STYRIA & GRAZ – IN THREE DAYS…

DAY 1: GRAZ

Graz is a thoroughly walkable city. Kick off at the

Schlossberg, with the city sprawling below, and don’t miss the new Grazmuseum Schlossberg while you’re up here. Descend now south towards the Murinsel artificial island – which seems to bring Graz past and future together on the river, before getting a culture fix at the

Kunsthaus contemporary art museum on the opposite bank of the river. Afterwards cross the river back to relax on the Hauptplatz main square. Wander 10 mins north to the SKYBAR to watch night settle on the city before a decadent dinner in the old city; bar-hopping afterwards as Graz’ students propel the lively nightlife scene.

DAY 2: SPECTACULAR STYRIA

An hour’s drive north of Graz, the new hiking trail at Pöllauer Valley Nature Park gives you a taste of Styria’s greenery. Then head west

(2 hrs) and base yourself in Schladming.

This hub offers easy access to the Dachstein Mountains and their myriad mountain bike routes and hikes; downhill tobogganing too. View Styria’s highest peak (Hoher Dachstein),

as well as the otherworldly Dachstein Glacier,

handily reachable on a gondola.

DAY 3: A STYRIAN SOAK

After city slicking and mountain meandering, it’s time to just relax. The region east and south of Graz – ‘Styrian Tuscany’ – is known not just for its great food, but also for its wines and thermal spas. Today is a day of helping your mind and body recover with a treatment and a hot soak either at one of the spa hotels, or in a spa town like Bad Blumau. Rogner Bad Blumau (blumau.com) is a large complex of hot springs designed by avant garde architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This slice of Styria is the home of Kürbiskernöl pumpkin-seed oil too, so make sure to enjoy some of this local delicacy at dinner along with a glass of local wine from the bountiful vineyards.