Styriarte: Festival of Classical Music

Nikolaus Harnoncourt, legendary pioneer of the Early Music movement, may be feted around the world -- but his roots are in his native Graz, and so is the styriarte Festival.

Founded in 1985, the three-week assemblage of operas, concerts and more was originally designed to forge ties between the pioneering conductor and his hometown. Today the summer event encourages a rediscovery of long-lost musical variations, from the Middle Ages up through Romanticism -- the Harnoncourt-led Concentus Musicus Wien ensemble performs entirely on period instruments, for instance.

Meanwhile, the dynamic Chamber Orchestra of Europe has become one the of the favorite ensembles of the festival. Trailblazing performers of Early Music -- Jordi Savall, Quatuor Mosaiques and Armonico Tributo Austria, for instance -- have become staples on the festival's stage. Another staple: The gorgeous city all around, with its historic sites and well-preserved city cente.