The magic of Austria

I’m writing this on the flight back from our Activity Week in Austria. This is the 25th year we have organised this special holiday when members of the public are invited to join us for a week of fun, fitness and fabulous scenery.

As we met at the airport a week ago it was exciting to meet up with lots of new faces and one or two familiar ones. Of our 30 strong guest list, only nine had been before. We love it when new people sign up because we know that it is for them a week full of surprises, new experiences and exciting emotions. We have never had a disappointing week yet in our two and half decades of this trip to the family-run ‘der Berghof’ hotel in Lech in Austria.

From the trout fishing walk, (when we catch our own lunch), to the Tyrolean evening with very fit young Austrians slapping their thighs and leaping in the air, the swimming in the open air pool among the mountains, hiking through meadows that look like a scene from the Sound of Music, doing aerobics in the school gym with myself and my colleague Mary, the week is action packed from beginning to end.

The highlight of the week is our Concert Night when Mary, a brilliant performer in her own right, carefully nurtures and encourages those among our guests who can sing or recite, inspire or delight, through a variety of performances that are unique. The reputation of this annual spectacle has now encouraged other un-connected hotel guests to book the same week so that they can enjoy the cabaret! There is always a finale which involves a very willing audience into participation leaving everyone on a high.

Each day started with an optional early morning walk followed by a weigh-in. Our lone male guest, Ryan, was Slimmer of the Week having lost over 8 lbs, whilst our female Slimmer of the Week, Barbara, lost 5 lbs. Almost everyone lost weight which wasn’t surprising as the average daily number of steps clocked up on their pedometers was around 28,000!

So, we go home today feeling fitter, healthier, happy and content that everyone has had the time of their life.

And why do we do it? We, the team who lead it, are exhausted but satisfied. Very satisfied. This is a holiday that brings together people who have experienced more than their fair share of life’s ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but who, together, grow and embrace the beauty of one of the world’s most exquisite countries, who push back the boundaries and grasp new challenges and make new friends. While we continue to witness such wonderful experiences we will keep going. It really is worth all the effort. Who says losing weight and getting fit can’t be fun!