8-Day Silent Vipassana Retreat in the Netherlands
8-Day Silent Vipassana Retreat in the Netherlands
Portengen 46, 3628 EG Kockengen, Netherlands
Up to 24 in group
Aug 19 - 26, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Traditional Vipassana structure
- A sincere silent retreat with sitting meditation, walking meditation, instructions, teachings and mindful daily rhythm.
- Teachings by Anthony Markwell
- Receive Vipassana teachings from Anthony Markwell of Indriya Retreat, supported and guided on site by his long-time student Ivan Torres
- Silence, simplicity and practice
- This is not a spa retreat. The practice asks for discipline, patience and willingness to look inward.
- Peaceful retreat setting in the Netherlands
- Stay at BoHo Experience in Kockengen, between Amsterdam and Utrecht, with space to rest, reflect and land deeply.
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Anthony Markwell is an Australian Dhamma teacher and meditation instructor who shares his knowledge and practice through Vipassana retreats, online teachings, talks, and workshops. He is the founder and resident teacher at Indriya Retreat on Koh Phangan, Thailand, where he now also offers monthly retreats through video teachings.
Anthony was ordained as a Buddhist monk for 10 years, beginning in 1995 at the age of 24. He was first instructed in Vipassana by Ajahn Leua Pannavaro and later trained with respected teachers in Thailand and Myanmar, including Sayadaw U Pandita at Panditarama and Sayadaw U Acinna at Pa Auk Forest Monastery. Between 2002 and 2005, he spent three years on retreat practicing Satipatthana Vipassana at Wat Pitsoparam in North-East Thailand.
For more than 30 years, Anthony has studied Buddhist texts and the Pali language, both independently and formally at the Buddhist University in Yangon. He has compiled a selection of 1,000 Pali text passages on the profound insights of the Buddha, titled Sahassapalisuttanta.
This retreat marks the first time Anthony’s teachings are offered through BoHo Experience in the Netherlands. The retreat is guided on-site by his long-time student Ivan, Torres, who has been training with Anthony for 10 years, while Anthony’s teachings are shared through video as part of the retreat structure.
Details of this retreat
8-Day Silent Vipassana Retreat in the Netherlands
Join us for an 8-day silent Vipassana retreat at BoHo Experience in Kockengen, a peaceful countryside retreat location between Amsterdam and Utrecht.
This retreat is created for people who want to slow down, enter silence, deepen self-observation and train in a traditional Vipassana structure. It is not a holiday program or a wellness weekend. The wellness, sauna and jacuzzi are available to help you land and rest, but the heart of the retreat is sincere meditation practice, silence, simplicity and inner work.
The retreat follows a daily rhythm alternating sitting and walking meditation, meditation instructions, mindful movement, teachings, rest periods and simple daily routines carried out with awareness.
Anthony Markwell, founder and resident teacher of Indriya Retreat in Koh Phangan, shares the teachings through video. On site, the retreat is supported by Ivan Torres, Anthony's long-time student, who has trained with him for many years and supports the group in following the practice structure, holding space and giving guidance when needed.
The retreat runs from August 19-26, 2026. Guests are warmly welcome to arrive one day earlier, on August 18th from 4:00 pm, to enjoy the wellness, sauna and jacuzzi, settle in and land gently before the retreat begins. After the retreat, it may be possible to book one extra night at BoHo Experience for an additional fee, subject to availability.
This retreat is suitable for sincere beginners and experienced practitioners who are willing to follow a structured retreat rhythm, keep silence, simplify daily life and practice with patience.
Join us for an 8-day silent Vipassana retreat at BoHo Experience in Kockengen, a peaceful countryside retreat location between Amsterdam and Utrecht.
This retreat is created for people who want to slow down, enter silence, deepen self-observation and train in a traditional Vipassana structure. It is not a holiday program or a wellness weekend. The wellness, sauna and jacuzzi are available to help you land and rest, but the heart of the retreat is sincere meditation practice, silence, simplicity and inner work.
The retreat follows a daily rhythm alternating sitting and walking meditation, meditation instructions, mindful movement, teachings, rest periods and simple daily routines carried out with awareness.
Anthony Markwell, founder and resident teacher of Indriya Retreat in Koh Phangan, shares the teachings through video. On site, the retreat is supported by Ivan Torres, Anthony's long-time student, who has trained with him for many years and supports the group in following the practice structure, holding space and giving guidance when needed.
The retreat runs from August 19-26, 2026. Guests are warmly welcome to arrive one day earlier, on August 18th from 4:00 pm, to enjoy the wellness, sauna and jacuzzi, settle in and land gently before the retreat begins. After the retreat, it may be possible to book one extra night at BoHo Experience for an additional fee, subject to availability.
This retreat is suitable for sincere beginners and experienced practitioners who are willing to follow a structured retreat rhythm, keep silence, simplify daily life and practice with patience.
Schedule
The retreat follows a traditional intensive Vipassana rhythm. The exact timing may be adjusted slightly on site, but the daily structure is based on Anthony Markwell's Vipassana retreat schedule.
You do not need to keep checking the clock during the retreat. The group follows the rhythm of the bell and the schedule. This discipline is part of the training: learning to surrender to the structure, notice resistance and keep practicing with patience.
Typical daily structure:
- 4:30 - 5:00 Wake-up
- 5:00 - 5:45 Sitting meditation
- 5:45 - 6:45 Meditative yoga / mindful movement
- 6:45 - 7:30 Sitting meditation
- 7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast, shower and simple mindful tasks
- 9:00 - 10:00 Meditation instructions
- 10:00 - 10:45 Walking meditation
- 10:45 - 11:30 Sitting meditation
- 11:30 - 13:30 Lunch and rest
- 13:30 - 14:15 Sitting meditation
- 14:15 - 15:00 Walking meditation
- 15:00 - 15:45 Meditation instructions
- 15:45 - 16:30 Walking meditation
- 16:30 - 17:15 Sitting meditation
- 17:15 - 19:00 Drinks, rest, shower and integration
- 19:00 - 20:00 Dhamma talk, Q&A and group practice
- 20:00 - 20:30 Walking meditation
- 20:30 - 21:00 Sitting meditation
- 21:00 - 21:30 Preparing for rest
- 22:00 Lights out
The practice includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement, meditation instructions, teachings and mindful daily activities. Silence is held throughout the retreat to support continuity of awareness.
You do not need to keep checking the clock during the retreat. The group follows the rhythm of the bell and the schedule. This discipline is part of the training: learning to surrender to the structure, notice resistance and keep practicing with patience.
Typical daily structure:
- 4:30 - 5:00 Wake-up
- 5:00 - 5:45 Sitting meditation
- 5:45 - 6:45 Meditative yoga / mindful movement
- 6:45 - 7:30 Sitting meditation
- 7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast, shower and simple mindful tasks
- 9:00 - 10:00 Meditation instructions
- 10:00 - 10:45 Walking meditation
- 10:45 - 11:30 Sitting meditation
- 11:30 - 13:30 Lunch and rest
- 13:30 - 14:15 Sitting meditation
- 14:15 - 15:00 Walking meditation
- 15:00 - 15:45 Meditation instructions
- 15:45 - 16:30 Walking meditation
- 16:30 - 17:15 Sitting meditation
- 17:15 - 19:00 Drinks, rest, shower and integration
- 19:00 - 20:00 Dhamma talk, Q&A and group practice
- 20:00 - 20:30 Walking meditation
- 20:30 - 21:00 Sitting meditation
- 21:00 - 21:30 Preparing for rest
- 22:00 Lights out
The practice includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful movement, meditation instructions, teachings and mindful daily activities. Silence is held throughout the retreat to support continuity of awareness.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Ayurvedic Panchakarma Wellness Retreat, Portengen 46, 3628 EG Kockengen, Netherlands
Directions
Travel details will be shared after booking. By public transport, the nearest train station is Breukelen. From Breukelen station it is a short ride to BoHo Experience in Kockengen.
Accommodation
Guests can choose between bring-your-own-tent, shared room and private room options, depending on availability. Accommodation is simple, comfortable and supportive of retreat practice. The focus is on rest, silence and fewer distractions rather than hotel-style luxury.
Bring your own tent
Shared room, 4 people in a room
2-person shared room
Private room
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
BoHo Experience is a peaceful countryside retreat location in Kockengen, between Amsterdam and Utrecht. The setting offers quiet indoor and outdoor spaces for meditation, rest and integration, with wellness facilities including sauna and jacuzzi available to guests.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Simple nourishing vegetarian meals are served during the retreat to support meditation practice. The food is intended to be grounding, light and supportive of silence, simplicity and inner work.
What's Included
- 8 days / 7 nights accommodation
- Silent Vipassana retreat structure
- Daily sitting and walking meditation practice
- Meditation instructions and Dhamma teachings by Anthony Markwell through video
- On-site support and guidance by Ivan, Anthony's long-time student
- Mindful movement / meditative yoga as part of the daily rhythm
- Vegetarian meals during the retreat
- Tea, water and simple drinks during rest periods
- Use of the peaceful BoHo Experience retreat setting
- Use of the wellness facilities, including sauna and jacuzzi
- Early arrival on August 18th from 4:00 pm to settle in before the retreat begins
What's Not Included
- Travel to and from the retreat location
- Personal travel insurance
- Optional personal expenses
- Optional extra night after the retreat, subject to availability and additional fee
- Private transfer or taxi costs
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