During a dark retreat the need to eat is usually reduced, so people eat less than usual. People also report a markedly heightened sense of taste, which strongly brings out the flavours of the individual ingredients.
Vegetarian food on a dark retreat
Vegetarian food is usually delivered once a day in insulated food carriers or thermos flasks. Most often around midday; it depends on the centre. During a dark retreat it is practical not to get used to a fixed time, because losing track of time is a welcome aid in deepening contact with oneself.
What vegetarian food consists of
Meat and meat stocks are never served.
Depending on the daily menu, vegetarian food usually includes vegetables, potatoes, rice, sauces, salads, soups and bread, often wholegrain.
Fresh water and teas are usually available throughout the dark retreat.
Dark retreats and fruit
It is usual to have a constant supply of fruit, both seasonal and shop-bought.
Name and photo
Meals
Facilities
Price and details
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tma léčí Hodonín u Kunštátu Location: secluded location
Parking: 0 km Train: 19 km Bus: 1 km Price: 1,700 CZK/night
1,500 CZK accommodation + 200 CZK meals; accompaniment by D. Sotolář for a donation, with MUDr. Blanárová +900 CZK/30 min
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
ATMA Vojtěchov Location: on the centre's grounds
Parking: 0 km Train: 7 km Bus: 7 km Price: 1,800 CZK/night
1,800 CZK / 77 EUR per night including meals; the website does not say whether per person or per cabin
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Ordějov near Uherský Brod Location: on the centre's grounds
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: 2,300 CZK/night
1,600 CZK accommodation + 700 CZK full board; price list valid until 31 Dec 2023
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Facilities:
Location:
Pavlína Havlíčková Příchovice near Přeštice Location: single-storey cabin (“chajda”) in a garden
Train: 1,5 km Bus: 0,4 km Price: 2,000 CZK/night
2,000 CZK per day for 1 person including meals for the whole day; without food 1,700 CZK/day; for two 2,900 CZK/day; minimum 7 days
Meals:
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Location:
A bolo svetlo Zázrivá SK Location: two cabins at the end of the road above the Biela hamlet, below Rozsutec
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: ≈ 1,392 CZK/night
400 € per week (7 nights) including meals, i.e. about 57.14 €/night; sold only in whole weeks
Meals:
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Location:
A bolo svetlo Zázrivá SK Location: two cabins at the end of the road above the Biela hamlet, below Rozsutec
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: ≈ 1,392 CZK/night
400 € per week (7 nights) including meals, i.e. about 57.14 €/night; sold only in whole weeks
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Brdské slunce near Jince Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 1,7 km Bus: 1,7 km Price: 1,700 CZK/night
1,700 CZK/night incl. meals for 7+ nights; 3–4 nights 1,950 CZK; without meals −200 CZK/night
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Místo v srdci near Prostějov Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 21 km Bus: 5 km Price: 1,851 CZK/night
10,950 CZK/week (1,564 CZK/night) + meals approx. 287 CZK/day; calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tma na konci světa Location: isolated location
Parking: 0 km Train: 16 km Bus: 7 km Price: 2,300 CZK/night
16,100 CZK for 7 days incl. meals, converted to a nightly rate; price list without a year
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Facilities:
Location:
Srdcem se dívej Rácovice Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Price: 1,200 CZK/night
Week: voluntary contribution, at least 1,200 CZK/day expected incl. meals; shorter stay 1,400 CZK/day
Meals:
Location:
Darkness therapy Kozlovice Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: 2,200 CZK/night
15,400 CZK for 7 nights incl. meals and guide, calculated
Meals:
Location:
Darkness therapy Kozlovice Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: 2,200 CZK/night
15,400 CZK for 7 nights incl. meals and guide, calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Místo v srdci near Prostějov Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 21 km Bus: 5 km Price: 2,280 CZK/night
13,950 CZK/week (1,993 CZK/night) + meals approx. 287 CZK/day; calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Místo v srdci near Prostějov Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 21 km Bus: 5 km Price: 1,994 CZK/night
11,950 CZK/week (1,707 CZK/night) + meals approx. 287 CZK/day; calculated; couples on request
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Místo v srdci near Prostějov Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 21 km Bus: 5 km Price: 1,994 CZK/night
11,950 CZK/week (1,707 CZK/night) + meals approx. 287 CZK/day; calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
V tme je svetlo Dolný Ohaj SK Location: wooden cabin at the end of a family house's garden in a village
Parking: 0 km Train: 2 km Bus: 0,3 km Price: ≈ 2,047 CZK/night
Hĺbka package 590 € / 7 nights incl. full-day meals ≈ 84 € per night for 1 person; with guidance 890 € (≈ 127 €/night), Presah 1,290 €; three-day Ochutnávka 390 € (130 €/night)
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Živica Zaježová SK Location: hut on the grounds of an environmental education centre in a scattered hillside settlement
Parking: 0 km Train: 7 km Bus: 1 km Price: ≈ 1,389 CZK/night
42 € per night (accommodation, care, guidance) + 15 € per day for food; without food 42 €/night
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Terapia tmou Nitra Golianovo SK Location: separate wooden cabin in a village near Nitra
Train: 7 km Price: ≈ 1,194 CZK/night
49 € per night for the cabin rental; food, transport from Nitra and massages are included free of charge
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tma léčí Hodonín u Kunštátu Location: secluded location
Parking: 0 km Train: 19 km Bus: 1 km Price: 1,700 CZK/night
1,500 CZK accommodation + 200 CZK meals; accompaniment by D. Sotolář for a donation, with MUDr. Blanárová +900 CZK/30 min
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Darkness by the forest Hříbek Vrbovce SK Location: small natural-build cottage by the forest in a hilltop eco-settlement
Parking: 0,2 km Train: 8 km Bus: 4 km Price: ≈ 1,559 CZK/night
50 € per night (accommodation and guide) + 14 € per day for simple meals; up to 75 € with special meals
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Kloster Gut Saunstorf DE Location: modern monastery in a manor house with a park in the Mecklenburg countryside near Wismar
Train: 2 km Bus: 0,8 km Price: ≈ 5,726 CZK/night
€235/night incl. 2 meals a day and accompaniment; plus the mandatory integration night €125 + meals (€186 with full board)
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
InspirAre Retreat Center Sottrum DE Location: blacked-out flat in an extension of the family house, garden with old trees by a river
Parking: 0 km Train: 3,7 km Bus: 0,2 km Price: ≈ 5,117 CZK/night
€1,680 for an 8-night package (7 in the dark + 1 integration) = €210 per night incl. meals and coaching; 4+1 nights for €1,190 = €238 per night
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tma Semily Location: isolated location
Parking: 0 km Train: 2 km Bus: 2 km Price: 1,700 CZK/night
1,700 CZK/night incl. meals for stays of 7–14 nights (2026 price list)
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Facilities:
Location:
Dotmy.sk Stará Ľubovňa SK Location: a homestead in the forest in the Ľubovnianska vrchovina highlands, no signal
Parking: 0 km Price: ≈ 1,340 CZK/night
50 €/night for the stay + 5 €/day meal contribution (MANA drink); when fasting 50 €/day
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark retreat Klatovy Location: village centre
Parking: 0 km Train: 4 km Bus: 1 km Price: 1,429 CZK/night
10,000 CZK per week incl. meals, consultations and transport from Klatovy, calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark retreat Klatovy Location: village centre
Parking: 0 km Train: 4 km Bus: 1 km Price: 1,429 CZK/night
10,000 CZK per week incl. meals, consultations and transport from Klatovy, calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Bytí ve tmě Těrlicko Location:
Price: 1,500 CZK/night
1,500 CZK per day of stay; the website does not say whether meals are included
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Kloster Gut Saunstorf DE Location: modern monastery in a manor house with a park in the Mecklenburg countryside near Wismar
Train: 2 km Bus: 0,8 km Price: ≈ 5,238 CZK/night
€215/night incl. 2 meals a day and accompaniment; plus the mandatory integration night €105 + meals (€166 with full board)
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Ordějov near Uherský Brod Location: on the centre's grounds
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: 2,300 CZK/night
1,600 CZK accommodation + 700 CZK full board; price list valid until 31 Dec 2023
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dotek přítomnosti Lysice Location: village centre
Parking: 0 km Train: 7 km Bus: 0 km Price: 1,986 CZK/night
13,900 CZK per week (Fri–Fri) incl. full board, converted to a nightly rate
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dotek přítomnosti Lysice Location: village centre
Parking: 0 km Train: 7 km Bus: 0 km Price: 1,986 CZK/night
13,900 CZK per week (Fri–Fri) incl. full board, converted to a nightly rate
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Modrý motýl near Prachatice Location: isolated location
Parking: 0 km Price: 1,695 CZK/night
11,862 CZK per week incl. full board and guide, calculated /7
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dotek přítomnosti Lysice Location: village centre
Parking: 0 km Train: 7 km Bus: 0 km Price: 1,986 CZK/night
13,900 CZK per week (Fri–Fri) incl. full board, converted to a nightly rate
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Sebapoznanie v tme Hrušov SK Location: natural straw-and-timber hut in Čertenie, part of the village of Hrušov
Parking: 0 km Bus: 1 km Price: ≈ 1,584 CZK/night
65 €/day for stays of 5 days or more (50 € stay + 15 € food); for 3–4-day stays 75 €/day (60 € + 15 €). 15 € less without food.
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Centrum Long Zaježová SK Location: a hut on the grounds of a family retreat centre in a scattered hillside settlement
Train: 8 km Bus: 0,5 km Price: ≈ 1,096 CZK/night
45 € per day including meals (arrival and departure days both count, 7 nights = 8 days = 360 €); without meals 35 €/day; guidance by donation
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Centrum Long Zaježová SK Location: a hut on the grounds of a family retreat centre in a scattered hillside settlement
Train: 8 km Bus: 0,5 km Price: ≈ 1,096 CZK/night
45 € per day including meals (arrival and departure days both count, 7 nights = 8 days = 360 €); without meals 35 €/day; guidance by donation
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Živica Zaježová SK Location: hut on the grounds of an environmental education centre in a scattered hillside settlement
Parking: 0 km Train: 7 km Bus: 1 km Price: ≈ 1,389 CZK/night
Out of service until 31 Jul 2028; the price list is the same for both huts: 42 € per night + 15 € per day for food
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dotmy.sk Stará Ľubovňa SK Location: a homestead in the forest in the Ľubovnianska vrchovina highlands, no signal
Parking: 0 km Price: ≈ 1,340 CZK/night
50 €/night for the stay + 5 €/day meal contribution (MANA drink); when fasting 50 €/day
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Darkness by the forest Hříbek Vrbovce SK Location: small natural-build cottage by the forest in a hilltop eco-settlement
Parking: 0,2 km Train: 8 km Bus: 4 km Price: ≈ 1,559 CZK/night
50 € per night + meals from 14 €/day; the website does not say whether a couple pays per person or for the house; darkness only in winter
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Gertrud Niehaus Barskamp DE Location: wooden log cabin in the garden by the guide's house in a village
Train: 10 km Bus: 0,1 km Price: ≈ 4,776 CZK/night
€196/night incl. meals (fasting soups, juices, teas) and daily conversation; from 12 nights €187/night
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Gertrud Niehaus Barskamp DE Location: wooden log cabin in the garden by the guide's house in a village
Train: 10 km Bus: 0,1 km Price: ≈ 4,776 CZK/night
€196/night incl. meals (fasting soups, juices, teas) and daily conversation; from 12 nights €187/night
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Darkness therapy Kozlovice Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: by donation
price not stated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark therapy near Kutná Hora Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 6 km Bus: 0 km Price: 2,000 CZK/night
1,600 CZK accommodation + 400 CZK meals; week
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark therapy near Kutná Hora Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 6 km Bus: 0 km Price: 2,000 CZK/night
individual 1,600 + 400 CZK meals; couple 2,400 CZK/night per cabin + 600 CZK meals; week
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark therapy near Kutná Hora Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 6 km Bus: 0 km Price: 2,000 CZK/night
1,600 CZK accommodation + 400 CZK meals; week
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark therapy near Kutná Hora Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 6 km Bus: 0 km Price: 2,000 CZK/night
1,600 CZK accommodation + 400 CZK meals; week
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Dark therapy near Kutná Hora Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 6 km Bus: 0 km Price: 2,000 CZK/night
1,600 CZK accommodation + 400 CZK meals; week
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tma není Čeperka Location: edge of the village
Train: 0,6 km Price: 1,425 CZK/night
1,425 CZK/day incl. meals for stays of 7+ days; shorter stays up to 2,325 CZK/day
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Sklenářka Kostelec nad Orlicí Location: on the centre's grounds
Parking: 0 km Train: 3 km Bus: 3 km Price: 1,550 CZK/night
1,200 CZK accommodation + 350 CZK meals; 5–10 nights, summer. Winter (Oct–Apr): 1,500 + 350 = 1,850 CZK
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Sklenářka Kostelec nad Orlicí Location: on the centre's grounds
Parking: 0 km Train: 3 km Bus: 3 km Price: 1,550 CZK/night
1,200 CZK accommodation + 350 CZK meals; 5–10 nights, summer. Winter (Oct–Apr): 1,500 + 350 = 1,850 CZK
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tmaják near Říčany Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 11 km Bus: 5 km Price: 2,500 CZK/night
2,500 CZK/night including vegetarian meals; year of price list not stated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Na dobrém konci near Ledeč nad Sázavou Location: edge of the village
Parking: 0 km Train: 8 km Bus: 1 km Price: 1,800 CZK/night
1,800 CZK/day incl. meals and guide; dates by the week, day = night; year not stated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Vše o tmě Frýdek-Místek Location:
Price: 1,386 CZK/night
9,700 CZK for 7 days incl. meals, calculated; one-day retreat 1,500 CZK/day
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Tma Semily Location: isolated location
Parking: 0 km Train: 2 km Bus: 2 km Price: 2,700 CZK/night
price per couple (2 people) per night incl. meals, 7–14 nights; the For Two page states 2,400 CZK
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
Darkness therapy RC Čeladná Location: on the centre's grounds
Parking: 0 km Train: 1 km Bus: 0 km Price: 3,000 CZK/night
3,000 CZK/day incl. meals and care (from 1 Jan 2025); about 21,000 CZK per week, calculated
Meals:
Facilities:
Location:
ZENtrum Mondsee AT Location: darkened meditation room in the centre of Mondsee and darkened rooms in a nearby hotel
Train: 12 km Bus: 0,4 km Price: ≈ 5,580 CZK/night
approx. €229 per night incl. meals and course: (€896 course + approx. €480 accommodation) / 6 nights; with the more expensive room (€520) approx. €236