Waltzing the Blue Danube

On the way through the enchanting river valley you pass ancient castles perched up on high cliffs, historical villages - some so small you need to walk as cars aren’t allowed – and green grapevines ripening under a baking sun.

When travelling along the Danube, whether it is by bike, car or boat, the following attractions should not be missed out:

Linz – European Capital of Culture 2009
Culture in Linz is extraordinarily diverse. There’s interactive art in the virtual worlds of the Ars Electronica Center, which recently moved into a fabulous new facility. On the opposite bank of the Danube, masterpieces of the 19th and 20th centuries are on display in the striking glass-and-steel Lentos Museum of Art. A day filled with culture and art can be rounded off with a delicious “Linzer Torte” the cities famous sweet dish!

Benedictine Abbey of Melk
The Abbey of Melk is located at the entrance to the World Cultural Heritage Region Wachau where it has formed a spiritual and cultural hub of Austria for more than 900 years. Today, you can stroll through a modern abbey museum and learn about its history and present activities. The marble hall and the library are especially worth seeing, and the abbey church forms a true masterpiece of Baroque art.

The Ruin and Abbey Church of Dürnstein
Famous for the imprisonment of the English king Richard Lion Heart, the Ruin of Dürnstein is a popular sight in the Wachau region. On your way up to the ruin, you are rewarded with extraordinary views over the Danube and its vineyards.
The Abbey Church of Dürnstein is well-known for its blue-white tower, the unique artwork showing the suffering of Jesus Christ and the tabernacle at the altar with 44 images of the life of Jesus.

Krems
Krems is a lively little town renowned for its inner city and dynamic art scene. Its central, artistic hub is the “Kunstmeile Krems” including the famous art gallery, Austria’s only museum for caricature and numerous restaurants and bars. Wine enthusiasts should definitely visit the wine museum as well as participate at a guided wine tour called “WEIN.SINN.”