These three days spiritual walks in nature are not as intense as the six day experience, however they are still a wonderful opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the forest, hills and rivers of this beautiful part of Northern Croatia. We usually host these Walking-Retreats from Thursday evening to Monday morning but we do run special walks on other days, linked to other events for example the Solstices. We can also offer custom made Walking-Retreats for groups with a particular focus for example spending three days with the water and the rivers.

We will usually be based in the Hotel Garden in the small town of Varaždinske Toplice, surrounded by densely forested hills and renowned for millennia for the healing property of the hot thermal waters, which still rise in the ruins of the Roman Temple to Minerva. Pansion Bernarda is a warm and welcoming place with all the facilities that we will need in both winter and summer.

We will walk with the melody of the different seasons, as nature dresses herself and sounds differently in spring, summer, autumn and winter. All of these have their own energy and beauty and we will seek to find our own personal balance and harmony as we resonate with the trees, hills and rivers.

Starting after breakfast, we will take the minibus to different locations, where we will connect with the healing energies of nature. We will walk under tall majestic trees, we will meditate with the water of the deep flowing rivers, and we will give ourselves the time to connect with our own inner voice. For three magic days we will be present with the sights and sensations of nature, reflecting and being mindful as we journey day by day deeper into ourselves.

You will need to bring appropriate clothing and footwear. It will be cold in winter and can be in spring and autumn, and of course it may rain. Pansion Bernarda is a perfect base and will be warm in winter and cool in summer, and always very hospitable!

If you are interested in a custom made Walking-Retreat with your group’s specific focus please do contact us .

Typical itinerary for 3 days spiritual walks in nature

Arrival day (usually Thursday): Arriving to Varaždinske Toplice, a delightful ancient town situated 75 km from Zagreb and a 40-minute drive from the airport. We are around three hours drive from Vienna and Budapest, and two hours from Ljubljana.

Arrive in time to take a walk around this beautiful old town and join us for dinner and an informal meeting in the evening.

Day 1 (usually Friday) : Being present in nature

We will start our spiritual walks in nature with a day of forest bathing. Leaving as a group after breakfast, we will take the minibus to the Kalnik Mountain. Here we will take the time to connect with the forest, the trees, the rocks, the sounds and the smells of nature. This will be an opportunity to really immerse ourselves in the healing energy of the trees.

We will explore what this feels like, leaving behind any expectations or purpose. We will just be present. This will not be a time for talking, it will be a time to become grounded. To introduce ourselves to this magic land and to start building a relationship that we will deepen over the coming days.

Later, on our return to the Pansion, there will be an opportunity to share our experiences.

Day 2 (usually Saturday): Day of the rivers

Today we will go to the neighbouring county of Međimurje. This triangular shaped region is enclosed on two sides by the rivers Mura and Drava. These beautiful watercourses have both flowed down through Slovenia from the Austrian and Italian Alps. We will walk by both rivers and also go to the point of confluence near the small town of Legrad, at the very tip of Međimurje. This is a very special place where these two great rivers join to continue their journey as one, flowing down the border with Hungary to eventually meet up with the Danube near Osijek.

Today we will also flow, connecting with the water, the rivers and the rhythm of all living things. Many of us seek to be adaptable as a way of achieving more peace and harmony in our lives. Connecting with the movement and energy of the water in the rivers is a very good way to do this. Water is the spiritual communicator with its ability to purify, protect and heal. It is also incredibly powerful. So today we will be present with the water, the rivers and the flow of life.

Day 3 (usually Sunday): Finding harmony with nature

Today we will walk up, through the beech forest to the Dragon’s seat, combining this with a walk to a forest meadow with streams and waterfalls on the Ivančica mountain. Our purpose will be to align ourselves with the sounds of nature, seeking balance and harmony with them.

The healing power of sound is recognised within ancient wisdom, and the opportunity to take the time to give and receive sound is a sacred gift that is profoundly transformational. Here in this beautiful place of nature we will make a Sacred Sound Healing Circle. We will use our voices to create a Mandala of Sound which will cleanse and balance our individual chakras, as well as bringing healing for those we love and Mother Earth. Together we will give and receive blessings with each other, the mountains, nature, and the Elementals.

Evening session to reflect on the learning of our time in nature.

Departure day (usually Monday): Time to leave…

We will breakfast together and then go our own separate ways……

(NOTE: this itinerary may be subject to change based on factors such as the weather and maximising the quality of walking experience. Our goal in this journey is to take you to natural environments of Northern Croatia that are the most conducive for immersion into nature and oneself.)

Hotel Garden is 75 km from Zagreb and a 40-minute drive from the airport

A shuttle to and from the airport, bus/train station can be arranged.

Getting to Varaždinske Toplice by car: junction 5 of the autoroute E65 leads directly into the old town and there is free parking next to the Pansion Bernarda. The E65 connects directly with the motorway systems of Slovenia, Austria and Hungary and we are not too far away from Italy and Slovakia. As we meet for dinner on the first day and leave after breakfast on the last day, this means you can drive in daylight at any time of the year.

Getting to Varaždinske Toplice by bus or train: there are regular buses and trains to both Zagreb and Varazdin and we can arrange for you to be picked up from the bus/train station.

Getting to Varaždinske Toplice by air: Zagreb has a new airport and a growing number of routes. For example from this year Ryanair has direct flights to the Zagreb from the UK, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Norway, France and Italy. From the airport it is a 40 minute drive to Varaždinske Toplice.

(Note: the price is based on the minimum of 10 people attending)

Image credits: Julien Duval, Shimoda.

July: 18th -22nd July

October: dates to be confirmed

We also invite you to look at the schedule for our 7 Day Walking-Retreats, and our Forest Bathing Walks.