Practical information for International Summer Retreat with Acem's Founder 2022

Welcome to the International Summer Retreat with Acem's Founder 2022!

Please read the information below thoroughly.

● Registration ● Language ● Fees ● Transportation ● What to bring 
● First day of retreat ● Retreat centre ● Accommodation

This retreat has the course number V22311.

Registration and payment 

● Registration and payment page (go here to register and pay for the retreat)
● Personal information form (fill in as soon as you have registered)

Register and pay for the retreat by using your own credit/debet card or PayPal account. Although the online payment system is operated by PayPal, you are free to pay with your own credit/debet card. You do not have to register for a PayPal account unless you wish to do so. If you have problems with the online payment system, please contact Acem.

You can also transmit the fee to Acem's bank account by using swift. Kindly write the course number V22311 in the payment information. You will receive a confirmation when your payment has been registered. Please show the payment receipt when you check in at the retreat. 
- Bank name: Nordea Bank Norge ASA
- Bank address: Pb 1166 Sentrum, NO-0107 Oslo, Norway
- Swift code/BIC: NDEANOKK
- Country code: NO
- IBAN (account) number: NO7560260504021

Course language
● The official course language is English.
● All evening seminars and some workshops will be simultaneously translated into Spanish, German and Mandarin Chinese.
● Guidance groups, basic yoga classes and Acem Meditation beginner's courses will be available in English, Spanish, German, Scandinavian and Mandarin Chinese.

Course fees
● The course fee includes full board and ensuite accommodation in a single room. 
● The early-bird course fee is only available before 15 May 2022.
● Student discount is only available to full-time students. Student ID must be shown upon arrival. If the retreat is fully booked, student discount may entail accommodation in a double room. 
● If a registration is cancelled before 1 July 2022, the course fee will be refunded minus an administration fee of NOK 600. If a reservation is cancelled after 1 July 2022, the course fee is not refundable. As a protection against unforeseen circumstances, you are strongly advised to obtain suitable travel insurance.

Arrival and departure

From Oslo Airport Gardermoen (not Oslo Airport Torp): Take bus FB20 from platform 36 to Jevnaker and then taxi to Halvorsbøle (see below). The last bus leaves at 14.00 on Saturdays.

Alternatively, go by train R10, R11 or F2 to Sandvika, walk to the bus station (4 min.), take bus 200 (Brakar) to Hønefoss and then taxi to Halvorsbøle (see below). 

Shared taxi from Gardermoen at 16:45 costs NOK 900.-. Sign up by adding info in the comment field when you register for the retreat, or by contacting Acem no later than two weeks before the retreat begins.

From Oslo city: Take bus 200 (Brakar) from Oslo bussterminal to Hønefoss and then taxi to Halvorsbøle (see below). 

From Hønefoss: Shared taxi leaves from Hønefoss rutebilstasjon at 17:20 and costs NOK 165. Sign up by adding info in the comment field when you register for the retreat, or by contacting Acem no later than two weeks before the retreat begins.

From Jevnaker: Shared taxi leaves from Jevnaker rutebilstasjon at 15:30 and 16:30 and costs NOK 110. Sign up by adding info in the comment field when you register for the retreat, or by contacting Acem no later than two weeks before the retreat begins.

What to bring

● Indoor clothes and shoes/slippers
● Shoes and clothes for outdoor walks. The climate may vary from cool to warm, and from sunny to rainy. 
● Comfortable clothes for yoga
● A swimsuit for a dip in the lake (Halvorsbøle has its own little beach)
● If you would like to do sports, bring your own equipment
● The book Practical Guide to Acem Retreats (also available in SpanishGermanNorwegian and Chinese), which provides useful information for the practice of long meditations at retreats
● The book Meditative Yoga (also available in SpanishNorwegian and Chinese), which will be useful both for experienced and less experienced yoga practitioners (during the retreat, daily practice of yoga is recommended)
● Both books are available online, or can be bought at the retreat centre
● The beginner's course includes the book Acem Meditation: An Introductory Companion (also available in Chinese; for SpanishGerman and Norwegian, a new book covering much of the same content is included)
● Abstaining from coffee 2-3 days before the retreat may make the transition to the rhythm of the retreat easier.

First day of the retreat

● Check-in at the retreat center starts at 3 pm.
● Dinner is served at 7 pm.
● Introductory meeting, guidance groups etc. start at 8 pm.

The retreat centre

● Halvorsbøle is a non-smoking area and an alcohol-free retreat centre.
● All meals are lacto-vegetarian. 
● Rooms have hair-dryers.
● Free wi-fi will usually be available.
● Payment for shared transport, books, etc. may be done by credit card.
● Address: Acem International Retreat Centre Halvorsbøle, NO-3520 Jevnaker, Norway.

Budget accommodation in Oslo
Cochs Pensjonat
Perminalen
Anker Hotel 
Haraldsheim Hostel

Budget accommodation near Gardermoen Airport
Thon Hotel Gardermoen 
Airport Motel and Apartment Hotel