef’s experience (which translates to two dinners); breakfast foods, snacks, and assorted beverages (non-spirited and spirited) onsite; three professional tours and/or cultivated experiences; guidance and “touring” of the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street; a personal curated “welcome” box of NOLA essentials; a tarot experience; and use of all of the amenities onsite at the retreat cottages.
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Absolutely. Contact Michelle for payment plans.
Payment plans require a non-refundable payment of $750, which is applied to your total balance.
Payment plans are NOT eligible for any coupon codes or early bird discounts.
Monthly or regular payments are required, and you must be paid in full by August 1, 2026.
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Because the NOLA Retreat experiences are being designed with participants in mind, the following cancellation terms apply:
Before June 1, 2026 - You will get your money back, minus a $750 deposit.
From June 1 - July 31, 2026 - If you’ve already paid in full, I will refund 50% of your retreat cost (minus any payment fees incurred). If you haven’t paid in full and are on a payment plan, we will determine what is still owed and I will refund the difference between what youve paid and 50% of your retreat fee.
No refunds will be available after July 31, 2026.
Please consider trip insurance if you are worried about having to cancel. I recommend Faye Insurance as I’ve used them in the past and they have a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.
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If you want to bring a spouse or friend to share your room/bed with you, let’s chat! I can offer an “additional person” fee for less than the cost of an entire room.
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Feel free to email me, text me, or set up a time to chat! you can book directly on my calendar at michellemercurio.com/contact
Got Questions?
Take a look here, or reach out directly and ask!
See You in NOLA!
If you have any questions before you sign up, send me a note!
I’m happy to answer quick questions, or schedule a call with you to discuss.
