Graz, Austria

Twenty years ago, I participated in a study abroad program in Graz, Austria.  Kim, Ryan, Kimberly, and I all met here and the main reason for this trip was for our 20 year reunion.  We had a great time over these last 4 days and it was fun to be back in Graz with my family.  20 years ago, marriage and kids were far from my mind.

The Schlossberg is one of my favorite parts of Graz and I have so many great memories of spending time up there.  My family stayed right around the corner from the steps up to the Schlossberg, I loved being that close.  You really work up a sweat walking up these stairs to the top.

I of course had to venture up this everyday.  I did get tears on my last journey up.

The view from our apartment was the Mur River and all the beautiful buildings. We would hear the church bells every morning.

The Murinsel was not there when I studied in Graz, but we could see this right from our apartment so of course we all wanted to go explore it.  It is a super funky looking island over the river that houses a cafe and an area for concerts.  We even got to hear jazz being played one night.  Of course the kids wanted to grab a drink in the cafe there.

We did do a walk to the university and also some of our favorite places.  The fountain in the Stadtpark wasn’t the same without Kyle there.

We had fun visiting the food carts in Hauptplatz.

Speaking of food, Brad really enjoyed his Austrian breakfast.

Really cool parks in Graz.  It was fun seeing Gretchen, Lewis, and Hanna speak German with kids while playing.

Kimberly is in contact with her host family and very close with them. Ilse had us over for a fun night.  Many, many schnapps.  Such fun conversation.  We also went to Kimberly’s host sister’s home for a fun night of grilling.

We went to Zotter Chocolate Factory.  This was a really fun tour.  You taste chocolate from it’s raw state all the way to it’s candy bar and drinking chocolate state.

You can make custom chocolate here. Ella did this.

Zotter has a very funny sense of humor.

A really cool playground at Zotter Chocolate.

Zotter makes breakfast and lunch for his employees and has his Tieressenzoo.

We did a quick stop at Graz’s Kunsthaus which is new since I was there.

A fun dinner off of Hauptplatz.

Before we left Graz, we visited Pichler-Schober Buschenshank and celebrated Kimberly’s 40th Birthday.

From here we said goodbye to the Wong’s and headed to Altausee.  Sweet Murray has to say goodbye for now to his big sister’s.