Picture this: not only you have the best hosts possible but one of them (Markus) offers to drive you to Graz which is 70ish km away. Can it get any better? Probably not. But wait for it...
In case it's hard to picture this I have already done it for you so here we are rolling down the S36 on our way to Graz:
I can't have enough of a route that offers a stereo view of super green dense forests.
Austria has more than plenty:
I also like the fact that they place soundproof walls on the highway to keep every village/town on its way quiet as possible:
As you can tell by the smoke going straight up it's not just a nice day (compared to the previous one) but totally windless too:
Interesting rock formations:
Not only they put those soundproof walls as you saw previously but they also have different decorative paterns:
Very thoughtful isn't it?
After this pleasant ride we arrive in Graz where my very first eye catcher is this super tall chimney:
Blame the local beer brewery Puntigam, hence the aptly name street (see the sign):
From the first rough views of "average" neighbourhoods in Graz that I capture while Markus drives I am already sure this can't go wrong as they are far from dodgy and it's obvious that the best are yet to come:
I mean, even a casual walk to the local SPA will bring you in front of this:
We're not here for its indoor pool but to park the car instead. Walking has just started and here's the local library behind the trees:
Look at that red!
The joy of walking by buildings with grace and history:
Remember that river Mur that I visited previously at Knittelfeld? Here's the same river as we walk towards the old city of Graz:
On the left right after the bridge you see the hotel Das Wietzer:
Next to the river I get my first view of the top of the Franciscan Church:
And a fuller view short;y after at Neutorgrasse street:
I already enjoy this backstreet walk at the center which is surprisingly quiet since there's either no vehicles or only electric ones:
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This seems to me as the most emblematic building of Graz (so far at least) which also hosts the town hall:
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The main square of Graz is such a beauty:
I just can't have enough of this old architecture:
We sneak into Sackstrasse:
And I love the main square so much that I can't resist turning back to have one more look (last?) at it:
Not that the street I'm walking on is not charming enough:
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You can't tell from the pictures (unless you are a local) but this is impressively quiet and I am right in the heart of the city!
A bit tired of walking with me maybe? Have a break and see you on the next part - you ain't seen enough of Graz yet!