14 May YUGEN FOREST – HIDDEN GEM NETHERLANDS
Tucked deep into no-man’s-land in the Netherlands, you’ll find a very special estate by the name of Yugen Forest. A place that was created from nature, for nature. It’s a little different, maybe. But we want to tell you all about it. Dive into the well-being of people and nature.
Upon arrival, you’ll notice that the parking lot is purposely placed far from the main entrance of Yugen forest. It’s about a 15 min walk but through an avenue of trees. The Yugen Experience begins here.
What is Yugen Forest?
Yugen is a Japanese word that is often used by artists/creatives. If you see something that touches you – the beauty of nature for example, when time stands still. That one moment of wonder is called Yugen. A great name to give to a place that was built to create moments like these. It’s location, in Dronten, used to be a tree farm for a couple of years, until the land of 128 acres was bought by a lady that wanted something good with the land, giving back to nature. So when Yugen Forest was born, it was like honey and bees.
Although Yugen Forest looks like a luxurious Glamping, it is not your standard go-to holiday experience. YF offers various retreats between 2 and 5 days that includes overnight stays, food, drink and classes. Yugen also partners with companies to rent their spaces for teamwork/sessions, and even weddings are booked here. Eventually, there are bigger plans ahead. In a few years we might see a small hotel being built here, but not just any. A place you can compare with a tiny monastery, with room for mediation, reflection and peace. Furthermore, wellness is also in the pipeline next to the ice-bath and two sweat lodges they currently have. You might think…that’s a lot, but there are a few core values that are present in all of them. Wonder, Connection and Transformation. YF really wants to touch people and help make the transition to a more conscious in balance world.
Latest edition to Yugen Forest: Forest Cabin
What can you find at Yugen Forest
Although everything is spread out over the large piece of land, There are a few main locations to point out.
- Slot Roggebot – is described as the heart of Yugen Forest. It lends itself perfectly for workshops, trainings, ceremonies, yoga sessions, long table dinners or intimate gatherings around the fireplace. The main kitchen is also located here, and it’s a great place to relax at one of the sofa’s or chairs by the fireplace. Nice to know: this building was built with more than 70% recycled materials including beams that are more than 500 years old.
- The Greenhouse – room for 60 seated guest on a long table for romantic weddings or receptions.
- Giant Tipi – A massive tipi tucked away in a green valley and thus surrounded by nature. In winter it is heated by a central fire place, in summer the windows can open at the bottom. An amazing place for ceremonies, breathwork, team sessions or gathering.
- Forest Chamer (Boskamer) – Perhaps our fasvourite space. Hidden under the trees, this is where you will find food and laughter. Complete with a wood-fired pizza oven. Magical.
- Glamping – this is where you’ll find several luxury tipi tents, and wooden cabins. By the beginning of June there will be 10 forest houses (new). All equipped with a large bed and a massive window that looks like a real life painting. All accommodations are luxury and stylish – it’s not the usual camping.
Inside Slot Roggebot
Greenhouse
De Boskamer
Natural & Sustainable
Everything at Yugen Forest was built to have the least possible impact on the environment. In fact, they try to contribute to nature, and this is how. They call it live “regeneration”. Leaving nature in a better way then it was before.
First of all, all human waste is being composted. Don’t worry, there are luxury toilets around, you won’t notice a thing, but it’s nice to know. If you stay here, there is no need to bring your own shampoo or bodywash, Yugen works with natural products that won’t harm the earth. Besides growing their own food they have several partnerships with local organizations that want nature to thrive, like bee-keeping for honey but also for the biodiversity – so a wild flower field was created. Walking towards the glamping area, you can find herbs to eat and collect for tea or food.
The Yugen Experience
It sounds like a title of a Netflix documentary, but is in fact something completely different. Yugen Forest offers a retreat-like experience where you dive into nature for four days. During these 2,3, 4 or 5 days, you can join several workshops about cooking, micro-dosing, breathwork, natural crafts and more. The next one on the agenda is planned between the 8th – 11th of July 2024 and is called Relax & Re-connect.
If you’re looking for something shorter, perhaps Fold Experience is something for you. An initiative by Yugen’s head chef Garo Feslian, where you stay for 2 nights, cook food from the Yugen garden, and enjoy music. To stay updated, check the calendar for events or follow @yugenforest on Instagram!
And there is so much more to tell. Eventually, you need to experience it yourself. The ultimate goal of Yugen Forest is to leave their guests in a state of wonder and connection to nature and to themselves. Hopefully a seed is planted that makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin – inspired by nature and ready to create awareness.
Yugen Forest
Vossemeerdijk 6, Dronten
Website
No Comments