Sunday, August 21, 2011

Unser Steiermark Ausflug: Teil II

The charming, family-owned and -operated Meyers Gasthof was home to us during our foray in Graz.  The Pension (guesthouse/B&B) is located in the southwest corner of the city, near the Straßgang train station.  The rooms are spacious and affordable and the restaurant whips up some pretty tasty food.  We had a very nice BBQ dinner and several filling breakfasts here.  

[image source: http://fi.hotels.com/]

 Here's a glimpse of our hearty Austrian breakfast with coffee and eggs made-to-order.

Driving around Styria presented some incredibly magnificent views, as many of our photos illustrate.  The act of driving was also quite an experience in and of itself.  Neither of us had ever driven in Austria, or anywhere in Europe for that matter.  Sure, we took a few wrong turns here and there, but thanks to the Google Maps app on our cell phones, we always found our way.  

From our Pension in Graz we headed west along Route 70 into the mountains and the wine growing region of Styria.  We then meandered south on the Schilcherweinstraße (Schilcher wine route, Route 76) until making our first pit-stop in Stainz.  We weren't planning to stay here long, but when one stumbles upon a small town wine festival, one must be flexible, no?  An unplanned detour often creates some of the best memories.

Here's a YouTube video we found online of some of the dancing at die Schilchertage in Stainz Fest.  Fantastic.


From Stainz we continued south on Route 76 and eventually veered east along the Südsteirische Grenz Straße (South Styrian border road, Route 69) paralleling the Slovenian border. We were told to visit the church in Sankt Veit am Vogau, which, though small, possesses some impressively ornate baroque elements and a few massive paintings on the ceiling -- among these, interestingly, we found an image of Karl Marx, who with raised hands speaks to the proletariat (just to the right of the Pope).  You don't see that everyday.  Well, maybe you do if you live in Sankt Veit am Vogau.
 Wallfahrtskirche St.Vitus   

2 comments:

Unknown said...

It just keeps getting better, leaving your followers more inspired. From the town festival to the extension of the Habsburg Family royalty painted buildings. I wish I could follow you there. Ich liebe dich!

Eva @ Four Leaf Clover said...

Your photos and adventure make me want to go on a roadtrip all over Europe!

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