Graz is the capital city of Styria, a region in the southeast corner of Austria. It is located in between rolling hills, to the north, east and west, only open to the south. Graz is full of impressive architecture which mainly dates back to the time of the struggle between Reformists and the Habsburgs' Counter Reformation. Protestant buildings like the Landhaus and many different palaces encounter buildings like the old University, the Mausoleum and the Minoritenkirche, were erected to represent Graz's strict Catholic beliefs. The major example is without doubt the Schloss Eggenberg which represents Baroque architecture in Graz. The castle has a meaningful influence on the appearance of the city and houses the biggest collection of early modern weapons and suits of armour in Europe. A very significant landmark of the city is the romantic Uhrturm, a tower that still uses the original mechanism from 1712 and which is used as a traditional location for the first kiss of people. In the 19th century Graz became bigger in size and still today many buildings represent the growth and the development for example the Karl-Franzens-University, the City Hall and the opera house. Today Graz is the second largest city in Austria with a population of about 230.000 people. It offers a great deal of cultural opportunities, like the Styriade, an annual exhibition, dedicated to contemporary art, theatre and performance art.

Graz has unlike most parts of Austria a Mediterranean climate. Spring comes usually early and brings pleasant sunny and warm weather. Summers are thanks to the close mountains not too hot. Nights can be cool and sometimes rain comes with dramatic thunderstorms. Winters are quite cold and snowy even here in the South of Austria but bright and sunny days make it more bearable.

The language spoken in Graz is German but with an Austrian dialect that is common for the region around Graz. Therefore phrases and some words differ from Standard German. English is understood mainly in touristy areas, souvenir shops, restaurants and some cafes.

The region around Graz is also mainly Catholic. There are minor groups of other religions and atheists.

The currency used in Austria is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 and the coins in use are €2, €1, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05, € 0.02 and € 0.01.

Restaurants in Graz usually include the tip but it is customary to round up the bill (ie € 2 on € 1.90). The same applies for taxis. Hotel staff usually expects € 1 to € 2 per room/night. For other services, such a haircut, it is normal to leave € 2 or more.

The VAT of 20% can be reclaimed by visitors from outside the EU by filling a tax-cheque by the time of purchase. At the airport your purchased items need to be taken to the customs clearance where the customs official will provide a tax stamp which can be cashed at any of the airport banks in a variety of currencies.

To call Graz from abroad dial +43 for Austria and then (0)316 for Graz. Calling from a hotel is in general pretty expensive. Public phone can be used with telephone card. Coins are not very common anymore. Telephone cards can be purchased in any post office.

Graz has numerous internet cafes of which some are listed below. Libraries can also be used for access to the internet as well as some cafes which provide a wireless connection for laptops and other suitable devices. Internet-and-more: Augasse 2, +43 (0)316 674102 waveride: Lendkai 9, +43 (0)699 13347281 Caf Tribeka: Grieskai 2 diemediathek: Vorbeckgasse 12, +43 (0)316 77 31 91 Internetcafe Sit´n Surf: Hans-Sachs-Gasse 10, +43 (0)316 814565 Speednet cafe: Europaplatz 4, +650-44 274 97

Fire Brigade: 122 Police: 133 Rescue: 144 Euro emergency: 112 Water rescue: 130 Ambulance: 141 Information on poisoning: 01/406 43 43

Shops are usually open from Mondays to Fridays 9 am – 6 pm and on Saturdays until 5 pm. Some big department stores and grocery stores are open on Thursdays until 7.30 pm. Most shops are closed on Sundays apart from some small Turkish or Oriental groceries, gas station shops and some supermarkets. Opening times for banks are weekdays from 8 am to 12 am and 2 pm to 4 pm.

New Year: 1 Jan Epiphany: 6 Jan Easter Monday National Holiday: 1 May Ascension Day Whit Monday Corpus Christi Assumption Day: 15 August National Holiday: 26 Oct All Saints'''' Day: 1 Nov Maria conception: 8 Dec Christtag: 25 Dec Stefanitag: 26 Dec

Graz is a relatively safe city. That doesn’t mean that you should be careless. Of course precautions need to be made regarding pick pocketing and some minor crimes that are common in touristy cities. But the prevention of crimes works very well in Graz which gives a reassuring feeling.

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