Hello again! I am reporting back after my second week in the Comparative Healthcare in Graz program. Last weekend, I enjoyed a weekend trip to Salzburg, Austria, and this weekend, I had a beautiful getaway to Budapest, Hungary. We only have one week left in Austria before we head to Slovenia!

Between the two weekend trips, we had some more excursions around Graz. The most notable was our day trip to rural Austria, specifically in the state of Styria. The purpose of this journey was to become more acclimated to life and culture outside of a city in Austria.

First, we visited Piber, which is a horse farm where Lipizzaner horses are bred for dressage and other special events. This visit made me feel at home, being from Lexington, KY – the horse capital of the world! These studs were gorgeous, and they loved the attention they received from our group.

Our next stop was the Hundertwasser Kirche, a unique Catholic church designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It was interesting to see his style of artwork and how he incorporated different religions as a sign of respect.

Our next stop was a hike to see the Krems Castle Ruins, which were built in the 11th or 12th century. It was incredible to learn about how the castle was built with inner passages and hideouts to protect soldiers at war back then.

Finally, we had another hike to a Buschenschank, which is a traditional Austrian tavern where winemakers serve their own wines with cold cuts. Everything they sell is produced on their own land, following the farm-to-table setting. The breads, spreads, cheeses, and juices were delicious, and they were a wonderful way to end our cultural exploration of Styria.