15-18 June 2025Utö Värdshus

Welcome to our 10th
Global Gathering

We are delighted and excited to welcome you to the 10th Transformational Presence Global Gathering, June 15-18, 2025, on the island of Utö in the beautiful archipelago of Stockholm, Sweden. Utö Värdshus will be our venue for our days together.

Our Transformational Presence community is a place to come home to yourself in the presence of others, and the Global Gathering embodies this spirit of deep connection. This three-day event offers you a unique opportunity to connect on a profound level with like-hearted individuals from our global community.

The energy of the Gathering invites us to slow down to the rhythm of the island, allowing ourselves to be embraced by the elements and connect with our true nature.

It will be a time and place to rest in the embrace of both Transformational Presence and the beautiful nature of Utö. Through a woven tapestry of both structured sessions and free space and time, you will receive a unique opportunity to recharge, reflect, explore, and discover the callings of your heart and soul.

As the Core Committee and Stewards have been sensing into what the Gathering energy is showing us, a ‘smörgåsbord’ of words has arisen, including; landing, spaciousness, simplicity, authenticity, opening, connection, togetherness, movement, freedom, choice, silence, nature, heart, full spectrum, polarities, essence, and home. Such richness! Which words resonate? And what might be the invitation here for you?

Through all these words and more, we sense the Gathering theme bubbling just under the surface and starting to crystallize. The theme continues to work on us, and as soon as it emerges, we will let you know!

In the meantime, if you already feel called to sign up, please do register right away! This allows us to get a feel for how many of you will join us. You can sign up for the Gathering event itself, without yet having to decide on and book your accommodation or meal package.

We are very much looking forward to this next Global Gathering and we can’t wait to welcome you to Utö, Sweden in June 2025!

On behalf of the Core Committee and Gathering Stewards,

Katarina Cars (Sweden) & Jo Boniszewski (The Netherlands)

Global Gathering Event Page Content

  • Overall structure and fee
  • Accommodation & Meal packages
  • Other accommodation options
  • Welcome to Utö
  • Travel to Sweden & Utö
  • Q&A

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Global Gathering overall structure and fee

Structure of the Global Gathering:
🌿 Sunday 15 June - 18.00 CET - Welcome dinner 
🌿 Monday 16 June - 10.00 CET - Opening Ceremony
🌿 Wednesday 18 June - 15.00 CET - Closing Ceremony

The Global Gathering fee is €325 + VAT, which will be invoiced from the Transformational Presence Global Foundation. The GG fee does not include travel,  accommodation & meals (see prices and options further down). Expenses for accommodation and meals are paid directly to the venue upon arrival.

The Global Gathering is not intended to be a money-making venture. It is an event organized by the community for the community in the hope that all community members who wish to join us can do so.

Therefore, the Gathering fee is calculated to cover event expenses. Any income that remains after all expenses are paid will go to the Transformational Presence Global Foundation to continue supporting the expansion of Transformational Presence in the world.

If you already know you are coming, please register now. This will help us get a sense of how many participants there will be.

Register before April 15 to join us for the Global Gathering 2025.

The registration includes two steps for you to take.
Step 1:
Register as a participant for the Global Gathering by clicking on the button below "Register now"
Step 2:
Choose your preferred accommodation and meal package and send an email to the venue, Utö Värdshus at bokningen@utovardshus.se (see more details in the section below)

You don't need to make the reservation for the accommodation and meals at the same time as you register for the Global Gathering. Yet, if you want to secure your preferred accommodation it is good to reserve sooner, rather than later.

Hopefully, this won't be necessary, but if you do need to cancel your Global Gathering participation , this is what is applicable:
- Cancellation up to and on May 31 - 50% refund of the participation fee
- Cancellation after May 31, 2025 - no refund of the participation fee

Accommodation & Meal Packages

Reserve your accommodation and meal package now to secure your place on the island.

There are many accommodation options to choose from; high-standard hotel rooms to camping with your own tent.

Accommodation at Utö Värdshus

All prices stated are per person.
1 Swedish krona = 0.09 Euro (as of Sept 8, 2024)

Hotel room
Single room 3 nights, meal package #1* from June 15-18.
Price 7790 SEK incl VAT. Booking code HR1

Single room 3 nights, meal package #2** from June 15-18.
Price 6050 SEK incl VAT. Booking code HR2

Shared double room 3 nights, meal package #1* from June 15-18.
Price 7040 SEK incl VAT. Booking code HR3

Shared double room 3 nights, meal package #2** from June 15-18.
Price 5300 SEK incl VAT. Booking code HR4

Please specify upon booking who you are sharing room with. 

Hotel cottage
Hotel cottage is a nice cottage with two bedrooms and a small kitchenette where you can make your own coffee/tea etc.

Sharing a cottage (2 persons) for 3 nights, meal package #1* from June 15-18.
Price 6290 SEK incl VAT. Booking code HS1 

Sharing a cottage (2 persons) for 3 nights, meal package #2** from June 15-18.
Price 4550 SEK incl VAT. Booking code HS2

Please specify upon booking who you are sharing cottage with.

If you want to have the cottage for yourself you add 600 SEK per night.

Hostel
The hostel is a nice and more simple accommodation in which you share a room with one more person. Please name the person you want to share a room with, or if you choose not to name a person to share with you need to be prepared to be given a person to share the room with. Bed linen, towel and cleaning is included in the hostel price.

Sharing a room (2 persons) for 3 nights, meal package #1* from June 15-18.
Price 4790 SEK incl VAT. Booking code VH1

Sharing a room (2 persons) for 3 nights, meal package #2** from June 15-18.
Price 3050 SEK incl VAT. Booking code VH2

* Meal package #1 includes:
🍽 June 15 - Welcome dinner
🍽 June 16 - Breakfast, Swedish fika x 2, lunch buffet and a 2-course dinner
🍽 June 17 - Breakfast, Swedish fika x 2, lunch buffet and a 2-course dinner
🍽 June 18 - Breakfast, Swedish fika x 2, lunch buffet

** Meal package #2 includes:
🍽 June 16-18 - Swedish fika x 2 and lunch

In case you are staying at another accommodation than the above, you register for the meal package with Utö Värdshus.

Prices for the meal package without accommodation is:
Meal package #1 - 2990 SEK incl VAT. Booking code MEAL 1
Meal package #2 - 1250 SEK incl VAT. Booking code MEAL 2


We have pre-booked rooms at the venue (hotel room, cottage or hostel) which will be reserved until April 15. After this date we cannot guarantee you accommodation on the island.  

How to make your reservation for accommodation and meals at the Global Gathering venue, Utö Värdshus
1. Choose your preferred accommodation and meal package

2. Send an email to bokningen@utovardshus.se and state the booking code for your preferred package, your name, email address and phone number (incl country code) and any food allergies or preferences (e.g. vegetarian or vegan)

You can also reach Utö Värdshus on +46 (0)8 504 20 300 in case you want to speak to them.

Cancellation policy for accommodation & meals:
Accommodation at the venue and meals can be cancelled without charge up to 3 days before the start of the Global Gathering.

    Other Accommodation Options

    These are options that you can independently book on your own.

    Rent a private cottage
    Webpages below, to mention a few:
    utostuga.se
    stugknuten.com/en

    airbnb.se

    booking.com

    Bed & Breakfast
    Gula Villan

    Camping
    Distance to venue: ~1 km
    Contact details for further information and to book
    utogasthamn.se

    Welcome to Utö

    Utö is an island in the south archipelago of Stockholm with a special history. The island had a permanent population as early as the middle of the 500s. Unlike other islands in the archipelago, it was neither fishing nor agriculture that later became Utö's main industry. Here, iron ore created the primary source of income. As early as the 1100s, iron ore began to be extracted from the mines, which came to be among the most important mines in Sweden. Intensive mining lasted for about 700 years. The remaining mine holes that are still on display testify to old times. Mining meant that new labour was constantly needed for the island. Perhaps this helped to shape the open and welcoming atmosphere that prevails today on Utö.

    After Russians in the early 1700s came and devastated and ravaged the island, the iron ore that was transported on boats was eventually replaced with other cargo. In the 1800s, the first bathers arrived. During this period, the island was frequently visited by artists, poets, writers and actors such as Georg and Hanna Pauli, Gustaf Fröding, and Greta Garbo. 

    Utö welcomes its visitors with both beautiful and fascinating nature; rocks, cliffs, sand, forest, and sea. The island is only 10 km long and 3 km wide, so it is easy to explore and it's nature surrounds you everywhere. 


    Travel to Sweden and to Utö

    The closest airport is Arlanda, Stockholm airport. This airport is around 40 km north of Stockholm. There are trains, express trains and buses to take you into the Stockholm city center. There are also fixed prices on taxis that can take you from the airport directly to the boat that leaves to Utö. With public transportation you will need around 2-2,5 hours and with a car around 1,5 hours from Arlanda airport to get to where the boat leaves .

    From Stockholm city center you get to Utö via public transport by first catching the commuter train (~30 min), then bus (~15 min) and finally the boat (~40 min). More details will come. 

    For those of you who already want to start planning your trip we advise you can download the SL app which will support you with all the public transportation in Sweden. You can also vist SL's webpage.

    Important information about TBE Vaccination

    When traveling to Sweden (as well as many other European countries), it is recommended to have a vaccination against TBE (Tick-Borne Encephalitis), especially if you will spend time in nature. It is not mandatory to get into Sweden; it is only a recommendation, and yet we want to inform you about this, in case you want to take the vaccination before traveling to Sweden. The risk of getting TBE is small, and yet the virus can make you sick.

    The vaccination is given in 2+1 doses to get maximum effect. The first two are taken within 1-3 months of one another (giving you around 90% protection), and the third dose is taken 5-12 months after dose #2 (to complete the vaccination).

    We can't wait to see you at the Global Gathering 2025! On behalf of the Core Committee and Stewards

    Katarina & Jo

    Read more

    Core Committee:
    Jo Boniszewski (The Netherlands), Katarina Cars (Sweden), Marie Dancourt Cavanagh (France), Johnathon Pape (USA), Liesbet Peeters (Belgium), Maciej Szturmowicz (Poland), Karla Wieringa (The Netherlands), Helena Öhrvik (Sweden)

    Responsible for Logistics: Elsa Lundblad (Sweden)

    Gathering Stewards:
    Maria Andersson (Sweden), Marzena Arkabus (Poland), Hilde den Bieman (The Netherlands), Sander van Eekelen (The Netherlands), Anna Graf (Sweden), Kees Gülcher (The Netherlands), Patricia Hoekstra (The Netherlands), Meike Hornstra (The Netherlands), Tobias Härdeman (Sweden), Ann Kellheim (Sweden), Joanna Kotewicz (Poland), Patryk Lange (Poland), Natalia Lewandoska (Poland), Libbey Paul (USA), Aleka Powell (UK), Marga Wijman (The Netherlands)

    Questions & Answers

    We will regularly post questions and answers here. When you have a question, look here, and if you don't find either question or answer here, please reach out to event@transformationalpresence.org

    Travel

    Q: What if I can only arrive on the morning of June 16th?
    A: It is possible to catch the first boat in the morning which will likely depart around 08.30 in the morning. The accommodation and meal package will still be the price for June 15-18.

    Q: Where can I find a timetable for the boats to Utö?
    A: The timetable for next summer season is not yet available and we will post it here as soon as it is published. There are at least 4-5 departures per day to Utö.

    Q: How far is the venue from where the boat arrives in Utö?
    A: The venue is only a few minutes walking distance from the pier.

    Accommodation & Meals

    Q: I am not staying at any of the listed accommodations. How do I register for my meal package?
    A: In case you are staying at another accommodation than tat the venue, you register for the meal package with Utö Värdshus by sending them an email at bokningen@utovardshus.se stating which meal package you want.

    Q: How, when and where do I pay for my accommodation and meals? Can I pay by credit card?
    A: You pay upon arrival to the venue, and yes you can pay by credit card.

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for accommodation and meals?
    A: Accommodation at the venue and meals can be cancelled without charge up to 3 days before the start of the Global Gathering. 

    Extension of my journey to Sweden

    Q: Can I  extend my stay in Utö?
    A: Of course, you can extend your stay in Utö or Sweden. There are a few accommodation options reserved for the night of June 13-15. Please reach out directly to the venue in case you want to arrive early. 

    Q: I have heard about the very Swedish tradition Midsummer. Can you tell me a little about that and if I can experience that whilst being in Sweden?
    A: Midsummer is the most Swedish tradition we have. Midsummer Eve is on June 20 in 2025 and in case you want to stay on Utö after the gathering you will for sure be able to attend the big festivities that happens during that day. A traditional Midsummer celebration is about picking flowers to decorate your hair with, sing and dance around the Midsummer pole and there is no Midsummer without a herring lunch with a nice "snaps". Let us know if you are planning to stay in Utö for Midsummer or want to celebrate Midsummer anywhere else in Sweden. We can give you some guidance.

    Q: Can I stay at the venue after the Global Gathering? 
    A: Yes, of course. There are no rooms reserved so make sure you reach out to the venue to secure your accommodation. Accommodation over Midsummer will be filled up very quickly.

    Q: Can I bring my family with me to Utö?
    A: Of course, your family will find lots to do during the days when you are attending the Global Gathering. They can rent bikes to go around the island, hike along the trails, take a a day-tour into Stockholm or just chill out on a beach.

    Organized by

    Transformational Presence Global Foundation
    leaders@transformationalpresence.org