After about six hours, we reached the Austrian-Italian border and decided to give the Dolomites a visit. Unfortunately the weather was really bad, so we returned to Austria the next day. Tyrol it was then!

From Larger Villages, To Smaller Ones; And From Smaller Ones To Innervillgraten.

Innervillgraten is one of the most traditional and most beautiful mountain villages in Tyrol. Approximately 940 people call it their home and it’s a very typical scattered settlement at around 1402 metres above sea level. The region is one of the most remote regions in Austria and is only accessible throughout the year since 1956. This gives you a hint of what our next couple of days looked like.

Small alpine villages are characteristic for Innervillgraten and while driving along the continually smaller roads, we ended up at exactly one of these…

Welcome To Oberstalleralm.

These alpine huts were built for the summer cattle husbandry. Farmers lived with their animals during the season. That is why these huts are actually quite large with living rooms and a stable. Today, they’re used as holiday cottages for vacationers like us.

The protected alpine village Oberstalleralm consists of only 18 rustic alpine huts, which was perfect for us. This part of Austria is a paradise and a place of refuge for anyone looking for peace and tranquillity. Unspoilt nature is all you’ll get here.

Restaurant Tip.

• Gasthof Badl Alm
• Adress: Kalkstein 160a, 9932 Innervillgraten
• Opening Hours: Daily from 11.30am – 6.00pm

The “Gasthof Badl Alm” in Innervillgraten is the perfect place to start your hike or excursion. Great food and a lovely place to stay at.

Farming is the number one business in Innervillgraten.

Apart from the town centre, Innervillgraten mainly consists of farms spread out across the area.

The landscape around the Innervillgraten valley is one of the most beautiful we’ve come across in Austria.

Oberstalleralm is one if the most serene and peaceful places in Tyrol.

The alpine village Oberstalleralm consists of only 18 rustic alpine huts.

Apart from vacationers renting one of the farm houses at Oberstalleralm, you’ll only come across hikers once in a while.

So a while ago, we decided to skip a weekend of couch-surfing at home for a road trip to a small but very well-known town not far from the Austrian border, in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic: Český Krumlov. Český Krumlov and Prague, are the two most popular destinations in the Czech Republic and an absolute must visit place for any traveller! Once you’ve been here, it’s not hard to understand why.

Getting to Český Krumlov isn’t too hard. It’s just a day trip from Prague, Salzburg or Vienna and if you get up early enough, even Munich. Driving to Český Krumlov from Vienna is a bit dull (there’s really not that much around), especially with unclear weather, however, once it comes into sight, you’ll be speechless by the beauty of this little town that is so well preserved, it’s almost unreal.

Český Krumlov Highlights.

We were lucky to find a parking spot right behind the multistorey castle – under normal circumstances, (free) parking nearby is close to impossible. We entered the old town from the back of the castle, walked right through the massive Cloak Bridge, which connects the castle complex with the gardens that crown it on the summits of the cliffs, before we came to one of the little bridges that connect the inner and outer part of town.

Český Krumlov literally looks like something out of a fairytale with the huge castle overlooking the picturesque, magical old town and the Vltava river winding its way around it. The narrow, labyrinth-like lanes (though admittingly, it’s not handicap friendly) make you feel like you’re walking in an old Disney film.

Most visitors set their sight on the mighty castle (as did we). And they’re right to do so: It’s one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Europe, the second largest in the Czech Republic, with magnificent and elaborate exterior facades, forty buildings and palaces, situated within five courts. The castle itself offers many sights, yet the most striking one for us was the colorful round tower, featuring a 162-step climb to the top, from where you have an amazing 360° view.

A Well Deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Český Krumlov doesn’t seem to force anything onto anyone (like for example demanding lots of cash for entering the castle), and there’s no need to rip-off visitors. It’s quite rare that a place of such beauty behaves so modest.

With its simple charm and wonderful medieval feel, Český Krumlov is not only a well deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site, but exactly the kind of quite, small town in Europe that many people dream of experiencing.

Český Krumlov has long been recognised as one of the most charming fairytale towns in all of Europe.

The Vlatava River surrounds the fairytale town of Český Krumlov.

The 360° Český Krumlov view from the Caste Tower is an absolute must for any visitor. The banner at the top shines at a height of 86 m above the Vltava River. The tower has a Gothic core, but it was completed in Renaissance style and is probably the most famous symbol of Český Krumlov, built to guard the medieval river crossing.

Renaissance mural paintings are well preserved all over the Český Krumlov Castle.

Český Krumlov castle is built right into the side of the mountain wall.

The area of the Vth courtyard is accessible from the buildings of the Upper Český Krumlov Castle across the Cloak Bridge.

The three-storied covered arched Cloak bridge of the Český Krumlov Castle stands on massive stone pillars and is a technically daring and impressive construction.

Wall paintings of the IIIrd Courtyard of Český Krumlov Castle.

Not too long ago, we decided to travel up North again to visit friends in London. Since we’ve never been outside of the capital, and we had long weekend ahead of us, a trip to the inland of England was on our agenda.

Scanning The Map.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Scotland, but time was too short to head up this far, so Nottingham caught out attention when scanning the map. An hour later, we were on our way. I always thought that distances in the UK are a lot greater but after only three hours of driving (we would have made it in two but getting out of London during rush hour put us a bit behind schedule), we reached our desired destination.

A Weekend In Nottingham.

Nottingham is a dynamic place with big-city aspirations, atmospheric historical sights, and a buzzing music and club scene thanks to the thriving student life.

Nottingham’s old city centre is a highlight and home to several important attractions like Nottingham’s Old Market Square (the largest in England btw). Nottingham Castle gives you an excellent view of the city and is notable for its bronze statues of Robin Hood. Numerous caves exist underneath Nottingham, including the spectacular Mortimer’s Hole located directly below the castle. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see this for whatever reason. I guess a little more research in advance would have been helpful. Then there’s also Highfields Park, a large park full of magnificent trees, exotic plants and a great place for outdoor activities like boating.

Nottingham was definitely an exciting weekend trip. Hopefully we’ll get to come here again – with nice weather (it was raining about 80% of the time we were there) to really enjoy all the sights.

Forever associated with the Robin Hood legend, Nottingham is a dynamic county capital with big-city aspirations, atmospheric historical sights, and a buzzing music and club scene.

There are lots of opportunities to experience something totally new. With dozens of trails around the city and county, exploring this heritage is a great deal, since it’s free!

Nottingham is one of the most popular weekend destinations in the United Kingdom.

There are many things that can be done in Nottingham, yet we decided to simply walk around this lovely city and enjoy the typical British way of living.

The red brick of Nottingsham’s building are really beautiful and definitely caught our camera-eye.

Nottingham is a thriving city in the heart of England and home to around 750.000 people. Still it has been named the eighth worst place to live in England…

I love sitting on a roof-top terraces to watch the sun set over the one of the world’s most beautiful skylines. I love the locals, who are more than friendly. I love listening to the Muezzin – even at 4.00 am – to which you can set the clock. I love the parks and the delicious sweets. What can I say, I’ve simply lost my heart to Istanbul!

Here Europe and Asia meet and this makes it the perfect spot for any travel photographer. It has more jaw-dropping sights you could ever imagine and an incredible cultural experience will follow you each step of the way. There are many must visit sights and places of interest in Istanbul and I would like to share some of my favourite.

1. Süleymaniye Mosque.

Süleymaniye Mosque is an architectural masterpiece. The aesthetic supremacy of its interior and exterior and its perfect proportions have been captivating visitors for centuries. I actually find this Mosque the most impressive in Istanbul.

Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most impressive Mosques in Istanbul.

2. Gülhane Park.

Gülhane Park is a historical urban park located on part of the Topkapi Palace grounds. It’s one of the oldest public parks in Istanbul which is frequented by many locals & tourist aiming for fresh air and superb nature right in the centre of Istanbul. Sometimes dealing with the masses of people can be daunting, so this is the perfect spot to settle down after an extensive day of walking. You can either rest on one of the many benches, or walk down the tranquil, tree lined path that leads you all the way to the Bosphorus.

Gülhane park the perfect spot to relax a little.

The large trees and beautiful flower arrangements make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.

Gülhane park is also one of the few spots in Istanbul where can get away from all the hustle & bustle.

3. Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is the last stop on the Silk Road. It’s truly a maze market and with more than 3.000 shops, it’s one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Established in 1461 by Mehmet the Conqueror, it houses more than 60 streets of jewellery, textiles, pottery, leather & carpets. Bring a map for orientation, but still expect to get lost at least once. If you’re into books, definitely check out Sahaflar Carsisi (the Old Book Bazaar) which was moved to the picturesque location near the Beyazid Mosque.

Istanbuls Grand Bazaar is a true shoppers paradise.

The entrance to the Grand Bazaar is almost like a door into a far away land…

The book section of the Grand Bazaar offers all sort of reading material.

4. Galata Bridge.

The Galata Bridge spans across the Golden Horn and was built in 1992 to replace an iron structure dating from 1909 to 1912, which had already replaced two earlier structures. A walk across the bridge is an absolute must for every visitor. During the day, the bridge carries a constant flow of people crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, as well as a handful of hopeful anglers. Underneath, restaurants and cafés are open day and night. Historically (and in some respect also today), the Galata Bridge was a symbolic link between the traditional city of Istanbul. On one side you had imperial palace and religious institutions, and on the other side the districts of Galata and Beyoğlu, where where foreign merchants and diplomats lived and worked and where today a young hip and more artsy crowd frequents the area.

Although the Galata Bridge is not the most beautiful sights, it has become a must-see landmark of Istanbul.

Every day fishermen come try their luck from the Galata Bridge.

5. Hagia Sofia.

The Byzantine masterpiece was built by Emperor Justinian I as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica. This huge 30 metre diameter dome covers what was once the largest enclosed space in the world. After Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, it became a mosque, before being converted into a museum in 1935. The stunning interior is supposed to be well-worth the wait outside (calculate at least 2 hours). We were there on a Monday, which is unfortunate the only day the museum is closed…

Seeing the Hagia Sofia from the inside, means standing in line for quite some time.

The Hagia Sofia is one of the most famous museums world-wide.

6. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque aka The Blue Mosque.

Neighbouring the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque is an impressive sight from the outside as its one of only a few Mosques in the world with six minarets. Its name comes from the interior, the decorative blue tiles that cover the walls. This architectural masterpiece is one of the most popular must-visits in Istanbul and if you wish to see the insight you have to calculate a great amount of time.

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is probably the most frequented sight, yet it’s also an active Mosque, therefore it’s important to be respectful when visiting.

7. Bosphorus.

No trip is complete without crossing the Bosphorus to visit the Asian shore. Excursions along shoreline best reveal the city’s beauty and other attractions hidden from street view.

There are many legends about Maiden’s Tower and its location. According to the most popular Turkish legend, an emperor had a much beloved daughter and one day, an oracle prophesied that she would be killed by a venomous snake on her 18th birthday. The emperor, in an effort to thwart his daughter’s early demise by placing her away from land so as to keep her away from any snakes, had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until her 18th birthday. The princess was placed in the tower, where she was frequently visited only by her father.

On a ride along the Bosphorus you will come across the majestic structures of Rumeli Hisari. Mehmet the Conqueror had it built in a mere four months in 1452, in preparation for his siege of Byzantine Constantinople. For its location, he chose the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. By doing so, Mehmet was able to control all traffic on the strait, cutting the city off from resupply by sea.

8. A Ride On A Heritage Tramway.

There are two heritage tramways in Istanbul – one on the European and one on the Asian side. The Taksim-Tünel Nostalgia Tramway (also called T2 line), runs from Taksim to Tünel. The historic trams are small, can’t hold many passengers, and are full most of the time. The ride is relatively slow but pleasant. The conductor constantly has to ring his bell to clear the way of pedestrians walking on Istiklal Avenue – frequented by approximately 3 million people every day.

CAtching a ride on the Heritage Tramway to Taksmi Square is not easy but definitely worth it.

9. New Mosque & Spice Bazaar.

The Spice Bazaar was built in 1663 as part of the New Mosque. It was the last stop for camel caravans travelling on the Silk Road, which already gives a sense of the history around this marketplace. Spices are displayed alongside Turkish delights and dried fruits as eye candy for tourists and locals who make their way here every day.

Thousand of shoppers in Istanbul frequent the Spice Bazaar each day

All sorts of exotic spices can be bought at this Bazaar in Istanbul.

10. Galata Quarter & Galata Tower.

Last but not least, walking through the Galata quarter is an absolute must – in particular the Galata Tower from where you have an amazing 360° view of the city. Galata is a great place to relax, wander the streets, discover, take pictures and enjoy the city. This part of town is hip, stylish, trendy & young. You’ll come across many local shops; from gift shops to cool shoe shops, vintage boutiques to Turkish designer’s showrooms, great cafés and cosy restaurants. The architecture is also worth seeing; it’s a mixture between run down buildings, old-fashioned wooded houses and modern façades.

The skyline of Istanbul is definitely one of the most impressive in the world – especially at night.

The view of the Galata Bridge and New Mosque from the Galata Tower.

Off we go.

Last June, some guys asked us if we would transport their luggage by car, while they cycled through Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic for a few days.

All We Had To Do Was:

1. Be at the cyclers planned accommodation the night before their arrival.
2. Pick up their luggage in the morning after they started their route for the day.

So this would have given us plenty of time to see the area. Therefore, we immediately took the chance (after all we were being paid for a nice long weekend) and left on a sunny Friday afternoon towards the Hungarian border.

Hungary.

The landscape around Sopron is pretty interesting. The South of Lake Neusiedl is sparsely populated and you get the impression the animals are taking over. You’ll find lots of camp grounds in the villages along the road lots of “Spa Towns” with artesian water. We set up our tent at a quiet corner of an otherwise huge camp ground, mainly packed with German holidaymakers in their RV’s.

One of the best things we love about Hungary is that it’s easy to drive “off road”, and since we were on our way with a Toyota RAV4, we tried to drive as much as possible on little dirt tracks, avoiding any villages and main roads. It’s so much fun once you are used to the bumpiness. Of course, a compass or a GPS should be on board so that you can’t get lost.

Anyway, we drove further North and after picking some strawberries in a “pick it yourself” strawberry field we passed Györ, and continued towards the Slovakian border. There at the border (it wasn’t a real border any more thanks to the European Union) we crossed the bridge across the Danube river.

Landscape South of Lake Neusiedl in Hunary.

Going off road in Hungary.

Going off road in Hungary.

Slovakia.

As we already did in Hungary, we continued driving on little country lanes towards Bratislava, the Capital of Slovakia. This was our chance to finally visit Bratislava … but we simply passed through because we wanted to be in the countryside again. Just North of Bratislava the “Little Carpathian Mountain Range” begins. You’ll drive up a long and winding road – a real motor bikers delight – and at the highest point of the road are some rest houses & some mountain huts. In winter it’s a lovely skiing area with few (but fun) ski slopes. As this was one of the meeting points of our cyclers, we needed to settle down. We found a room in one of the mountain huts in the middle of the forest. It was dirt cheap with a yummy breakfast in the morning.
Further North through Slovakia, along the Austrian border, are beautiful little lakes in the beautiful riparian meadowland. Of course depending that the weather is nice and sunny. We passed a few little villages and noticed a few old men on motorbikes obviously with a few drinks (Slibovitz maybe…) too many. We were really lucky to avoid an accident with one of these guys. Police over there are .. well not as what you would expect them to be. So just be aware when you drive by car in Slovakia.

A lake in Slovakia.

The people of Slovakia are still very religious.

Asparagus harvest in Slovakia.

Czech Republic.

After crossing the border, we immediately made our way to Mikulov. It’s a beautiful old town with a long history and therefore you’ll come across lots of interesting buildings and a very nice Jewish Cemetery. A huge town party was in full swing when we arrived and the main square was packed of dancers and market stalls. This sort of entertainment always has a commercial background. We accidentally drove up to the main square and were stopped by the police immediately. No argument helped, the police had no mercy and collected a 40 € fine … but first we had to find an ATM machine to get some Czech Koronas. Btw: The police in Czech Republic is well known for ripping off foreigners, so again, we aware.

We continued on empty country tracks towards Znojmo, straightforward paved single lane roads along the Austrian border. You’ll pass some observation towers & bunkers from the cold war abandoned in the countryside. After Znojmo, we crossed the border to Austria and continued out way home.

Mikulov city in Czech Republic.

The Jewish cemetery in Mikulov, Czech Republic.

As you can see, within four days, you can easily have the chance of visiting 3 – 5 countries and its people. This is definitely something we really enjoy about Central Europa and a rather small home country like Austria :)

But this is future talk and for now, autumn is the time when you better come prepared. That means if you’re planning a weekend trip, check the weather forecast beforehand; if it looks a bit undecided/grim, be sure to pack up your rubber boots, an umbrella and a raincoat because this means “Acqua Alta” time in Venice. We arrived unprepared and looked pretty stupid when we wanted to leave the hotel after breakfast and the street was knee deep full of water. Our hotel was a really nice one (nothing fancy but who needs that anyway if you’re just planning on sleeping there), not far away from the train station but unfortunately they had no rubber boots to borrow.

But, as we’re all not made out of sugar, we took off our shoes and socks, rolled up the trousers and walked down fifty meters to the next shoe shop. Lots of people were already lining up get a pair rubber boots – imagine winter sale at Macy’s … people start doing anything for a last pair of those new trendy shows … As the place was not directly in the city center, the boots were on 16 € per pair – not too bad for a quick solution of the problem. In the city center we saw people paying up to 40 € for a pair of rubber boots. Depending on your negotiation skills you can get them for 30 – 35 € when buying them from one of the “flying merchants”. They were the obviously winners of the day!

The thing that worried us a bit was the electricity issue. So much water and high voltage is not the best combination. But Venice is prepared for these occurrences. Even the shop owners were pretty unimpressed by the situation, so we didn’t give it that much more of a thought.

So we were on our way and got to see how other visitors handled the weather conditions. We came across some funny sights indeed. Some simply walked barefoot, not worrying about catching a cold (it was pretty cold that day), others had a garbage bad wrapped around their feet to keep the water our of the shows. This method might work for a little while but in the long run, they usually give up – that’s why you see lots of garbage bags floating around in the streets.

Anyway, so we walked all day long without getting any blisters. The walking itself was a bit tough though; we weren’t able to run or walk pretty fast because we needed to avoid an overflow of water into the boots. Then at around 3 pm the tide turned and it was “business as usual” again…

“Acqua Alta” on Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy.

The walkways are flooded during “Acqua Alta” in Venice, Italy.

High water in the streets of Venice, Italy.

“One time” Rubber boots are a must during “Acqua Alta” in Venice, Italy.

Uncle Chrisi enjoyed the trip to Venice, Italy.

Interesting show styles during “Acqua Alta” in Venice, Italy.

Some people simply give up during “Acqua Alta” …

… others try to save money by wrapping plastic bags around their shoes.

The wonderful landscape in Tuscany, Italy.

As we stayed in Scandicci, which is about 8 km out into the hills, we always took the bus to the city center. This was convenient and we didn’t have to worry about parking spots & tickets.

Once you’re in the center, the best way is to simply start walking. You can walk along the Arno river where you’ll end up at Ponte Vecchio bridge. It’s one of the great landmarks of Florence and the oldest segmental arch bridge in the world.
The Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiori is also a landmark which shouldn’t be missed; it’s the largest Christian Cathedral in the world, with a dome that rises 107 meters into the sky. There are also (of course) many museums in Florence; Uffizi is probably the most famous one. I’d really suggest pre-booking for most of the museums because there are queues constantly.

Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy.

Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy.

There’s always an exhibition going on in Florence, Italy.

Sights in Florence are abundant, one would need weeks to see them all. But beside of all the antique sights there are various markets, flea-markets and craft-markets that will keep you very busy strolling through Florence. Not to forget all the little food stores with all the Italian delicatessen, some of them with an adjoining restaurant. Just wander the small alleys and you will find your favorite Florence spot for sure.

A typical, local food shop in Florence, Italy.

Castle lovers, prepare yourself!

It took us a little longer than expected to get to Leobendorf but due to our anticipation, we didn’t mind. We came from the West and therefore already saw the castle in the distance. Seemingly lifted from the pages of a Germanic fairy tale, Burg Kreuzenstein, bristling with storybook turrets and towers, might have even made Gustav Klimt drop his sketch book. It so looked like a castle out of a Disney movie.

After arriving at the parking lot, I was so exited to see the castle closer since it already made such an impression from far away. And I wasn’t disappointed: This gigantic medieval castle looked absolutely stunning! I’ve never seen anything like it before (in real life).

From far away, Burg Kreuzenstein looks a bit like Disneyland.

Burg Kreuzenstein from the outside – also a bit like from a Disney movie.

You have to know, I’m usually not one of these people, who goes on guided tours but this time was different. The outside looked so amazing that I just had to see the inside. So Ines and I bought a ticket for a guided tour – and that was a very wise decision! The castles inside is just as impressive as the outer parts. The entire building is so well restored and therefore it was easy to imagine how living there must have been. BUT, the interesting part about Burg Kreuzenstein is that it’s actually just a “show castle”. It was never built the way it looks today…

It almost felt like Ned Stark could ride by any minute…

Occupying the site of a previously destroyed fort, the enormous structure was built by Count Wilczek in the 19th century. Burg Kreuzenstein was constructed out of sections of medieval structures purchased by the family Wilczek from all over Europe to form an authentic-looking castle. Count Wilczek wanted a place to house his collection of late-Gothic art objects and armour … and Burg Kreuznstein was just the place for this.

Burg Kreuzenstein is one of the best renovated castles in Europe.

Inside the castle, the medieval thrills continue with rooms full of armaments, a festival and banquet hall, a library, a stained-glass chapel, vassal kitchens with a 3.000 year old wooden table and a room devoted to hunting trophies including a “Narwalzahn” (if you’ve ever wanted to see a “unicorn horn,” here’s your chance). By the way, Count Wilczek was not only obsessed with building Burg Kreuzenstein … Count Wilczek was the main sponsor of the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition from 1872 to 1874. Wilczek Land and Wilczek Island, two islands in Franz Josef Land, were named after this Austrian Count. He has accomplished to much that it almost seems like he lived the life of three men…

The inside of Burg Kreuzenstein is just as beautiful as the outside.

Lots of fine details make Burg Kreuzenstein so special.

The chapel is the most magnificent building of Kreuzenstein castle and also a gem of sacral medieval craftsmanship, exemplifying the great collector’s passion and the art-historical expertise of the castle’s rebuilder.

Even though knights never lived here, it’s interesting simply imagining it…

Trees are also grow inside of Burg Kreuzenstein.

So what else can I say? Other than that the trip to Burg Kreuzenstein left quite an impression, not that much. What I really enjoyed was the fact that I actually learned quite a lot on the tour. Like for example heaps of typical German expressions and their origin. Interesting stuff, I tell you!
Oh and I almost forgot one important fact: The castle is sometimes used as a location for films, most notably “Season of the Witch” with Nicolas Cage in 2011.

Contact Information

• Address: Leobendorf bei Korneuburg, A-2100 Leobendorf
• Entry Cost: 10 €
• Opening Hours: April – October / daily from 10am – 4pm
• Website: www.kreuzenstein.com

Since I grew up in a small town just outside of Vienna, I always knew that I would be living in a big city once I start with University or work. For the last four years now, Vienna has been my home and I have to say that I start liking the idea of living in a smaller town again. After visiting Graz, this thought has been even more on my mind than before. Graz has so much more flair and heart than Vienna. Everything is close together and therefore more manageable. If I would have to compare it with another city in Europe, I’d say that Graz is the Berlin of Austria (though obviously not as large); trendy, stylish, worth living. I think I have a new crush … Graz, I love you!

Where to stay?

Graz is only about two hours from Vienna, which is a nice distance because you don’t arrive there fully exhausted. My friend and I booked ourselves into the lovely Hotel Wiesler along the Mur River. Such a nice hotel with much love for details. For example: We stayed in one of the “Independent Rooms” with a wonderful view up to the Clock Tower. Sure, that’s nothing too special but get this: there was a pair of binocular attached to the wall next to the window … Hmmm, the hotel leaves it up to you if you rather spy on the people living on the other side of the Mur then take a closer look at the Schlossberg ;) Just one of hundred cute details, which made the hotel stand out even more.

Our “Independent Room” at Hotel Wiesler, Graz.

Where to eat?

Breakfast: The coffee shop tribeka is supposed to offer the best coffee in town … I couldn’t tell since I didn’t visit any other coffee shops but what I can tell you is that it’s one hell of a good coffee! They also have a great variety of sweet or savory breakfast food. Really lovely place and if the weather permits, you can enjoy your breakfast outside.

Dinner: I knew that Hotel Wiesler was a well known hotel but I didn’t know that the Speisesaal (which is a part of the hotel) is one of the best (burger) restaurants in Austria. The burger was absolutely fantastic! I can really recommend this place – not only because of the superb food but also the great atmosphere.

Sights worth seeing.

Schlossberg: Obviously one weekend is not enough to see an entire city – not matter how small it is. But I did the best of my time and started walking along the Mur river to the steep way up to the Schlossberg. The way up there is long and exhausting (you can also take the escalator for 0.90 € if you don’t need the work-out) but so worth it. 260 steps lead up from the Schlossbergplatz to the Clock Tower. Between 1914 and 1918, Austrian & Russian pioneers built these steps which is why they are called “Russensteig” (Russian steps) or “Kriegssteige” (war steps) as they were build during WWI. Up there, you have a wonderful (pretty much) 360° view of Graz.

The Clock Tower: The landmark of Graz is also one of the cities oldest buildings. The tower on the highest spot of town has already been named in 1265. In 1560 the Clock Tower received its characteristic wooden ambulatory and the clock.

Some impressions:

The view from the Schlossberg in Graz, Austria.

The clock tower on the Schlossberg in Graz, Austria.

The Kunsthaus in Graz, Austria.

The Altstadt in Graz.

The clock tower in Graz, Austria.

A cat in the window of a house in the Altstadt of Graz, Austria.

The Old Towns Spare is one of the most visited places in Prague. No wonder. You’ll not only find the scary looking Gothic Tyn Church there but also the world famous Astronomical Clock. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. Before leaving for Prague, my mum told me that my great great grandfather was one of the few people who knew how to repair this clock and therefore was one of the even fewer people who got his hands dirty repairing it…Pretty cool huh?

Old Town Hall Tower in Prague, Czech Republic.

Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czech Republic.

Tyn Church at night in Prague, Czech Republic.

2. Prague Castle.

Of course one of the biggest attractions is the Prague Castle with St. Vitus Church and the Golden Lane. It is the biggest castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. Prague was so tightly bound to what we call Western Europe today, that in the 17^th century it was enough to through two catholic town councils and a secretary out of the Prague Castle to start a war; a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe…

The view of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Petrin Tower.

Walking around the Prague Castle will leave you all alone in certain parts.

The walls of Prague Castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the Czech Republic..

The Cathedral of St. Vitus had a tremendous influence on the development of Late Gothic style characteristic for Central Europe.

The Golden Lane inside the Prague Castle dates from the 15th Century and has a beautiful, olden world quaintness about it. It comprises 11 historic houses, inside which period scenes have been created to show the life of the artisans who once worked, ate, drank and slept in them.

The name “Golden lane” inside Prague Castle is connected with 16th century alchemists, who had to look there, according to legends, for a reaction to produce gold.

3. Petřín.

Petřín is a hill in the center of Prague with an Eiffel Tower like tower on top. From up there, you have a stunning 360° view of the city. Sooo worth seeing!

Petrin tower in Prague, Czech Republic.

The view over Prague from Petrin Tower.

Railway up to Petrin in Prague, Czech Republic.

4. (John) Lennon Wall.

To be honest, we didn’t plan on visiting the John Lennon Wall. We heard about it, yet it didn’t capture our attention. We reached the wall by accidents when walking through the side alley near Charles Bridge – and we were not disappointed. It once was a regular wall, but since the early 1980’s it was continuously filled with John Lennon inspired graffiti. Why? Well, in 1988 Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and in a report of the time. This led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the nearby Charles Bridge. The movement these students followed was described (ironically) as “Lennonism”. What’s so great abut this place is that it constantly undergoes change because people still paint/write on the wall.

John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.

Lover’s locks near the John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.

5. The Old Jewish Cemetery.

The Old Jewish cemetery in Prague truly fascinated me; It’s one of the most well known cemeteries in Europe because of the way the tombstones are arranged. Even though the entry isn’t cheap, it’s worth every single cent. A huge must see!

Inside the museum of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.

Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.