We look forward to welcoming you to Lioba Monastery in Egmond-Binnen, the Netherlands, for our Winter Retreat. Below you will find practical information to help you prepare for your stay. Please read it carefully before coming.
Arrival and Rooms
You are welcome to arrive on Friday, December 18, between 14:00 and 15:00. This will give you time to settle into your room and relax with a cup of tea before we begin.
We will be staying in the monastery guesthouse. When you arrive, ring the bell at the entrance for Lioba Gastenverblijf. When someone answers, give your name and say that you are with Saki’s retreat group. The same procedure is used whenever you enter the monastery during your stay.
Your room assignment and other information will be waiting for you in the main meeting and dining room.
We will have a short orientation at 16:30 on Friday, so please make sure you have arrived and settled in by then.
Karma Yoga
As part of our life together at Lioba, we share in simple karma yoga tasks around mealtimes. These include setting and clearing the tables, washing our dishes and serving dishes, and returning everything to the serving trolleys.
A sign-up sheet will be available when you arrive.
Bed Linen and Towels
Duvets and pillows are provided.
If you would like to rent bed linen and towels, please let us know beforehand and add €15 to your retreat payment.
You are also very welcome to bring your own sheets and towels. This helps reduce the laundry for the monastery community.
Meals
Meals at Lioba are simple and vegetarian.
On Friday and Saturday evenings at 18:00, we have a light supper of bread and cheese. If you would like something more substantial, or have particular dietary needs, please bring some additional food for yourself.
Breakfast is self-service from 7:00–8:00, with bread, cheese, peanut butter, fruit, yoghurt and muesli available. We make our own coffee and tea.
The main warm meal is served around 12:30 on Saturday and Sunday and is a simple vegetarian meal.
If you have special dietary requirements, please bring anything additional that you may need. There is a small refrigerator and some cupboard space available in the guesthouse kitchen.
During Your Stay
On Saturday afternoon, between approximately 14:00 and 16:00, the monastery atelier is open to the public, where handmade crafts from the community are available for purchase.
The retreat ends on Sunday, December 20, after lunch and our final tidying up, at approximately 15:00.
What to Bring
Warm and comfortable clothing, including shawls or sweaters
Indoor shoes or warm socks
Outdoor shoes, warm clothing and rain gear for walking in the monastery grounds
An alarm clock if you need one
A notebook and pen if you would like to take personal notes
Your own meditation cushion or blanket if you prefer sitting on the floor. Chairs are available.
How to Get There
Lioba Monastery
Herenweg 85
1935 AH Egmond-Binnen
The Netherlands
Please note that there are three villages named Egmond very close to one another:
Egmond aan Zee
Egmond aan den Hoef
Egmond-Binnen
Lioba Monastery is just outside Egmond-Binnen, on the Herenweg. If you are driving, do not enter the village itself but follow the road around the roundabout. The entrance to the monastery is on the left, approximately 200 metres outside the village.
By Public Transport
The easiest way to reach Lioba by public transport is to take the train to Heiloo or Castricum station and continue by bus or taxi to the monastery.
Heiloo is the closest train station to Lioba, although Castricum may sometimes be a convenient alternative depending on where you are travelling from.
Please note: buses do not run to Lioba on Sundays. You will therefore need to arrange a taxi for your return journey to the station on Sunday, or coordinate a ride with another participant.
For current train and bus times, please check 9292 shortly before travelling. https://9292.nl/reisadvies
Taxi
A taxi from Heiloo or Castricum station generally costs approximately €27–€32. If others are arriving around the same time, you may wish to coordinate and share a taxi and the cost.
Taxi telephone number: +31 72 533 1313
Please make your own taxi arrangements, including your return journey on Sunday. As there is no Sunday bus service to Lioba, we recommend arranging your return taxi in advance.