The spectacular Danube Valley, also known as Wachau, is among the most picturesque regions in Europe, with the irresistible allure of country roads, verdant hills, charming villages, lush vineyards, and medieval castles where rolling hills meet the flowing Danube River. A UNESCO world heritage site and region of natural beauty, the Wachau is one of Austria's most exciting and fascinating wine regions: the mild climate, influenced by the river valley, sunny wine slopes and the special geology mean that excellent wines are produced here, appreciated by wine connoisseurs the world over. Furthermore on the 33 kilometre long stretch of the Danube – from Melk to Krems – there is a wealth of historic buildings to be visited. The Wachau also boasts a high density of restaurants, inns and wineries, where one can explore the regions top quality cuisine and locals wines. Gently rolling hills, almost completely striped with vineyards, the medieval character of its villages and the picturesque banks of the Danube combine to a delightful whole.
The Hausstein Chapel at St Nikola on the Danube
Traditional and modern häuser dot the shore of the Danube along the Wachau Valley
Jochenstein Lock in the Wachau Valley as we pass into Bavaria, Germany
Changing the flag as we pass from Germany to Austria along the Danube
The Benedictine Abbey of Melk in lower Austria, sits on a rocky outcrop along the Danube; In his novel The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco named one of the protagonists "Adso of Melk" as a tribute to the abbey and its famous library.
12th-century Schönbühel Castle sits on the Danube's south bank between Melk and Willendorf
The 17th-century Schönbühel Parish Church
The ruins of 13th-century Medieval Hinterhaus Castle above Spitz in Lower Austria
The small village of Weissenkirchen
Saint Michael's is the oldest of all of the churches in Austria's Wachau Valley
Vineyards along the Wachau Valley
Cycling is enormously popular along the Danube, with many taking a week or two
exploring all the small towns along the river
Nestled among Austria’s most famous vines is Dürnstein, known as the “Pearl of the Wachau,” is one of the country’s most beautiful small towns. Well known for its local wines and 15th-century Augustinian Monastery with its unique blue tower, Dürnstein's postcard-perfect village is more well known by the medieval castle of Burgruine Dürnstein,where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner by Duke Leopold V, Duke of Austria after their dispute during the Third Crusade. Richard was released after a ransom of 150,000 Silver marks in freedom. Much of the castle has been reclaimed by time, but there is a fairly steep 30-minute hike up to the rocky ruins that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding Wachau Valley.
The medieval castle where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive by Leopold V, Duke of Austria after their dispute during the Third Crusade, sits above Dürnstein’s famous blue church spire
Dürnstein has kept its historic character and is regarded as the most romantic place in the Wachau
The Apricot is particularly prevalent and prized in the Wachau area, so I had to buy a jar to take home from this fellow selling jam from the window of his house
One of the lovely small boutique hotels in Durnstein
The Mayor's House
A narrow cobblestone street with views of ancient terraced vineyards
The ruins of Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned in 1193
Exterior of Dürnstein Abbey, a 15th-century former Augustine monastery splendidly redone in the Baroque style in the 18th century, and the adjoining the parish church which contains works by Kremser Schmidt
The enclosed courtyard with roses and fountain
Sunclock on the terracotta roof of the Abbey
The highly stylized Baroque entrance
The beautifully inlaid wood confessionals
The sumptuous interior
The iconic blue and white tower of the Abbey was designed to blend into the celestial colours of the blue sky and clouds
View of the Abbey from the rooftop
The verdant vineyards of Durnstein
Famous for its delicious high quality dry white wines, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling
Durnstein's Alter Klosterkeller with wine tastings from the Tegernseehof Winery
The Klosterkeller sign made of wheat shows that it sells beer also as well as wine
The winery's outdoor terrace overlooking the Danube and the Durnstein's terraced vineyards
The vaulted 13th-century cellars of Klosterkeller
Sign crafted from a barrel commemorating the 2009 vintage of Franz Hirtzberger's Durnsteiner Weintaufe
With wine glasses set out in the lovely cool cellar, the tasting was poised to begin
The first wine was a delicious light and dry 2013 Durnsteiner Gruner Veltliner
A light and delicious wine, we became ardent fans of Austria's Gruner Veltliner
Introducing each wine was owner and winemaker Emmerich Knoll
The second tasting was a peppery, fruity and dry 2015 Gruner Veltliner
made from the grapes of a single vineyard, so delicious that we bought 2 bottles
A moist and crusty bun from Durnstein's top bakery, Baeckerei Schmidl
A velvety and mature 2013 Blauer Zweifelt was the final wine
Departing Durnstein aboard the MS Savor as the sun sets over the beautiful Wachau Valley
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