31/08/2023 – 03/09/2023

Long Service Leave has commenced!

This is a pretty epic trip and epic end to a crazy year of travel for work and fun. Over the coming month or two, there will be adventures from Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Woo! I won’t post every day… most likely recaps from main legs of the travel (and when internet allows)

First stop Austria! We arrived into Vienna Airport late, and so stayed at the airport and then grabbed a car first thing the next morning to formally kick start the adventure. Destination was Graz, but we did a couple of detours. First stop was the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz, a 12th century abbey that was a nice rest stop and wander on our way. From there it was our main stop for the day, the UNESCO Semmering Railway, a gorgeous couple of hours in the Austrian mountains. And then, it was on to Graz itself, to finish the day with a schnitzel (Of course).

Next day was to one of the main places for this first part of the trip, Hochosterwitz Castle, a spectacular impenetrable castle high up on a hill. A steep climb up, through 14 gates gets you to the top. That evening was a wander around Graz itself, in particular the old town.

And on the Saturday we explored Graz proper. Main destination was Schlossberg, or “Castle Mountain”, what was left of the fortress in the city centre. From there it was exploring the museums, streets, and the food. Mmmmmm.

Sunday we left Austria (to return in a couple of weeks) and headed for Slovenia. On the way out we visited Schloss Eggenberg, and then on the road we came across Minimundus, the world in miniatures! So much fun. It was then across the border into Slovenia to officially visit a new country! We arrived at Kranjska Gora for the night, have a quick walk around Lake Jesna before rest.

Next post will be all about Slovenia!