The Total Solar Eclipse Retreat
Land, Cosmos & Community on the Camino de Santiago
An 8-day retreat in northern Spain, to experience the celestial wonder of the total solar eclipse
August 4 - 13, 2026
Join this extraordinary 8-day retreat in an ancient village along the Camino de Santiago as we prepare together for the rare and luminous experience of a total solar eclipse.
Through creative exploration, embodied practice and joyful connection, you will encounter the expansiveness of the cosmos with your feet firmly planted on sacred ground.
The gift of time
In a fast and busy world, this 8-day retreat is a radical yes to a different rhythm – one that allows a journey to spaciously unfold and ripen.
Here, we move beyond surface of experience and into deeper relationship with land, time and one another.
What to expect
Joyful, intentional and meaningful preparation for the eclipse.
Experiential practices that nurture deeper listening, movement, celebration.
Opportunities for optional night star gazing.
Connecting with celestial movement, living landscape and ancient sites.
Supportive and encouraging community.
One-to-one one-hour sessions in the afternoon with spiritual directors if you wish.
Ancient calendars and a sacred cosmos
See how our ancestors experienced time and cosmos through the Celtic wheel, the celestial clock and nature’s unfolding seasons.
The Pilgrims’ Path
Find out why the Camino is called the Way of Stars and how pilgrimage is a journey of transformation that mirrors the patterns of nature.
Together we will explore
Celestial bodies
Get to know the protagonists of the sky at the time of the eclipse and their celestial dance: the Milky Way, the constellations, the August meteor showers, Venus as the evening star and more.
The Total Solar Eclipse
What will happen, what to look for and how to meet the moment with presence and meaning.
The Duerna Valley
We will view the eclipse from the stunning Duerna Valley where human presence has long met cosmic rhythm. Through repeated visits we will deepen an intimate connection to this land.
Feel how the ancients witnessed the meeting of heaven and earth as a sacred dance — that weaves through the fabric of time and unfolds through our own experience.
Visit Prehistoric dolmens, witnessing an alignment happening only at midseason (6th August) and 5,000-year-old ancient petroglyphs where labyrinth designs, carved in stone light up with the sun.
Making the Cosmos tangible
The retreat includes hands-on, grounded practices that bring big ideas down to earth.
Playful, tactile and deeply human - explore through the senses and learn through creation.
Sacred geometry
Using only a compass and ruler, create elegant forms inspired by planetary movement, Celtic spirituality and nature’s patterns.
Earth pigments
Bring your designs to life with colour drawn directly from the land.
Patterns on the ground
Map geometric designs outdoors: a classical labyrinth, the dance of Venus and other expressions where sky geometry meets soil and stone.
Moving our bodies
Through guided movement, we will connect body, land and sky, bringing our explorations to life.
Sharing circles
Throughout the retreat, we will gather in community to share what we are noticing in the land, sky and within ourselves.
Deep listening to both the wisdom in your own voice and the voices of others, is a central gift of this retreat experience. Share only if you wish!
Daily Rhythm
Each day follows a spacious rhythm. All activities are offered by invitation. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as feels right for you.
Morning
Presentations, time together in the land, creative sessions in the retreat centre, sharing circles, etc.
Afternoon
Free time to walk on the Camino, explore the village, rest, or simply be,
or,
optional invitations: continue painting, journaling, one-to-one session with spiritual directors.
Evening
Spacious rest time, optional stargazing at night.
El Trechuro village tavern has live music and poetry if it calls.
What you will take home
A renewed relationship with awe and wonder
A deeper sense of belonging
An embodied knowledge of all we explored — land, sky and time
Simple embodied practices to support integration long after you return home
A deeper connection to land and place, rooted in story, texture, time and repeated encounters with the landscape
Confidence in creative ways of meaning-making
A beautiful piece of art you created as a reminder of your journey
Download printable pdf of this retreat
You will be staying in one of the most beautiful villages in all of Spain as voted by National Geographic.
Castrillo de los Polvazares dates back from Celtic time through to the 16th century. Enjoy stunning views at every turn.
Location
Accommodation
The retreat centre, lovingly restored in recent years, maintains its traditional architecture with heart and soul.
Enjoy charming private ensuite rooms at Flores, or at the nearby rural hotel (150m away) with stunning views overlooking the village, church and rural landscape.
Meals
Delight in delicious healthy home cooked meals under the pergola shaded by an old vine and fruit trees.
The Village
Soak in the heart of the summer season embraced in wonder when the village comes fully to life with bountiful flavours, friendships, music and dance.
2026 marks ten years of being open at Flores. We have run over sixty retreats and Caminos.
What People are saying
“Amazing vistas, company & delicious food for body & soul”.
Sarah T. Surrey, Uk
“Organized, thoughtful. Exquisite holding from facilitators and place. It has been life changing.”
Nick B. Ashville, USA
Have you dreamt of walking the Camino?
Starting out in retreat is a powerful and meaningful way to experience it! Extend your stay and join a circle of pilgrims for a transformational journey.
Optional Opportunity: Guided Pilgrimage to Santiago
August 13 - Sept 3, 2026
Your Facilitators
-
Bertrand (PhD) is an experienced retreat facilitator and educator, teaching on creative and contemplative practices. Based on the Camino he finds joy in inspiring others through his knowledge and passion for this land. He specialises in sacred architecture and teaches sacred geometry as a contemplative, hands on practice.
-
Basia (MA) is an artist, educator, experienced retreat facilitator and pilgrimage guide. She is dedicated to nurturing spaces for community experiences. Trained at the King's School of Traditional Arts, she specialises in traditional arts, craft & philosophy and delights in foraging, preparing and painting with natural earth pigments. Nature is her teacher and muse and she loves sharing the camino and its land with you.
-
Ruth (PhD) is a cultural anthropologist, a former diplomat, a university professor, and a coach for executive leaders. Ruth’s study and practice currently have her exploring how movement is a sure-fire route to transformative experiences of embodied Spirit.
As a guide, leader, and teacher, Ruth blends spiritual practices with cultural insights, ritual, play, and stories to create a space where participants can explore, heal, and awaken through movement.
-
Sharon (MDiv) is a United Methodist pastor, certified spiritual director, retreat leader and author. She is the founding director of Belly of the Whale Spiritual Direction & Retreat Ministries and has led spiritual renewal retreats widely including through Spiritual Director’s International and a local women’s prison. She delights in companioning those who seek to nurture contemplative creativity and spiritual vitality in their daily lives.
What’s included
Private transport from & to Madrid airport
See times & pick up point details.
If you prefer to arrive independently to the retreat centre, see how to get here.
Food & Accommodation
All accommodation consists of individual ensuite bedrooms. On the Camino, you may have to share a room if there are no availabilities.
Dietary requirements
We cater for the following dietary requirements: vegetarian, gluten-free, carb-free, vegan.
Sessions & outings
All equipment, materials, site entries and transport fares for visits are provided.
What’s not included
Flights
Insurances (travel, health, etc.)
Wonder, awe and joy will be our guides as land, cosmos and community align.
Total Solar Eclipse Retreat
8 day on site retreat
Aug 4 - 13, 2026 3,850 €
*Unique offer*
Total Solar Eclipse Retreat & Pilgrimage to Santiago
Aug 4 - Sep 3, 2026 10,750 € 9,675 €
To register you will be requested to pay a non-refundable deposit.
Please ensure you read the Terms & Conditions.
Join Our Mailing List
For news & opportunities
You will receive an email to confirm your subscription.