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On Cruising the River Danube: Part 2 of 4

Both the previous post and this one focus on the Upper Danube River. This happens to be the section that most river cruises take (between German and Budapest) in one direction or the other. This post features from Melk to Budapest.

 

Melk, Austria

Melk Abbey majestically sits above the city of 5,000+. Founded in the 11th Century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is magnificent inside and out. Here are two Google Images searches: Exterior; Interior: plus a 4-minute video from Rick Steves.

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Wachau Valley

Protected by UNESCO, The Wachau Valley very scenic. A great day to sit on the top deck and watch the world go by.

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Durnstein, Austria

Durnstein is a small town located in the wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley. The medieval sector (with its narrow streets) is full of shops and free of automobiles. I hiked to the Durnstein Castle ruins sitting high above the town that offers wonderful views of the area.

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Vienna, Austria

Vienna – the center of the Hapsburg Empire for 500 years – and the city where classical music is the real king. The city was busy – very busy. Maybe too busy, so the city didn’t grab me as it should. However, that evening we attended a private concert by a chamber orchestra composed of  12 fabulous musicians who sounded like a large orchestra. The evening was unquestionably extra special.

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Bratislava, Slovakia

Whereas Vienna disappointed me, Bratislava captured my heart. I love old-city-sectors in Europe, and Bratislava is my kind of place.

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Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, a vibrant, opulent city, is where 102 passengers disembarked and 104 replaced them as 36 of us had reached our half-way point. Because we spent two-full days there last year as part of our Rick Steves tour, we wanted to do different things. We our visited an exhibit of a Hungarian artist (Miska Roth), toured the Hungarian Opera House (great but under renovation), and enjoyed some Hungarian cake. For more information about this wonderful city, here are links to four past posts: Budapest, Liberty Square, The Bronzed Shoes, and Tidbits.

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Past Post in the Series

Part 1 (Prague to Linz)

32 thoughts on “On Cruising the River Danube: Part 2 of 4”

  5. We rode past the monastery in Melk, but would have had to backtrack a couple km in headwinds to see the town. Long ride that day, so we skipped. Duration was very charming – and packed with people from the cruise ships like you😉.

    Vienna really was a busy place. We didn’t get to all the things we wanted to see. The people-watching near the Stephansdom cathedral was excellent, though!

    You take great photos!

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    • Eilene,
      Melk was the crowded one on this day – and we may have been the only ship in Durnstein at the time. Vienna was packed with people … and given so little time, I need to return to get a better feel for the city.

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  10. I agree with the others. Gorgeous shots, Frank! Wonderful blue skies. AND a private concert by a chamber orchestra in City of Music? Good. Golly. Vienna has always been one of my favorite places on the planet, so I’m very jealous. Thanks for the tour! Theadora

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    Reply

    • Theadora,
      The concert in Vienna was fabulous … and we could tell these were top-flight musicians. Because you enjoyed this, I hope you saw Part 1 (two posts back) … .and parts 3 and 4 are coming soon … that is, next in the queue.

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