Time for Yourself: A 4-Night Getaway in the Thuringian Forest with Nature, Mindfulness, and True Deep Relaxation
Schmalkalden, Germany
$1,378 / 5 Days
Nature Vacation
A vacation home in the countryside is the dream of everyone who strives for peace and tranquillity! On a nature vacation, you can really switch off and relax. After all, if you can have breakfast on the terrace with a view of the sea, lake, mountains or forest, you will start the day full of energy. Outdoor activities in the vacation home can be ideally combined with excursions such as hiking, cycling and fishing, and nature is always around you. A nature vacation offers the perfect retreat for outdoor relaxation, as privacy is a top priority here. Varied seashores and mountains invite you to enjoy a nature vacation in Germany. The Alpine peaks and cliffs provide a weekend full of climbing fun. Countless hiking paths and trails for hiking and cycling as well as steep paths through dense forests offer the right route for every taste.
325 curated retreats
4.9
(132 reviews)
from
€98
A journey through the 7 chakras and their elements
Nassereith, Austria
$1,397 / 8 Days
Yoga, Forest Bathing & Magic in Ticino – Find Your Flow | Your Summer Getaway in August
Novaggio, Switzerland
$1,207 / 5 Days
7-Day Fasting and Hiking Detox at an Organic Finca in Tenerife, Canary Islands
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
$741 / 7 Days
Retreat Panamá - Reset in Paradise
Boquete, Panama
$2,360 / 8 Days
Laila's Social Media Detox Retreat: NIKSEN - Idleness for Relaxation and Inspiration (includes UVP)
Möllenbeck, Germany
$797 / 4 Days
New Year's retreat - a fresh start with strength & stillness - yoga, meditation & self-reflection
Nassereith, Austria
$1,397 / 8 Days
Meet & Lead – Adults of all ages – Fährhof near Bremen
Sottrum-Fährhof, Germany
$2,258 / 8 Days
Yoga summer retreat by the sea
Alvor, Portugal
$1,139 / 8 Days
4.0
Stoneware turning with Eva Koj - for advanced users
Meezen, Germany
$946 / 3 Days
Glass fusing with Sybille Homann: Glass art workshop for beginners
Meezen, Germany
$1,117 / 3 Days
1-Day Retreat — Perceiving and Experiencing All "12" Senses
Wehr, Germany
$124 / 1 Day
Courage Is Good for You – Laila’s Social Media Detox Retreat for Greater Self-Efficacy
Möllenbeck, Germany
$1,481 / 8 Days
Laila's Social Media Detox Retreat: Spring Awakening incl. accommodation + full board
Möllenbeck, Germany
$1,424 / 8 Days
Shamanic Deep Dive - Ritual Training Retreat IBIZA
Sant Jordi des Ses Salines, Spain
$1,267 / 5 Days
Laila's Social Media Detox Retreat: Enchanted April (includes lodging and full board)
Möllenbeck, Germany
$854 / 8 Days
Creative vacation Colored porcelain casting with engobe for beginners and advanced students
Meezen, Germany
$707 / 2 Days
Time for Yourself—A Literary Weekend for Women
Bad Schmiedeberg, Germany
$569 / 3 Days
7 days magic vacation for women
Cercal, Portugal
$2,165 / 8 Days
"Whispers of the Forest" Women's Weekend in the Dübener Heide
Bad Schmiedeberg, Germany
$569 / 3 Days
Nourish your mind, body and soul | Yoga Retreat
Mellau, Austria
$398 / 4 Days
Time out for body, mind and soul (women's retreat 45+)
Celles-en-Bassigny, France
$1,368 / 8 Days
5-Day Silent Retreat on the Island of Boa Vista / Cape Verde
Ilha da Boavista, Cabo Verde
$1,710 / 5 Days
Time out with horses - for women
Bad Freienwalde, Germany
$228 / 2 Days
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nature Vacation retreat?
A Nature Vacation retreat is a mindful getaway immersed in nature, where you leave everyday life behind and recharge through activities such as hiking, forest bathing, outdoor meditation, or nature-based workshops. The focus is on connecting with natural landscapes – whether in the mountains, by the sea, in the forest, or at a lake. At Retreat Urlaub, you'll currently find 325 nature vacation offerings that bring you back to nature.
What does a nature holiday cost?
Prices for nature retreats range widely from simple self-catering huts to upscale wellness lodges. Simple self-catering options in forester houses, small farm clusters or nature cabins without catering start at 350 to 600 euros per person for one week. With half board and a mix of hikes, yoga or meditations, most houses sit between 700 and 1,200 euros per person. Anyone seeking an upscale standard, meaning well-renovated farmhouses with their own spa area, fresh organic full board and smaller group sizes, lands at 1,200 to 1,800 euros per person and week. Specialised wildlife-watching tours with a nature guide, guided dawn and dusk stalks, hides or huts in protected areas often range from 1,500 to 2,500 euros depending on region and species. What shapes price more than standard is location. Houses directly within a nature park or national park tend to be more expensive than comparable houses in the surrounding area. Season also matters: in peak times such as July, August or during the heather bloom prices are ten to twenty percent higher than off-peak. When booking it pays to look closely at what is really in the price, because packages differ more between nature retreats than between classic hotels.
How much does a Nature Vacation retreat cost?
Prices for Nature Vacation retreats vary depending on duration, accommodation type, and program. On our platform, prices currently range from €98 to €5.000, with an average price of around €1.074. Whether it's a cozy tent retreat or a comfortable eco-lodge – there are options for different budgets.
When is the best time to travel for a nature holiday?
The best travel time depends on the chosen natural setting. For forest retreats in Central Europe May with fresh green and long light is ideal, as is early October with strong colours. For mountain retreats the window opens between mid June and mid September, in high altitudes above 1,500 metres rather July to September. Heath trips depend on the heather bloom between mid August and mid September. Lake trips are most consistent between late June and late August when water is warm enough to swim. Sea retreats spread by sea: Mediterranean in shoulder season from April to June and September to November, Atlantic May to October, Baltic June to early September. Anyone seeking silence plans at the edge of high season. Anyone reliant on weather stays within high season. For wildlife watching there are special rules: deer rut in September, marmots in July, capercaillie courtship in April and May, eagle watching in late summer. If wildlife matters to you, ask the operator about the daily window and probability. In winter months Lapland for the northern lights and snowscapes, the Black Forest for snowshoe hikes and Madeira for mild weather in the laurel forest are rewarding.
What activities are offered during a Nature Vacation retreat?
The activities are as diverse as nature itself! Typical offerings include guided hikes, forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku), outdoor yoga and meditation, wild herb walks, wildlife observation, canoeing, climbing, mindfulness exercises in nature, and creative workshops such as nature painting or land art. Many retreats combine outdoor movement with relaxation sessions for a holistic experience.
What experience do I need for a nature holiday?
For most nature retreats no prior experience is required. Unlike sports-oriented trips it is not about performance but about being present. Anyone who can walk for one and a half to three hours can manage almost any programme. What helps is a willingness to let go of the daily schedule. Many guests spend the first two days mentally still in their home routine, and only from the third day does the sense for what nature offers truly open. What challenges you physically is more often the weather changes than the elevation. Hiking trousers, a breathable jacket, good shoes and a hat belong in the pack. Anyone travelling into protected areas should be familiar with the rules: keeping to paths, dog leash rules, quiet times during breeding season. Special formats such as wildlife watching, climbing or multi-day treks have their own requirements described in the relevant offer detail. Anyone in poor health should choose particularly simple programmes with moderate movement and short travel distance. And anyone travelling alone for the first time benefits from houses with communal meals and small groups, because making connections is easier there than in large, anonymous resorts.
Do I need outdoor experience for a Nature Vacation retreat?
No, in most cases you don't need any special outdoor experience. Most Nature Vacation retreats are designed to be suitable for beginners as well as experienced nature lovers. Experienced guides accompany you during all activities and adapt the program to different fitness levels. Simply browse the descriptions of our 325 offerings – you'll find detailed information about the requirements there.
Which regions are popular for nature holidays?
In the German-speaking area the Black Forest, Bavarian Forest, Eifel, Lüneburg Heath, Allgäu, Berchtesgaden and the Mecklenburg Lake District top the popularity lists. The Palatinate Forest, the Spreewald, the Wadden Sea and the Swabian Jura also have a loyal following. In Austria the Wachau, the Salzkammergut, the Mühlviertel and the Carinthian lake region are classics for nature retreats. Switzerland scores with the Engadine, Ticino, the Bernese Oberland and the region around Lake Lucerne. Internationally Scandinavia, Madeira, the Azores, the Scottish Highlands and the forests of Slovenia are in high regard. Sweden offers particularly accessible nature trips in Smaland and Värmland; Norway the fjord country and the highlands around Rondane. Madeira is mild year-round and offers laurel forests with levada paths. The Azores are booked for whale watching and volcanic landscapes. Italy has made a name with the Sibillini Mountains, the Aspromonte in Calabria and the forests of the Casentinesi. In Slovenia the Triglav National Park and the Soca Valley are favoured destinations. Which region suits you depends on the natural setting, season and desired travel distance. Anyone wanting a short trip finds the closest options in Central European low mountains; anyone travelling longer enjoys the most intense experiences in Scandinavia and on Atlantic islands.
Where do Nature Vacation retreats take place?
Nature Vacation retreats take place in some of the most beautiful natural settings – from the Alps and coastal regions to forest areas and lake landscapes. Popular destinations include the Black Forest, the Baltic Sea coast, Austria's mountain scenery, Scandinavian forests, Mediterranean islands, or tropical nature paradises. Browse through our 325 offerings and find your perfect nature destination.
How do I get to a nature holiday?
Because nature retreats are often located in remote regions, travel is usually a bit more involved than for classic city hotels. In the German-speaking area train travel is nevertheless often possible. Black Forest, Allgäu, Berchtesgaden, Wachau, Ticino or Engadine are reachable via long-distance connections plus regional links. The last kilometres to the house are often bridged by hike taxi, dial-a-bus, ride share or operator station transfer. Many houses provide a transfer from the nearest station for a small fee or for free. Anyone travelling to a nature park or national park region should ask about the local guest card: in many regions it enables free use of regional buses and trains during the stay. For international destinations such as Madeira, the Azores, Lapland or the Scottish Highlands the route runs via airport and rental car, as many houses lie outside scheduled bus routes. Anyone wanting to travel without a car should clarify before booking whether hikes start directly from the house or whether a vehicle is needed. Some operators specialise in deliberate car-free stays and offer all programme points within walking distance of the house. These houses are a lucky find for train travellers.
How long does a typical Nature Vacation retreat last?
Nature Vacation retreats come in various lengths – from an extended weekend (3–4 days) to a classic week (5–7 days) or even longer stays of two weeks or more. A weekend retreat is ideal for a first experience, while longer stays allow for deeper relaxation and more immersive nature experiences. You'll find all details about the duration in our individual retreat listings.
What is included in the price of a nature holiday?
The standard price of a guided nature retreat includes accommodation, catering with half or full board and the main programme. For many operators this means guided walks, a daily yoga or meditation session and possibly a closing circle. Breakfast and dinner are usually included, often in a vegetarian wholefoods variant with regional ingredients. Lunch is often packed as a hike picnic. What varies is the scope of activated programming. Some houses offer an open programme where you decide which session to attend; others run a structured programme with fixed times. Wellness areas such as sauna, swim pond or rest room are free in most houses; massages, coaching hours and therapy sessions cost extra. Not included are travel to the destination, drinks at dinner, entry fees for museums or spas, cable cars, rented gear such as canoes or stand-up paddling boards, and tips for the guide. Special formats such as wildlife watching with a nature guide bill the guide separately, often per hour. Before booking it pays to look closely at the service description of the specific operator, as nature houses tailor their packages very individually.
What should I bring to a Nature Vacation retreat?
We recommend comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, a backpack, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and possibly a yoga mat for outdoor sessions. Depending on the location and season, a rain jacket, warm layers, or insect repellent may also be useful. Most retreat providers will send you a detailed packing list in advance so you'll be well prepared.
Who are the typical guests on a nature holiday?
The guest profile in nature retreats is broad in age but often strikingly homogeneous professionally. Most guests are between 35 and 65, and a growing share under 35 comes from professions with high screen time or high stimulus loads. Among over-60s experienced travellers dominate, people who have done many hotel holidays and now deliberately seek the opposite. Women slightly outnumber men in most houses, especially in programmes with yoga, mindfulness or meditation. Professionally, teachers, therapists, doctors, care workers, the self-employed, architects, designers and IT specialists are frequent. Many guests travel alone because the nature format makes solo travel easier than a classic club holiday. Couples often travel as a tandem with similar movement needs. Families with children tend to pick houses with mixed programmes where parents and children find their own activities. What all guests share is a need for reduction. Anyone seeking action, dancing, entertainment or large hotel complexes is in the wrong place. Anyone who likes silence, slow days, honest meals and simple garden conversations will quickly feel at home in most nature retreats.
Who is a Nature Vacation retreat suitable for?
A Nature Vacation retreat is perfect for anyone longing for peace, fresh air, and a mindful connection with nature – whether stressed professionals, nature enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, or people simply looking for a digital detox. Many retreats are suitable for solo travelers as well as couples or small groups. Browse our 325 offerings with prices starting from €98 and find the nature experience that's perfect for you.