A Drive Along the (Not-So-Blue) Danube

On Monday, we decided to take a drive out of Vienna and explore a little countryside.  A short stretch of about 25km along the Danube River, called the Wachau Valley (about 45mins west of Vienna), is highly recommended in all the guide books, so we decided to check it out.

We started with a visit to Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monasteries.  It’s massive bulk overlooks the Danube River and marks one end of the Wachau Valley and is one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this part of Austria.  The building was impressive both – being grand and imposing from a distance and dramatic and detailed up close.  We chose not to enter the abbey its self but spent a good hour exploring its grounds and courtyards.

Melk Abbey.

Noah trying to throw leaves into a fountain without much success.

The entrance to Melk Abbey.

An inner entrance inside one of the Abbey's courtyards.

The ceiling fresco of one of Melk Abbey's chapels.

Leaving Melk behind, we drove upriver (back towards Vienna) along the Wachau Valley.  It is easy to see why this part of the river draws so much attention.  Steep forest-covered hills graced both sides of the river with vineyards at their base stretching towards the river.  From time to time we would drive through a pretty little town, usually with a castle ruin atop a outcropping.  

Danube River.

Cruise boat on the Danube River. 

Wachau Valley vines.

We stopped in the small town of Durnstein for a little exploration and to find some lunch.  Aside from being Mahone-Bay-Quaint, Durnstein's one claim to fame is its castle ruin where Richard the Lionhearted was held prisoner for several years after returning from crusade.  You can walk up to the castle for great views over the valley.  Unfortunately, we got caught in a very heavy rain shower as we were leaving town and decided it wasn't worth getting soaked for.

The Castle Ruin above Durnstein.

Bikes line a wall outside Durnstein's gates - the Wachau is a very popular biking area.

Durnstein

View of the Danube from one of Durnstein's gates.

Castle Ruin above Durnstein.

Durnstein.

Aside from wine, the Wachau Valley is known for its Marille (apricots) and very proud of it.

 After lunch we got caught in the aforementioned heavy rain shower so hustled back to the car to get dry.  We had planned to visit another town for a cappuccino and some cake but we weren't in the car 5 minutes when Catherine fell asleep followed shortly afterwards by her big brother.  This freed Doug and I up to go on a little scenic drive.  We headed north up the Kamptal (Kamp Valley) on a drive that started with vineyard covered hills and slowly changed over to forested hillsides.  Our destination was a little-visitied (by non-European travellers) castle called Schloss Greillenstein, which is best known for being decorated with fanciful statues of mythical creatures.

Schloss Greillenstein

Schloss Greillenstein