Picture this: Six colleagues from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Lanzarote, Greece and Germany converging in the heart of Alsace for a week of team-building and shared projects.

Our usual eleven-strong squad was a tad short-staffed - five of them were unfortunately unable to take part this time (though their taste buds wept at missing out on French cuisine). We'll save the escargot race for next year!

Strasbourg, with its charming blend of French and German influences, proved to be the perfect middle ground for our diverse group.

Our days were filled with culinary delights as we explored Strasbourg's rich gastronomic scene. From hearty Alsatian specialties to international cuisine, every meal was a chance to connect and savor new flavors together.

But it wasn't all about food! We engaged in productive sessions at a local coworking space and dedicated time to exploring Strasbourg. One particularly memorable excursion involved navigating the city on Segways, gliding through historic districts.

Picture a group of professionals from across Europe, weaving through cobblestone streets, sharing laughs, and uncovering the city's hidden treasures. It was an unconventional approach to sightseeing – informative, amusing, and slightly wobbly!

Another highlight of our retreat was undoubtedly our quirky hackathon. As we wanted to explore new content formats in our Marketing team, we decided to channel our inner filmmakers. Divided into three teams, we created videos that left us all thoroughly entertained.

Team one took on the role of stern building inspectors, scrutinizing our coworking space with comically serious faces. The second team braved language barriers to conduct "site inspections" with local French tradespeople, resulting in a hilarious mix of gestures and creative communication. And let's not forget the wildlife enthusiasts of team three, they took a naturalist approach, documenting the "wildlife" of Strasbourg – primarily the insects inhabiting the coworking space's outdoor area.

This retreat was about creating memories, strengthening bonds, and celebrating our unique perspectives. From the canals of Petite France to the grandeur of the Strasbourg Cathedral, we found common ground and shared laughter in the heart of Europe.