Beginner-Friendly Meditation Retreats in Some of the World’s Most Beautiful Places

Shambala mountain center

Photo: Courtesy of Shambhala Mountain Center

Shambhala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

The Shambhala organization offers self-guided retreats with the option of meditation classes in the mountains of northern Colorado. While first-time students prefer this type of self-guided stay, which offers activities like hiking, kayaking, and yoga, the center also offers a variety of other meditation programs, including a weekend-long “Learn to Meditate” retreat. as well as an introduction to mindfulness-based stress reduction; specialized retreats for artists, writers and children; and a week-long meditation tutorial that consists of a mix of daily meditation sessions, discussions, and guided teaching. On the 600 hectares of land in Shambhala, visitors will find botanical gardens, spacious meditation halls, a bird sanctuary and a beautiful traditional Buddhist shrine.

Retreats

Photo: Courtesy Simple Peace Hermitage

Simple Peace Hermitage, Assisi, Italy

In Umbria’s picturesque mountain town of Assisi, guests of the Simple Peace Hermitage can spend between one and three weeks in a charming old country house surrounded by 25 hectares of farmland. Think of it as the ultimate mindfulness bed and breakfast. The daily schedule includes a morning meditation; a personal retreat counseling session; a hatha yoga class; and several hours of self-discovery in the form of food preparation, journaling, hiking or therapeutic massages. The days end with evening meditation. As a bonus, all rooms have fireplaces and patios with country views.