SILENT RETREATS
Find profound quiet! This theme invites you to dedicated spaces where silence is embraced, fostering deep introspection, meditation, and inner peace. Traveling off-season allows for greater availability, often more intimate group sizes, and a heightened sense of tranquility, maximizing your journey of self-discovery.
Our Top Picks for Silent Retreats
Dharma Drum Mountain, Taiwan: Buddhist Monastery Serenity
Dharma Drum Mountain is a prominent Buddhist monastery complex offering various silent meditation retreats. Set amidst serene mountains, it provides a peaceful environment for intensive practice, guided by experienced monastics, focused on Chan (Zen) Buddhism.
Off-Season Benefits:
Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sept-Nov) offer pleasant weather for walking the grounds.
Retreats outside major holidays may have more spaces available and smaller group sizes.
Experience deeper calm away from peak visitor periods.
Insight Meditation Society (IMS), Massachusetts, USA: Vipassana Tradition
IMS is a renowned meditation center offering various silent retreats focused on Vipassana and Metta practices. Nestled in rural Massachusetts, it provides a supportive environment for deep introspection and mindful awareness, attracting students from around the world.
Off-Season Benefits:
Late autumn (Oct-Nov) offers beautiful fall foliage, while early spring (Mar-Apr) brings a sense of renewal.
Retreats outside summer peak and holiday periods often have better availability.
The quieter times enhance the focus on silence.
Plum Village, France: Thich Nhat Hanh’s Legacy
Founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village is a globally recognized Buddhist monastery offering year-round retreats, with many periods dedicated to deep silence. It provides a supportive community for mindfulness practice amidst the serene French countryside.
Off-Season Benefits:
Spring (Apr-May) and Autumn (Sept-Oct) offer milder weather and beautiful natural settings.
Fewer visitors mean more space and potentially deeper collective silence.
Easier booking for popular retreats outside peak summer.
New Zealand Wilderness Retreats: Remote & Natural Silence
Across New Zealand’s North and South Islands, various secluded retreats offer silent experiences amidst breathtaking natural landscapes—from coastal hideaways to forest cabins. These focus on connecting with nature’s quietude as a path to inner silence.
Off-Season Benefits:
Autumn (Mar-May) and Spring (Sept-Nov) bring milder temperatures and stunning landscapes with fewer crowds.
Greater privacy and solitude at remote locations.
Retreat bookings and local travel can be more affordable.
Asha Centre, UK: Holistic & Spiritual Silence
Located in the serene Forest of Dean, the Asha Centre offers various retreats, including periods of silence. It blends spiritual development, holistic well-being, and connection with nature, fostering introspection in a tranquil rural setting.
Off-Season Benefits:
Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sept-Oct) offer beautiful seasonal changes and pleasant walking weather.
Retreats outside school holidays may have more places available.
A quieter environment for deeper personal reflection.
Insight Meditation Society (Bhavana Society), West Virginia, USA: Forest Monastery
The Bhavana Society is a Theravada Buddhist forest monastery offering silent meditation retreats. It provides a serene, rustic environment for focused practice, emphasizing traditional teachings and a simple, disciplined way of life.
Off-Season Benefits:
Spring (Apr-May) offers blooming nature, and autumn (Sept-Oct) provides vibrant fall colors, both conducive to quiet contemplation.
Retreats often have higher availability outside summer.
The calm setting enhances the practice of silence.
Sant’Egidio, Italy: Monastery Stays & Reflection
Various monasteries and convents across Italy, like those in Umbria or Tuscany, offer periods of silent stays for spiritual reflection. Often set in ancient, peaceful buildings amidst beautiful landscapes, they provide a historical and tranquil backdrop for introspection.
Off-Season Benefits:
Spring (Apr-May) and Autumn (Sept-Oct) offer pleasant weather for walks and exploring monastic grounds.
Fewer tourists mean a more authentic and serene experience.
Stays are often more accessible and affordable outside peak periods.
Big Sur, California, USA: Coastal Contemplation
Big Sur’s dramatic coastline and towering redwood forests create a powerful backdrop for silent retreats. Various centers, like Esalen or smaller independent options, offer programs that blend mindfulness with the awe-inspiring natural beauty, encouraging deep presence.
Off-Season Benefits:
Winter (Nov-Mar) brings dramatic skies and quieter roads, with potential for whale watching.
Spring (Apr-May) offers wildflowers and lush greenery with fewer crowds than summer.
Retreats often have better availability and potentially lower rates.
The Himalayan Institute, Pennsylvania, USA: Holistic Silence
The Himalayan Institute is a comprehensive center for yoga and holistic health, offering silent retreats alongside various programs. Set amidst the Pocono Mountains, it provides a supportive environment for learning, practice, and personal growth through introspection.
Off-Season Benefits:
Late autumn (Oct-Nov) and early spring (Mar-Apr) offer pleasant weather and fewer visitors.
Retreats are often more accessible outside major holiday periods.
The serene setting supports focused meditation practice.
Wat Suan Mokkh, Thailand: Forest Monastery Practice
Wat Suan Mokkh is a renowned Buddhist forest monastery in southern Thailand, offering challenging 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreats. It provides a very basic, disciplined environment for deep self-inquiry and mindfulness amidst natural surroundings.
Off-Season Benefits:
The “dry season” shoulder months (Nov and Feb-Mar) offer more comfortable weather.
Fewer participants compared to peak periods can lead to a more focused experience.
The simple, natural setting remains conducive to deep practice year-round.
Ready to embrace the quiet? Click on any of the recommended destinations to explore detailed country guides, including essential travel tips, visa requirements, safety information, and more specific advice on the best times to visit for your silent retreat journey.