Creative writing journey in the national park

Experienced so many things: a suitcase full of "me". You could weave stories from it or write a book. In everyday life, such ideas usually fall by the wayside. Many thoughts never make it to paper because routine stifles creativity. Where better to free them than on vacation?
Discover and develop new talents and have fun with like-minded people. Get to know yourself better through writing.

The Villa Sonnwend, built in Art Nouveau style and carefully renovated, offers the best conditions for you to devote yourself to your chosen vacation program away from everyday life thanks to its secluded location at the end of an imposing chestnut avenue. Spacious green areas and hiking trails, which start directly at the house, offer you the opportunity to get to know the natural treasures of the Kalkalpen National Park in both winter and summer.

At Villa Sonnwend, special emphasis is placed on balanced and varied cuisine. Seasonal aspects are at the forefront of the menu design and the products are mainly sourced from the region. You can indulge your palate at the breakfast and evening buffet, which always includes vegetarian dishes.

By writing, you can anticipate what is not yet, but could be: A new beginning, an adventure, a farewell, a prospect. In everyday life, between the dishwasher and the meeting, this is difficult. Out in the forest, with a wide view of the mountains and meadows, it's easier.

We get out for five days. We ask questions whose answers sound far too complicated in normal life: Who am I? What do I believe in? And where do I want to go? You can find surprising answers to these questions by writing. Authors such as Marie-Luise Kaschnitz, Andy Warhol, Augustin and Max Frisch provide inspiration. We write for about three hours in the morning and meet again in the evening for a second writing session of about one and a half hours.

The methods of creative writing help us to develop a text and find our own language. We discover the autobiographical collage and the minimal chronicle, the personal list, automatic writing and the scribbled life. Scenes or dialogs, stories or miniatures are created. There is also plenty of time to explore the surroundings on foot, discover the primeval forest on a national park tour or simply make yourself comfortable on one of the loungers in the garden. A fine little sauna invites you to relax and enjoy the excellent food...

Scope of the program
Approx. 3 hours daily in the morning and approx. 1.5 hours in the late afternoon. One session each on the day of arrival and departure.

Our program
In the morning, a delicious breakfast buffet with fresh fruit, regional bread and cheese specialties, homemade spreads, scrambled eggs and a tea and espresso bar ensure an enjoyable start to the day.
Afterwards, we pick up the pen for the first writing time, each day has its own theme.
An extensive lunch break invites you to explore the area, hike in the national park, jump into one of the nearby lakes or read a book on the terrace.
In the afternoon, we meet for a second writing time.
The day ends with a varied buffet with regional products.
Afterwards, we watch the stars shine over a glass of wine.

Arrival by car: via the Pyhrn highway. Villa Sonnwend is located 90 km south of Linz.

Arrival by train: The nearest train station is Windischgarsten. A free pick-up service is available from there. Please let us know your train number and arrival time up to two days before the start of the program.