Barnett Vicarious Adventures: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 – Wachau Wine Valley Cruise on Danube River

The weather was great this morning. We went down to the city center and purchased tickets for the Wachau Valley Wine Bus/Cruise trip from Vienna leaving at 9:45 am.

After an hour bus ride to Split, Austria. We boarded a river cruise boat for a 2 hour ride up the Danube River through the Wachau Valley Wine Area and on to the ancient city of Melk, Austria. There we toured a 900 year old Benedictine Abbey. It was one of the most impressive cathedrals we have seen. It was right up there with St Chappel in Paris. We have seen so many churches, abbeys, etc. we really didn't think we could be impressed but we were pleasantly surprised.

Views of Vienna as we leave and the Danube River.

As we get out of the city there are rolling hills and castles, etc.

Then we get to the vineyards.

Waiting for the boat to arrive at the dock. The vineyards in the background.

Beautiful flowers everywhere.

Edward by a little stand with a menu and flowers in wine barrels next to a house with the vineyards on the hills.

The flowers and Danube River were beautiful that day.

The wine is from the Wachau Valley, of course!

A few castles along the Danube River.

Someone cruising on the Danube River – the flag shows they are from Germany.

Now we arrive in Melk, Austria.

A pedestrian walkway in Melk.

We found the Rathauskeller, a place to have some lunch and to sample the local beer.

The Abbey founded in 1089!

The lighting in the room is green. The ceiling was very ornate and the box was one of the oldest relicts they have at the Abbey.

The ceiling in this room is not really curved! It is painted to give the illusion of being domed to match a room on the other side of the Abbey.

The Abbey.

The staircase looks endless – there is a mirror at the bottom to fool you. I guess those Monks really do have fun once in a while. Pulling tricks on the tourist!