The Creative Compassion Labyrinth Retreat in Gotland Sweden is something I will always treasure. The setting in the medieval city of Visby was idyllic. Experiencing the history of the people of Gotland, being introduced to the practice of walking labyrinths, and doing so in the company of fascinating, committed people was a rare privilege. Lars Howlett and Valarie Budayr have put together an unforgettable experience! Don’t miss it!

Trip was highly enjoyable and informative. Great facilitation. Wonderful accommodations. I'd have only minor possible changes. Do the train tour. Give folks an overall picture of the old town early. Maybe not the walking tour. Do Trelleborg Labyrinth early. Maybe not three bus tours in a row but do one on Monday? Have someone from the of Sweden in Visby give an overview of what church life is like today and how labyrinths are (or are not) used. More about what happens in the churches we visited would be of interest to some. (I have a person--Anna Joung-- who is a priest in the Church of Sweden and was active in ecumenical circles for many years and lives in Visby closely St. Clements.

Valarie and Lars ran a deeply informed and well paced week exploring Gotland culture, history, places, labyrinths, art, religion, family life, stories, and how all of thes inspire and support a compassionate way in the world. The week (and their example) was beautifully specific to this place, and though I do not have any Swedish heritage that I'm aware of, its specificity was actually so helpful in showing how to bring it home to my community, my heritage, my cultures. The St. Clemens Hotel was a lovely, central accommodation with a marvelous breakfast and helpful staff. My fellow participants were a fantastic combination of perspectives and wisdom, as you can expect from compassion paired with creativity and interest in labyrinths, and the week fostered new ideas and collaborations going forward. So many thanks to Valarie and Lars for such thoughtful work!

This trip met my expectations, the content was great. The only complaint I have is about the bus travel - there was no bathroom on the bus and this made for some anxiety and a couple of additional bathroom stops at public bathrooms where there was only one or two so we had to wait a bit. Also getting on and off the bus in some of the areas was a bit challenging (that last step is a doozy kind of thing) which probably should be called out in the trip information that is received prior. The hotel we stayed in was top notch with a great breakfast every morning. Lars and Valarie did a great job with balancing story telling, singing, down time, and activities. I would recommend the trip for labyrinth enthusiasts, those who are interested in Viking culture and the island of Gotland, as well as those interested in medieval churches! There is something for everyone.

This was a lovely retreat. Great location, good accommodation and food, variety of interesting tours and lectures. I particularly enjoyed learning about the mandalas and visiting the labyrinths. Would highly recommend.