Dürnstein & Melk, Austria
Our morning began in a spectacular way, with a brilliant, orange sunrise. We entered the Wachau Valley at first light as we passed the picturesque town of Krems, en route to Dürnstein.
Dürnstein is a beautiful, small town best recognized for its powder blue church steeple. It is also known for the ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle, which are perched on the rocky hillside above. This was, in 1193, the temporary prison of King Richard the Lionheart, whose loyal minstrel Blondel was responsible for initiating the rescue of his master. We walked along the cobblestone streets and tiny alleyways, some of us stopping to sample the endless varieties of fruit liqueurs for sale. After much exploration, we met at one of the local Heurigen (wine cellars) called Klosterkeller, for a taste of some of the white wines that are produced in and around the Wachau Valley.
We returned to the River Cloud and began our cruise a bit before lunch, entering deeper into the Wachau Valley. We bundled up on deck and enjoyed some of the most spectacular scenery of the entire cruise. (Along with some gluwein to keep us warm!) The Wachau was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and recognized for its combination of natural and man-made beauty. Incredible, terraced vineyards, small and picturesque towns, and the natural beauty of the river, itself, made for a wonderful experience out on deck.
In the afternoon, we docked in the town of Melk and proceeded up the hill to the spectacular Melk Abbey. At points both contemporary and Baroque, the tour of the Abbey was a surprise in every room. Our guides gave us details about the history of the Abbey’s role as a Benedictine monastery, a school, and at times, even a fortress. After the guided tour, we met in the Abbey’s church for a private organ concert. We appreciated the music, played on the church’s impressive pipe organ, and then went in a variety of directions to explore the town of Melk and to return to the River Cloud.
After several days of the faster-paced city of Vienna, it was a welcome surprise to spend our day exploring the Wachau Valley and the beautiful towns within it.
Our morning began in a spectacular way, with a brilliant, orange sunrise. We entered the Wachau Valley at first light as we passed the picturesque town of Krems, en route to Dürnstein.
Dürnstein is a beautiful, small town best recognized for its powder blue church steeple. It is also known for the ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle, which are perched on the rocky hillside above. This was, in 1193, the temporary prison of King Richard the Lionheart, whose loyal minstrel Blondel was responsible for initiating the rescue of his master. We walked along the cobblestone streets and tiny alleyways, some of us stopping to sample the endless varieties of fruit liqueurs for sale. After much exploration, we met at one of the local Heurigen (wine cellars) called Klosterkeller, for a taste of some of the white wines that are produced in and around the Wachau Valley.
We returned to the River Cloud and began our cruise a bit before lunch, entering deeper into the Wachau Valley. We bundled up on deck and enjoyed some of the most spectacular scenery of the entire cruise. (Along with some gluwein to keep us warm!) The Wachau was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and recognized for its combination of natural and man-made beauty. Incredible, terraced vineyards, small and picturesque towns, and the natural beauty of the river, itself, made for a wonderful experience out on deck.
In the afternoon, we docked in the town of Melk and proceeded up the hill to the spectacular Melk Abbey. At points both contemporary and Baroque, the tour of the Abbey was a surprise in every room. Our guides gave us details about the history of the Abbey’s role as a Benedictine monastery, a school, and at times, even a fortress. After the guided tour, we met in the Abbey’s church for a private organ concert. We appreciated the music, played on the church’s impressive pipe organ, and then went in a variety of directions to explore the town of Melk and to return to the River Cloud.
After several days of the faster-paced city of Vienna, it was a welcome surprise to spend our day exploring the Wachau Valley and the beautiful towns within it.
