Writing Stories During Advent

Der 800 Jahre alte Vierkanthof in Alleinlage mit Blick über die Hügellandschaft des Mühlviertels bietet die ideale Atmosphäre für eine nachhaltige Auszeit. Neues ausprobieren, den Kopf frei bekommen und Impulse für Veränderung spüren. Rückzug und Ruhe finden Sie am Naturbadeteich, in den Wäldern und in der Weite der sanft-hügeligen Landschaft. Genießen Sie Momente der Entspannung in der nach Zirbenholz duftenden Sauna und abends in gemütlicher Runde rund um die Feuerschale.

At the Kleebauer Hof Retreat Center, you can enjoy modern vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Start your day with a heartwarming breakfast featuring breads, jams, cheese, freshly made porridge, fruit, a variety of milk options, yogurt, fruit juices, spreads, coffee, and a selection of teas. At 2:00 p.m., we serve a light lunch featuring a warming soup as well as spreads with bread or pastries.
Let the variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes at the evening buffet surprise you. Water and tea are available for free throughout the day. Other beverages (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) are available on-site for a fee. Upon advance notice, we can accommodate lactose-free and gluten-free dietary restrictions to a limited extent.

Advent is a special time—marked by tranquility, reflection, and the magic of great stories. In the heart of the snow-covered Mühlviertel hills, at the cozy Kleebauer Hof Retreat Center, we offer you the opportunity to write your own (Christmas) story. In a small, inspiring group, we’ll immerse ourselves in the world of creative writing, let writing prompts guide us, and give our own stories room to unfold. Whether you have a Christmas story or another story close to your heart: Together, we’ll discover the joy of storytelling, listen to one another, and offer appreciative feedback.

Program Schedule:
Day 1: Diving into the World of Stories (Wednesday)
On our first day, we’ll open the doors to our creativity. What story lies dormant within you, waiting to be written? Through inspiring prompts and initial writing exercises, we’ll engage with the process and begin to put the stories from within us down on paper.

Day 2: Writing and Storytelling with All the Senses (Thursday)
Today is all about bringing our stories to life. Christmas is a celebration of the senses—and that’s exactly how we’ll approach our writing. Through exercises that engage our senses of sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, we’ll infuse our stories with color, depth, and atmosphere.

Day 3: Waiting and Anticipation (Friday)
The Advent season is a time of waiting for the great celebration. Today, we’ll delve into the characters of our stories, exploring their wishes, hopes, and expectations. Through this inner journey, we’ll connect even more deeply with our stories and give them emotional depth.

Day 4: From the Very Beginning (Saturday)
Our writing process is nearing its conclusion, and today we’ll take time for the final touches. We’ll draw on our tools, reflect, revise, and put the finishing touches on the stories that have moved us.

Day 5: The Grand Finale (Sunday)
On the last day, we’ll celebrate our stories! In a festive atmosphere, we’ll share our writing, read aloud, and enjoy a meaningful exchange. With mutual feedback and the impressions from our time together, we’ll wrap up the retreat and treat ourselves to an unforgettable experience of creativity and community.

What to bring:
- Your favorite notebook and a fountain pen or pencil for writing.
- Optional: a laptop, if you’d prefer to type your story.
- Colored pencils or oil pastels in your favorite colors for creative accents.
- Optional: Your favorite story or poem to read aloud and share.
These items will help you feel comfortable and immerse yourself in your creative writing time.

By Car
From Linz: via Ottensheim on the Rohrbach Federal Highway to Altenfelden
From Passau: via Oberkappel or Engelhartszell to Altenfelden

By Train and Bus
Take the train to Linz Central Station; from there, there are regular bus connections to Altenfelden. Pickup from the “Altenfelden Ort” bus stop is included at fixed times:
Pickup from the bus: 2:08 p.m. and 3:08 p.m. (Registration required at least 24 hours before arrival)
Transfer to the bus: 9:50 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.
These are approximate times.
From Linz Central Station, you can reach Altenfelden Ort via bus lines 215 and 230/231