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Jun 06 2019

Spotlight on Anthony Buonomo !

We here at the Sword Experience are excited to be working with our new Sword Partner, Anthony Buonomo, for our upcoming Con Experience at the Greater Austin Comic Con. Anthony was brought to our attention by one of our wonderful musketeers, Erik Middleton. A fantastic find Erik, thank you. We had quite a few submissions from our other musketeers, which we are very grateful for, but there was something about Anthony’s fighting style and fight training that caught our attention. We sat down with Anthony to learn a little more about the man, his fight training background, and what exactly this HEMA thing is that he’s brought to Austin.

Sword Experience (SXP): So first off, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What is your martial arts background?

Anthony Buonomo (AB): Though this always gets me odd looks in Texas, I’m a Yankee. I grew up in a small town in upstate New York, roughly an hour south of Albany. I went to college in Philadelphia, and lived there for about 9 years before I made my way to Texas in 2010. Perhaps fittingly, my martial arts background is as varied as the places I’ve lived. In my hometown, several friends and I got into ‘boffer’ fighting – we’d take PVC pipes, wrap them with pool noodles and duct tape, and make swords. This was little more than a bunch of guys hitting each other with padded sticks, but definitely solidified my love for weapon combat. In Philadelphia I took classes at Zhang-Sah Martial Arts, in a system that combined multiple styles into one; we studied a mix of Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Judo, and Aikido. I studied with them for 5 years, and was able to receive my black belt. During this time, I also was exposed to SCA (The Society for Creative Anachronism) combat, and did their heavy fighting (rattan weapons, metal armor) for about 3 years as well. There was an unfortunate lull in my training from when I moved to Texas until I found HEMA, but in 2014 I met some crazy guys in a park, swinging metal swords at each other, and was hooked.

SXP: Tell us about the Austin Historical Weapons Guild. How long have you guys been in operation? What is HEMA?

AB: HEMA stands for Historical Eurupean Martial Arts. We’re not just swinging swords around, doing things that look cool, but instead are basing our teachings and techniques on our best interpretation of what was done in the past, back when people still fought with swords. We are fortunate to have dozens of manuals from that time that we can reference, and they often have pictures of the actions they are describing, aiding in our understanding. HEMA can cover a broad range of topics, and time period. One of the earliest manuscripts that people study teaches Sword and Buckler, and has been dated to around 1200; others will look at Saber manuals from the 1800s. Other weapons that we have manuscripts for include wrestling, dagger, poleweapons, rapier, side-sword, and of course, longsword.

Austin Historical Weapons Guild is my labor of love and passion project that has exploded beyond my wildest dreams. When I started in 2014, there was a group of guys that met up once a week at a park. Soon after I joined, the head of the group had to move and the rest of the group was left adrift, no direction, and no leader. With my previous martial arts background, I offered to help the more experienced members ‘go back to the sources’ and create our own understanding and interpretation of things. When we started this, we were purely focusing on longsword, and even went by the name ‘ATX Longsword’. As we slowly expanded our weapons base, the longsword became less relevant, so in 2016 we rebranded as Austin Historical Weapons Guild. We now offer classes 5 days a week and cover six different weapons.

SXP: What is the benefit of training in a multiple weapons system?

AB: One of my favorite idioms has become “it’s all just sticks in hands”. The human body can only move in certain way, and when you put a weapon, any weapon, in your hands, the options actually get smaller. You need to deliver force through the weapon, and to do that, you need to keep body position and structure.

By training with multiple weapons, we are able to focus on a technique or concept and learn it in the easiest way. Sometimes it’s with a shorter weapon, like the dagger or through wrestling; other times, it’s easier to learn something with a longsword. Regardless of where we start, we can take that idea, learn the basics of it, and then swap out the weapon and do the same core idea with only minor modifications.

SXP: What is the Lichtenauer system?

AB: A system is a bit of a misnomer, but it’s the easiest short hand to describe what is going on and how we approach things. In the 14th or 15th century, there was a fencing master by the name of Johannes Lichtenauer. By all accounts, he wrote a poem, called the zettel, and this is what he gave his students so that they would remember what he taught them, a sort of mnemonic device for sword fighting. In this poem, he has a verse that is translated as follows:

4 Wrestle well, grappler.

Glaive, spear, sword, and knife,

5 Manfully handle.

And in others’ hands ruin.

To me, this is part of him defining his system, saying that you need to be able to wrestle, that you should be able to fight with a polearm, a spear, a sword and a knife. Only after that, do we teach you how to use longsword. This also is a large reason why our classes are set up the way they are. However, if all we had was this poem, we’d be in a lot of trouble. His verses areintentionally vague and confusing. If you know what he’s talking about, it’s clear, but if you don’t, it’s all but useless. Fortunately, some of his students wrote their own manuscripts, or fechtbooks. These are glosses of the zettel, where they will transcribe the poem, but then have multiple plays describe what the passage means. It is from these plays that we are able to begin to understand the art of fencing as Lichtenauer describes it.

SXP: For those that are interested in learning more about HEMA and the courses you offer, where can they should they start?

AB: Well, if you’re in Austin, reach out to us! We run Beginner’s Courses year-round, and have one starting up at the end of June! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, or our website. For everyone else, I highly recommend you check out the HEMA Alliance Club Finder. This will help you find a club in your area and give you a place to go. If there isn’t a club nearby, starting one yourself is an option as well. HEMA is a very welcoming community and we’re always happy to help people get started.

Another great resource that everyone should look at is Wiktenauer. This is a free database of dozens of the manuscripts people are working from. You can see the original images as well as a transcription of the original text and any translations that have been done of it.

We here at the Sword Experience are excited to add Anthony to our roster of Sword Partners and we cannot wait to work with him at the Greater Austin Comic Con. His style will be a great contribution to the experience. We always strive to bring you the best resources in sword culture and we value the ideas that Anthony has shared with us. If you or anyone you know thinks they have what it takes to become one of Adrian’s Sword Partners, email the Sword Experience at contact@swordxp.com with a resume and a video of your skills.

May 14 2019

The Sword Experience is Coming to the Greater Limerick, Ireland!

The Sword Experience is coming back to Ireland.

The Sword Experience is coming to Limerick, Ireland! This June 30th, join Adrian Paul and the Sword Experience at King John’s Castle for one of the best fitness and travel events in Ireland. Accompany Adrian Paul as he teaches you the sword fight choreography from the 1938 cinematic classic The Adventures of Robin Hood with the beautiful King John’s Castle as the backdrop of this once in a lifetime event in Limerick, Ireland. We’ve already had two successful events in Ireland at the Cahir Castle last year and the Trim Castle the year before that, so whether you are returning for another adventure, or it’s your first event with us in Ireland, we can guarantee that you will have an incredible experience that will rival any trip you’ve had before.

A Castle’s bloody History

King John’s Castle is steeped in history. The castle itself was originally built in the 13th century under the orders of King John, but archaeological digs have uncovered remnants of a Viking settlement that date back to 922. Early Viking settlers used the site as a base to attack other settlements that had cropped up along the River Shannon. The Vikings eventually clashed and lost with settlements in Dublin which loosened their grip on the area, paving the way for King John to erect the castle that stands today. In spite of being relegated to a minor clan in the area, the Vikings still played pivotal roles in the near endless clashes of power between the English and Irish for the next few centuries. By 1168, the Irish laid claim to the land building a large city. However, after many battles with Anglo-Norman invaders, Domhnall Mór Ó Briain, the King of Thomund in Ireland, razed the city in a bid to keep it out of their hands. After his death, the Anglo-Normans successfully captured the land in the name of John, Lord of Ireland. King John ordered a castle to be built on the site and around 1210, King John’s castle was finally erected. Under Norman rule, the castle became a major port and trading center due to its proximity to the River Shannon. The city of Limerick’s economy began to boom and as a result, King John set up a mint in the North West corner of the castle. The pennies and half pennies that this mint produced are still available to see in the Limerick museum.

The castle stood untouched for centuries, until the Irish Rebellion of 1641. At the time, King John’s castle was occupied by Protestants fleeing the rebellion. Irish Confederate forces surrounded the castle. Garret Barry, the leader of the Irish Confederate forces surrounded the castle and began the 1642 Siege of Limerick.(insert photo Siege of limerick here) However, Barry did not have the artillery to take down the castle walls. Instead, he planned to undermine the integrity of the walls themselves by digging away at their foundations. His plan was successful. Before the walls collapsed, the Protestants inside surrendered to Barry and the Irish Confederate forces. However, the damage to the castle’s foundation had already been done and a section of the castle walls had to be demolished. This was the first of five sieges on Limerick in the17th century. King John’s castle’s bloody history did not stop in the 17th century either. In 1922, King John’s castle was involved in another siege during the Irish Free State offensive at the height of the Irish Civil War. The city of Limerick and King John’s castle had become divided by those who approved of the Anglo-Irish treaty between England and Ireland, and those that opposed it. On July 11, 1922, the two opposing factions began to fight as Free State reinforcements arrived in Dublin. After ten days of street fighting, anti-treaty Republicans retreated from Limerick setting fire to the Artillery, castle barracks, and New Barracks as they fled to Patrickswell toward Kilmallock. The entirety of the castle’s history makes it the perfect setting for the Sword Experience as you learn the sword fight choreography from the film.

One of the greatest Swashbuckling movies of all time.

Released in 1938, The Adventures of Robinhood set a benchmark for the way action-adventure films are shot and choreographed. The film stars Errol Flynn as Robin Hood, and Basil Rathbone as his nemesis Sir Guy of Gisbourne. This was the third film the two had starred in opposite of each other, but the two eventually starred in nine other films together. The first film they starred in together was the 1935 swashbuckler Captain Blood. The success of the film convinced Warner Bros. that they had the makings of a star in Errol Flynn, and thus production began on The Adventures of Robinhood. At the time, the film was the most expensive project Warner Bros. had ever produced costing the company an estimated 2 million dollars. The film was the studios first large budget technicolor film that utilized Technicolor’s three strip process. Warner Bros. acquired all 11 technicolor cameras in existence at the time to film the movie. The risk paid off for Warner Bros. as the film became a critical and financial success. The film’s fight scenes were choreographed by sword master Fred Cravens, who had previously worked with Flynn and Rathbone on Captain Blood. Cravens had a specific vision for how the sword fights would play out on film. He choreographed the fights as a sort of dance between swords with counts and phrases. The fencing techniques in the film were ahead of their time and were eventually incorporated into real fencers’ repertoire of moves. When put to film, Cravens choreography reached an epic scale as the cinematography captured every glorious parry and lunge creating one of the most iconic sword fight scenes in cinema history that is both grand and intimate. Errol Flynn’s depiction of Robin Hood became such an instant hit, that his image of Robin Hood became a part of the world’s collective conscious. When most people think of Robin Hood the image that pops into their head is that of Errol Flynn’s costumed Robin Hood. This image has been often parodied or imitated in countless films including Disney’s 1973 animated film Robin Hood. In 1995, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation and was placed in the National Film Registry. It is these reasons that Adrian Paul chose The Adventures of Robin Hood for the choreographed sword fight you will learn on the grounds of King John’s castle in Ireland.

Discover Limerick

If it is your first time travelling to Ireland, why not make the most of your visit. Limerick is home to many unique tourist sites that any traveler can appreciate. Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, a secluded place of worship built in 1168. According to legend, the marks on the surrounding stonework of the cathedral are from defenders of the cathedral sharpening their swords on the castle walls during various sieges. Enter the cathedral to experience a mesh of medieval architecture, gothic stained windows, and 17th century accoutrements. Admission is only €2. Or, check out St John’s Cathedral, the church with Ireland’s tallest spire. Or if cathedrals aren’t your thing, check out the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Located off the Shannon River, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum offers visitors a chance to board the only B314 flying boat replica in the world. After taking a tour of the boat, test your flight skills with a realistic flight simulator that captures what it would be like to fly the B314 flying boat. Or you could check out the many exhibits that the museum offers. If you’d rather just explore the town of Limerick itself, check out People’s Park. Located right next to the Limerick City Gallery of Art, People’s Park is a wonderful place to leisurely stroll through with a vast selection of deciduous and evergreen trees as well as an array of flowers on display. Limerick has many more secrets and sights for you to discover on your adventure with the Sword Experience, so don’t delay, book your tickets today.

Why travel to Ireland?

Ireland is beautiful for one. Secondly, it’s a place to tick off your bucket list. Yes, we’re absolutely excited to share in these experiences with you while you train with Adrian Paul, as he teaches you the art of sword handling, sword fight choreography, and physical fitness.But traveling with us to Ireland is the essence of what the Sword Experience was created to share:

Invaluable fitness training.
Sword and fight choreography training in an amazing setting.
Autographed photos.
A professionally edited video of your experience.
Free professional photos for you to keep for your memories.
A travel adventure unlike any you have experienced.

You’ll also meet like-minded world travelers,whoshare your love of physical fitness, travel, and film. Who knows, like many of our past experiences, you too mightform newfound friendships with people from all across the globe! So why wait for next year? Ireland maybe a stone’s throw away for some but even if it isn’t, travelling to Ireland is an experience to remember. Personally, becoming the hero of my own Robin Hood story and takingmy next travel adventure to the next level with a The Sword Experience trip to Limerick, isn’t something I would want to miss.

May 13 2019

The Sword Experience is Coming to the Greater Austin Area!

Get ready Texas, the Sword Experience is coming to the Greater Austin Comic Con. Join Adrian Paul this June 15th for an exciting adventure of swordplay and fitness as you learn the fight choreography from the 2005 blockbuster superhero film Batman Begins. Train alongside Adrian Paul just as Bruce Wayne trained with the League of Shadows and hone your sword handling and fight skills, and take your Con experience to new and exciting heights. Everything is bigger in Texas, and we’re excited to bring the best fitness and travel experience to Austin. The Greater Austin Comic Con is sure to attract Texans from all across the state, so if it’s your first time in the greater Austin area, we thought we’d share some great tips to get the most out of your visit.

When you think of Texas, food is always the first thing that pops to mind, and Austin has no shortage of delectable eats. Just south of Austin is the small town of Lockhart. Considered the Barbeque Capital of Texas, this small town is the perfect place to drop by after getting your sweat on with the Sword Experience. Step into a piece of Texas barbeque history at Smitty’s Market. Smitty’s has been named one of the Top Barbeque Restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Try some of their delicious brisket or sausages that have won multiple awards. Or pop on over to Chisholm Trail BBQ, a favorite with the locals. You’ll find delicious barbeque and buffet style sides that will blow you away. Or if you’re looking for a more personal experience with your pit master, with barbeque at an unbeatable price, head over to Smokey Z’s BBQ for some delicious roadside dining.

If you’re looking for great burgers, Austin is home to several burger joints to tickle your fancy. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, then the homegrown chain P. Terry’s Burger Stand is the perfect fit for you. Founded in 2005, P. Terry’s has quickly become an Austin staple and has branched out with locations surrounding the greater Austin area. You’re never too far from one of these delicious burger joints, so grab one on your way to or from the Con. If you’re in search of a premium burger experience, look no further that Salt & Time, a farm to table dining experience. The restaurant sources all of its meat from Texas ranchers. The result is the famous “Butcher Burger.” The freshly sourced meat guarantees that every burger has a different flavor day after day. Grab some beef-fat fries with your burger to top it off. Or, if you love burgers, but think just an ordinary bun is too plain, then indulge in gluttony with Gourdough’s Public House. Gourgough’s menu is filled to the brim with delectable donuts and deserts, but why not try one of their delicious donut burgers. That’s right, donut burgers.

If you’re trying to take it easy on the calories and get the most out of your workout and training with Adrian and the Sword Experience, then take a look at some of the great vegan and vegetarian food that Austin has to offer. Although Texas is mostly known for its barbeque and meat, Austin is a fantastic city for those whose diets mostly consist of the plant variety. Many Austin restaurants source their vegetables from local farmers for fantastic food to table dining. Visit Citizen Eatery for an entirely plant based and vegan menu. Get a taste of Vegan Tex-Mex with their Chik’n Nachos, tortilla chips covered in vegan chik’n, bell peppers, onion, vegan queso, and guacamole. Or, check out Counter Culture and experience their vegan takes of Philly cheesesteaks, cold cuts, burgers and more. So, no matter what food you are in the mood for, there are plenty of options for you in the greater Austin area.

If you want to make the most out of your trip to Cedar Park for the Greater Austin Comic Con, check out some of the amazing tourism spots that Austin has to offer. The Austin area is home to dozens of caverns to explore. The Inner Space Caverns are located just outside of Georgetown and offer a view of a distant past. The caverns were discovered in the 1960’s when construction crews happened upon them while drilling. Once uncovered, the cave became a fantastic archeological find. Bones from and fossils from a prehistoric era are still on display, and the caverns are now home to thousands of bats. Exploration of the caverns yields gorgeous views of stalactites and stalagmites. Each spire represents centuries of growth and transformation and are a testament to the wonders of nature. There are plenty of natural wonders that Austin has to offer. Check out the Congress Avenue Bridge, home of the world’s largest urban bat colony. After training with Adrian Paul and learning the fight choreography from the film Batman Begins, what better way to get in touch with your inner Batman than watching the bats pour out from under the bridge at dusk. Or for a closer experience check out the various boat tours on the river as bats blanket the sky above you.

If you just want to relax, see a movie, and maybe grab a bite to eat at the same time, then check out the Alamo Drafthouse. The Alamo Drafthouse has several locations throughout the Austin area. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Lakeline is located just a few minutes from the Greater Austin Comic Con, and offers viewers a unique movie and dining experience. The Drafthouse was created by film lovers for film lovers and celebrates the culture and influence of films from all over the world. Their code of conduct is one of the strictest in the theater business to ensure that your film going experience is not sullied by loud talkers, bright cell phones, and annoying distractions. The theater has an extensive menu for any taste and they often create delectable combinations to pair with the movie you are watching. The Alamo Drafthouse offers a unique film going experience that any cinephile will appreciate. From current showings of blockbuster movies, to screenings of cult classic films, the Alamo Drafthouse is a must visit for any film fan.

We here at the Sword Experience are just as excited as you are to visit Cedar Park for the Greater Austin Comic Con. We cannot wait to be part of your adventure this June, so come join Adrian Paul as he trains you in the art of sword handling, sword fighting, and physical fitness. Learn the sword fight choreography from the hit film Batman Begins and train just like Bruce Wayne did with his mentor, Henry Ducard. Become the star of your own action movie as a photographer and videographer captures every moment of your training that will be edited and stylized into a video for you to show off to your friends and add to your memorabilia. There is so much to experience in Austin on your visit, from delicious food to natural wonders, but we know that your day with us at the Sword Experience will rival any adventure you’ve had before. Just as The Friendly State welcomed us warmly to the Greater Austin Comic Con, we welcome you to join Adrian Paul this June for your next great adventure.

May 11 2019

Spotlight on Stephen Fisher and Bowling Green

Summer is coming in hot this year at the Sword Experience. Adrian Paul has traveled the globe with his fitness and sword fight program, cultivating a large following of people that share a common love of swords, fitness, and fandom of action films. This June, we’re excited to bring the Sword Experience to Bowling Green, Kentucky thanks to Musketeer and Sword Partner Stephen Fisher. We had a chance to speak with Stephen a little about Bowling Green, his past with the Sword Experience, and got to know more about one of Adrian Paul’s most trusted Sword Partner’s and Musketeers.

Sword Experience (SXP): First, tell us a little about yourself. What is the Bowling Green Fencing Academy? What does the Bowling Green Fencing Academy offer? How long have you been in operation?

Stephen Fisher (SF): I am a fencing coach from Bowling Green, KY. Home of the Corvette. I started fencing at the age of 12 (1996) at our local University’s fencing club. After returning from my tour in Baghdad, Iraq, (2006-07) I began my fencing teaching career in 2008. Throughout the years I’ve been a rated fencer in foil, épée, and sabre, a 3-weapon referee and coach. I trained members of our national Paralympic team, and served as a secretary for the US Fencing Coaches Association and tournament chairmen for the KY Division of USA Fencing. I’m also an amateur fencing historian, and collector and trader of antique and vintage fencing weapons and texts.

The Bowling Green Fencing Academy was founded by myself in June of 2012. The University’s intramural sport club was closed to everyone except students, faculty and staff. So, my goal was to start my own business, offering the sport for the first time to the public in Bowling Green. Bowling Green Fencing Academy will turn 7 this year! We offer beginners classes for ages 6 to adult, as well as intermediate and advanced group classes and individual lessons. I teach the modern Italian Olympic school of fencing and we are a 3-weapon club. I also teach theatrical fencing courses where we look at the works of prominent fight masters Fred Cavens, William Hobbs, and Bob Anderson. If you’d like to learn more about BGFA, you can visit the website at www.bgfencingacademy.com.

SXP: What initially brought you to the Sword Experience?

SF: A fellow fencer and collector, Roy Tyler, brought it to my attention a few years ago. As I was a fan of the Highlander series, I had to check it out. I thought it was a great idea that Mr. Paul was teaching fight choreography classes, and the fact he was taught by the late Sword Master Bob Anderson during the first two seasons of Highlander. My friend ended up traveling to the 1st Chicago Elite Experience. Then, as a Father’s Day gift to myself, I attended the Knoxville, TN Sword Experience in 2017. It was a blast! The event was a Con experience and ended up running from 7pm to close to midnight!

SXP: It looks like you’ve worked with Adrian in the past in Lexington. How was it working with Adrian as a Sword Partner?

SF: Correct, I was his Sword Partner, and worked as a Musketeer to help promote the event. I grew up watching Highlander and the chance to work with Adrian Paul is something I’d never thought would happen. I feel the Lexington event went very well. He is a courteous, down to earth professional who knows exactly what he wants to do. He pays attention to every detail to ensure the safety of the participants, and has excellent control of large groups and the structure of the Sword Experience itself. I’m forward to working with him again on June 1st.

SXP: Why do you think Bowling Green will be a good fit for the Sword Experience?

SF: I feel we are in a great location geographically. Bowling Green is a great city with a lot to do, for example, we have Lost River Cave, which is one of the few places in the United States where you can take an underground boat tour, or you can visit the Corvette Museum and plant.

SXP: As a Musketeer, you helped us find the Historic Railpark and Train museum. What were some of the challenges finding this place, and why do you think it’s a good place to hold the final fight?

SF: I scouted out several other locations around town, one including a river walk bridge, and of course the Railpark. We had decided to do the warm up and training portion at my club, and the train museum is conveniently located across the street. the Historic Railpark has a great atmosphere and several episodes throughout the Highlander series had scenes near a railyard. We have access to film inside the Historic lobby and around the railcars on site. It will make a great backdrop for the final video as the participants will be learning a fight choreographed by F. Braun McAsh from the Highlander episode “Methuselah’s Gift” that was directed by Adrian Paul himself. Exciting! Sword Experience aside, the Historic L&N Depot was the hub to reach Louisville, KY and south to Nashville, TN.

We here at the Sword Experience are just as excited as Stephen Fisher is to bring one of the best fitness and sword training events to Bowling Green, Kentucky. We’re even more proud of the wonderful work Stephen has done with us throughout the years. He is a cherished and valued member of the Sword Experience team. If you’d like to learn more about how to become a Musketeer, click here. Or if you believe you have the qualifications to be one of Adrian’s Sword Partners, email us a description of your expertise as well as a video of you work, so we can see you in action, to contact@swordxp.com

Whether you’re passionate about swords, Highlander, historic trains, or classic cars, we’re sure that Bowling Green is going to be your next great adventure that you will talk about for ages.

Apr 27 2019

The Sword Experience is Coming Back to Germany!

We here at the Sword Experience are excited for our upcoming retreat in Ahrensburg, Germany. This will be the second Sword Experience retreat following the successful Belize retreat in November of 2018. If you’re looking for where to find one of the best fitness events in Germany then join Adrian Paul July 26th through the 28th in Ahrensburg. Or, for travelers looking for something outside of a normal sightseeing adventure, then join one of the best travel events in Germany and book your ticket for the Sword Experience online. We’ve previously held one-day events in Stuttgart and Leverkusen and we knew they would be hard to top, but this year travel with us on a Renaissance getaway. During your two-day, three-night retreat at the Park Hotel, you will enjoy a welcome dinner with Adrian Paul as he breaks down the weekend events. Tour the historic Schloss Ahrensburg castle and get to know its inner secrets.

Train with Adrian as he teaches you the fight choreographyfrom the film Highlander: Endgame. Come out for movie night, where you will be treated to a showing of the film Highlander: Endgame featuring the very scene you’ll be learning, and afterwards join us for a special Q&A with Adrian Paul. Take home a swag bag of goodies as well as autographed pictures, photos with Adrian, and your very own bokken to take home as a special keepsake.

The historic Ahrensburg castle was built in the late 16th Century and features stunning architecture that any traveler will be in awe of. Its four corner copper turrets offer a spectacular contrast to its white washed walls. The castle’s design was built more for artistic purposes than for warfare, and this gorgeous exterior will be the backdrop of your training with Adrian Paul. A photographer will capture every moment as Adrian teaches you the art of sword handling, mobility training, meditation, fight choreography and sword fighting on the grounds of this gorgeous Renaissance castle.

Prepare for the Quickening, as all this will culminate in a grand finale of the choreographed showdown from the movie Highlander: Endgame, filmed on the castle grounds. Become the star of your own movie and show off to friends with a Hollywood styled edited video of your fight. Check out some of the amazing footage and photographs from our first retreat in Belize to get a taste of what The Sword Experience has in store for you this year in Ahrensburg.

This retreat isn’t just about travel; this retreat is about finding and establishing lifelong connections with like-minded individuals. Since 2015, the Sword Experience has travelled the globe, connecting people with their love of swords, fitness, friendship, and fandom. You will meet people from all over the globe that share your pursuit in a vacation that is outside the norm of a regular sightseeing trip. Together with your newfound friends, you’ll receive an immense amount of sword training as you sharpen your sword skills in a condensed amount of time. You’ll explore the castle grounds together, as you absorb the culture and history of the Renaissance castle. And when this incredible adventure finally ends, you will undeniably have made friends, connections, and memories that will last a lifetime.

If you are staying with us at the Park Hotel Ahrensburg, you ill be treated to complimentary water, soda, and some beer and wine during your stay. Feeling stressed out after a day of intense sword training and physical fitness? Get a nice steam going in the sauna or simply relax in the warmth of the tepidarium, free to all hotel guests and just €10 for any external guests. Or you can catch some rays in the hotel’s solarium. And after slaying another immortal, you deserve to pop into the hotel bar “Rondeel.” Perfect for a nightcap after the Highlander: Endgame Q&A.

Almost a decade before the MCU, the Highlander series kicked off its own brand of cinematic universes with the Highlander film and television series. The culmination of these two universes occurred at the turn of the century with Highlander: Endgame. The film stars Christopher Lambert reprising his role as
Connor MacLeod from the Highlander film series and Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod from the Highlander TV series, in a continuation and connection of both franchises. Your retreat includes a free screening of Highlander: Endgame where you get to ask Adrian all your burning questions. What was it like filming this crossover? What kind of issues did they experience on set? Are the rumors that the director of John Wick is attached to the Highlander franchise true? All your questions will be answered in Ahrensburg.

Travel to Ahrensburg should be a breeze, as it is only thirty minutes from the Hamburg Airport. Any European or American Highlander fan would be remised if they pass over the opportunity to learn the choreography from one of their favorite film and TV franchises from one of the stars of the film themselves! Tickets from Paris to Hamburg are starting at $113 and from London to Hamburg just $61. However, as all well-versed travelers know these prices only continue to increase as your travel date nears, so book your flight now. If you don’t feel like flying, there’s always the train! The Intercity Express train from Berlin to Hamburg with tickets as low as $75. You can watch the countryside and kickback as you prepare for a weekend full of adventure. For those of you wishing to extend your stay in Germany, check out the Hamburg Card. With the Hamburg Card, you have unlimited travel on all U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus and ferry routes. You’ll also receive more than 150 discounts at many of the city’s museums, restaurants and stores. A three-day card costs €25.50 and you can find them at HVV buses, vending machines, service centers, tourist offices, many hotels and hostels, and of course online. The amount that you will save on traveling around the city is incalculable. If you’re in Hamburg for a few days, it would be worthwhile to check out the Cap San Diego. This 159meters-long vessel is the largest seaworthy museum ship in the world. If you’re having too much fun perusing the exhibitions or watching a musical or comedy show, you can actually book a room for the night.

The Sword Experience retreat in Ahrensburg, Germany offers you a unique travel adventure that you won’t soon forget. Your weekend will be filled with great food, beautiful architecture, and physical fitness. Hang out with the star of the Highlander series and pick his brain as he teaches you the choreography behind some of your favorite scenes and learn inside knowledge into the making of your favorite film and television franchise. Show off your newfound sword handling skills with your friends with your very own bokken, as well as a stylized video of your training and experience. We look forward to traveling with you to Ahrensburg, Germany, and remember Highlander heads, “There can be only one!”