Wachau-Nibelungengau-Kremstal - PICTURES

The Danube section Nibelungengau with its pilgrimage site Maria Taferl, Kokoschka's town Pöchlarn and the Palace of Artstetten. The Kremstal valley with Krems and its enchanting old town, plus the abbey of Göttweig. The Wachau with its mighty Baroque Abbey Melk and the collegiate church of Dürnstein with its famous blue tower.

A unique cultural landscape, many thousand years old. Steep rocks, sunkissed wine terraces and blossoming orchards. Picturesque villages, mighty monasteries, churches and castles. Wide open view points. The special flair of the Wachau valley has also been confirmed by UNESCO with the status of "World Heritage Cultural Landscape" in 2000.

A magic garden landscape, where natural and cultural, man-made elements have melted together. Vineyards, orchards, abbey parks and guest gardens, and above all, the peacefully flowing Danube river. Places of calm, a feast for your senses.

Viticulture follows a long tradition in the Wachau valley: Even the Celts, Illyrians and Romans have already grown wine here. Today, wines from the Wachau valley enjoy international reputation - predominantly the white wine grape varieties Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Furthermore, three exclusive categories have been established: Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd. Soils made up of primary rock and loess are what characterise the aspiring wine growing area of the Kremstal valley around the city of Krems.

Traditional Heurigen wine taverns, tasteful country restaurants, traditional inns and upscale gourmet temples - the Wachau easily finds its way into the top league of international gourmet regions. The unparalleled sweetness of the Wachauer apricot, the tasty "Laberl" rolls, the fresh fish from the stream - the tables are really well laid here.