Saturday 28 May 2011

Durnstein/Wachau/Melk

We berthed alongside another cruise boat at Durnstein in the Wachau Valley at 8am whilst we were still having breakfast. Although officially declared a town, Durnstein has only 400 inhabitants yet it attracts 1.3 million tourists each year to it's single street. Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned here in 1192/93 and the area's main activity revolves around vineyards. There is a former Augustine Abbey in the town.

We were taken on a walking tour around the town (and it's single street) in cold and raining conditions followed by a wine tasting.

The main...only...street in Durnstein...


Afterwards we sailed on to Melk where we toured a spectacular Benedictine monastery. The monks have lived and worked in the monastery contunually for over 900 years.

Their church is...ahem...lavish...

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