Retreat holidays: places where you can really relax
Holidays mean getting away from everyday life. We go on trips to discover other places and people. What usually comes up short is the journey to ourselves. A retreat holiday combines both: "getting out" and "finding yourself".
It is about conscious relaxation and the sustainable use of our own resources. A retreat is wellness for body and soul. It is a holiday with IMPACKT for your mental health.
We tell you where this idea comes from and where you can experience a unique retreat holiday that is also as environmentally friendly as possible.
What is a retreat holiday?
The idea behind it, however, does not come from Great Britain, but from Buddhism. For several centuries, Buddhist monks have retreated to find spiritual enlightenment in silence and solitude.
But don't worry: you don't have to be a monk or spiritual, and certainly not lonely, to go on a retreat. You can decide for yourself how deep you want to go into the tradition. There are now many different types of retreats. While some concepts adhere very strictly to the monks' approach, other hotels and providers give the retreat idea a modern twist. Here, people don't meditate alone, but do yoga in a group. And wellness is added to the program.
What to expect on a retreat
From mindfulness to Zen - when you book a retreat holiday, you will often see examples of a "typical daily schedule" beforehand. This will give you an idea of what to expect during your time out.
mindfulness: Whether it's a traditional silent retreat or a relaxed yoga holiday, every retreat is about experiencing the here & now more consciously. It's about being mindful of yourself and your surroundings to reach a state that replaces everyday stress with universal contentment.
like-minded people: Travelling connects. Retreats even more so. Here you meet people who think similarly to you. You all have the same goal: you want to find peace, reflect on yourself and make a new mental start.
meditation: There is power in calmness. But our everyday life usually means stress instead of stillness. On a retreat you will learn to meditate - or to deepen your practice. Meditation helps to draw strength from inner peace.
yoga: Greet the sun in the morning and "flow" into the day - many retreats today integrate yoga into the daily routine. This fits, after all, the Indian practice is a way to connect body and mind and the ideal preparation for deep meditation.
zen: Zen expresses a "culture of silence" that stands for, among other things, connectedness with nature. This aspect makes us particularly happy. It makes a retreat a more sustainable holiday experience and sharpens our senses for Mother Earth. If you want it to be sustainable all around, you can book your retreat in an organic hotel. In Germany, for example, BIO HOTELS® offers relaxing yoga holidays in sustainable accommodation.
Retreat options - something for everyone
As already mentioned, each retreat holiday is very individual. The basic idea that you find your way back to yourself in the peace and quiet remains the same; however, the location, programme and orientation vary.
To show you a spectrum that goes from absolute silence to action, we present three variants:
1. A retreat in a monastery is probably the closest to the basic Buddhist idea. Here you can use the prevailing silence to find peace yourself. The Benediktushof in Lower Franconia offers the opportunity to enter into silence for a shorter or longer period of time and to participate in an extensive mindfulness programme. You can travel sustainably by bus and train. The nearest bus stop is only 190 metres away.
2. During an Ayurveda cure, the focus is on detoxifying the body. Ayurveda, the "knowledge of life", is a traditional health teaching from India and includes treatments such as forehead casts, herbal baths and massages. Since 1993, the Ayurveda Parkschlösschen near Frankfurt has stood for competent cures for purification and regeneration.
3. More excitement and action on a yoga & surf retreat - probably the most modern variant. While you calm down on the mat, you can let off steam on the board. The waves on the Portuguese coast are particularly suitable for such a retreat. The Goodtimes Surfcamp on the Costa Verde invites you to a varied retreat from May to October.
The most beautiful retreat places in Germany
Even though the idea of retreat comes from Buddhism, and yoga and Ayurveda from India, we don't have to travel far to find places of retreat and relaxation. In Germany there are now many opportunities for retreat holidays. In this way, we not only sharpen our conscious approach to ourselves, but also to our planet. It is a sustainable win-win situation.
So that you can already be relaxed on your journey, we have selected places that you can easily reach by bus and train. Of course, you can also take your own car. But the train saves CO2 and reduces the risk of getting stuck in traffic jams. And thus also unnecessary stress.
Yoga holiday by the sea at "Das Kubatzki“
We start in the north, or more precisely: in St. Peter-Ording. Here, "Das Kubatzki" invites you to a Zen moment on the North Sea. The famous pier - and with it the beach - is only a ten-minute walk from the hotel, in the large garden you have nature right on your doorstep and if you have breathed in enough fresh sea air, you can book a shiatsu massage in the wellness area.
In the purist yoga studio you can roll out your mat twice a day. However, entire retreats are also offered by external yogis. From calm and mindfulness to flow and jogging - you can search for your favourite in the retreat calendar.
By the way, the kitchen at Kubatzki cooks according to the concept "enjoy fair and free, healthy and happy". Only fresh products from the region are used. That makes our sustainable heart beat faster right away.
Detox holiday at "Das Kranzbach“
The sustainably managed wellness hotel "Das Kranzbach" is located in the middle of a 130,000 m² mountain meadow. Once the "recreation castle" of the aristocratic Mary Isabel Portman, today it is a special retreat oasis in the middle of the forest for yoga and meditation.
On retreats lasting several days, you are individually guided by specialised trainers while you enjoy the fresh air of the mountains. The special thing about it: You can book your own detox programme. Through therapeutic treatments (Ayurveda is a priority at "Das Kranzbach"), exercise and healthy, vital cuisine, you detoxify body and soul. You can completely withdraw and focus on yourself and your health.
Surfing & Yoga on Sylt with "Meermoment“
Did you take notice when we told you about the Surf & Yoga Retreat in Portugal? On Sylt you can also enjoy the balance of action and tranquillity. "Meermoment" offers different retreats throughout the year. These consist of workshops, meditations, hikes and theme evenings. You can really come down during beach yoga; on the surfboard you can especially feel the closeness to nature. The programme is rounded off with delicious, Ayurvedic-inspired organic food.
Whether IC, Regio or Shuttle Plus - there are now many travel connections by train. So nothing stands in the way of your sustainable journey.
Retreat into the mountains at the „Mountain Retreat Centre“
In the vastness of the Chiemgau mountains, you will be inspired by nature to find more peace. The Mountain Retreat Centre makes you realise how much beauty lies in simplicity. You can withdraw, take a deep breath, simply be with yourself. The team at the Mountain Retreat Centre has created a place that leads to more introspection and self-reflection, far away from non-stop media consumption.
We are particularly pleased that sustainability is practised here. The philosophy of the house is: renunciation instead of consumption. In the kitchen, attention is paid to zero waste, bookings are made through a CSR-certified tour operator and great value is placed on respectful interaction with nature.
Silence Retreat in the Black Forest with „Art of Living“
The Buddhist monks have done it before. Now it's your turn. Spend four days in complete silence - at the "Art of Living" retreat in the former spa hotel on the edge of the Black Forest. A place that has become a European yoga centre, attracting like-minded people from over 60 different countries.
The focus of the retreat is clearly meditation. You are guided daily and learn to calm your mind. It is a "holiday for body, mind and soul - a journey from the head to the heart".
The sessions are accompanied by breathing exercises, yoga and lectures on the importance of our memory. In between, you can explore nature on walks and enjoy regional vegetarian food.
What to bring with you
When packing for your retreat, remember that "less is more". In other words, "less is more". Why take unnecessary ballast with you on your travels when you really want to get back to the essentials? Filling your suitcase with only the essentials is the first step towards coming to terms with yourself. Ask yourself the question: What do I need to be truly happy?
Sure, your packing list will most likely include fresh clothes and grooming products, but there may also be personal items that fulfil you and remind you mindfully of who you are and what your desires and visions are.
There are also a few specific things you need on a retreat holiday. Namely:
1. A journal and pen to record all your thoughts, or to do a gratitude exercise.
2. Yoga or comfortable sportswear so that you can move freely on the mat and feel at ease while meditating.
3. A water bottle that you can always fill with fresh water and take with you on solo excursions into nature.
4. A natural body lotion with essential oils that bring you to peace. Lavender, neroli, sandalwood and ylang ylang are ideal for this. A nice side effect: while applying the lotion, you can focus on mindful treatment of your body.
And if you like, a book that introduces you to yoga philosophy.
Maybe you can even fit it all into a small suitcase, like our IP1 size S suitcase. Then you won't have to carry so much and you can take your belongings with you on the train.
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