Ive been to all the "musts" - Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg. It is really hard to find information on the lesser-profiled cities. I went to Linz last week and was somewhat dissappointed. I cant help but want to blame the lack of info. Please help me to not repeat the same mistake with Graz.

It will be the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003. I'm going there in January for a week, so I can't give you any first-hand information, but some web sites include:<BR><BR>www.Graz.at<BR>www.Graz03.at<BR>ww w.KunsthausGraz.at<BR>www.GrazTourism.at<BR>www.Au stria-Tourism.at/us<BR>(and click on the referece to Graz)

Graz is hometown of 'The Terminator'.So dont rtell anybody if you dont like it.

<BR><BR>I was in Graz many years ago. See the armory, &quot;Zeughaus,&quot; one of the best exhibits in all of Europe. It is a preserved storehouse of 30,000 items of 17th century arms and coats of armor. They could supply the museums of the world with the muskets and mail in this building. <BR><BR>An interesting tiny town is Hall-in-Tyrol. I've been there several times to visit distant relatives.<BR><BR>For additional sights in Austria get a copy of the Michelin Green Guide.<BR><BR>John Bermont<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com<BR>

<BR><BR>I have heard that graz is available in places called &quot;coffeehouses&quot; in Amsterdam.

We were in Graz in August. It was a nice city, but I think it will look much better in 2003 than it does (did) in 2002--so many buildings were covered in scaffolding, getting spruced up for the big 2003 cultural capital events. Good shopping, nice cafes, lots of outdoor music.<BR>We are HUGE fans of the Steiermark, but we much prefer the smaller villages. We usually spend our summer vacations in the village of Seckau (www.seckau.at), at the elegant but inexpensive Hofwirt Hotel (www.hofwirt.at). A great base (if you have a car) for exploring this lesser known, but very beautiful part of Austria. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Can't decide whether to altr our plans and give Graz a night or not, This article today in the nytimes.com - - http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/16/travel/16wdgraz.html - - adds some temptation, and we're already going there to use the Graz airport to make our escape on Ryanair.<BR><BR>Anyone been there this spring?<BR>

I'm biased, since I was born in Graz, but my husband, son and I enjoyed our stay in Graz last spring.<BR><BR>I found the best guidebook for off-the-beaten-path Austria was the Rough Guide for Austria.

Rex, I just read the article in the NYT you mentioned, and it really cleared something up for me.<BR><BR>I check the Graz webcam most mornings, and had wondered if there was something wrong with the camera, because the seemed to be an odd &quot;shadow&quot; behind the clock tower on the Schlossberg. The article explains that it has been given a &quot;twin&quot; as part of this year's festivities!<BR><BR>I'm NOT seeing things!

My wife and I went to Graz a few years back on the way to Budapest.<BR><BR>We enjoyed it very much. It was one of the imperial cities along with Salzburg, Linz and Vienna.<BR><BR>Do not expect scenery like Salzburg, but it is a nice city. The armory is outstanding and the Stigl beer hall is very good...love that Stiglbrau<BR><BR>US

Stigl beer is in Salzburg,<BR>the beer of Graz is G&ouml;sser.

You are right, it was Gosser and it was very good!<BR><BR>Sorry!<BR><BR>US