blast: new years eve at the marriott centerpoint

OK, everyone can't make it to Times Square, but if you live near Kennett Square Pa. stop on by from 9PM till 12:30AM for music, food and the dropping of the lighted mushroom in the town center. The restaurants are great and make reservations, if you miss out food carts are available. Almost all of the stores are open and the shopkeepers are friendly and ready to help you ring in the New Year. This year, despite frigid temps. by 11:30 a large crowd had gathered and were enjoying the live music; awaiting the moment when the 8 foot lighted mushroom descended from the large crane. It was a great family event as we were with our daughter, son in law and 3 grandchildren. It may seem odd to some, but after all this is the mushroom capital of the world.

Just after Christmas we spent a wonderful day in the center of Graz. It was a sunny day and the center was live with all the people around. The pleasant mood was catchy and the decorates a sight for the eye. The view form Uhrturn was fantastic with the blue sky and the Mura river below. It's quite small and I would recommend using the railway to travel (the distance from Vienna to Graz is less than 3 hours by train) and the walk to the center form the station is straight along Anne strasse.