Latest news with #CapitalofCulture
Metro
11-07-2025
- Metro
'Heart-stealer' city is a quirky foodie capital — with new direct UK flights
The world's tallest underground slide, a friendly alien, and a museum dedicated entirely to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Three attractions that won't exactly be on your hit-list when planning your perfect city break — but you've got to admit, they do sound pretty fun. This is Graz, Austria's second largest city. While it often gets overlooked by more popular counterparts, such as Vienna and Salzburg, it's quietly beloved by those in the know. Lonely Planet described Graz as an 'instant heart-stealer', while The Times said it's Austria's 'best-kept secret'. Well, the jig is up. British Airways announced the launch this week of the first direct flights from the UK to Graz, starting 25 November 2025. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Flights will run three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from London Gatwick. The new route means trips to Graz just got a whole lot easier for British tourists. So, if you're thinking of booking your flights, here's everything you need to know. Perhaps the most iconic landmark in the city in the clock tower — it sits on top of the Schlossberg, essentially a cliff face that was once the site of a fortress. You can opt to climb the steep zig-zagging stairs, take the lift or hop on the funicular, built in 1894, for just €3.20. Once you've scaled the 473m to the top, you can sit back and enjoy the view. There are cafés and restaurants, as well as a garden just below the clock tower. Don't forget to take a look at the clock face — although you might have trouble telling the time, as the two hands are the wrong way around. The longer hand points to to hours, and the short hand points to minutes. And, how do you get back down? Well, that's the best part. You can fling yourself down the tallest underground slide in the world, which at 175m long can reach speeds of up to 18mph. Once back down, take one of the pedestrian bridges over the River Mur toMur Island. Designed in 2003, the artificial island was a partly built in honour of the city being named Capital of Culture in 2003. It's sort of a floating leisure complex, with a café, shop and an auditorium which is used for concerts and cinema screenings. If being at one with nature is what you're after, there's lots of green spaces in Graz too. The largest is Stadtpark, right in the city centre. With its manicured lawns, you can take a gentle stroll around, and quench your thirst in one of the cafés. For something a little more adventurous, head to Stadstrand Graz, a city beach on the banks of the river. You can hire boats, kayaks and SUPs, and there's even a weekly community paddle. It's also a good spot to enjoy cocktails sound tracked by a schedule of DJs. In Graz, you'll come across Renaissance and Baroque architecture, as well as shiny, modern buildings. The so-called 'friendly alien' was another structure opened in 2003, and was actually designed by two British architects. It's officially the Kunsthaus, a contemporary art museum which is pretty cheap to enter, at just €12. Located in the Lend district of Graz, the former red light district is now a creative hub, and where you'll come across some of the coolest bars and shops. Auenbrugger is popular wine bar with more than 150 wines to choose from, while Scherbe is a cosy restaurant. And, while in Lend, make sure you head to Delikatessen Frankowitsch, a local institution which has been serving open-face sandwiches for more than 80 years. Back in the city, make sure you take a wonder around the city's Old Town, or Altstadt. Be sure to stop by the six-storey Kastner & Öhler department store, a 19th-century building that was renovated in 2010. You can also take a walk through the main square, Hauptplaz— it's surrounded by beautiful buildings, and weekly markets are hosted here too. There's also plenty of museums for culture vultures. The Joanneum Quarter is home to several art museums, as well as the Natural History Museum. There's also the world's largest armory, which has a whopping 32,000 objects on display. You can get a guided tour, and admission costs just €12 for adults. And last but not least, Graz's most famous son, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has a museum dedicated to his life. For just €14.90, you can learn everything there is to know about the famous bodybuilder turned governor. You might even bump into the man himself, as he's been known to visit. Graz is Austria's culinary center, known as the 'Capital of Delights', so there's plenty of options for foodies. The city is actually surrounded by countryside dotted with small farms, who produce speciality products. The most famous is pumpkin seed oil, dubbed 'green gold', which you can sample at one of the many food markets around the city. You'll also want to try Styrian apples (Graz is the capital of the Styria region, which is known as the 'green heart' of the country) and other fresh produce, including runner bean salad. Although make sure you're up early, as stalls sell out quick. Two of the most popular are Lendplatz Market and Kaiser-Josef-Market, which are both open from 6am to 1pm, Monday to Saturday. Unsurprisingly, farm-to-table cuisine is a big deal here, and if you're looking for traditional Austrian food, look for backhendl on the menu — a kind of breaded chicken. Foodies should also try to visit during some of the food-based festivals. The annual Graz Truffle festival is held every year in October, and twice a year, the city plays hosts the 'Long Table of Graz'. A table is set up in the centre, and local chefs prepare a feast — be be warned, tickets sell out within minutes. And, for an excursion outside of Graz, head to the Styrian Wine Road. There's plenty of vineyards here, and you can spend some time hopping from one family-owned winery to another, spotting some windmills along the way. During the summer, Graz reaches highs of around 26C, meaning you'll still be able to sight-see without getting too exhausted. In the winter, things turn chillier, with highs of 3C in January. Snow is common, but it's unlikely to be heavy. More Trending As Graz is in the south, it's influenced by the Mediterranean climate, and is usually slightly warmer than the likes of Vienna or Salzburg. According to Budget My Trip, you can expect to spend about £135 (£166) per day in Graz, covering food, drink and activities. Based on experiences from other travellers, you'll likely spend €56 on meals and €18 on transport. Glöckl Bräu, a popular Austrian restaurants, serves up hearty food, with a lunch time meal offer for €10.50. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: A new high-speed train is set to link three of Europe's coolest capital cities MORE: Virgin to offer 'brilliant' free perk for all passengers — but will it ruin the best part of flying? MORE: The cheapest package holiday destinations for 2025 as Spain and Cyprus soar in price
Euronews
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
European Capital of Culture 2025: Chemnitz relies on citizen participation
ADVERTISEMENT There is a major city in Eastern Germany that many Europeans have never heard of: Chemnitz. Now Chemnitz is a European Capital of Culture. This has surprised many people. Loss of industry, emigration, an ageing population, right-wing extremism... Chemnitz has many problems. As a Capital of Culture, the city is now looking for its strengths. Under the GDR regime, Chemnitz was renamed Karl-Marx-Stadt. Today, the city with a long industrial history has its old name back. The Chemnitz Capital of Culture theme: 'C the unseen!' What is a "Capital of Culture"? 40 years ago an idea originated in Greece: Each year, a "European City of Culture" is elected. The initial priority was to safeguard the common cultural heritage: The title was awarded to cities with a lot of ancient culture, such as Athens, Paris, Amsterdam and Florence. However, that has changed since Glasgow 1990: Today, the priorities also include urban development, citizen participation and cultural diversity. More and more cities with economic and social problems are submitting bids. The title "Capital of Culture" is intended to help start a new beginning. The European Union supports the transformation process with funding. Chemnitz won the title for 2025 - together with Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy. Sophie and Cathleen are two of over a thousand volunteers for Capital of Culture Chemnitz. "There are a lot of people who complain," remarks Sophie, "who say that nothing will change here anyway. But that's precisely where you have to step in and say: Of course you can change something, by lending a hand yourself.' One third of Chemnitzers are over 60. Sophie helps with the 'Dancing Neighbours' project. Alexandra Takats heads "Team Generation" as project manager. The Capital of Culture organisers strive to engage all strata of the population - whether young or old, born in Chemnitz or elsewhere: "We have many socio-cultural projects where the aim is to bring neighbourhoods together, so that newcomers with a migration background can mix with people who have lived here for a long time.' You have to look at this in the context of the 2018 riots. Chemnitz made headlines back then. After a fatal stabbing, a right-wing extremist mob beat up people that looked foreign. The ultra-right scene is still present in the region today. Chemnitz is also a stronghold of the AfD - a Eurosceptic party with a strong following - and a critical attitude towards the Capital of Culture project. AfD city councillor Ronny Licht: "Chemnitz is a divided city: The suggestion is that 'the bad guys' on the right fringe are not part of society. Then people keep talking about a 'civil society' that must become loud. That doesn't unite, it divides.' The organisers of the Capital of Culture see things differently. Project Manager Capacity Building, Pascal Anselmi: "If you try to get actively involved in your neighbourhood, that's culture for me. The will to move something, to change something, to create something new. Don't be passive - instead say: This is my city, I get involved, I participate. And that, of course, is democracy in the best sense of the word.' This is also the view of sociologist Ulf Bohmann from Chemnitz University of Technology: "The Chemnitz Capital of Culture bid has a clear focus on social issues. This can really change the city in the long term - through working together. Culture can be used to try out democratic coexistence and make people more resistant to right-wing extremism.' One of the most important Capital of Culture projects is called "Living Neighbourhood". There are festivals in garages and parks, money for community projects where people can redesign their neighbourhoods according to their own ideas... The Chemnitz cultural recipe is simple: Get close to people, join in - and discover culture in everyday life.
Fox News
16-02-2025
- Fox News
Inflatable tiny house with space for six is blowing up
We've reported on many tiny houses, but none quite like this before. This housing concept is called the Esch 22 Space Station, also nicknamed E22SS PIU! This mobile living space resembles a space station with its inflatable dome, which can inflate to triple its size. The brains behind this futuristic pad is an architectural firm called 2001, and it was developed for Esch-Alzette in Luxembourg, which is the country's second-largest city. Now, I'm not talking about just another cramped mobile tiny home here. This thing can not only grow in size but is transportable, and it's even eco-friendly. Let's dive in and see how this space-age dwelling actually works. At its core, E22SS PIU! is a 6-person mobile tiny house that can be easily transported to various locations. In its compact form, it resembles a stainless steel trailer, containing essential amenities such as a bathroom, kitchen and dining space. However, the real magic happens when it reaches its destination. Once parked, the E22SS PIU! undergoes a remarkable transformation. Two wings unfold from the trailer, creating a circular platform with a 29.53-foot diameter. This platform is then covered with cork, providing a stable and eco-friendly base. The final step in this metamorphosis is the inflation of a double-shell pneumatic dome on top of the platform. This inflation process, which can be completed in as little as 15 minutes, turns the compact trailer into generous sleeping quarters capable of accommodating up to six people comfortably. The E22SS PIU! incorporates several innovative features. A water recycling system ensures that wastewater from sinks and showers is repurposed for toilet flushing, promoting efficient water use. Accessibility has been carefully considered, with an elevator system ensuring the upper level is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The use of cork for flooring adds an eco-friendly touch to the design, further emphasizing the project's commitment to sustainability. While the E22SS PIU! may not be a practical solution for everyday tiny living, it serves a greater purpose. Created as part of Esch's Capital of Culture program, this project is designed to explore various contexts and environments within the city of Esch. It challenges our perceptions of resource usage in architecture and society, stimulating discussions about innovative housing solutions. Phillippe Nathan, Founder of 2001, an architecture firm developing territories, buildings, spaces and ideas, tells CyberGuy, "E22SSPIU is not a solution, nor does it seek resolution. It is a provocation — an experimental construct that redefines collective living by destabilizing conventional relationships to resources: soil, water and energy. It resists fixity, embedding itself within shifting landscapes, absorbing and reflecting their logic. Less an answer, more a system in flux." What's cool is that you can now stay in this unique inflatable house situated at the Ellergronn Nature Reserve. The spacious, inflatable structure is now available to rent. So, it's your chance to explore the surrounding trails and immerse yourself in a blend of innovative design and natural beauty. The Esch 22 Space Station is a bold experiment in mobile architecture. By combining portability with expandability and sustainable features, it pushes the boundaries of what we consider possible in temporary living spaces. While it may not be a practical solution for everyday use, the E22SS PIU! serves as an important conversation starter about the future of housing, resource management and urban development. Would you feel comfortable staying in an inflatable tiny home like the E22SS PIU!? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
