Practical information for international retreats at Halvorsbøle

Below you will find information on how to get there, what to bring, how to register and pay, and details about the retreat centre and budget accommodation. Other information is included on the webpage for each retreat. 

Halvorsbøle Retreat Centre

Take a guided video tour of Halvorsbøle

How to get there

By air: Fly to Oslo Airport Gardermoen, not Torp or Rygge, then take a shared taxi to Halvorsbøle.
By car: Check Google Maps. The drive from Oslo takes 1 h 15 min, much more during rush hours. Free parking. Charging electric vehicles at the lower parking space costs NOK 200; please contact the reception.
By train: A one-hour train ride from Oslo Central Station to Lunner Station, after which you take a shared taxi to Halvorsbøle. If you arrive by train from the Bergen direction, get off at Hønefoss Station and take a shared taxi from there to Halvorsbøle.
By bus: Take bus 200 from Oslo Bus Terminal to Hønefoss, then a shared taxi to Halvorsbøle. Note that the bus is often delayed during rush hours, and the taxi cannot wait.
Shared taxi at fixed rates: Please 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 Airport Gardermoen: Shared taxi from Gardermoen at 16:45 (16:00 for the communication course) costs NOK 535 one way. 
● From Lunner Station: Shared taxi leaves from Lunner Station at 15:15 (16:20 for the communication course) and costs NOK 300. (These times apply to retreats starting on Saturday; for retreats starting on Friday, shared taxi leaves from Lunner Station at 17.20.)
● From Hønefoss: Shared taxi leaves from Hønefoss rutebilstasjon at 15:15 (16:20 for the communication course) and costs NOK 190. (These times apply to retreats starting on Saturday; for retreats starting on Friday, shared taxi leaves from Hønefoss rutebilstasjon at 17.20.)

What to bring

● Indoor clothes and shoes/slippers
● Shoes and clothes for outdoor walks, including warm clothes and rain gear 
● Comfortable clothes for the basic yoga instruction arranged during the retreat
● For the communication course, you may also need rough clothes for outdoor tasks
● A swimsuit if you like to take a swim (though the water may be chilly even in the summer)
● The books Practical Guide to Acem Retreats and Meditative Yoga are highly recommended; both books are available online or can be bought at the retreat centre
● Abstaining from coffee 2-3 days before the retreat may make the transition to the rhythm of the retreat easier

How to register and pay

● You register and pay by clicking the "Online registration", "Enroll" or "Add to basket" button on the retreat webpage and use your own credit card or PayPal account.
● You may also transmit the fee to Acem's bank account by using swift:
SWIFT/BIC: NDEANOKK
IBAN NO: NO8060260497238
Recipient: Acem, Christian Krohgs gate 34, NO-0186 Oslo, Norway
Bank: Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Pb 1166 Sentrum, NO-0107 Oslo, Norway
Please include the following information: course number and name of participant(s)
● If you have a Norwegian bank account, you may also use Vipps (#50529) or transmit the fee to Acem’s bank account 6026.05.04021. Please include course number and name of participant(s).
● Your registration will be valid upon receipt of your payment. 
● The course fee includes full board and accommodation in a single room with en suite bathroom. One set of bed linen and towels per week is included.
● Student fee is only available to full-time students aged 35 years or less. Student ID must be shown upon arrival. If the course is fully booked, student fee may entail accommodation in a double room. Full-time students aged 30 years or less may apply for a student scholarship.
● If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before the retreat, the course fee will be refunded minus an administration fee of NOK 645. If a reservation is cancelled less than 14 days before the retreat, the course fee will only be refunded if the cancellation is due to illness or other serious reasons. As a protection against unforeseen circumstances, you are strongly advised to obtain suitable travel insurance and to buy refundable tickets. Acem is unable to refund travel costs.

The retreat centre

● Halvorsbøle is a non-smoking area and an alcohol-free retreat centre.
● All meals are lacto-vegetarian. 
● Most rooms have hair-dryers.
● Free wi-fi will usually be available.
● Payment for shared transport, books, etc. may be done by credit card, not by cash.
● Check-in at the retreat center starts at 3 pm.
● Address: Halvorsbøle, Halvorsbøleveien 19, NO-3520 Jevnaker, Norway.
● Contact the Acem office by e-mail or telephone (+47-23118700) if you have further questions.

Budget accommodation

in Oslo or near Oslo Airport Gardermoen: Please check booking.com or similar websites.