Vegetarian food is typically served, however, each retreat venue has its variations. Local and organic products are typical. Retreat venues tend to take great care when it comes to meals, which is always a great opportunity to try new dishes and flavours. This often leads to a new perspective other than what we’re used to.Each listing explains exactly what kind of food will be served on each retreat. Don’t forget that you can always communicate with organisers about any food-related concern or dietary need.

As in many other cases, it’s a question of common sense. There’s a time for everything on a retreat, including communicating with your loved ones. Sometimes the organisers and facilitators themselves will set rules on mobile phone use when it benefits the retreat’s practice.

This clearly depends on the type of retreat.Sometimes retreats focus on introspection and meditative practices. However, not all retreats are the same. There are retreats that are supposed to be fun, such as a laugh therapy retreat, where silence is notably absent. There are also retreats where silence is a fundamental component, such as Vipassana or meditation retreats.

Most retreats ask that you try to smoke as little as possible or not at all, but in cases where this is not possible, there are always certain spaces provided where you can smoke. On health-focused retreats, it's important not to smoke. This is indicated in the retreat's description.