From Melk to Durnstein we sailed through the Wachu Valley more picturesque Austrian scenery with villages, churches, castle ruins and vineyards on the side of the hill. At Melk we visited the Abbey but the tour including the exhibition on St Benedict was way too slow stopping at each exhibit and explaining it in detail. We managed to find an escape route and still see the amazing library and the totally gilded church before walking down to explore the town and enjoy a relaxing drink. The tour group were still up at the abbey for at least another hour. The Wachu Valley is one of Austria's most treasured wine growing areas. After a fine sunny morning the wind sprung up and the weather turned cold as we sailed to Durnstein everyone stayed in only venturing out to capture a quick photo. The Wachu Valley is one of Austria's most treasured wine growing areas, another speciality from the area is the apricot brandy or Marillenschnaps. We had earlier tried the pear schnapps which we had enjoyed and which we preferred. On our stop at Durnstein we were given another tour this time of the town. Their claim to fame apart from the wine and brandy is that Richard the Lionheart was held captive in the castle at the top of the hill for a period of time. Some of us braved the steep climb and made it to the castle ruins to be rewarded with panoramic views of the river and surrounding mountains and township. Others stayed in town to taste the local beer!!!
At night I attended a wine tasting of the local wines. The Riesling was very fruity but the local specialty the Gruner Veltliner was more to my taste. The wines are preservative free which eliminates morning after hangovers from the sulphur dioxide.