As we waited patiently in line at the rental car counter I wondered whether we were crazy to travel so far for such a
short stay. After all, it is a long trip from Los Angeles to Vienna and a one-week stay does not provide a lot of time to
relax and enjoy the culture. But we had a wedding (click on the link for wedding photos)to attend and friends to join.
short stay. After all, it is a long trip from Los Angeles to Vienna and a one-week stay does not provide a lot of time to
relax and enjoy the culture. But we had a wedding (click on the link for wedding photos)to attend and friends to join.
The freeway from Vienna International Airport did little to ease our doubts. As we drove past Vienna traffic began to
thin out. We exited the freeway onto a two-lane road and it was not long before we found ourselves driving past
beautiful villages with medieval town centers. The drive had become a scenic adventure into the picturesque Danube
Valley and our destination, the historic town of Dürnstein. Once we caught up with our friends who were enjoying a
wonderful dinner on the hotel patio over looking the Danube we quickly eased into vacation mode.
thin out. We exited the freeway onto a two-lane road and it was not long before we found ourselves driving past
beautiful villages with medieval town centers. The drive had become a scenic adventure into the picturesque Danube
Valley and our destination, the historic town of Dürnstein. Once we caught up with our friends who were enjoying a
wonderful dinner on the hotel patio over looking the Danube we quickly eased into vacation mode.
The medieval village of Durnstein was stunning with charming cobble stone streets, an ancient pedestrian passageway to
the river, brightly painted buildings, an ornate church and trails to the castle ruins above the village. Below is a picture of
our friends Steve and Scott at the castle wall. The ruins of this castle fortress have a direct like back to the Crusades. It
was here that Leopold V, held Richard the Lion-Hearted of England prisoner in 1193. Leopold V was a Babenberg duke
and the last ruler before the beginning of the Hapsburg monarchy that ruled Austria from 1246 to 1918.
the river, brightly painted buildings, an ornate church and trails to the castle ruins above the village. Below is a picture of
our friends Steve and Scott at the castle wall. The ruins of this castle fortress have a direct like back to the Crusades. It
was here that Leopold V, held Richard the Lion-Hearted of England prisoner in 1193. Leopold V was a Babenberg duke
and the last ruler before the beginning of the Hapsburg monarchy that ruled Austria from 1246 to 1918.
The day after our arrival we took a river cruise up the Danube. Lush hillside vineyards, charming villages, spectacular
monasteries, castles and medieval ruins line this region of the Danube river valley. Our friend Chuck and his son Charles
can be see lounging on the back of the riverboat as we cruised past picturesque countryside.
monasteries, castles and medieval ruins line this region of the Danube river valley. Our friend Chuck and his son Charles
can be see lounging on the back of the riverboat as we cruised past picturesque countryside.
The photos below include a sidewalk café and other street scenes in the town of Melk. This town is best know for its
spectacular Benedictine abbey also seen below. The sheer size of abbey allows you to roam the grounds undisturbed.
Included within the abbey is a historic library with many medieval manuscripts.
spectacular Benedictine abbey also seen below. The sheer size of abbey allows you to roam the grounds undisturbed.
Included within the abbey is a historic library with many medieval manuscripts.
| Austria 2005 |
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