Graz

I spent two nights in Graz. I found it an enjoyable city, but nothing too spectacular that you can't find in other similar cities. The Schloßberg seems to be the main attraction in town. Technically, the city is surrounded by the Alps, but these aren't the familiar towering snow-capped peaks, rather, the low sloping mountains of the eastern end of the chain.

I also visited the nearby Austrian open-air folk museum, which although enjoyable, was probably not the best example of these types of museums I have visited.

thank you for your input..Hank

Will you have a car and what time of year?

Here is the website for the Graz tourist board. A good overview here:

https://www.graztourismus.at/en/see-and-do/sightseeing/sights

Overall, Graz is best know for the clock tower, the funicular, the kunsthaus and the armory museum. The center of the town is appealing as well.

I travel to Styria (the region where Graz is located) often as I have family roots there. To really see this area, you must go rural. The area is known for its wine, apples and pumpkinseed oil. The South Styrian Wine Trail is an excellent way to explore by car, by bike or on foot. Many compare this area to Tuscany. A stop at a Buschenschank (a wonderful winery restaurant) is a must.

Here's a helpful link:

http://www.suedsteirischeweinstrasse.at/en/home/

I'd also highly recommend Riegersburg Castle - the stuff of fairy tales - as well as the nearby Zotter Chocolate Factory. The chocolate factory is absolutely fascinating and you can really go behind the scenes. This company is hugely popular in Austria and known for its strange flavor combinations.

http://www.steiermark.com/en/poi/family-riegersburg-castle_20655

https://www.zotter.at/en/zotter-experience/prices-tour.html

The area is also very famous for its thermal spas - Bad Blumau being the most famous for its Hundertwasser design.

http://www.blumau.com/en/

In Slovenia, you might also want to consider Ptuj.

Honestly, you could easily spend a week in Styria.

Dear Tom and Emily, thank you for your responses. We will not have a car, but will be traveling by bus, train, and foot. Graz seems to be fairly walkable, so we are hoping to get around the sights of the city, with public transit and maybe the occasional cab. Perhaps we can take the train or buses to the surrounding towns in the wine regions. I am a home brewer and have heard of the legendary Styrian hops. We are looking forward to our visit. Thanks again, Hank, Novato Ca.

Dear Tom and Emily, I forgot to mention that we will be traveling the first two weeks of September. Hank

For what you probably want to see within the city, Graz is very walkable. I don't think you'll need any kind of transportation within the city itself.

I am a home brewer and have heard of the legendary Styrian hops.

Maybe you want to make a stop in Leoben on your way to Graz to visit the famous Gösser Brewery and its Brewery Museum:
http://www.goesser.at/braumuseum
(You need to call them for arranging time and date for your visit.)