The day finally came; Matea and I set off to Graz early, that Saturday morning. We arrived just around 9 am when shops started to open and the town was becoming more alive. It was pouring rain, unfortunately no snow as I had hoped for, so we decided to go to Cafe Sacher, our first stop. If you go to Graz, you have to go to Cafe Sacher; consider it a landmark. Their coffee is delicious, people are very nice and friendly and the Cafe has been around for a long time. Anyway, with already heated coffee machines and the smell of freshly brewed coffee, we had no problem waking up and being ready to walk the streets of Graz yet again.
When we came out, the rain was still falling, but significantly less than when we came. The whole idea of this trip was to rest, to take the time off and to spend it in a place we already knew but just enjoying the Christmas atmosphere and seeing Graz in a way we didn’t before, wandering the streets and discovering interesting places. Walking up Herrengasse, the main shopping street, we quickly came to the place we already knew – Sorger bakery to buy some delicious pastry. With no defined agenda we continued up the street just talking and laughing and making photos…
Graz is full of great bakeries; the old, the new, the ones with tradition… Explore them if you get the chance. All the pastry, bread and cakes are a delight for all your sences. Just like this one…
Once you get a little further away from the center and the main shopping street, that’s when you start discovering those special places that are worth the visit, and, in the end, that make the city special. One of those places is Delikatessen Frankowitsch; a place to buy the best of cured meet, cutlet, cheese, bread, all kinds of cold salads and pickled vegetables, pates, olives, virgin olive oil, vine, champagne, beer, chocolate, and so much more. While you’re there, you can sit in a buffet/bar, order a drink, some food or even patisserie.
In the neighbourhood you can find some interesting design stores. I would highlight Mur, a really great store with interior design goodies and nino d, which sells kind of different, but hip accessorize.
Most of the squares in the center are Christmas markets and most of them aren’t anything special, in fact, you can find anything and nothing really. But since most markets around Europe are the same way (except the big popular ones), it didn’t bother me. I enjoyed more the colors and photographing people, than I ever would in any market. There were some interesting handcrafts, especially from wood. But, that’s just my point of view. Matea and I loved the little wooden spiral spoons, which were a decoration..see the pic below.The only thing that will surprise you is the sweet cinnamon smell of hot wine that you can feel everywhere you go…
As it was already afternoon and we decided to take a walk by the river Mur…
Stella – European Travelling Advisor
Graz look amazing! I am very glad you write this blog. Because you are very good at it. Everytime I read one of your post, I feel the need to go visit the place myself. Something about how you write and your pictures does it for me:-)
Thank You,
Giovanna Garcia
Beatuiful photos Stella – you make me want to jump on a plane & visit .. we can really feel where you are – we can feel the culture and tradition
Giovanna that is so sweet, thank you. It’s always great to hear that I’m succeeding at what I wanted. Thank you!
Stella – European Travelling Advisor
Thank you Hilary, I’m so happy you like it. It’s always great to see you on my blog.
Stella – European Travelling Advisor
P.S. I’m excited to see what you’re doing next, I saw some new headlines on blogger…