The Original and the best Christmas Markets

Every year in the sleepy mountain village of Bad Hindelang in the Bavarian Allgau, just a short drive from our Alpine Lodge the Carnegie Alpenrose, they hold the most beautiful Christmas Market.

With over 200,000 Christmas lights strung through the narrow streets of the town the event is probably the most Christmassy thing you have ever seen!

The event is opened with a magical Fairytale Christmas parade of Angels, Elves, Snow Queens, and many more - You will be transported into an enchanting, snowy winter wonderland.

Wander the maze of streets lined with delicious food stalls with a warming mug of Glühwein (mulled wine). The aromas of the Christmassy spices from the numerous stalls are hard to resist. From beautiful handmade decorations to the perfect gift for your loved ones there are stalls throughout the market that will spark your imagination and get you in the mood for the festive season ahead. There is something for everyone here; from Nativity plays and various workshops for the children to romantic walks and fireside drinks with your loved one.

The Carnegie Alpenrose Lodge is offering a three night break on the 27th Nov – 30th Dec and the 4th Dec to the 7th Dec. Prices start at €150.00per person or *€450 for a family. This includes half board accommodation a continental breakfast buffet, packed lunch, and a four course evening meal. You will also receive complimentary sledge hire and a glass of Glühwein (mulled wine) with traditional German Christmas biscuits on arrival.

Cheap flights from London Stansted to either Friedrichshafen or Memmingen are available with Ryan Air. Cheap car hire through Ryan Air is available at both airports.

Please contact us at info@my-peakpotential or on +49 8321 7884854 for availability and further information.

*Based on 2 Adults and 2 Children (under 14) sharing.

Shaping memories

Some personal thoughts … Whenever I reflect on memories, like flicking through the dog-eared cards in an old fashioned library index draw, I see each memory as a colour and shape. I don’t know why they are captured and stored in this way, but for me it always has been. And the Bavarian post staff development experience is logged there as a crystal blue triangle.

This blue triangle began taking shape as I was climbing a most beautiful mountain on our second day. I was clearing my mind of the inner rattle when I realised for the first time in a long while, that what I was doing was really hard and to get through this I would need to focus. I also noticed that the inner space within me, usually filled with awe and adventure, had been sleeping. Maybe this occurs with age, maybe with having children. The joy of personal experiences is transferred to looking after coats and bags, preparing packed lunches and uttering words of encouragement to others who now face their new challenges. In my roles as youth worker, teacher, arts facilitator and partnership initiator, adventures have been achieved by proxy. The Alpenrose experience reignited my hunger for personal challenge, a reminder of the value of real experiences and how it can awaken inner self. Just as an air steward at the start of an aeroplane flight says, ‘fit your own oxygen mask before assisting others’, I had forgotten about sorting my own air supply, how to breathe and taste the nourishing air.

So why a triangle? Well, the triangle, as a shape of strength reflects the Alpenrose. At its base there is the warm hospitality, the fabulous local cuisine, a beautifully designed residence with space for fun and shared responsibility. At its peak, there is aspiration, challenge, essence of risk, the mountains, sunrises and sunsets through the windows with the silent call to explore. A triangle is the shape each step makes; is the helping arm that stretches out to assist you over difficult rocks and is the spur of the mountain that cuts into the sky. I was surrounded by triangles. A flock of geese flew over our heads as we rested for lunch during our long cycle ride, a triangular dart flying onwards on their long and arduous journey, headed by alternating geese as they each took their turn to lead; it was the piece of birthday cake we shared to celebrate our team member’s birthday.

Just as a triangular diagram refines and tapers towards its apex, I was able to refine my own personal narrative deep within me. I was able to align my inner with my outer voice as well as re-discover the power of silence. I was only able to achieve this with the support of fellow team members and the professional expertise of the leaders, many of whom would have taken me years, if ever, to find in the normal working environment. Preconceptions and prejudices were challenged and I found myself in positions where I was not in control but dependant on others to achieve and stay safe. Supported and encouraged by others, I found an inner resource to manage the fear, pain and exhaustion. And why blue? The crystal clean blue of the sky, the colour that unlocks stilled or sleeping creativity. It was the colour of the lake, reflecting the sky, lapping up our shared experiences of achievement, our surprise at surpassing our pre-conceived limits and our newly stirred passions awakened within us. Blue because it is the colour of focus and clarity, as in the time we were standing at the top of the mountain and could see three countries, or when I was facing the drop before abseiling down the side of an icey waterfall.

Blue because crystal sky blue is the colour of feeling alive and within the short time spent with new colleagues I had journeyed far beyond Bavaria. I had visited myself. And every minute of it was a huge and unforgettable privilege. Thank you. Julia Calver 17-20 October 2008