Excursions

Danube & more
Rich history, extraordinary wealth of cultural heritage and amazing opportunities for enjoyment. The picturesque landscapes, the alternating rhythms between narrow stretches and wide expanses of vineyards and orchards have been fascinating visitors from all over the world.

It is a magnificent world that awaits the visitor here. The Wachau begins just where the magnificent baroque Abbey of Melk arises on the southern bank. It extends up to the city of Krems 40 km downstream. The Wachau is part of the UNESCO World heritage, a wine growing area renowned throughout the world, and one of the world’s most beautiful river valleys. It is characterised by a rich history and extraordinary wealth of cultural heritage. This unique work of art, in its entirety, is also a pleasure garden which has always inspired artists and thinkers alike. It is also a preferred meeting point for connoisseurs and epicureans from all over the world.

The area is densely populated with interesting addresses: the palette ranges from ‘capped’ restaurants, including some of the best in Austria, through cosy little family run hotels inns to quaint wine bars. Whatever the cooks in the Wachau region serve up comes fresh from the surrounding areas. They know best how to conjure up delicacies from the typical apricot and prepare fresh water fish with finesse. And one thing that no wine bars will miss out on is the Wachauer-Laberl.

Of the numerous artists who have immortalised the Wachau in their works, the Wachau painters of the 19th century merit special mention. It was in those days that painters and photographers were discovering the Wachau. The intense moods of the place fascinated them. This was a place where the artists could be by themselves, because high society in those days used to holiday elsewhere. Thus the Wachau evolved into a refuge for artists, and a source of inspiration towards which people travelled readily.

In the 1950s, Austrian films and actors and actresses like Waltraut Haas and Hans Moser made the Wachau known throughout Europe, mainly through the song ‘Mariandl-Lied’ from the film ‘Hofrat Geiger’. The famous Italian writer Umberto Eco found inspiration in the impressive Abbey of Melk. His novel “The Name of the Rose” begins and ends in Melk.