Melk & Durnstein
Perhaps my favorite of this voyage along the Danube is this stretch, not just because I lead a delightful 20 mile bicycle trip, but the scenery and ambiance along the Wachau Valley is unbeatable and is said to have inspired some of the tales of the Brothers Grimm. The final destination is the town called Durnstein, small in size but large in stature as it has a castle, vine-covered hillsides, and impressive quaint shops filled with the local hand-made products, such as soaps, apricot jams and schnapps. We toasted the end of our day in a private party with a local winemaker at his heuriger, or wine cellar, and prousted to three of the best regional wines including riesling, all additive free I might add!
Earlier this day, clouds and fog greeted us off the gangway as some guests boarded a bus while others took the opportunity to walk a short distance through the town of Melk, and up to the imposing Benedictine Monestary that dominates the southern bank of the Danube. Once inside the massive walls, we were guided around the impressive art collection, library, and learned that a large section actually houses an elementary school. A private organ recital completed our visit before we broke off to stroll the arboretum with natural history staff Sharon Granger, or continue down into town with Ray and Lucy, National Geographic staff. Fourteen guests opted to don helmets and see the river from the vantage of a bicycle, re-uniting with the River Cloud in Durnstein.
The weather gods shone upon us as we wound our way through the quaint towns, castles too high to climb, and orchards and vineyards heavy with the ripening fruits. Our two formal stops included visiting the archeological site where the Venus of Willendorf was originally found and a local eatery in the town of Spitz, rightly called the Spitzer for some local faire. We waved to the River Cloud and those enjoying the view on the sundeck as she pulled ahead of us; now refreshed, we made our way to charming Durnstein.
Perhaps my favorite of this voyage along the Danube is this stretch, not just because I lead a delightful 20 mile bicycle trip, but the scenery and ambiance along the Wachau Valley is unbeatable and is said to have inspired some of the tales of the Brothers Grimm. The final destination is the town called Durnstein, small in size but large in stature as it has a castle, vine-covered hillsides, and impressive quaint shops filled with the local hand-made products, such as soaps, apricot jams and schnapps. We toasted the end of our day in a private party with a local winemaker at his heuriger, or wine cellar, and prousted to three of the best regional wines including riesling, all additive free I might add!
Earlier this day, clouds and fog greeted us off the gangway as some guests boarded a bus while others took the opportunity to walk a short distance through the town of Melk, and up to the imposing Benedictine Monestary that dominates the southern bank of the Danube. Once inside the massive walls, we were guided around the impressive art collection, library, and learned that a large section actually houses an elementary school. A private organ recital completed our visit before we broke off to stroll the arboretum with natural history staff Sharon Granger, or continue down into town with Ray and Lucy, National Geographic staff. Fourteen guests opted to don helmets and see the river from the vantage of a bicycle, re-uniting with the River Cloud in Durnstein.
The weather gods shone upon us as we wound our way through the quaint towns, castles too high to climb, and orchards and vineyards heavy with the ripening fruits. Our two formal stops included visiting the archeological site where the Venus of Willendorf was originally found and a local eatery in the town of Spitz, rightly called the Spitzer for some local faire. We waved to the River Cloud and those enjoying the view on the sundeck as she pulled ahead of us; now refreshed, we made our way to charming Durnstein.
