THE TRANQUILITY OF THE WACHAU VALLEY

Views over Durnstein from Richard the Lionheart's prison

The Danube winds its way laconically through the Wachau Valley, designated a World Heritage Cultural site by UNESCO in 2000 because “the architecture, settlements and agriculture vividly illustrate a medieval landscape that has evolved organically and harmoniously over time“.  

We couldn’t have put it better, the area is very easy on the eyes and high on the soothing scale.

Fall colours of yellow and orange reflected in the Danube’s fast moving deep green waters.  The “blue” Danube has its source in the Black Forest and flows into the Black Sea 1800 miles later passing through ten countries and four capital cities. 

A grand river indeed but the primary concern on board MS Treasures was the Danube’s rapidly declining water levels and our ability to reach the Main Danube Canal and the Rhine. 

The reflections of Fall

Despite the summer-like weather we had enjoyed earlier on our trip, the rains had set in.  But no one minded. We had been collectively doing a rain dance on the sun deck and there was good news today.  

The area of the Danube of concern to the Captain had experienced significant rainfall over the past couple of days and water levels had risen to a point, where fingers crossed, our journey to Amsterdam could continue unimpeded.

An early morning visit to picturesque Durnstein we made a stairmaster-like climb to a medieval castle high on the hillside above the town and its vineyards.  Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in the castle in 1193 after a dispute during the Third Crusade. Doug pretended to lock himself behind the iron bars that had served as the prison, yikes. No one would have heard his yells for help had he been successful.

Durnstein main street - seriously

Views over Melk from the Abbey

Abbey terrace connecting the Library with the Marble Hall

Our next stop was the village of Melk, overlooked by its elaborate 900 year old Benedictine Abbey.  

The Abbey is vast and today houses a large school, a museum, an impressive library of ancient manuscripts, an ornate church, a marble hall where the Hapsburgs would dine when using the Abbey as accommodation for their 300 plus member entourage during their forays to the countryside from Vienna. 

A terrace connects the Marble Hall to the Library giving impressive views over the town of Melk and the Danube.  The Abbey’s Museum is well done, housed in the former guest rooms that once accommodated Maria Theresa and her travelling companions.  

Leaving the Abbey we passed a contingent of stylish sports cars parked in the main courtyard, their owners seeking a blessing from the Abbott before some serious racing began.

Warming up the coffee with
a little sharpener

Back on board we tried the hot tub, visited the bar and enjoyed French dinner in the aft Bistro.
  
With the rain we hoped for better weather now that the drama of insufficient water levels for safe navigation had abated.

An evening a la France