Avalon River Cruising in Europe - Next Stop Austria

Guten Tag (Good Day) 

Vienna-  3rd stop on the journey.

This place was overwhelming rich in cultural clean and full of $$$~!

Vienna is so steeped in history that it could easily have become a museum rather then a modern city.

Don’t miss a visit to one of their famous coffee houses. Demel or Central are the best ones in town.  Coffee houses are much more for a leisurely chat than a rushed espresso.

The day consisted of a short motorcoach in to town with local experts on the history of this city.  Zac and I decided to head to the Gothic Church, another St. Stephens Cathedral.   For a small price we headed up the steep steps some 100 or son to get to the top to see the overlay of the city.  Well, Tammy got half way up and her claustrophobia kicked in so she turned around while Zac made it to the top!

That evening, we opted for the Walzer-Operetta Concert provided to guests on board our vessel.  It took place in a small but beautiful room at the  Albertina.   My first experience with Opera…  Well, small amounts were enjoyed ;-D

There is so much to do and see in Vienna.  If you love the arts and museums – this is the perfect place for you!

Dürnstein,  Austria  Stop 3

The scenic Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems is a highlight of any cruise along the Austria Danbue.  Dürnstein fully merits its nickname, the ‘peral of the Wachau’.

Zac and I decided to skip the tour in them morning, sleep in  and then venture off on our own.  BAD IDEA!  I opened the curtains and it was  "we need to get going quick"   It was a hustle off the boat to see this phenomenal view.     We were only there for 2.5 hours and we had already missed an hour.   We did miss a downpour but this place was such a  unique small village.  Such an embrace from the large city visits!   Zac thought this would be a great place to come back and backpack around.  If your boat makes a stop here…Make sure to take it all in!!

Melk – Stop 4 

All on board from Durstein to Melk, Austria   Superlative Baroque

Visit to Benedictine Abbey:  The first appearance of this place.   Vast and monumental,   WOW!!  What is this place?    Seriously, the money they put in this place?  Really?  Why so fancy?  Couldn’t they take the money for this place and feed the poor in the entire world.  I never did get a cost for this Abbey but I will forever be taken back by the sheer amazing, intricate details of such a ‘Palace’ – ‘Fortress’

It’s hard to believe that this was designed as a retreat for Benedictine monks sworn to poverty and a simple life.  Really?   Instead the monastery epitomizes the ebullient confidence and extravagance of the Baroque style, in which modesty and restraint were generally conspicuous by their absence.

Europe’s greatest works of baroque construction.

Salzburg,  Austria via Passau- Germany   Stop 5

Although Passau Germany greeted us with charm and beauty my heart on this trip was to head to Salzburg, Austria.  So many childhood memories of watching the Sound Of Music with my mom (who currently has dementia)  I was not disappointed.  It was a 2 hour motorcoach ride through the Countryside.      So peaceful I dozed off to be awaken but the incredible breathing Alps!   Zac said it was a good thing that I did because the tour leader had told the “true story” of the Von Trapp Family.  (I heard the story later that day) but it will never take away the movie and the horrific Holocaust.

First stop the church they were married.    Abbey of Mondsee
 Then off to Salzburg birthplace of Mozart.  Yes, you can tour the home but we opted for the personal tour from our tour guide which included a beautiful garden where the Von Trapp Family first sang. Of course I had to take photo’s along they way.   BEAUTIFUL city..
 crowded with visitors at first then the crowds started to subside later in the day.  If you know when to get around the crowds this would be a lovely place to visit.    We had free time on our hands so we went up the cable car to the Hohensalburg Fortress where our view for lunch was a view I will never forget of the Alps.

We got a quick tour of Passau on our way back to the boat.  Everyone who visited their that day was not disappointed.  My brother who had visited a month prior to mine said the Cathendral of St. Stephan was a must see.

Abbey of Mondsee/Church where Von Trapp’s were married