Feather Crown in the Media
Articles, interviews and published personal accounts about Feather Crown, Jan Rostlinka and our retreat center in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
English-language coverage · Czech and Slovak coverage · Reader discussions
Excerpts are attributed to their authors; translations are labelled. Older articles describe the center and programs at the time of the visit. English summaries and translated excerpts are provided here for Czech and Slovak sources. Google Translate links are optional machine translations and may take a moment to load; the original is always linked.
English-language coverage
Gelato for Breakfast · 22 June 2019 · Personal blog
A personal journey, with room to make your own decisions
Jill reflects on her stay at Feather Crown and explains why every participant’s experience is different. She highlights the team’s considerate approach and respect for each person’s choices.
“They are gentle and really care about your well being.”
— Jill
Girl Versus Globe · 19 July 2021 · Travel blog
Five days at Feather Crown with Don Carlos
In a two-part account, Krystina describes her first retreat, a rainforest walk and the questions-and-answers session with Jan Rostlinka before the ceremony. She writes openly about the intensity of her experience and recommends the center.
“the specific retreat I attended, which by the way, I cannot recommend enough”
— Krystina Konyk
Momentum · Personal essay
A family visit to Feather Crown
Marlene describes a thirteen-day stay with her family, ceremonies with Maestro Sina and life in bamboo cabins. Her account captures the small group setting and the close connection with the river and rainforest.
“Sina, a beautiful, humble soul”
— Marlene Clark
Retreat Guru · 2024 selection · Booking platform’s editorial selection
Feather Crown in Retreat Guru’s international selection
Retreat Guru includes Feather Crown in its selection of ayahuasca retreats, featuring the center in the Ecuador section. The description highlights the riverside rainforest setting and excursions to a sacred tree and waterfall.
“Excursions through the jungle to a sacred tree and majestic waterfall…”
— Retreat Guru
Czech and Slovak coverage
Žiar.sk · 25 November 2025 · Interview
Marks on his stay at Feather Crown
Musician and filmmaker Marko Parničan discusses travelling through Ecuador with his wife, including ten days at Feather Crown. The interview names Jan Rostlinka as the center’s founder and explores the couple’s personal experience and creative inspiration.
“It certainly met our expectations.”
— Marko Parničan (Marks) · translated from Slovak
Read the original — Slovak · Open with Google Translate — English
Koktejl · June–July 2024 · Magazine report
Radek John’s ten-day stay in the Amazon
Czech journalist Radek John visited our center for a ten-day stay with Maestro Sina. His illustrated report describes the retreat team, daily life, ceremonies and his personal reflections. Here he describes the center’s surroundings:
“Palm trees all around, then rainforest. Paradise on earth.”
— Radek John · translated from Czech
Dieťa vesmíru · 10 February 2024 · Personal blog series
Veronika on the individual approach at Jan’s center
In her rainforest journal, Veronika describes her first ceremony with Maestro Sina and the sharing circle the next day. She highlights the individual approach and the support available from Jan, Baru and the shaman.
“I really like that they take a truly individual approach at Jan’s center.”
— Veronika · translated from Slovak
Read the original — Slovak · Open with Google Translate — English
Ara.cz · 16 October 2021 · Travel report
Jan Konáš on his journey to the Ecuadorian Amazon
Jan Konáš shares a detailed, candid account of a stay with Maestro Sina, including its demanding moments. He thanks Jan Rostlinka for connecting visitors with a trusted shaman and encouraging care for the surrounding nature.
“Overall, many thanks to Honza for connecting us with a shaman…”
— Jan Konáš · translated from Czech
Read the original — Czech · Open with Google Translate — English
Poutník · Issue 1/2020 · Travel account
Jiří Luner’s visit to Jan Rostlinka’s center
Writing about his 2019 visit, Jiří Luner introduces Jan Rostlinka, Don Carlos and everyday life at the center. His account appears on printed pages 19–22 of the magazine published by the Brno Unitarian community.
“Jan also has a deep knowledge of plants, healing practices and shamanic rituals.”
— Jiří Luner · translated from Czech
Legalizace · Issue 41 · Archive · Magazine article
Jan Rostlinka in a Czech magazine feature
In a broader article about Czech interest in Amazonian traditions, Jana Nenadalová introduces Jan Rostlinka and his apprenticeship. The excerpt records his experience at the time the article was published.
“nine years of study with shamans in Ecuador and Peru”
— Jana Nenadalová · translated from Czech
SME Blog · 18 March 2013 · Archive · Personal blog
An early mention of Jan and Zuzka Rostlinka
Writer and musician Pavel Baričák describes a ceremony with Don Luis, whom Jan and Zuzka recommended. He thanks them for their help. This is an account of their earlier work in Ecuador, rather than a review of today’s retreat program.
“I would like to thank them for everything.”
— Pavel Baričák · translated from Slovak
Reader discussions
Hedvábná stezka · 12 November 2019 · Reader discussion
A participant’s account on Hedvábná stezka
In a public discussion, a reader using the name Indí describes her visit to Jan Rostlinka’s center and ceremonies with Don Carlos. This is a participant’s comment, not an editorial review by the travel website.
“Beautiful surroundings, peace, quality accommodation, safety and well-led ceremonies.”
— Indí · translated from Czech
Guest experiences
For more personal accounts and public reviews, visit our guest testimonials.
Video interviews and visits
Conversations with Jan Rostlinka and videos from visits to the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Tanja & Denis Katzer · 4 May 2025 · Travel interview
Ayahuasca Journey with Jan Rostlinka at Feather Crown
Travellers Tanja and Denis Katzer interview Jan Rostlinka during their visit to Feather Crown in Ecuador. In the video description, they share a positive account of their stay and introduce a conversation about ayahuasca and a respectful approach to the tradition.
“At the Feather Crown ayahuasca retreat, we have profound and positive experiences.”
— Tanja & Denis Katzer · translated from the German video description
Jaroslav Grunwald / Skutečný život · 10 June 2025 · Interview
Jan Rostlinka on ayahuasca and life with Indigenous communities in the Amazon
A conversation created with Jaroslav Grunwald and his project Skutečný život, published on our Czech channel, Výprava do ekvádorské Amazonie. The interview introduces Jan’s life in the Amazon and his connection with local traditions.
Petr Zajac / SpaceDrummer · 2 November 2020 · Archive video
Ecuador, Jan Rostlinka and ayahuasca: a look back at 2017
Petr Zajac’s video “Ekvador – Jan Rostlinka – Ayahuasca” offers a glimpse of Jan’s earlier work in Ecuador. The description dates the footage to 2017.
Writing an article, sharing a story or making a film?
We welcome proposals from journalists, bloggers, photographers, filmmakers and podcast hosts. We can discuss interviews, background information and a visit to our center in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Any support or exchange is agreed individually, with respect for editorial independence.
Explore Media & Creative Collaborations or send your idea and examples of your work to info@feathercrown.com.