Today we headed for Melk in order to see the abbey at Melk. As Patricia and I decided some time ago we did not do this tour with Viking. Instead, we left the boat and took a bus to Durnstein. This small little village on the banks of the Danube has been one of our favorite places since our very first trip. Viking did not attain location on this trip. We took a bus from Melk to Durnstein. This was only about a 45-minute ride. We stayed at the hotel Richard Lowenstein. The hotel in on the banks of the Danube and our room looked out over their courtyard and to the side could see the river. We checked in and then went to a really neat restaurant and had lunch. Lunch was GOOD. Mine was on a large piece of rye, salami, then parmesan cheese and a garlic pesto on that. It was heated and was really outstanding. Patricia had a similar item, hers had thinly sliced Apple, Cambodia cheese, topped with cranberry. We then walked around town doing the tourist thing, IN THE RAIN. Really was a real light drizzle – first rain of any kind in months.
We saw a sign announcing a concert at the church. So we went and was not what we thought. It was a concert of little kids – probably about 5–10 years old. About 20-25 kids. Did singing, little dance, little musical instrument piece (about 10 of them). Not what we expected but a real delight!
After this, we went back to the hotel for supper. I had trout which had been swimming in the restaurant tank 30 minutes before I ate it! Really good. Patricia had tortellini and for dessert, we had apricot crepes.
That kind wrapped it up for the day.
Additional Information
After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you have time to explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or take an optional excursion to a local winery to sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region
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