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.
Tma léčí Hodonín u KunštátuLocation: secluded locationParking: 0 kmTrain: 19 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 1,700 Kč/night1,500 CZK accommodation + 200 CZK meals; accompaniment by D. Sotolář for a donation, with MUDr. Blanárová +900 CZK/30 min
ATMA VojtěchovLocation: on the centre's groundsParking: 0 kmTrain: 7 kmBus: 7 kmPrice: 1,800 Kč/night1,800 CZK / 77 EUR per night including meals; the website does not say whether per person or per cabin
Ordějov near Uherský BrodLocation: on the centre's groundsParking: 0 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 2,300 Kč/night1,600 CZK accommodation + 700 CZK full board; price list valid until 31 Dec 2023
Pavlína Havlíčková Příchovice near PřešticeLocation: single-storey cabin (“chajda”) in a gardenTrain: 1,5 kmBus: 0,4 kmPrice: 2,000 Kč/night2,000 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
A bolo svetlo ZázriváSKLocation: two cabins at the end of the road above the Biela hamlet, below RozsutecParking: 0 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: ≈ 1,394 Kč/night400 € per week (7 nights) including meals, i.e. about 57.14 €/night; sold only in whole weeks
A bolo svetlo ZázriváSKLocation: two cabins at the end of the road above the Biela hamlet, below RozsutecParking: 0 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: ≈ 1,394 Kč/night400 € per week (7 nights) including meals, i.e. about 57.14 €/night; sold only in whole weeks
Brdské slunce near JinceLocation: edge of the villageParking: 0 kmTrain: 1,7 kmBus: 1,7 kmPrice: 1,700 Kč/night1,700 CZK/night incl. meals for 7+ nights; 3–4 nights 1,950 CZK; without meals −200 CZK/night
Tma na konci světaLocation: isolated locationParking: 0 kmTrain: 16 kmBus: 7 kmPrice: 2,300 Kč/night16,100 CZK for 7 days incl. meals, converted to a nightly rate; price list without a year
Srdcem se dívej RácoviceLocation: edge of the villageParking: 0 kmPrice: 1,200 Kč/nightWeek: voluntary contribution, at least 1,200 CZK/day expected incl. meals; shorter stay 1,400 CZK/day
Místo v srdci near ProstějovLocation: edge of the villageParking: 0 kmTrain: 21 kmBus: 5 kmPrice: 1,994 Kč/night11,950 CZK/week (1,707 CZK/night) + meals approx. 287 CZK/day; calculated; couples on request
V tme je svetlo Dolný OhajSKLocation: wooden cabin at the end of a family house's garden in a villageParking: 0 kmTrain: 2 kmBus: 0,3 kmPrice: ≈ 2,050 Kč/nightHĺbka 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)
Živica ZaježováSKLocation: hut on the grounds of an environmental education centre in a scattered hillside settlementParking: 0 kmTrain: 7 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: ≈ 1,391 Kč/night42 € per night (accommodation, care, guidance) + 15 € per day for food; without food 42 €/night
Terapia tmou Nitra GolianovoSKLocation: separate wooden cabin in a village near NitraTrain: 7 kmPrice: ≈ 1,196 Kč/night49 € per night for the cabin rental; food, transport from Nitra and massages are included free of charge
Tma léčí Hodonín u KunštátuLocation: secluded locationParking: 0 kmTrain: 19 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 1,700 Kč/night1,500 CZK accommodation + 200 CZK meals; accompaniment by D. Sotolář for a donation, with MUDr. Blanárová +900 CZK/30 min
Darkness by the forest Hříbek VrbovceSKLocation: small natural-build cottage by the forest in a hilltop eco-settlementParking: 0,2 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 4 kmPrice: ≈ 1,562 Kč/night50 € per night (accommodation and guide) + 14 € per day for simple meals; up to 75 € with special meals
Dotmy.sk Stará ĽubovňaSKLocation: a homestead in the forest in the Ľubovnianska vrchovina highlands, no signalParking: 0 kmPrice: ≈ 1,342 Kč/night50 €/night for the stay + 5 €/day meal contribution (MANA drink); when fasting 50 €/day
Dark retreat KlatovyLocation: village centreParking: 0 kmTrain: 4 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 1,429 Kč/night10,000 CZK per week incl. meals, consultations and transport from Klatovy, calculated
Dark retreat KlatovyLocation: village centreParking: 0 kmTrain: 4 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 1,429 Kč/night10,000 CZK per week incl. meals, consultations and transport from Klatovy, calculated
Ordějov near Uherský BrodLocation: on the centre's groundsParking: 0 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 2,300 Kč/night1,600 CZK accommodation + 700 CZK full board; price list valid until 31 Dec 2023
Dotek přítomnosti LysiceLocation: village centreParking: 0 kmTrain: 7 kmBus: 0 kmPrice: 1,986 Kč/night13,900 CZK per week (Fri–Fri) incl. full board, converted to a nightly rate
Dotek přítomnosti LysiceLocation: village centreParking: 0 kmTrain: 7 kmBus: 0 kmPrice: 1,986 Kč/night13,900 CZK per week (Fri–Fri) incl. full board, converted to a nightly rate
Dotek přítomnosti LysiceLocation: village centreParking: 0 kmTrain: 7 kmBus: 0 kmPrice: 1,986 Kč/night13,900 CZK per week (Fri–Fri) incl. full board, converted to a nightly rate
Sebapoznanie v tme HrušovSKLocation: natural straw-and-timber hut in Čertenie, part of the village of HrušovParking: 0 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: ≈ 1,586 Kč/night65 €/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.
Centrum Long ZaježováSKLocation: a hut on the grounds of a family retreat centre in a scattered hillside settlementTrain: 8 kmBus: 0,5 kmPrice: ≈ 1,098 Kč/night45 € per day including meals (arrival and departure days both count, 7 nights = 8 days = 360 €); without meals 35 €/day; guidance by donation
Centrum Long ZaježováSKLocation: a hut on the grounds of a family retreat centre in a scattered hillside settlementTrain: 8 kmBus: 0,5 kmPrice: ≈ 1,098 Kč/night45 € per day including meals (arrival and departure days both count, 7 nights = 8 days = 360 €); without meals 35 €/day; guidance by donation
Živica ZaježováSKLocation: hut on the grounds of an environmental education centre in a scattered hillside settlementParking: 0 kmTrain: 7 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: ≈ 1,391 Kč/nightOut of service until 31 Jul 2028; the price list is the same for both huts: 42 € per night + 15 € per day for food
Dotmy.sk Stará ĽubovňaSKLocation: a homestead in the forest in the Ľubovnianska vrchovina highlands, no signalParking: 0 kmPrice: ≈ 1,342 Kč/night50 €/night for the stay + 5 €/day meal contribution (MANA drink); when fasting 50 €/day
Darkness by the forest Hříbek VrbovceSKLocation: small natural-build cottage by the forest in a hilltop eco-settlementParking: 0,2 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 4 kmPrice: ≈ 1,562 Kč/night50 € 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
Tma není ČeperkaLocation: edge of the villageTrain: 0,6 kmPrice: 1,425 Kč/night1,425 CZK/day incl. meals for stays of 7+ days; shorter stays up to 2,325 CZK/day
Tmaják near ŘíčanyLocation: edge of the villageParking: 0 kmTrain: 11 kmBus: 5 kmPrice: 2,500 Kč/night2,500 CZK/night including vegetarian meals; year of price list not stated
Na dobrém konci near Ledeč nad SázavouLocation: edge of the villageParking: 0 kmTrain: 8 kmBus: 1 kmPrice: 1,800 Kč/night1,800 CZK/day incl. meals and guide; dates by the week, day = night; year not stated
Tma SemilyLocation: isolated locationParking: 0 kmTrain: 2 kmBus: 2 kmPrice: 2,700 Kč/nightprice per couple (2 people) per night incl. meals, 7–14 nights; the For Two page states 2,400 CZK
Darkness therapy RC ČeladnáLocation: on the centre's groundsParking: 0 kmTrain: 1 kmBus: 0 kmPrice: 3,000 Kč/night3,000 CZK/day incl. meals and care (from 1 Jan 2025); about 21,000 CZK per week, calculated