4-Day Vipassana & Yoga Fasting Retreat in the Dutch Countryside

The retreat takes place in a house set in the woods of Hollandsche Rading, a small village between Utrecht and Hilversum. There's no gym, no pool, no spa — the focus here is on the meditation hall and the silence around it. Days start early and follow a printed schedule, with meditation blocks in the morning and afternoon, yoga and pranayama sessions woven in, and free time in between for walking, reading, or resting.

Vipassana is the core of the program. You'll practice seated meditation and yoga nidra for roughly five hours a day, learning to observe the breath and body without reacting. The teachers are clear that this is a technique retreat, not a philosophy lecture — though guests often leave with a better sense of the thinking behind it. Noble silence begins Thursday evening and holds until Sunday lunch, so most of the weekend is spent without speaking, which newcomers to silent retreats often find surprisingly comfortable.

The two days of fasting on the May dates are framed as part of the detox process, meant to deepen the meditation and give the body a rest. Other weekends include full meals. Whatever the format, the house is kept calm and quiet, with tea and coffee available through the day, and the schedule always announced in advance (guests have noted they'd like it earlier than the day before).

The team is led by Dr. Deepak Mittal, a Dutch-based entrepreneur who studied with spiritual teachers in India, and Dr. Amit Khanna, a physiotherapist and yoga therapist with over 15 years of experience. Both lead sessions and are available for individual questions. The retreat is capped at eight guests, so there's always room to ask for help or simply be left alone.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation - Daily meditation classes (Vipassana) - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama classes - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Free Wi-Fi - Free parking - Bicycle rental available

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Meals (on fasting retreat dates; on other dates meals are included) - Additional treatments