Traveling: April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Graz 2012 - Part 1

Graz

Saturday - April 14th 2012

Our first trip in 2012 brought us to Graz, Styria's capital city, because Claudia had to attend a convention there and I joined her afterwards. Saturday morning I was on my way to Graz, where I arrived around noon. I checked in and half an hour later Claudia arrived as well.

Hotel Wiesler

We had booked the Grand Hotel Wiesler, because it had very good reviews and even Arnold Schwarzenegger had already stayed there. The hotel room was very nice and had a modern look which we really liked. In addition we had a wonderful view on the Clock Tower, the town's landmark. Breakfast was not included, but it was offered for an extra fee and we chose to have breakfast. The hotel also offered two restaurants and a small bar.

Our Room

Breakfast Room

Bar & Restaurant

View from our Room

After we checked in, we decided to walk into the inner city and had a small snack at one of the food carts on town square. Later we did some shopping at the local department store Kastner & Öhler, where Claudia got some new shoes. There was a Moet & Chandon Piano and Champage Bar in the shopping centre and of course we had to get a drink to start our weekend trip in style. I had a small glass of beer while my girlfriend enjoyed a wonderful glass of Styrian White Wine.

City Hall

Graz

Moet & Chandon at Kastner & Öhler

Graz

Now it was time for a late lunch and we decided to try a vegetarian buffet restaurant called Ginko. It was located just a short walkfew minutes from town square and the food was very good.

Ginko Buffet Restaurant

Afterwards we walked around the old part of the city, but unfortunately it started to rain and so we returned to the hotel. There we watched some TV and had a beer from the mini bar. Later we got ready for the evening.

Graz

Murinsel (Mur River Island)

Graz

We were still full from our late lunch and so we only had a bagel at a coffee shop named Tribeka right next to the hotel for dinner. Then we were on our way to the Gösser Bräu for some beers and pretzels. We spent the rest of the evening in a nice bar where we enjoyed another glass of wine, before we went back to our hotel room. After a shower, a beer from the mini bar and watching TV, we went to bed.

Dinner with Bagel and Coffee

Gösser Bräu Graz

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Graz 2012 - Part 2

Graz

Sunday - April 15th 2012

We got up around 8am and prepared us for breakfast, which was served in a very beautiful room from the beginning of the 20th century. The buffet offered many different cheeses, sausages, eggs, fruits, vegetables, spreads, cereals, rolls, marmelades, coffee, teas and juices. So there was something for everyone. The hotel even tried to cater my vegan girlfriend and provided soy milk, all kinds of spreads and flan.

Breakfast Room

Afterwards we packed our stuff and checked out. We put our luggage into the car and walked back to the inner city. Today we wanted to see the Clock Tower, the landmark of Graz. There are several ways to go on top and we chose the elevator, but guests can also walk or take the rope train (funicular).

Graz

Schloßberg

Schloßberg Elevator

The Clock Tower sits on top of the Schloßberg (castle mountain) and provides a beautiful view over the city. First we visited the tower and then we did a walk around the parks and gardens. Later we had a glass of Radler (beer mixed with lemonade) at the beergarden while enjoying the view over the city.

Clock Tower

Kunsthaus Graz seen from the Schloßberg

Schloßberg

It got colder and so we walked down to the town square. The old town of Graz is really beautiful and is also part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritages Sites. So we walked around the small alleys until we got hungry.

Graz Inner City

It was already early afternoon and we decided to have lunch. We chose Midori a Chinese Restaurant and on the way there we paid a visit to the Kunsthaus Graz which was built as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2003. For that occasion the city also built the Murinsel which we visited afterwards.