In the federal state of Styria, Austria

 “The heartland lies where the heart longs to be. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to find the true place to plant it.” — Vera Nazarian

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(in Styria, Austria) The federal state of Styria, Austria's green heartland, is blessed with verdant grass and rich vineyards. Trout fishing, hiking, and mountain climbing are popular draws to this stunning state. The region is also renowned as a culinary destination, and for its Reisling and Traminer wines. State capital Graz (depicted here), a university city with a UNESCO-designated Old Town, lies on the Mur River between the Styrian Alps and a wide, fertile basin, the Grazerfeld, about 95 miles (155 km) south of Vienna. Austria’s second largest city is its most relaxed, and quite a heart-stealer, with abundant parkland, a sea of red rooftops and a narrow but fast-flowing river loudly gushing through its center. A beautiful bluff is the city's landmark. Architecturally, Graz hints at nearby Italy with its Renaissance courtyards and baroque palaces. Yet, there's a youthful energy here too, with a handful of modern buildings, a vibrant arts scene and upbeat, student-fueled nightlife. This extends to both sides of the Mur, although the Lend district, across from the historic center, skews a bit young and edgy.