Pilgrimage in the Belly of the Whale & Beyond
A retreat on the Camino de Santiago guided by the story of Jonah:
creative prayer, sacred liturgy and abundant silence
Part 1: April 22 - 28, 2025
Extend your retreat with a mini pilgrimage to the Valley of Silence
Optional Part 2: April 28 - May 2, 2025
Spiritual reflection, rest and renewal
Gift yourself with a week-long retreat on the sacred ground of the Camino de Santiago at the serene Flores del Camino Retreat Centre. During this time of deep rest and spiritual renewal, we will share creative prayer, meaningful liturgy and abundant silence guided by the compelling story of the prophet, Jonah.
You will then have the option to embark on a 4-day mini-pilgrimage to the stunning Valley of Silence along the Camino de Santiago.
We welcome up to 10 participants to nurture an intimate experience within a small circle of fellow pilgrims. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
Part 1. In this sacred time we will:
reflect on lessons from Jonah’s pilgrimage into the belly of the whale and beyond
go for quiet walks
journal gently
colour prayer mandalas with foraged earth pigments
visit ancient petroglyphs
walk a labyrinth
connect with the land
experience deep silence
Optional Part 2.
This is your opportunity to experience this ancient pilgrims’ path. Leaving from the doorstep of the retreat centre, you will encounter one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino, steeped in history, symbol and legend. The walking will be gentle and spacious, at your own pace. Our journey will be framed within Jonah’s story as an invitation to pilgrimage. This mini pilgrimage is open only to the retreat participants to ensure an intimate experience.
This retreat is for you if you are
nourished by creative spiritual practices,
longing for deep rest and renewal and silence,
curious about the meaning of pilgrimage,
seeking experiences of both contemplation and action.
What to expect
Creative & contemplative practices
We will gather in sacred community each morning and afternoon to reflect on Jonah’s pilgrimage and explore creative prayer and meditation practices that deepen our own experiences of pilgrimage.
Connection to the land
All of our prayer practices, shared meals, and holy liturgy will be rooted in a deep connection with the sacred land on which we will gather.
Abundant silence for prayer and reflection
When we are not gathered in sessions together, we will honor the great gift of collective silence so that all will have ample space for rest, reflection and attentiveness to the sacred presence in our midst.
"Silence is the best response to God’s mystery." – Thomas Keating
(Image - Peñalba de Santiago - Valley of Silence)
Location
Both the location of the retreat centre - Castrillo de los Polvazares - and our pilgrimage destination - Peñalba de Santiago - are considered two of the most beautiful villages in all of Spain and are steeped in the rich history and spirit of the Camino.
Castrillo de Los Polvazares
Located within vast, beautiful nature, this heritage site retains a medieval character and has a long history of offering hospitality to pilgrims. In harmony with the landscape, its warm stone walls, mirroring the deep red hues of the earth will embrace you.
Peñalba de Santiago
Peñalba is nestled within the Mounts of León, a range of mountains and valleys that have been home to monasteries since the earliest of times. The village is near a cave once inhabited by a hermit, which gave the Valley of Silence its name. It houses a stunning 10th-century Mozarabic church with petroglyphs and solstitial alignments. This beautiful example of sacred architecture is infused with the contemplative spirit - inviting pilgrims into mystery, awe, beauty and the interior journey.
The Retreat Centre
Your home will be Flores del Camino - a family run retreat centre dedicated to hospitality, pilgrimage, pilgrims and contemplative arts. A place with heart and soul that has been lovingly renovated to receive you. Enjoy beautiful spaces nested around a courtyard. You will have your own private room and bathroom at Flores, or at the nearby charming hotel we work in partnership with. Enjoy stunning views overlooking the village, church and rural landscape. Enjoy nourishing and healthy meals homemade with fresh ingredients. Embraced within a peaceful environment on the Camino, you will be held with care.
Your facilitators
Sharon Seyfarth Garner (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. Sharon has published several books including Praying with Mandalas: a colorful, contemplative practice. She is currently working on her next book Praying with Jonah: how to be still enough to know and bold enough to go where ever God is calling.
Basia Goodwin (MA) is co-founder of Flores del Camino, an artist, educator, retreat facilitator and pilgrimage guide. She is dedicated to spiritual formation and crafting space for creative and contemplative journeys. An alumnus of the King's School of Traditional Arts, she specialises in the use of sacred geometry in traditional arts, craft & philosophy. In her creative practice she forages, makes & paints with natural pigments, using local Camino ochre earths and loves to share the joy of this timeless art and connection to the natural world with others. She is currently co-authoring a book on creativity and contemplation and the Sacred art of the Camino de Santiago.
Preliminary Schedule
Our Daily Rhythm
Breakfast ~ 8am (held in sacred silence)
Morning Session ~ 9am
Lunch ~ 12pm (held in sacred silence)
Afternoon Session - 3pm
Dinner ~ 6pm (opportunity for quiet conversation and sharing)
Evening Vespers/Centering Prayer ~ after dinner
Morning and afternoon sessions will consist of both shared and self - directed time.
Arrival Day ~ Tue, Apr 22
Arrival : between 4 - 5pm
7pm: evening dinner and welcome
Day 1 ~ Wed, Apr 23
Morning: Introduction to the schedule, themes and the space. Introduction to Jonah’s journey and the practice of pilgrimage. Explore creative practices to help us slow down and ease into the sacred space of this retreat. This session will conclude with a specially designed liturgy to open ourselves to the expansive gift of sacred silence that begins immediately following the session.
Afternoon: Creative practices & reflections inspired by Jonah 1 (Wake Up to Sacred Presence).
Evening: Silent centering prayer.
Day 2 ~ Thu, Apr 24
Morning: Sacred art of pilgrimage.
Afternoon: Creative practices & reflections inspired by Jonah 2 (Pray in the Belly of the Whale).
Evening: Silent centering prayer.
Day 3 ~ Fri, Apr 25
Morning: Painting with pigments
Afternoon: Creative prayer practices and reflections inspired by Jonah 3 (Get up & walk).
Evening: Silent centering prayer.
Day 4 ~ Sat, Apr 26
Morning: Painting mandalas with the earth (continued - optional).
Afternoon: Creative prayer practices and reflections inspired by Jonah 4 (Love extravagantly).
Evening: Silent centering prayer.
Day 5 ~ Sun, Apr 27
Dawn: Sacred gathering at local, 5,000-year-old petroglyphs depicting labyrinths that are illuminated & revealed at sunrise. Set in the dramatic natural setting of the Duerna Valley, at the foot of Mount Teleno, it was considered a sacred place by the ancestors of this land.
Morning: Walk a classical labyrinth as a personal & group contemplative experience.
Afternoon: Create a plan for Contempl-active Living. How to be still enough to know and bold enough to go wherever God is calling.
Evening: Closing liturgy and sharing.
Day 6 ~ Mon, Apr 28
Departure after breakfast.
OR
Flores del Camino ~ Rabanal - Pilgrimage Day 1
(14km - average walking time 3h - 250m / 800ft up)
As you leave Flores and pass through the lovely villages of Santa Catalina and El Ganso, you’ll be accompanied by Camino symbols, the labyrinth and the goose. You will cross a threshold, from a flat landscape to a gentle climb. Your destination for the day is the charming village of Rabanal, with more than a thousand years of history linked to the Visigoths and Templars. In the evening, you will experience the pilgrims’ blessings & vespers, still chanted by the monks in the atmospheric 12th century Romanesque church.
We will walk each day in sacred silence. In the evenings, there will be opportunity for gentle community refection for those who are interested.
Day 7 ~ Tue, Apr 29
Rabanal ~ El Acebo - Pilgrimage Day 2
(17km - average walking time 3h30 - 400m / 1,300ft up then 400m / 1,300ft down)
At this meaningful point on your journey, you will reach the highest point on the Camino: Cruz del Ferro, a gentle place of letting go for pilgrims. Here, you are invited to participate in the tradition of symbolically leaving a stone from home. As you pass the mountains of León, you will discover breath-taking views over the Bierzo region. Your destination of the day is the charming mountain hamlet of El Acebo with its distinctive architectural style. The day will end at dusk as you watch the sunset over the the extensive Bierzo plain from a purposeful viewing point in the village.
Day 8 ~ Wed, Apr 30
El Acebo ~ Molinaseca - Pilgrimage Day 3
(8km - average walking time 1h45 - 550m / 1,800ft down)
You will descend the mountain to reach the charming village of Molinaseca situated by a tranquil river. After having lunch there, we will make our way by car to the nearby Peñalba de Santiago. Nested within the breathtaking Valley of Silence, Peñalba is our highly symbolic pilgrimage destination. It is known for its exquisite 10th century Mozarabic church with solstitial alignments.
Day 9 ~ Thu, May 1
Peñalba de Santiago - The Valley of Silence - Pilgrimage Day 4
The valley gained its name because a hermit lived there in silent contemplation. At sunrise you will make the circular journey around the Valley to and from the hermit’s cave. For the rest of the day we will end our time in purposeful reflection on Jonah’s journey, your personal pilgrimage and preparations for your return home.
Day 10 - Departure ~ Fri, May 2
Morning departure by taxi from Peñalba to Madrid
Drop off at Madrid Airport at 1pm (under normal traffic circumstances)
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.
Accommodation
All accommodation consists of individual ensuite bedrooms. On the Camino, you may have to share a room if there are no availabilities.
Food
All meals are included except 3 lunches on the Camino.
Dietary requirements
On-site, we cater for the following dietary requirements: vegetarian, gluten-free, carb-free, dairy-free. On the Camino, options are available with advance notice.
Sessions & outings
All equipment, materials, site entries and transport fares for visits are included.
What’s not included
Flights
Insurances (travel, health, etc.)
Lunches on the Camino
Since everyone walks at their own pace, you will have to buy 3 lunches on the Camino. There are cafés along the way where you can get a coffee, sandwich or a menu. Budget 10 - 20 € per day.
Taxis on the Camino
If you wish to take a taxi to shorten your walking day, the cost would be around 20-50€.
Blessed are you pilgrim, when you contemplate the “Camino” and you discover it is full of names and dawns.
Pilgrimage in the Belly of the Whale & Beyond
We welcome a maximum of 10 participants to nurture an intimate experience within a small circle of fellow pilgrims. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
Part 1: April 22 - 28, 2025 3,000 €
Parts 1 & 2: April 22 - May 2, 2025 4,250 €
This retreat is full. Join the waitlist or contact us to book 2026.
To join the waitlist, a new window will open in your browser as you are redirected to our booking platform WeTravel.
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You may also find these Frequently Asked Questions useful.