After another hearty breakfast, we taxied to the train station to catch the train to Graz, where Sidney will spend the next 10 months.

We took some time to figure out that there was no live body in the vicinity to buy tickets from, but the machines, which offer language selections including English, worked pretty well, and the information boards were pretty clear about when and where to catch the train.

The train ride was very picturesque with lots of mountain scenery, tunnels and bridges.  Unfortunately, hard to photograph.

 From the train station, it was a short taxi ride to our hotel with a very chatty taxi driver, who told us we were in a good central location in the old town. Sidney in her single room for two nights

A bit of exploring of the centre of Graz, which at a permanent population of about 250,000, is very walkable. A brief stop for nourishment at Hauptplatz, the central town square:

The tram:

The river Mur:

The Murinsel, a bridge over the river with a cafe, kids play area and just a lookout over the river:

The modern art museum, Kunsthaus:

Other buildings–not sure what they are at the moment:

The city is somewhat hilly; my tired feet noticed all the going up hill and down:

The mausoleum by the main cathedral (part of which is on the right):

Our hotel is pretty interesting, not quite as modern as the one in Vienna, but still with some charm:

We were upgraded to a suite so that we were right next door to Sidney’s room. Upgrades are good:

For dinner, we decided not to venture far so went to the hotel restaurant, called Steak:

beers, not the USA brands

an excessively large green salad

broth with dumpling

salmon starter

salad with beef

rib eye with frites for two

Austrian red wine

chocolate mousse torte

creme brulee with raspberry sorbet