Peace, tranquillity and meditation: retreat centres in secret corners of the country

The Pannonhalma Archabbey has been organizing its extremely popular Silent Course for nearly a decade. The focus of the annual four-day retreat is the experience of silence, to which various tasks and activities are connected. Under the guidance of Benedictine monk Father Márk and psychiatrist Gabriella Palotai, the participants perform different tasks every day, they receive instructions and readings, which the participants work on and solve individually, remaining in their own silence. The main focus of the course is self-knowledge, and it is so popular that, in addition to the basic education, the Archabbey now offers courses based on it. Based on years of experience, many people return to continue their inner journey and spiritual replenishment. Places for the regular annual sessions fill up months in advance.

It is not only worth making a pilgrimage to Bálványos for the dazzling flower fields. Zsuzsanna Timár, who dreamt up the Valley of Treasures, regularly makes room for programmes on her estate that emphasize mental and spiritual experiences. The focus of the programmes of the wonderland in Somogy is mainly on finding harmony between nature and man, as well as bringing man back to nature. All this is done through organic architecture, plant cultivation, meditations, yoga, various movement exercises and performances. You can also take part in sound baths during the spring tulip blooming, but there are also several events held in the Valley of Treasures, where you can learn about the cycles of human life and take part in joyful music around the campfire.

Hello Hungary tip: if we were to set off in spring, we could wander through colourful tulip fields as part of the pick-your-own harvest. In addition to the flower fields of chrominance transition planted in meditative shapes - spiral lines, concentric circles and mandalas - we also find a bush labyrinth in Bálványos, a fruit tree plantation of 250 different varieties, a cozy tea room and a cottage built exclusively from recycled materials, from which you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the valley below your feet.

In the smallest settlement of Nógrád, Garáb, special experiences await those who want to travel internally. This tiny village has a thousand-year history: according to legend, Christian monks already created a holy place for meditation here, where they could retreat from the noise of the world. This spiritual energy can still be felt in Garáb, where a real spiritual centre has been created over the years. Exotic birds, turtles, and gigantic sculptures delight visitors in the magical garden, but it is also home to the world's largest sound bowl: the Buddhist Park and Sanctuary preserves Samsara, i.e., the Great Sound Bowl, which is a sound therapy device with a diameter of no less than 2.5 metres. With the help of the huge sound bowl, various diseases can be treated with acoustic wave therapy. There are meditation paths through the fabulous garden, with a glass-walled meditation centre at the top, but there is also a tropical greenhouse with a tea room.

In Grabensia, you can also find well-equipped guest rooms and apartments if you would like to spend several days here to recharge yourself with positive energy.

If you want peace and you are not far from Eastern philosophy, then we heartily recommend the Monastery and Retreat Centre of Erdőtelek, which opened its doors a few years ago in the steppe, floodplain area of ​​the wonderful Heves Grasslands Conservation Area. Anyone can come to the retreat centre, from monks to teachers to practitioners, the complex of buildings located on an area of ​​2 hectares offers a variety of retreat programmes for almost everyone. Those who want to quiet their minds can meditate, do yoga, and take part in various self-knowledge courses in the suitable space, in a wonderful environment and in peace. The Monastery and Retreat Centre of Erdőtelek is a great choice even if you want to quiet down more than just your head: during the courses, so-called "noble silence" reigns almost throughout.